Aussie Beasts Worksheet
Grade 3 • Reading Comprehension Australia Explorer Series
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Informational Text
Wild Australia: Fierce & Fascinating
Discover three remarkable creatures that make Australia their home!
Oceania
Tasmanian Devil Fierce Marsupial
Freshwater Croc River Reptile
Platypus Venomous Swimmer
Australia is home to thousands of animal species. Many of these species are unique to Australia, such as the Tasmanian devil. The Tasmanian devil is a cat-sized mammal that is native to the island state of Tasmania in Australia. Does this animal sound pleasant to you? Even though it is small in size, these animals can be fierce. When they are hunting for food during the night, they make ominous growls. When they do catch their prey, Tasmanian devils make screaming noises as they devour their victim. As shown in wildlife photographs, Tasmanian devils have the ability to open their jaws very wide. Don’t be fooled, though. They usually open their mouths wide when they are scared.
The freshwater crocodile is another species native to Australia. Unlike the Tasmanian devil, this reptile is large and sometimes grows up to 10 feet long! They have long, thin snouts and are typically light brown in color. A freshwater crocodile’s diet consists primarily of fish, so its snout is designed to clamp down on their slippery food. With their sharp teeth, these crocodiles can hurt humans if they feel threatened.
The platypus is another water animal. But, unlike the freshwater crocodile, the platypus doesn’t have any teeth. They instead have bills. Even though they don’t have teeth, they still eat! Platypuses scoop up gravel from the bottom of the river and then use it to mash up their food. Platypuses are also strong swimmers, which allows them to find food quickly while underwater. But these river creatures are not completely harmless. The males have venomous stingers at the bottom of their feet, which they use to hurt their foes if they feel threatened.
If you ever visit Australia, be careful not to offend any of these animals!
Explorer's Reading Strategy: Reread the text carefully and underline key clues before choosing your answers on Page 2!
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Q
Comprehension Check
Wild Australia • 6 Multiple Choice Questions
Fill in the bubble for each correct answer: A, B, C, or D
1
Why does a Tasmanian devil usually open its jaws very wide?
A To catch insects flying in the night
B Because it feels scared or threatened
C To drink fresh river water quickly
D To call other mammals across the forest
2
How does the freshwater crocodile’s long, thin snout help it survive?
A It helps clamp down on slippery fish
B It digs deep tunnels beneath riverbanks
C It filters tiny algae and river moss
D It helps it smell prey from miles away
3
A platypus does not have any teeth. How does it mash up its food?
A By using sharp claws on its front feet
B By soaking its food in warm water
C By scooping gravel from river bottoms
D By relying only on liquid river nutrients
4
What special body part do male platypuses use to protect themselves from foes?
A Venomous stingers on their feet
B Long snouts with razor-sharp teeth
C A hard shell that covers their back
D Electric shocks produced in their bill
5
In paragraph 1, the text says the Tasmanian devil makes "ominous growls." What does ominous mean?
A Cheerful and playful
B Threatening and scary
C Soft and whispering
D Musical and sweet
6
What is the main idea of this entire informational passage?
A Freshwater crocs are the friendliest animals
B All animals in Australia hunt only at night
C Australia has unique animals with special adaptations
D Tasmanian devils and crocs are the same size
Way to go! Check your work and make sure you answered every question.
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