Crocodiles

A crocodile is a reptile. It use to live many many years ago with the dinosaurs. They are very creepy.

What do crocodiles look like?
A crocodile has very sharp teeth. They have rough bumpy legs .
They also have disgusting scales. It has a long snout.

Where do crocodile live?
If you want to see a crocodile you can go to fresh water such as a swamp , river , stream or lakes.
You can also find crocodiles in Countries such as America, Africa, and Australia. If you want to see a crocodile in New Zealand you would most likely see them at the zoo.

Crocodiles are very dangerous.
You should stay far, far, far away from them .

From:Tyrone
Room 18

Komodo Dragon

Komodo dragons are a reptile, also known as the Komodo Monitor. It is the largest species of lizard ever found.

Komodo Dragons have a rough sandpaper like skin. Its four stumpy legs help it sprint after its prey. Their teeth are long and thick. Its muscular tail helps it balance when it is moving.The claws of a Komodo Dragon are curved so it can grip on to the ground.

Thousands or maybe millions of years ago, Komodo dragons used to live in Australia but they died out. Nowadays, if you want to  find Komodo dragons you have to travel to the small island of Borneo. If you want to find Komodo dragons somewhere else you may be lucky to find them at the zoo.

Komodo dragons kill prey with bacteria. When they eat, bits of flesh are left in their teeth and rots leaving bacteria in their mouth. If a Komodo dragons prey survives it will die later on due to an infection in its wound. Its claws grip onto flesh which helps Komodo dragons to tackle its prey to the ground.

I think Komodo dragons are fascinating but I'm glad they don't live in New Zealand.

By Zac

Fly Lizards

                                                                 DRACO LIZARDS                                         Fly lizards are just like dragons but smaller. These fly lizards don't really fly, they glide. Their actual name is Draco also known as mini dragons.

Draco lizards have long thin skin flaps under their arms, the rest of their body has rough scales and are very tiny. Draco lizards also have a  long skin flap piece under their chin.

Draco lizards mainly live in the rain forests of southeast Asia.

Draco lizards can grow up to 8 inches long, they can also glide up to 30 feet in the air. Their gliders are also known as their wings.

These reptiles are really special so I don't think you should kill them. They really do look like dragons. 





          

Dogs

A dog is a mammal which is often kept as a pet.

What do dogs look like?
A dog has fur on it. They have four legs. On their legs they have paws. Where the paws are you can find their claws.Their claws are as sharp as a knife. Dogs have white whiskers. Dogs come in many different shapes, sizes, colours and breeds.

Where do you find dogs?

You can find dogs in houses.
Unfortunately some dogs go wondering around on the road or street. You can find dogs in pet shops. When a dog is sick pet owners would take them to the vet. Dogs that wonder around on the street get taken to the pound .

What do dogs do?
Some dogs bark. A sheep dog is a dog that gathers all the sheep so that the farmers can shave the sheep's wool. A guide dog is a dog that looks after blind people. Sniffer dogs are usually at the airport. They sniff people who bring drugs to our country. Police dogs stop criminals from stealing.

Dogs are very helpful and useful. They are good to be kept as a pet!!

DOGS

                                                                          DOGS                                                                                                                                                                                           A dog is a mammal, some dogs belong to the wolf family such as German Shepherds and Huskies. I wonder if there could even be a German Husky?

All dogs have cute eyes and a tail that they chase all the time. Dogs have whiskers like cats. Other dogs are different colours shapes and sizes.

You can find dogs in homes where they are nice and warm, and on farms where they gather sheep. This type of dog is could a sheep dog. In the pound dogs are where you can see dogs who have been found on the streets and they get dropped off to the pound waiting to get a home. In the pet shop you will find all sorts of dogs You might have to take your dog to the vet one day if they become ill or get injured. Unfortunately some dogs can't be saved and therefore they are put down.

All dogs bark, some herd sheep or help the blind. At the airport there are sniffer dogs to make sure that passengers don't carry drugs in to our country.

Dogs are useful, soft, cuddly and helpful and they're nice to have around.    

By Amethyst                              

Otara Stream

We met Kate from Wai Care and we walked to the Rongomai Stream.

When we got  there we tested the air and water temperature.

Then we tested the clarity of the water.

            

Here we are testing the water from the Otara stream with a tool called Chemets.