Who am I? Who are We? Short Riddles Posed by African Animals – Series 2: Who am I? Who are We? Short Riddles Posed by African Animals, #2

By T'nreb Rekabnessiev

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

 

Once again 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: May 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393731177

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 2

First edition. May 5, 2020.

Copyright © 2020 T'nreb Rekabnessiev.

ISBN: 978-1393731177

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 Xerus inauris – Who am I?

My Name is Bucorvus leadbeateri – Who am I?

We are the Bustling Membrane-winged Insects of the Order Hymenoptera – Who are We?

My Name is Ceratotherium simum – Who am I?

My Name is Terpsiphone viridis – Who am I?

My Name is Aepyceros melampus – Who am I?

We are the Four-legged Animals with a Scaly Skin that are Water-living Hunters – Who are We?

My Name is Sagittarius serpentarius – Who am I?

My Name is Helogale parvula – Who am I?

My Name is Ploceus velatus – Who am I?

We are the Two-winged Insects of the Order Diptera – Who are We?

My Name is Syncerus caffer – Who am I?

My Name is Bubulcus ibis – Who am I?

My Name is Lycaon pictus – Who am I?

My Name is Xerus inauris – Who am I?

We live in the drier grasslands of southern Africa. We also live in the dry Kalahari and Namibian bushveld regions where the trees and shrubs do not grow too closely together. We can not stay in just any area; the soil must be sandy so that we can dig our underground burrows.

I live in a large family together with my parents, my sisters and my brothers. At night, we sleep deep under the soil surface in hollows, particularly of old termite mounds. Sometimes we ourselves will dig out such a shelter. In our burrows, there are always more than one entrance and exit. The underground tunnels always make contact with our living chamber. Therefore, we can pop out of one hole to dive into another, but we can still get together in the same underground hollow.

As you are noticing, we youngsters really love to play games. We run and frolic together all of the time. While we play, our parents stand guard. Then they crouch on their hind legs or also even stand upright to be able to peer over the whole veld. If one of them peeps, we all jump into the nearest hole for safety.

I am a rodent; this means that my front teeth, my incisors, are much longer than are your front teeth. Mine are also razor-sharp. They work like chisels when I need to chew through a hard seedpod or the shell of a nut. I like seeds, seedpods, tubers and some kinds of juicy leaves. Sometimes I eat flowers and fruits, if I can find them. My paws end in short, sharp claws – with these I can hold onto seedpods or fruit whilst I am busy gnawing them.

I have a rather short, plump little body. My light, drab brown fur is thick, short and soft throughout. My legs are short but strong so that I can crawl low to the ground. In this way I remain hidden between the grasses – a jackal will not be able to find me easily. If I do have to run, I am very fast and can turn corners speedily. Sometimes I jump in long arcs while I am running.

I boast with a thick, long tail. The hairs on my tail are slightly longer than are those on my body. When the sun bakes down hot, I can spread out my tail hairs and then my whole tail becomes a wonderful umbrella against the stabbing of the sun's sharp light. Thus I can use my own shadow to cool down in.

My face is round. I have big round eyes with which I can watch the veld closely. Some animals say that I do not have ears; this