Animal Riddle Rhymes
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