Theme: Creatures of the Night

Meet the fascinating creatures that forage, hunt, and roam after the sun goes down.

9 themed words All 26 letters covered Vowels shown in gold Consonants hidden in blue
1
  O A  
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  1. A familiar amphibian
  2. It often emerges in damp evenings
  3. It resembles a frog but usually has drier, bumpier skin
  4. A four-letter amphibian beginning with T
Reveal answer
T O A D
Background information
Many toads forage at night when the air is cooler and moister, reducing dehydration risk.
2
    U    
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  1. A nocturnal mammal
  2. Its markings warn would-be predators
  3. It sprays a pungent defensive liquid
  4. Black-and-white animal famous for its smell
Reveal answer
S K U N K
Background information
Skunks often forage after dark. Their warning coloration and potent spray help discourage predators.
3
  U O    
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  1. A spotted marsupial hunter
  2. It lives in Australia and New Guinea
  3. It is a nocturnal carnivore
  4. Five-letter marsupial beginning with Q
Reveal answer
Q U O L L
Background information
Quolls are carnivorous marsupials native to Australia and New Guinea; many hunt mainly at night.
4
  I   E  
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  1. A woodland animal described by sex
  2. It is often active after dark
  3. It is a female member of a cunning canid species
  4. A female fox
Reveal answer
V I X E N
Background information
A vixen is a female fox. Foxes may be active at night, especially around human settlements.
5
  A     A  
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  1. A wild canid
  2. It may scavenge at night
  3. It resembles a small wolf or fox
  4. Six-letter canine beginning with J
Reveal answer
J A C K A L
Background information
Jackals are adaptable canids that may hunt or scavenge after sunset, depending on species and conditions.
6
        O  
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  1. A large snake
  2. It kills prey by constriction
  3. Some species hunt using heat-sensitive pits
  4. A six-letter constrictor snake
Reveal answer
P Y T H O N
Background information
Many pythons are nocturnal ambush predators; some have heat-sensitive pits that help locate warm-blooded prey.
7
  O     A  
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  1. A sturdy burrowing marsupial
  2. It often grazes after dark
  3. It is native to Australia
  4. Six-letter animal beginning with WOM
Reveal answer
W O M B A T
Background information
Wombats are burrowing marsupials that often emerge at night to graze, especially during warmer weather.
8
    E E     O  
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  1. An amphibian often heard at night
  2. Sticky toe pads help many species climb
  3. It lives among branches and leaves
  4. A frog associated with trees
Reveal answer
T R E E F R O G
Background information
Many tree frogs call and hunt insects after sunset, when humid conditions help protect their skin.
9
  E     A   A  
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  1. A striped nocturnal flyer
  2. It is a type of African bat
  3. Its fur has zebra-like markings
  4. Eight-letter name combining ZEBRA and BAT
Reveal answer
Z E B R A B A T
Background information
The striped leaf-nosed bat is also called the zebra bat, named for the pale stripes on its dark fur.

Creatures of the Night — Did You Know?

Night Vision
Many nocturnal animals have visual adaptations that improve sensitivity in low light.
Chemical Warning
Skunks typically warn intruders before spraying.
Marsupial Hunters
Quolls are among Australia’s native carnivorous marsupials.
Striped Bat
The zebra bat gets its name from conspicuous stripes in its fur.