The Obscure Alphabet Book

The Obscure Alphabet Book Written, Illustrated, & Designed by: Abigayle Downs

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The aye-aye has such a strange

their long, double-jointed finger to find

appearance that when it was first

bugs to eat. They do this by tapping

discovered it was thought to be a

and then listening for the bugs. Once

large species of squirrel. They have

they locate them, they use the finger

since been labeled as lemurs but are

again to scoop them out. Aye-ayes

still in a category of their own. Aye-

used to be thought of as bad luck by

Ayes live in trees and are nocturnal,

the native people of Madagascar

which means they are awake at night

where they live. This is part of why they

instead of during the day. They use

are endangered.

Habitat: Rainforest Location: Madagascar Lifespan: 10–24 Years Diet: Omnivore Scientific Name: Daubentonia madagascariensis Size: 12–15in Weight: 4–6lbs

A is for Aye-Aye Who has some strange eyes When he was first found He was quite the surprise

While babirusas are categorized as

The tusks aren’t used for fighting or

pigs, they are more closely related to

digging. The current theory is that

hippos. Babirusa means “pig deer” in

their main purpose is for attracting

Malagasy, a common Madagascar

mates. These tusks can grow up to 12

language. This name comes from

inches long and even curl back into

the resemblance of their upper tusks

the Babirusa’s skull! The tusks are so

to antlers. These tusks are the most

unique they have inspired art and

mysterious part of the babirusa and

masks in their home of Indonesia.

we have no idea why they have them.

Habitat: Rainforest Location: Indonesia Lifespan: 10–24 Years Diet: Omnivore Scientific Name: Babyrousa Celebensis Size: 3ft Weight: 220lbs

B is for Babirusa With wild tusks that grow We don’t know what they’re used for He’s not talking though

Coatimundis are clever animals

Most of a coati’s typical day consists

related to raccoons. While most of

of foraging for food. They eat

their life is spent on the ground, they

everything from bugs to fruit, some

are excellent climbers and sleep in

have even been found rummaging in

the trees. Tree are also their favorite

people’s garbage. Female coatis live

places to escape danger. Like their

in groups called bands that range

raccoon cousins, they are double-

from 10 to 30 individuals. Males,

jointed. This makes them able to

however, are solitary and are only

climb down from treetops head first!

found near others to mate.

Habitat: Jungles, Forests, Deserts Location: Central & South America Lifespan: 7–16 years Diet: Omnivore Scientific Name: Nasua Nasua Size: 13–24in Weight: 6–18lbs

Coatimundi starts with C And since her name is long Coati is a nickname To make sure we are not wrong

Dugongs are similar to manatees,

thought they were half human and

but they are smaller and have forked

half fish. Like their cousins, dugongs

tails like whales and dolphins. They

are often called sea cows because

are underwater mammals, which

of their size, gentle nature, and

means they have to come to the

herbivorous diet. Dugongs used to

surface to breathe air. Dugongs are

be hunted for their meat, oil, skin,

also thought to be the inspiration

bones, and teeth. Laws have since

for mermaids. The story goes that

been put in place to protect them

sailors saw them from a distance and

from this fate.

Habitat: Saltwater Location: Indonesia & Australia Lifespan: 50–70 years Diet: Herbivore Scientific Name: Dugong Dugon Size: 8–10ft Weight: 330–1100lbs

D stands for Dugong Swimming in the sea Less well known than his cousin The majestic manatee

Echidnas are part of the very unique

down. Another way they try to avoid

and very small family of mammals

danger is by curling up so their

that lay eggs. The only other member

spines face outward. The spines are

of this family is the platypus. When

made of keratin, the same thing our

their eggs hatch, the baby echidnas

fingernails are made of. Echidnas

are called puggles. The echidna’s

have no teeth, but they don’t need

long claws allow them to not only

them. They have long sticky tongues

dig for termites, but also to quickly

to eat bugs. Their tongues are so

escape danger by digging straight

sticky they sometimes eat dirt by

Habitat: Forest Location: New Guinea & Australia Lifespan: 15–40 Years Diet: Insectivores Scientific Name: Tachyglossus Aculeatus Size: 14–20in Weight: 9–15lbs

E is for Echidna A mammal who lays eggs!

A scientific wonder With stumpy little legs

The pink fairy armadillo is the smallest

Fairy armadillos are sometimes said

armadillo in the world. It is also the

to “swim” through the sand. This is

only armadillo whose shell is almost

because of how effortless it is for

completely separate from its body.

them to dig. Their large claws are

The color of their shell is caused by

what helps them dig so easily. Fairy

their blood vessels showing through,

Armadillos are hard to find and study.

causing it to look pink. Most of their

Because of this, we are unsure whether

time is spent underground, only

they are endangered or not.

coming out at night to hunt for food.

Habitat: Grasslands & Sandy Plains Location: Argentina Lifespan: 5–10 Years Diet: Omnivores Scientific Name: Chlamyphorus truncatus Size: 3.5–4.5in Weight: 4.2oz

Fairy Armadillos start with F And they’re pink!

But why would this be?

What do you think?

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A gharial’s diet is mainly made of

on waterways. Males don’t begin

fish, but sometimes they’ll even eat

growing their bulbous “noses” until

small animals if they wander into their

they turn 10 years old. These noses

territory. Even though gharials have

are mainly used to vocalize and blow

many teeth, there is no reason to be

bubbles in a mating display. Their

afraid of them. This is because unlike

name comes from the word “ghara”

alligators, they rarely attack humans.

which is a Hindi word for a kind of pot

Gharials cannot walk on land as well

that resembles the male gharial’s nose.

as alligators either, and are dependent

Habitat: River Location: Northern India Lifespan: 20–30 Years Diet: Carnivore Scientific Name: Gavialis Gangeticus Size: 12.5–16.5ft Weight: 330–1500lbs

G starts off Gharial Who has a bulby nose But he’s a gentle giant And will not bite your toes

Unlike most species of birds, both male

Their stinkbird nickname comes from

and female hoatzin possess colorful

the way they digest their food. Unlike

feathers. Fossils have been found that

other birds, hoatzins live exclusively

suggest hoatzins may have been alive

on leaves. Because of this, they

up to 36 million years ago. Hoatzin

have multiple small stomachs where

chicks have claws on their edge of

the leaves sit and are digested by

their wings that help them climb back

bacteria. This process causes the birds

up the tree if they fall out of the nest.

to burp out methane gas and boy, are

These claws fall off once they grow up.

they stinky!

Habitat: Swamp Location: South America Lifespan: 15–30 Years Diet: Herbivore Scientific Name: Opisthocomus hoazin Size: 25.6in Weight: 2.2lbs

H is for Hoatzin And his colorful display But he’s also known as Stinkbird So you might want to stay away

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The indri has a very short, almost

used to tell which part of Madagascar

non-existent tail. This is unusual among

they come from. The more white fur an

lemurs because most species have

indri has, the farther south they live.

tails the length of their whole body.

These lemurs are also known for their

Because the indri’s tail is so short,

loud voices which they use to establish

they have to have a better sense of

territory and locate other members of

balance than other lemurs, otherwise

their group. Groups consist of parents

they could fall out of trees! The amount

and 1 to 3 of their young and are led

of white fur on an indri can also be

by the adult female.

Habitat: Rainforest Location: Madagascar Lifespan: 15–22 Years Diet: Herbivore Scientific Name: Indri Indri Size: 25–28in Weight: 13–21lbs

I is for Indri The biggest lemur of all They live in Madagascar Where in trees they like to sprawl

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Jerboas can leap up to 10 feet in

animal, the kangaroo. Like most desert

a single jump! This is even more

animals, Jerboas are nocturnal and

impressive considering the largest

only come out at night to hunt. Their

of them is only 6 inches long. Their

big ears also help keep them cool in

long tails are used for balance when

their hot desert habitat. Since water is

hopping around. They also use their

scarce in the desert, they hardly ever

tails for propping themselves up

drink any. This is not dangerous for

when they stand. This is similar to a

them though as they get enough water

much larger, more familiar jumping

from the food they eat.

Habitat: Desert Location: Europe & Asia Lifespan: 2–6 Years Diet: Herbivore Scientific Name: Euchoreutes Naso Size: 2–6in Weight: 0.13–2oz

Jerboa starts with J And though he’s very small His leaps are quite impressive Up to 10 feet in all!

The kinkajou has many nicknames

in their natural habitat. Their tails

from honey bear to night walker.

are prehensile, which means they

‘Honey bear’ comes from their love of

can grab onto branches with it. They

honey and fruit, while ‘night walker’

often hang upside down from their

relates to their nocturnal nature.

tails and it also helps them balance

Their scientific name literally means

while climbing. They are also able

‘golden drinker’ because of their

to turn their feet around backwards

golden fur and love of nectar. This

which helps them run and climb in any

makes them an important pollinator

direction easily.

Habitat: Rainforest Location: Central & South America Lifespan: 20 Years Diet: Omnivore Scientific Name: Potus Flavus Size: 16-30in Weight: 3-10lbs

K stands for Kinkajou Who likes to eat honey and fruit He has lots of nicknames And is also pretty cute

Leafy sea dragons are called leafy

closely related to them. Like seahorses,

for a reason. They have fins and extra

the male leafy sea dragons are the

appendages that resemble seaweed.

ones that take care of their eggs. Leafy

These provide them with camouflage

sea dragons have no teeth or even a

that is so good, when they hang onto

stomach! Because of this they have to

plants predators often swim right by

eat constantly. They eat by sucking up

them. This camouflage also helps them

their food and swallowing it whole.

sneak up on their own prey. While sea dragons are not seahorses, they are

Habitat: Saltwater Location: Australia Lifespan: 2-10 Years Diet: Carnivore Scientific Name: Phycodurus Eques Size: 10-12in Weight: 4oz

24

L begins Leafy Sea Dragon A wonderful delight Predators can’t find him Even when he hides in plain sight

Mole Lizards look like snakes or

lizards are pink and turn white as they

earthworms at first glance, and their

mature. They are called mole lizards

name suggests they’re lizards. In fact,

because of their burrowing. This

they are none of these things. They

burrowing helps them regulate their

are actually amphibians. Like some

body temperature. This temperature

lizards, they can lose their tail if they

regulation combined with their warm

are attacked. However, this can only

habitat allows them to stay active all

happen once in their lives because the

year round unlike other amphibians in

tail will never grow back. Young mole

their group.

Habitat: Desert Location: Baja California Lifespan: 3 Years Diet: Insectivore Scientific Name: Bipes Biporus Size: 7-9.5in Weight: Unknown

M is for Mole Lizard Which at first seem like snakes But notice they have arms And don’t make that mistake

Nudibranchs are more commonly

influenced by the food they eat

known as sea slugs. They are an

because they absorb pigment from

essential part of their ecosystem as

their prey. Some of them even absorb

they eat decaying plant matter off the

toxins from their prey and use them

sea floor, cleaning it up. There are

as their own to defend against their

thousands of species of nudibranchs

predators. Similar to earthworms, each

that all come in different shapes and

nudibranch is male and female at the

colors. There are over 2,000 species

same time.

of nudibranch! Their colors can be

Habitat: Saltwater Location: Worldwide Lifespan: Up to 1 year Diet: Omnivore Scientific Name: Nudibranchia Size: 0.25-12in Weight: Up to 3.3lbs

Nudibranchs start with N And while they are called slugs They’re very beautiful, in fact Many want to give them hugs

Okapis may look like deer or horses,

reach leaves, the males also use them

but they are actually an older relative

to settle territory disputes. Like many

of giraffes. While they may be older,

other animals’ tails, the okapi’s tongue

they were not named their own

is prehensile and helps them grab onto

species until the 20th century due to

leaves easier. Okapis seem very quiet

their shyness. Before then they were

to us, but it has been discovered that

known as forest zebras since people

this is only because they communicate

only saw them from behind. While

with each other at a low frequency

their long necks are mainly used to

that humans can’t hear.

Habitat: Rainforest Location: Africa Lifespan: 20-30 years Diet: Herbivore Scientific Name: Okapia johnstoni Size: 4.9-6.5ft Weight: 440-660lbs

O is for Okapi The shy reclusive sort Hiding in the forest green Holding down their fort

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Pangolins are often called scaly

Depending on the species, pangolins

anteaters because that’s pretty much

can live in either trees or burrows.

what they are. They have the same

Around 100,000 pangolins are

long tongues and diet as anteaters,

stolen from the wild every year. Some

but with the added protection of the

cultures consider their meat a delicacy

armadillo. Their scales allow them

and their scales are used in traditional

to curl up into a predator-proof

medicines. These actions have caused

ball. Their scales also keep growing

them to become endangered

throughout the pangolin’s lifetime.

Habitat: Rainforest, Grassland, Desert Location: Asia & Africa Lifespan: 20 years Diet: Insectivore Scientific Name: Pholidota Size: 12-30in Weight: 35-73lbs

P begins pangolin A friend with armored hide He can curl up easily So he’ll be safe inside

Quolls are nocturnal but do not

unnatural predators. They are known

hide themselves in burrows during

as opportunistic carnivores because

the day like most small, nocturnal

they will eat anything as long as it’s

animals. Instead they lay out in the

meat. They may look like a rodent,

sun. This is likely because, despite its

but they are actually marsupials like

small size, in their natural habitat the

koalas and kangaroos. Quoll’s have

quoll is at the top of the food chain.

naturally short lives, rarely surviving

With the introduction of foxes and

two breeding seasons.

cats, however, the quolls have new,

Habitat: Rainforest, Grassland, Desert Location: Austrailia Lifespan: 3–6 years Diet: Carnivore Scientific Name: Pholidota Size: 14–30in Weight: 3–15.5lbs

Q is for Quoll Who sleeps in the day He’s on top of his food chain Though small is his way

The ray shark is named because of its

and small crabs. They usually spend

resemblance in appearance to both

their time on the ocean floor where

animals. In reality, they are neither

this prey is found. Their coloration is

of these and their real name is the

adaptable and changes to help them

Bowmouth Guitarfish. They have 50

blend into their habitat. The ray shark’s

rows of teeth in both the upper and

skeleton is made of cartilage which is

lower part of their mouths! These teeth

the same stuff as our ears and the tip

pose no danger to humans though,

of our nose. This makes the ray shark’s

as their diet consists mainly of shrimp

skeleton very flexible and soft.

Habitat: Saltwater Location: Africa, Asia & Australia Lifespan: Up to 7 years Diet: Carnivore Scientific Name: Rhina ancylostoma Size: Up to 8.9ft Weight: 300lbs

R is for Ray Shark A prehistoric looking beast A strange mix of two creatures Who’s found in the east

The shoebill’s large beak is used to

communicate with its fellow birds.

catch its favorite prey, the lungfish.

They are solitary, meaning they live

These fish are long and slippery so

on their own most of the time. Even

their beak provides a bigger area

during mating season, the male and

to hold the prey. Shoebills are very

female pair will stay on opposite sides

patient and sit very still, waiting hours

of their territory. They usually lay three

for their prey. Instead of calling as

eggs, but most of the time only one

other birds do, the shoebill uses its

chick survives to adulthood due to the

beak to make clapping noises to

competitive nature of shoebills.

Habitat: Marsh, Swamp Location: Africa Lifespan: 36 years Diet: Carnivore Scientific Name: Balaeniceps rex Size: 3.8ft Weight: 1.5lbs

Shoebill starts with S His beak is large and broad He claps instead of calling So among birds he is odd

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Although they don’t look much alike,

can also use their nose as a snorkel

tapirs are most closely related to

and go under the water for a longer

rhinos and horses. Their elephant-

amount of time. Tapirs have an uneven

looking noses are prehensile and used

number of toes with four on each front

to grab leaves off of bushes. They are

foot, but only three on each of the

even strong enough to help them pick

back feet. Young tapirs have stripes to

fruit. Tapirs are good swimmers and

help camouflage them from predators.

like to live near water where they will cool down or eat aquatic plants. They

Habitat: Forest Location: South America & Asia Lifespan: 20–25 years Diet: Herbivore Scientific Name: Tapirus Size: 39–59in Weight: 330–700lbs

T starts out Tapir A quiet forest dweller His nose can grab things for him Now that’s a funny smeller!

Uakaris are most known for their bright

comparison to other monkey species.

faces that can range from pink to red.

They have learned to balance without

It is believed the color is meant to be

the extra tail length. Female uakaris

attractive to mates. Their faces lighten

are considered adults at three years

if they are sick, so it is easy to tell how

old, but males don’t become adults

healthy an individual is. They may also

until age six. They live in groups of

change color based on excitement or

10–30 members, but some have been

emotion. While they are considered

found with as many as 100 members

monkeys, they have very short tails in

in one group.

Habitat: Rainforest Location: The Amazon Lifespan: 16–22 years Diet: Omnivore Scientific Name: Cacajao Size: 15–22.5in Weight: 6.5–7.75lbs

U is for Uakari Swinging in the trees His face is very colorful And his fur sways in the breeze

Viperfish live in the deep sea around

help camouflage them from predators

9,000 feet deep or sometimes deeper!

below because they appear similar

It is very dark down there since

to the light coming from above. Their

light from the sun has a hard time

fangs are too big for their mouths and

reaching that depth. Because of this,

stay on the outside when closed. The

the viperfish has a light that it uses

viperfish ‘s skull can rotate to swallow

like an anglerfish to lure in prey. They

large prey. They are also able to go

also have small lights on the sides of

without food for days if needed.

their body. It is believed these lights

Habitat: Saltwater Location: Worldwide Lifespan: 15–30 years Diet: Carnivore Scientific Name: Chauliodus sloani Size: Up to 13.5in Weight: 8oz

V is for Viperfish Living in the deep sea He glows so he can see down there Since its a very dark place to be

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Walpurtis, more commonly known as

day! Since their diet is mainly termites

numbats, are marsupials but do not

they have no need to chew their food

have traditional pouches to carry their

and their teeth are shaped like blunt

babies. Instead, they are small enough

pegs. They rarely drink water because

to fit under wrinkles in their skin! Like

they get enough from the termites they

zebras, each numbat has its own

eat. Walpurtis are solitary animals

unique pattern of bands on its back.

who only meet during mating season.

Adult walpurtis mainly eat termites.

They eat an average of 20,000 a

Habitat: Forest, Grassland Location: Australia Lifespan: 4–8 years Diet: Insectivore Scientific Name: Myrmecobius Fasciatus Size: 13–18in Weight: 10–19oz

Walpurti starts with W But that’s just a nickname His common name is numbat But we love him all the same

There’s not much known about the

been put on upside down because

xenop. They have a short, high-pitched

the lower part is bigger than the top.

call and there are three species. They

Xenops live in pairs, however, these

all make their homes in dead trees

pairs are found within flocks that

using their beaks to make a hole in

have many different species of bird in

a way similar to woodpeckers. They

them, not just other xenops. They have

also use their beak to dig into wood

been seen hanging upside down on

to find insects to eat. Some people

branches, probably to get a better

say the xenop’s beak looks as if it has

angle to dig for bugs.

Habitat: Forest Location: Central & South America Lifespan: Unknown Diet: Insectivore Scientific Name: Xenops minutus Size: 5in Weight: 4oz

X is for Xenop A little singing bird There’s not much that we know of him Except in forests he can be heard

The yeti crabs is a recently discovered

the yeti crabs find it a good place to

species that was first found in 2005.

live. Their furry claws are unique and

They live deep in the Arctic Ocean

also help protect them from the cold

at a depth over 7,500 feet. They live

artic waters they live in. This fur also

near what are known as ‘hydrothermal

attracts and grows the bacteria that

vents’. These vents are where the

they eat to survive. Yeti crabs have

earth’s crust splits because of lava

colorless eyes and it is believed they

underneath it. This lava then begins to

may be totally blind.

heat the water around it which is why

Habitat: Saltwater Location: Antarctica Lifespan: Unknown Diet: Carnivore Scientific Name: Kiwa tyleri Size: 6in Weight: 2–5lbs

Y begins Yeti Crab Whose discover isn’t old His furry claws protect him From his habitat that’s cold

Zebus are one of the smallest species

The hump was originally thought to

of cow and the only species able to

store water like a camel. However, it

survive in the tropical regions where

has been found to be made of mostly

they’re found. Their name comes from

muscle. Zebus are thought to be the

the word “ceba”, which is a Tibetan

oldest domesticated species of cow.

word meaning “hump”. This is due

In some countries, such as India and

to the large hump near the front of

Madagascar, zebus are considered

their backs. Ancestors of the zebu are

sacred and are only eaten on special

believed to have not had this hump.

occasion or sometimes not at all.

Habitat: Jungles, Plains Location: Asia & Africa Lifespan: 12–16 Years Diet: Herbivore Scientific Name: Bos Primigenius Indicus Size: 34–42in Weight: 331–440lbs

Z is for Zebu The smallest kind of cow Who lives in tropic climates And does work like plow

Glossary Amphibian - A class of animals that

Habitat - The kind of area where an

live both on land and in the water

animal is naturally found

Camouflage - A defense mechanism

Herbivore - An animal that eats plants

that helps animals hide from predators Carnivore - An animal that eats meat

Insectivore - An animal that eats insects Mammal - A class of animals that have

Ecosystem - The society surrounding an

hair, do not lay eggs, and whose babies

animal in its natural habitat

drink milk

Endangered - In danger of

Marsupial - Mammals that have a

disappearing completely

pouch for their young

Food Chain - The system of predators

Nocturnal - Awake at night and asleep

and prey that exists in an animal’s

during the day

natural habitat

Omnivore - An animal that eats both plants and meat Predator - Carnivorous animals that pose a danger to smaller animals Prehensile - Able to grab onto things Prey - Animals that are eaten by a larger, carnivorous animal

Information collected from: Animals, A. A-Z Animals - Animal Facts, Pictures and Resources. Retrieved from https://a-z-animals.com/ Explore Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/ Home. Retrieved from https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/ Stories of Animals, Nature, and Culture. Retrieved from https://www. nationalgeographic.com/ Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Retrieved from https://nationalzoo.si.edu/

The Alphabet is mysterious Animals are too This book is full of creatures You might not find in your zoo