Since the beginning of time, many species of plants and animals have become extinct. In 1987 the earth lost over 50 species of plants and animals, many of these from rain forests. Modern technology and photographs have enabled us to keep record of these plants and animals. However, animals lost in th 1600's and 1700's are only known through sketches and the journal entries of seamen, hunters and scientists. Print this page and see if you can draw these three extinct rain forest animals based on the following journal descriptions.

"I believe the tratratratra we've captured and taken aboard ship is a giant relative of the lemur. It is as large as a calf with a round head, pointed snout, and face and ears that look almost human. The tratratratra's feet resemble those of a monkey. Its brown/black hair is short and wavy, and its tail is small and straight." Note: Habitat destruction in Madagascar caused the tratratratra to become extinct.

"Zanzibar natives call this awesome bird a "rukh" and hide when it appears. Curiosity forced me to remain in the jungle when it appeared last night. The creature resembles an eagle, but with a wingspan of sixteen feet; I'm told its eggs are large enough to make a meal for 10 men. From what I have witnessed, the bird will attack humans but seems to prefer elephants; it carries them a distance above the ground, drops them to their death, then dines on their lifeless carcasses." Note: there were once dwarf elephants on Madagascar and Zanzibar.

"Writings on the cave wall describe an unusual animal. The glyptodon, or giant rat-faced armadillo, grew to over six feet in length, five feet in width, and three feet in height. Native Indians in South America used the glyptodon's shell as a shelter, and its coarse under-hair to keep warm." Note: the glyptodon had disappeared before the first European settlers arrived in South America.