第8章 Lesson 8: An Exotic Dilemma
Would you know what to do if you saw a python slithering across your backyard? What about an anteater looking for dinner or a 2 metre long African monitor lizard running across your patio? If you live in southern Florida, there is a chance that you could run into a number of nonnative species that have settled in your hometown.
Exotic pets have become more popular in recent years. People often purchase an animal as a baby without realizing how difficult it may be to care for that animal when it is fully-grown.
For example, Burmese pythons are easy to buy at exotic pet stores or online. When the snake is young, it does not require much care. However, Burmese pythons can grow to be more than 6 metres long and 120 kilograms! When the snake outgrows its cage and its owner can't take care of it anymore, the snake may be abandoned in a wild area.
In most areas, it is likely that many of these exotic creatures would not survive for long. However, the climate in southern Florida is wet and warm-not unlike the tropical areas where many of the animals are naturally found. Not only can many exotic pets adjust to living in Florida's natural areas, but if enough of them are released, they can start breeding.
The problem with invasive species is that they can harm native populations. In the last few years, people visiting Florida's Everglades National Park have watched fights between alligators and pythons.
It is not hard to imagine the impact of aggressive creatures. However, even animals like vervet monkeys or Cuban tree frogs, which seem harmless, can change the delicate balance of the environment. They may compete with other animals that eat the same plants or insects. One small change can set off a whole series of changes that not even scientists can predict.
I. Word List
slithering: sliding without legs
nonnative: from a different area
abandoned: left alone to take care of itself
exotic: very unusual
breeding: having babies
harmless: not dangerous
II. Vocabulary skills—Find the correct words in the reading.
1. meetings: e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
2. from another part of the world: n _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3. left or deserted: a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
4. quick to attack, forceful: a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
5. not hurting others: h _ _ _ _ _ _ _
III. Reading skills—Answer the following questions.
1. What are two animals that are nonnative to southern Florida?
___________________________________________________________.
2. Why is it hard to take care of a full-grown Burmese python?
___________________________________________________________.
3. Why can some exotic pets survive in southern Florida?
___________________________________________________________.
4. How can animals that are not aggressive harm the environment?
___________________________________________________________.
5. What would you do if you found a strange animal near your house?
___________________________________________________________.
IV. Opposites—Find words in the reading that have the opposite meaning to these words.
1. northern: s _ _ _ _ _ _ _
2. tame: w _ _ _
3. domestic: e _ _ _ _ _
4. die: s _ _ _ _ _ _
5. sell: p _ _ _ _ _ _ _
6. wild animal: p _ _