Origin: East Asia, Siberia, Middle East, Europe

Wagging little tails, too fast for you to hold,
Some are friendly and while others are bold.

So many fur colors, some long or short hair,
Mixed breed pups are from an unlikely pair.

Man’s best friend, they most certainly are,
Herding on a farm or riding in your car.

Origin: Australia

Oh, little koala sitting in a tree,
Perched so high with so much to see.

You munch and you crunch on eucalyptus leaves,
But beware, don’t share with other animals please.

You can be found in the land Down Under,
When long time ago, that land fell asunder.

Origin: South America

A bandit looking kind of guy,
With a smiley face and long nails… oh my!

The rainforest is where they can be found,
Ever slow moving, making very little sound.

Dangling and hanging on branches of trees,
Popping in and out from under the leaves.

Origin: Eurasia (Boar became the domestic Pig)

Heavy set, short legs and a waddle walk,
They squeal, oink and snort, that’s their piggy talk.

In the wild, they hunt for tasty food eats,
Running through the hills, fields and busy streets.

They are much larger and smarter than a dog,
And if you lived on a ranch, you could have a pet hog.

Origin: Africa to Brazil then North America

Black and white quills on their body that spike,
Sharp and painful for animals they dislike.

Their diet depends on seasonal food,
They forage the ground, depending on mood.

Eyesight is poor, but excellent smell and ears,
They attack in reverse when threatened and fears.

Origin: Every continent except Antarctica

They like dry weather and laying in the sun,
It warms them up like an oven baked bun.

Their diet consists of berries, bugs and worms,
The boss in the garden, bugs live by their terms.

Fast and swift they run from here to there,
They can even change skin color as you stare.

Origin: Possibly Ireland (brown bear became polar bear)

A white fur coat where it’s icy cold,
Different from brown and black, where the sun is bold.

Across the tundras are where they roam,
Mama bear and her cubs travel on their own.

Mighty and strong and with great speed,
Admire them from afar or fast feet you’ll need!

Origin: Europe

Hippity hopping along they go,
Hunting and foraging during the day or so.

Some have short ears, some have short legs,
Rabbits are live births, not hatched from eggs.

One mating pair can produce four million in four years.
Wow, that’s a lot… enough to cry tears!

Origin: Africa (earliest fossil in Africa, not Asia)

Oooh mighty elephant so big and so tall,
The perfect rescuer, if I was to fall.

You live with your family that wanders and roams,
You have a few hairs, so no need for any combs.

Your trunk helps you drink, carry objects and shower,
One day I’d like to meet you and feel all of that power.

Origin: Africa

Nice pet kitty, so sweet as can be,
Your ancestors were wildcats, you see.

They’re quick on their feet and can jump really high,
A strong hunting instinct means no prey gets by.

Independent they are, cuddle sometimes, maybe,
They will purr with delight, love and feed them is key.

Origin: Africa and Asia

Running fast and hard, rumbling across the ground,
What have we here, another wild animal to be found.

Big and strong with a large horn atop it’s nose,
Be very careful when they sneeze, do not get too close.

At birth they can weigh as heavy as 100 pounds,
And their noise range from chirping, growling and trumpeting sounds.

Origin: Africa, Asia, Europe, South America

This little guy certainly is not elephant size,
They look more like a mouse in disguise.

They scurry in and out over the leaf covered floor,
Berries, plants and insects are what they’re looking for.

If you were to see one, beware they can jump,
As high as three feet, wow that’s as tall as a tree stump!

Origin: Eurasia and Africa (most) and North/Central/South America, Australia (some)

Up high in the sky and gliding with ease,
Looking for food below, one rabbit, a mouse or tasty fish please.

With a huge wing span that can reach eight feet wide,
That’s why their prey have little chance to hide.

They are the symbol of the United States national bird,
And in 1940 an endangered species then removed in 2007 have you heard?