Blue Dragon

In the ocean lives a dragon

Who is luminously blue

And although she looks quite harmless

You will find it isn’t true

This Blue Dragon is a sea slug

Calmly floating on her back

While a Man-of-War approaches

And commences its attack

Now it’s jelly versus dragon

Who lacks flames and cannot roast

But the sea slug wins the battle

And that jellyfish… is toast

And she swallows down the jelly

Gobbles up each stinging cell

Then she redistributes poison

In a way that suits her well

At the end of each frilled finger

Little Dragon packs a punch

As she uses jelly poison

To subdue her next sea lunch

The Blue Dragon, or Blue Glaucus, is a sea slug that can grow up to about 3 centimeters long. It spends its life floating along just under the surface of the water, upside down. It carries an air bubble inside that allows it to stay near the surface of the water. The Dragon’s blue underside cannot be seen well from above, protecting it from hungry, fishing birds. Its topside is silvery gray, which cannot be seen well from under the water and this protects it from hungry fish.

Some sea critters do manage to find this feisty delicacy and do try to eat it. They must get past its poison, however, for it protects itself well. When a blue dragon manages to beat and eat a Portuguese Man-of-War, it has the unique ability to swallow the stinging cells, or nematocysts, without harming itself. On the contrary, it uses these stinging cells to defend itself in the wild blue yonder.

For more information see the following websites:

http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/glauatla

http://www.realmonstrosities.com/2011/07/blue-sea-slug.html

Do your knees quake at the intimidating title of “Volcano Rabbit?”

If only this tiny bunny had the power and majesty of a volcano to get the world to take notice. Instead, the world’s second smallest type of rabbit is quite decidedly endangered and its range is limited to the pine forests near the peaks of a few inactive volcanoes in Mexico. The Volcano Rabbit, or Zacatuche, is slowly disappearing as its habitat disappears.

Humans build homes on the rabbits’ lands; cattle and sheep move in and eat up its main food source, the “zacaton” bunch grass; forest fires gobble up the rabbits’ neighborhoods. Life is not easy for these little short-eared bunnies.

The Volcano Rabbits’ only defense is running and hiding. Although it industriously maintains tunnel runways through the dense grass to use as escape routes and its grey fur blends in nicely with the volcanic soil, this poor little critter has trouble avoiding the insensitive “Elmer Fudds” out there who try to shoot those “pesky rabbits.” As somebunny once said, “For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love.” (Carl Sagan) Even the world’s second smallest rabbit matters in the cosmic vastness. Love them and protect them. (Thump-thump.)

Pangolin by Iden Convey

The poem, “Ode to the Pangolin,” first presented on the “Belogged of Beasts” site has been accepted for publication in “Cricket” magazine! It will appear in the January 2016 issue. It has been slightly rewritten but is pangolin-approved. I am looking forward to getting my free copies of this delightful children’s magazine.

Here is the link to the original posting: http://belovedofbeasts.com/pangolin-poetry/

We have ordered some pangolin-related books for our international school library. Here are some examples of related literature if you are interested in pangolins:

Roly Poly Pangolin, by Anne Dewdney

“Roly Poly, very small, doesn’t like new things at all.”

Meet Roly Poly Pangolin, a little pangolin who’d rather stick close to his mama instead of facing anything unfamiliar. Whether it’s a line of ants, a friendly monkey, or a loud noise, Roly Poly runs the other way. Then he hears something that really scares him. So he does what all pangolins do when they’re frightened; he rolls up into a tiny ball. But Roly Poly is surprised when he finally peeks out, because another ball is peeking back . . . it’s a small pangolin just like him!

Anna Dewdney has created another irresistible character to reassure children about the world around them.

P is for Pangolin: an Alphabet of Obscure, Endangered and Under-Appreciated Animals, by Anastasia Kierst
What is a pangolin? Better yet, what is a yeti crab and how does it grow food? Learn fun and fascinating facts about these and many other littleknown creatures from across the globe. Each animal is richly depicted in bright, playful watercolor illustrations. The back of the book features four teacher resource pages with thought-provoking activities written by the author, a certified teacher. In addition, there is a section dedicated to conservation for readers who want to take action. Even avid wildlife enthusiasts are sure to learn something new from this extraordinary alphabet book.

What on Earth is a Pangolin?, by Edward R. Ricciuti

Would you know a quokka if you saw one? How about a tuatara or pangolin? These are not exactly household words, but they are a few of the many fascinating and curious creatures featured in the What on Earth series. Each volume fully explores the lifestyles and habitats of animals that few people even kno
w exist. Simple, concise text covers the animal’s classification, its unique characteristics, its methods of survival, what the animal eats and who eats it, reproduction and care of the young, conservation issues, and the relationship of the animal to humans. Each book’s large size and stunning, full-color photographs bring these remarkable subjects to life. A glossary, further reading list, map, and index make What on Earth books as educational as they are fun!

Enjoy reading about this amazing, endangered species!