If I Ran the Zoo Challenge

[Cheyenne]

Alligator: The American Alligator is found in the south eastern United States When the alligator’s mouth is closed, the effect is that of a gentle smile. Alligators are generally timid towards humans and tend to walk or swim away if one approaches

• Read a book that takes place in the south eastern United States.(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia) OR read a book with a happy ending. OR read a book with a shy character.

Cheetah: Large feline, inhabiting Africa and parts of the Middle East. The cheetah can run faster than any other land animal— as fast as 112 to 120 km/h (70 to 75 mp). A Cheetah’s course fur is tan with round black spots.

• Read a book with a cover that some type of repeating circular element ( spots, polka dots, confetti etc.) OR read a book that was so good you couldn’t put it down and you “sped right through it” OR read a book that is set in Africa or the Middle East

Chimpanzee: Also known as a Chimps, communicate in a manner similar to human nonverbal communication, using vocalizations, hand gestures, and facial expressions. In chimpanzee society, the 'dominant male' does not always have to be the largest or strongest male, but rather the most manipulative and political male which can influence the goings on within a group.

• Read a book where a character has a nickname OR Read a book with a manipulative character, or a book with anything to do with politics. OR read a book in which the first letter of the title(omit A, An, The) can be found in PRIMATE

Dwarf Crocodile: smallest crocodile species in the world. Mostly found in western/central Africa. The Adults are a uniform black on their backs and sides with a yellowish underside with black patches. The dwarf crocodile is a slow, timid, and mainly nocturnal reptile.

• Read a book with a cover(more than 50%) that is yellow. OR read a book on your TRB that is the shortest ( this can be less than 150 pages). OR read a book that is slow moving, and you are having a hard time getting into it.

Elephant: Large Mammals that can reach the weight of 7,000kg (15,000 lbs.) They are found mostly in Africa or Southeastern Asia. Elephants are herbivorous and can be found in different habitats including savannahs, forests, deserts and marshes.

• Read a book that takes place in Africa or Asia OR read a book with a character that is a vegetarian OR read a book with a 0,1,5,or 7 in the total page number.

Emperor Penguin: Aquatic, flightless birds that live in Antarctica. The female lays a single egg, which is incubated by the male while the female returns to the sea to feed. Their lifespan is typically 20 years.

• Read a book with a cover that represents cold (ice, snow, winter scene, iced beverage) OR read a book where the father is the main caregiver ( single dad, widowed, stay at home dad) OR read a book with a 0 or 2 in the publication date.

Flamingo: a type of wading bird. They range from light pink to bright red in color, which comes from carotenoid proteins in their diet of animal and plant plankton. Flamingos often stand on one leg, the other tucked beneath the body. The reason for this behavior is not fully understood. There are four flamingo species in the Americas and two species in the Old World( Europe, Asia, Africa).

• Read a book with a cover(more than 50%) pink. OR read a book with a character whose actions or behaviours you just don’t understand. OR read a book with a total page number with a 2 and 4 beside each other ( it can have other numbers as long as the 2 and 4 are together. You could also do 4 than 2.)


Giant Panda: It is easily recognized by the large, distinctive black patches around its eyes, over the ears, and across its round body. They live in mountain ranges in central China. The Giant Panda is an endangered species. Although they are carnivores their diet consists of 99% bamboo.

• Read a book that is set in China OR read a book with a character that saves someone or they have been saved OR read a book that with a cover that is black and white.

Giraffe: The tallest living terrestrial animal. It stands 5–6 m (16–20 ft) tall and has an average weight of 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) for males and 830 kg (1,800 lb) for females. Their distinctive coat has dark patches, which can be orange, chestnut, brown or nearly black in color.

• Read a book that is taller than average (for the sake of this challenge we will say the average height is 8.5inches) OR read a book with a character described as tall. OR read a book with a cover (more than 50%) that is orange.


Gorilla: Largest of the primates. There is typically one dominant male within a gorilla troop. The young gorillas are very playful.

• Read a book that is over 400pgs OR read a book that has an Alpha male type character OR read a young adult book.

Grey Wolf: Largest member of its family. The gray wolf is one of the world's most well researched animals, with probably more books written about it than any other wildlife species.

• Read a book with the main character being the oldest child. OR read a book about a scientist or author. OR read a book with any four-legged animal on the cover.

Grizzly Bear: also known as the North American brown bear. In Canada, there are approximately 25,000 grizzly bears occupying British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario and the northern part of Manitoba. Grizzlies are known to be aggressive. Most grizzly bear attacks result from a bear that has been surprised at very close range, especially if it has a supply of food to protect, or female grizzlies protecting their offspring.

• Read a book set in Canada or by a Canadian author. OR read a book with a character that is aggressive. OR read a book that surprised you. (Twists you didn’t see coming, you didn’t think you would like the book but you did, etc.)


Hippopotamus: Third largest type of land mammal. They are semi-aquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and swamps. They remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both take place in the water.

• Read a book that is #3 in a series OR read a book that takes place by water OR read a book with an “unkept” character. ( this could be a mechanic who always has oil stains on his clothes, or a character described as scruffy or sloppy)


Kangaroo: Commonly described as the largest from the marsupial family. Kangaroos can mostly be found in Austraila. Female kangaroos carry their young (joeys) in a pouch. Larger kangaroos have adapted much better to changes brought to the Australian landscape by humans, and though many of their smaller cousins are endangered, they are plentiful.

• Read a book that is set in Australia OR read a book with any character that is named Joey (Joe will work but NOT Joseph) Or read a book with a character that has had to adapt to some sort of change.

Koala: an herbivorous marsupial found in Australia. Their colour ranges from silver to chocolate brown. Because of their diet and lack of energy, Koalas will sleep for up to 20 hours a day. They are asocial animals and bonding only exists between mothers and dependent offspring.

• Read a book with a cover (more than 50%) silver or brown. OR read a book with a 0 or 2 in the total number of pages. OR read a book with a character who is a single mother.
Lion: The second largest living cat can weigh as much as 250kg(550lbs). Lions tend to live approx 10-14 years in the wild. A group or family of lions is called a pride.

• Read a book with a 0,2,or 5 in the total number of pages. OR read a book in which one of the characters (doesn’t have to be the main character) is between the ages of 10-14 OR read a book in which the first word of the title(exclude A, An, The) begins with a letter found in PRIDE.

Macaw: long-tailed, often colorful parrot. Macaws are found in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Macaws have large beaks and they mostly eat seeds, nuts, fruits, palm fruits, leaves, flowers, and stems.

• Read a book with a colorful cover (at least 3 different colors) OR read a book that takes place in Mexico, Central America, South America, Caribbean. OR read a book with a character that has a “big-mouth” and gets himself/herself into trouble.


Meerkat: They are small mammals that are primarily insectivores. They live mostly in Southern Africa. They are highly social and live in packs.

• Read a book set in Africa. OR read a book about family. OR read a book with the first letter of every word in the title can be found in INSECTIVORE. (exclude A, An, or And)


Orangutan: Mostly found in Asia. They are one of the most intellectual of the Primates. They are typically reddish/brown in color

• Read a book that takes place in Asia OR read a book with an intellectual character OR read a book with a cover (more than 50%) red or brown.

Owl: most owls are nocturnal, hunting their prey only in the darkness. Most of their hunting strategy comes from stealth and surprise. Owls can rotate their heads and necks as much as 270 degrees (135 degrees in either direction). Owls have fourteen neck vertebrae as compared to 7 in humans which makes their necks more flexible.

• Read a book with a character that is a “night owl” (insomnia, works a night shift etc.) Or read a book with a stealthy character. OR read a book with a 0,2 or 7 in the total number of pages.


Polar Bear: The world’s largest bear and lives within the Arctic Circle. Has many body characteristics adapted for cold temperatures, for moving across snow, ice, and open water, and for hunting the seals which make up most of its diet. The Polar Bear is an enormously powerful predator.

•Read a book that is 400+pages OR read a book that takes place mostly between the months of December-March OR read a book where the first letter of every word(exclude The)in the title can be found in CARNIVORE.

Porcupine: Rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend and camouflage them from predators. Porcupine’s quills are released by contact with them, or they may drop out when the porcupine shakes its body, but cannot be projected at attackers. Porcupines have a relatively high longevity and had held the record for being the longest-living rodent.

•Read a book with a character that comes in contact with someone/something that they know will end bad for them, (relationship, job, situation) but at the time they don’t care. OR read a book that has been on your TBR for longer than a year OR read a book where the first letter of the title(exclude a, an, the) begins with a letter found in RODENT

[Cheyenne]

17. Red Panda: Read a book with a cover that has a night time scene. OR read a book with a cover(more than 50%) red in colour. OR read a book that has a character that is territorial.

18. Rhinoceros: Read a book with a character that has to run from danger OR read a book with a character that is “thick-skinned” OR read a book with an authors first or last initial can be found in HERBIVOR.

19. Sea Lion: Read a book set in California. OR read a “classic” book. OR read a book with a character that has a pet.

20. Sloth: Read a book with a character that is lazy. OR read a book with a book title starting with a letter found in FOLIVORE.(exclude A, An, The) OR read an authors first, fifth, or eighth published book.

21. Snow Leopard: Read a book with a character that has a cat for a pet. OR read a book with a “secretive” character. OR read a book with an authors first and last initial found in ENDANGERED

22. Stingrays: Read a book with some type of food on the cover. OR read a book with a character that has to defend itself. OR read a book where the first letter of every word in the title can be found in CARTILAGINOUS.

23. Tiger: Read a book that is #1 in a series OR read a book in which the cover has a repeating pattern or is orange(50%) OR read a book in which the first letter of the title(exclude A, An, The) can be found in CARNIVORE.

24. Tortoise: Read a hardcover book. OR read a book with any character that is 65+ OR read a book with a 5 in the publication date.

25. Zebra: Read a book where the cover (more than 50%) is black and/or white OR read a book in which a character panics OR read a book in which the authors first or last initial can be found in MAMMAL.

Bonus: Black Panther: A black panther is typically a melanistic color variant of any of several species of larger cat. In the Americas, wild 'black panthers' may be black jaguars (Panthera onca), while in Asia and Africa, black leopards (Panthera pardus); in Asia, possibly the very rare black tigers (Panthera tigris).

Read a book set in the Americas, Asia or Africa OR a book with a predominantly black cover OR a book with a panther shifter (or any cat shifter) OR a book with a fancy car on the cover OR a book with a tiger in the story or on the cover.