Animal Riddle Rhymes

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Here are three charming poems that take the form of riddles. In each one you have to guess which animal we are describing. We hope that you will enjoy them, and perhaps learn a few unusual facts about animals along the way.

These Animal Riddle Rhymes have been written especially for Storynory by Charlotte Sebag-Montefiore.

Read by Natasha. Written by Charlotte. Duration 3.51.

I am a clever African
my memory’s very long
I like it living in my herd
I’m beautiful and strong

I like the leaves on tops of trees
they’re clean and very sweet
I like fresh grass untrampled on
I do not care for meat.

My trunk is very special
it is a sort of nose
I use it for so many things
it’s like a garden hose.

I shower with it, I eat and swim
though heavy as a bus
I roll in mud for suncream
which you could do with us.

When walking, we go single file
we haven’t hands to hold
Our mothers hold us with their tail
the young led by the old

Now dear child, you’ve listened
just tell me, what’s my name.
If you don’t know, don’t worry
I’ll tell you all the same!
I’M AN ELEPHANT

My teeth are in my stomach
my goodness fancy that
so do be careful, won’t you?
or my tum will eat your hat.

I could be white or yellow
I’ve cousins who are blue
but put me in the cooking pot
and I’ll turn red for you.

I’ve loads of legs, 5 pairs of them,
a runner I’ll never be
my claws could pinch you very hard
at the bottom of the sea.

My shell is like a hard tough rind,
inside, I’m soft you know
I have to take it off, alas
there is no room to grow.

I change it sometimes when I’m big
more often when I’m small
I want to live for 50 years
and reach 3 long feet tall

Now child, you have listened
just tell me, what’s my name.
If you don’t know, don’t worry
I’ll tell you all the same!
I’M A LOBSTER

My mother laid a clutch of eggs
I had to leave my shell
She left me when I came outside
I looked so wriggly well

I’m really very handsome
I look like one long tail
and my mouth opens really wide
I’d nearly eat a whale!

I’m fond of scrumptious mice and frogs
They’re just the size for me
and when I’ve had one for my lunch
I don’t need one for tea!

I mustn’t get too fat you know
Nor scrawny, weak or thin
I have to stay the perfect size
my hole to slither in

I like it there, it’s nice and safe
from birds with nasty claws
I’d rather stay alive you know
not end up in their maws!

Now child, you have listened
just tell me, what’s my name.
If you don’t know, don’t worry
I’ll tell you all the same!
I’M A SNAKE