A Hidden Little Pest – A Riddle

We live in holes, all by ourselves, and alone

To some we’re cute, to others pests

we eat prey that falls in our traps

and in the ground we build our nests.

**

We’re blind and solitary, we do damage a lot

we only meet when it is time to mate.

in some countries we are caught in traps

others protect by law our fate.

**

Per litter we can have five babies

then we part our ways.

the father runs off to his future path

it’s only the mother who feeds and stays.

**

We’re small, but we’re agile and mostly overseen

There are numerous classes of us little bro’s.

There’s one species human who hates us mammals

it’s the fella who takes care of the yard and mows.

**

Our breathing is unusual, we need less oxygen

than other mammals and still we can survive

in smallest burrows and tight little holes

and do we feel humans see us, be sure we will dive.

**

We can damage plant roots by digging

and we do build really annoying hills.

However, we’re constructors with great noses

and don’t have to pay bills.

**

Our saliva is poison, we can use it to paralize

our pray and store it for later intake.

We live in the country, by creeks, and humid ground

and we prefer water, and sometimes live close to the lake.

**

We’re small and often forgotten

I’m sure by the time I talked about a hole

you have already guessed what I am.

Of course, I’m a mole!

*****

(Copyright Aurora Jean Alexander, May 2021)

Picture courtesy of Facts About Moles | Mole Facts | Havahart US

A Strong F(r)iend – A Riddle

 

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I have four legs but I got no tail

I’m strong and square, not a bit frail.

I got huge, I mean, enormous paws

and no nails I got – no, I got claws!

**

Even though I walk on four

I can also stand on two – no more.

It’s always good for showing off

I look even worse, and hard and tough!

**

I’m a loner, no herd, no pack

I can sleep on my stomach and on my back

I’m a hunter, but still I’m omnivore

I can mutter, grummle, hum and roar.

**

There are many sorts of our kind

We all are dangerous, of the same mind.

We might look cuddly, that is said

but don’t trust us for a second, or you’ll be dead.

**

Science has proven, after lots of to probe

You can find us all over the round globe

From far South American to all up North

where I’m roaming back and forth.

**

We show up in different size

in many colors also quite disguise.

Brown and black, with spectacles and white hair

Yes, you’re right – I am the bear!

*****

(Copyright, Aurora Jean Alexander, December 2019)

A Fierce Cold Predator – A Riddle

 

You will find me in the mountains

where the air eventually clinks of cold

seeing me means fear and danger

a slinky predator, hungry and bold.

**

I might not be huge, but still I’m lethal

you can’t outrun me, fleeing isn’t wise

no matter how fast you think you will be

only to try means to simply fantasize.

**

I’m adjusted well to the mountain’s climate

you won’t see me until it’s much too late

don’t make yourself one of my victims

or you might early see the pearly gate.

**

My nose is wide to warm the air I breathe

my fur is thick to protect me from the cold

my paws are wide and furry to not sink in

to keep me on a snow blanket and have a better hold.

**

We are an endangered species,

you will find most of us in Asia,

from North down to the South

from Russia, to Tibet, to India, until Malaysia.

**

Thanks to human help and support

there are more of us than the past ten years.

Slowly we might be helped by humans

which calms us and lessens our fears.

**

To help you guess, I might also tell you

that my ears are round, my eyes green or gray

my ears are round, my belly whitish,

I was called beautiful, and it’s true I must say.

**

I’m muscular, lean, fast and leonine,

a predator of ibex, goat and also lamb.

Due to atopy of vodal cords I cannot roar

Yes, the Snow Leopard, that’s what I am.

*****

(Aurora Jean Alexander, Copyright, December 2018)

 

picture courtesy of Google.com

 

Dangerous Shadow – A Riddle

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He is strong and he is fast

when he strikes, no prey to last.

He hunts in darkness quite with ease

not on the ground but also in trees

**

When he’s hungry, in greatest shape

he kills the monkey and the ape.

On the ground he hunts boar and deer

birds and reptiles live in fear.

**

He’s fast as lighting and still is proud

a soft footed hunter who’s never loud.

He lives alone most of his life

two of them end up in strife.

**

He’s beautiful but very rare

he’s shy and carries unique hair.

His fur was coveted long ago

he’s almost gone from what we know.

**

He can get three feet without the tail

to watch and hunt him ends in fail.

His teeth and claws do make him climb

and hide in trees for quite some time.

**

Strong he is, blends in and linked

soon enough he’ll be extinct.

He has been hunted, hauled and stalled…

Clouded leopard is he called.

*****

(Copyright, Aurora Jean Alexander, June 2017)

 

Picture courtesy of: Charles Barilleaux from Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America – Wet Behind the Ears, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27166299