spitting animals

Name: _______________________ Spitting to Survive by Liana Mahoney Spit keeps our mouths moist and softens our food when we chew. Without spit in our mouths, we would have a hard time talking. We would find it even harder to swallow. But for some animals, spit works better after it has left the mouth. Some animals are experts at surviving because they are expert spitters. Llamas are animals often found in petting zoos and farms. These animals seem to like their personal space. A llama that feels threatened or annoyed will spit slimy gobs at you to get you to leave it alone. Sometimes llamas even spit on each other to steal food! This trick usually works, because llama spit includes food from the llama’s stomach, and it can be quite smelly. When a llama spits on another Spitting cobras are also known for their expert aim. animal, the animal usually loses its appetite and These snakes spray poisonous venom from their fangs walks away, leaving its food behind. to protect themselves. Scientists believe that these snakes actually aim for the eyes! When the cobra’s The archer fish is a very skilled spitter. This fish is like a venom gets into the eyes of an animal, the venom submarine with a loaded weapon. It takes aim and causes terrible pain, and even blindness. This gives spits jets of water at insects and other small creatures the snake plenty of time to get away. to knock them into the water. Then it gulps them down quickly. To create such a forceful stream of Spitting is considered to be rude behavior in people. water, an archer fish closes its gills, and uses its But for some animals, spitting can be a smart way to tongue to form a tube in its mouth. Then the fish get lunch –or a clever way to avoid becoming sticks its snout out of the water and aims. Aim! lunch! Launch! Lunch! Super Teacher Worksheets - www.superteacherworksheets.com

Name: _______________________ Spitting to Survive by Liana Mahoney 1. List the three ways spit helps humans. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Which animal creates a forceful stream of water to capture insects? a. humans b. archer fish c. spitting cobras d. llamas 3. Name two reasons a llama might choose to spit. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 4. How does a spitting cobra use its spit to protect itself? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 5. What is the author's purpose for writing this passage? a. to tell funny stories about animals b. to teach the reader how animals survive c. to express opinions about animals d. to show how animals are different Super Teacher Worksheets - www.superteacherworksheets.com