Who am I? Who are We? Short Riddles Posed by African Animals – Series 1: Who am I? Who are We? Short Riddles Posed by African Animals, #1

By T'nreb Rekabnessiev

"Who am I?" "Who are We?"

 

Fourteen animal species or groups of animals of Africa introduce themselves to you through short riddles. Can you identify them all? Can your friends? Can your family?

 

Part riddle, part life-story, part field guide to identification, each chapter is narrated by one or a group of famous residents of the African veld. Each chapter is packed with the latest information and illustrated with superb images. Learn more about each species' or group's distinctive personality, characteristics and quirks by attempting to answer the questions "Who am I?" and "Who are We?".

 

Whether you are just starting out to read your own book for the first time or you have already read gazillion books, this collection of riddles is sure to keep you guessing. Some riddles are shorter and easier, others are long and challenging. Once you have started reading, make sure that you hide this book – you do not want your mom or dad to get a hold of it before you have not tested them first.

 

"Who am I?"

"Who are We?"

 

Are you up to the challenge?

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: T'nreb Rekabnessiev
• Release date: Apr 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393174059

T'nreb Rekabnessiev

T’nreb Rekabnessiev is an old man who lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with his three dogs and a loving wife. He spends most of his days sitting on a tiny stoep, thinking of and dreaming about the bush and its myriad of inhabitants.

Book preview

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

WHO AM I? WHO ARE WE? SHORT RIDDLES POSED BY AFRICAN ANIMALS – SERIES 1

First edition. April 24, 2020.

Copyright © 2020 T'nreb Rekabnessiev.

ISBN: 978-1393174059

Written by T'nreb Rekabnessiev.

To Matthias and Benjamin:

May your experiences of the bush

remain enchanting forever.

Text: T’nreb Rekabnessiev

Images:  Berndt Weissenbacher

Thank you:

I am most grateful to Berndt Weissenbacher, a dear old friend, who made available to me all of the images that allowed me to illustrate all of the riddles. Of course, the copyright for all images remains his and his alone. Ta muchly, Berndt.

To my family, especially to Jacqui, who had to put up with an even more exaggerated reclusive behaviour during the writing of this series, thank you for putting up with my nature.

Most importantly, I wish to thank all of the animals, big and small, who have spoken to me about their very special lives. Your conversations have fascinated and inspired me during my lifetime. Thank you for allowing me to get close to you and for trusting me – your stories and your being enchant and humble me in equal measure.

Contents:

My Name is Galago moholi – Who am I?

My Name is Struthio camelus – Who am I?

We are the Day-active Scale-winged Insects of the Order Lepidoptera – Who are We?

My Name is Equus burchelli – Who am I?

My Name is Merops bullockoides – Who am I?

My Name is Phacochoerus aethiopicus – Who am I?

We are the Non-poisonous, Four-legged Animals with a Scaly Skin of the Order Squamata – Who are We?

My Name is Haliaeetus vocifer – Who am I?

My Name is Canis mesomelas – Who am I?

My Name is Streptopelia capicola – Who am I?

We are the Fast-flying Hunting Insects of the Order Odonata – Who are We?

My Name is Tragelaphus strepsiceros – Who am I?

My Name is Alopochen aegyptiaca – Who am I?

My Name is Panthera pardus – Who am I?

My Name is Galago moholi – Who am I?

We live in the warmer bushveld regions of southern Africa, in any place where thorn trees grow. I do not like to walk or to jump on the ground. Therefore, the bushveld must be very dense, and the trees must grow so close to each other that my family and I will be able to jump easily from tree to tree.

I live in a small family group together with my mom, dad, little sister and little brother. During the day, when the sun is shining brightly, we take refuge in a small nest in a dense treetop where we have packed together twigs and leaves to build ourselves a cosy, warm shelter. Sometimes we also live in hollow tree trunks of larger trees. There I lie the whole day long, relaxed and asleep while you are at school.

When we stay in a self-built tree nest, it is enjoyable to lie outside of the nest on a branch and to bathe in a patch of sunlight. However, my ears stay alert all of the time; as soon as there is a noise, I am fully awake. I am ready immediately to escape through the tree’s branches with long jumps. If you want to creep up on me to see me up close, you will have to be able to move through the veld very stealthily.

My family and I are nocturnal; this means that we are active only at night. While the world is quiet and most other animals are asleep, we hunt insects, large spiders and even scorpions that scuttle around on the bark of large trees at night. During summer, I also love to eat ripe, juicy fruit, if I can find them in the bushveld. Sometimes we even lick the sweetish gum of thorn trees, particularly during the winter months when our usual food becomes scarce.

I have gigantic eyes to be able to see well in the dark of night. Like your eyes, mine also point forwards. They are also spaced widely apart so that I can perceive depth very well; this is especially important if you want to land safely on a small branch rather than to jump too far. My ears are also large so that I can hear any sound. Other than that, I have a rather small, flat face because my nose and jaws do not jut out much. My mouth is filled with small teeth that look just like yours do.

My skin is covered in quite short, grey hairs and my fur feels fine and soft. Only my long tail is covered in longer hairs. When the weather turns cold, I puff up my fur – then I look much larger and plumper than I actually am. That is how I keep the cold away from my