Animals Identified in the Poem "How to Know Wild Animals"

The poem "How to Know Wild Animals" by Carolyn Wells provides a humorous and creative way to identify various animals. The poet suggests specific characteristics and behaviors that can help us recognize these creatures. Here are some of the animals mentioned in the poem and the poet's suggestions for identifying them:

1. The Elephant:
The poem suggests that elephants can be identified by their "great size" and their tendency to "gobble up the peanuts, instead of taking one." This highlights the elephant's enormous physical stature and its unique manner of eating.

2. The Lion:
According to the poet, lions can be identified by their "fierce roar" and their tendency to "chew up the keeper." This emphasizes the lion's powerful voice and its carnivorous nature.

3. The Tiger:
The poem suggests that tigers can be identified by their "yellow eyes" and their tendency to "leap on the visitor." This highlights the tiger's piercing gaze and its stealthy hunting behavior.

4. The Camel:
According to the poet, camels can be identified by their "humps" and their tendency to "climb up the ladder." This emphasizes the distinctive feature of the camel's hump and its ability to ascend objects.

5. The Zebra:
The poem suggests that zebras can be identified by their "striped hide" and their tendency to "like to show their teeth long and wide." This highlights the zebra's unique black and white pattern and its habit of baring its teeth.

6. The Kangaroo:
According to the poet, kangaroos can be identified by their "jumps" and their tendency to "go hippety-hop." This emphasizes the kangaroo's remarkable ability to leap and its characteristic hopping motion.

Lessons from the Poem

The poem "How to Know Wild Animals" not only provides an entertaining read but also imparts a few lessons:

1. Observation Skills:
The poem encourages us to develop our observation skills to identify different animals. By paying attention to their physical attributes and unique behaviors, we can distinguish one species from another.

2. Appreciation for Wildlife:
The poem instills an appreciation for the diversity of wildlife. By highlighting the distinct characteristics of each animal, it sparks curiosity and admiration for the wonders of the natural world.

3. Humor:
The poem employs humor to engage the reader and make the learning experience enjoyable. It uses exaggerated descriptions and comical scenarios to create a lighthearted atmosphere.

4. Imagination:
The poem stimulates imagination by presenting imaginative and fanciful situations. It encourages readers to visualize the animals in their minds and embark on an imaginative journey.

In conclusion, the poem "How to Know Wild Animals" playfully introduces various animals and provides suggestions for identifying them based on their distinctive features and behaviors. It imparts lessons on observation, wildlife appreciation, humor, and imagination, making it an enjoyable and educational piece of literature.