Crest Animals Research

Lion- Ben
Phoenix- Abe
Yeti- Daniel R
Griffin- Cloe
Elephant- Saunders
Octopus- Liviya H
Bee- Mariana
Dog- Daniel L

ANIMAL CHOICES CLASS OF 2018

PRESENTATIONS MUST INCLUDE:
- Scientific Name alternate names (naming history)
- Picture of Animal
- Cultural Views & Beliefs of Animal
- Current Population & Habitat
- Brief Important History Points
- Attributes, Habits and Characteristics of Animal
- Story/Poems OPTIONAL

Abe- Fenghuang (Phoenix)

Origin in china, a mythical being that co-created the world (with dragon) it is
related to the peacock, but was westernised and turned into a fire bird. The fire came
from it making colored fireworks as it flies. It is the color of the rainbow and gives good
luck when you see it. It is shy and fragile, but if you save its life it will grant you one

wish. The pokemon Ho-Oh is a phoenix. The Fenghuang eats snakes, this is a symbol
that that they defeat evil or trickery (because snakes are evil). It is said that the
Fenghuangs fireworks are so bright and loud that they bring lifelong happiness. As
stated earlier, the phoenix was westernised into a fire bird. It was depicted as a mythical
being derived from a hawk, more than a peacock. It is constructed in flames and
eventually burns out into ash, but then rises from the ashes as a new. This, in sorts,
makes it imortal. However it is vulnerable in its weak stage before it burns out. To
conclude, Fenghuang magic, Phoenix fire, snakes evil.

Saunders- Elephant
Name-The name elephant comes from the Latin word elephas
which is a latinised word form of the greek word elephantis. African
elephants- Loxodonta africana. Asian Elephant-Elephas maximus
Family-Elephants are very large mammals that are part of the
Elephantidea family . They are traditionally known to have 2 main
species, African and Asia.

Habitat- Elephants are scattered throughout sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast
Asia.Elephants are herbivorous and can be found in different habitats including savannas, forests, deserts
and marshes. They prefer to stay near water.
Body-Male African elephants are the largest mammal living on Earth.
Tusks can serve as weapons and as tools for moving objects and digging.
Elephants large ear flaps help to control their body temperature. Their
pillar-like legs can carry their great weight. Other animals tend to keep
their distance, predators such as lions, tigers, hyenas and wild dogs usually
target only the young elephants. Female elephants stay in family groups.
Males leave their animal group at puberty. Elephants can live up to 70
years.
Communication-They can communicate with touch, sight, smell and
sound. Over long distances they can use Infrasound, a high pitch noise that
humans cant hear. Characteristics- Elephants are very smart, there
intelligence is compared to monkeys or dolphins. They have self awareness
and show empathy for dying or dead individuals of their kind. They tend to
roll in mud to use for a sunscreen against the harsh sun in Africa.
Elephants are among the species able to use tools such as a fly swatter or
stacking wood to get to food.
Work- Many elephants in Asia are used to carry large objects around for people. They are very easy to
train and helpful for farmers. They also carry around tourists for tours. Elephants also have been in
circus before. These elephants were trained to do circus tricks. Elephants now are currently in zoos. In
past wars elephants have been a very important instruments of war. They were protected with armor and
had sharpened tusks
Cultural Importance- Elephants have been part of different religions for a very long time. They are
motifs in hinduism and buddhism an seen in many statues. The Mbuti people believe that the souls of
their dead ancestors resided in elephants. One of the most important Hindu deities, the elephant-headed
Ganesha, is ranked equal with the supreme gods.
Population-At the beginning of the 20th century, there were a few million African elephants and about
100,000 Asian elephants. Today, there are an estimated 450,000 - 700,000 African elephants and
between 35,000 - 40,000 wild Asian elephants. They are considered to be keystone species because of
their impact on their environments,although, African animals are classified as vulnerable and Asian
elephants are classified as endangered. Forest elephants that live in Africa make up of the population of
Elephants and are in a sharp decline because of poaching for the ivory trade.

Mariana- Bee
-The scientific name for bee is Anthophila.
-Ever since the late 1990s beekeepers from all around the world have noticed a weird and very
sudden disappearance of bees. They have also reported high and strange amounts of decline in
honeybee colonies.
-The bee symbolize many different things in different cultures and times.
-In The Ancient Near East and The Bronze Age civilizations the bee was believed to be the sacred
insect that bridged the natural world to the underworld.

-In ancient Egypt, the bee was a symbol of kingship.

-Honey bees, signifying immortality and resurrection
-In other beliefs the bee symbolizes diligence and the effort of persisting tirelessly . -When
someone is said to be busy as a bee it normally means when he or she is working tirelessly and
regardless of schedules or breaks.

Liviya H- East Pacific Red Octopus Octopus rubescens

Name-East Pacific Red Octopus Octopus rubescens.
Family-The East Pacific Red Octopus is apart of the Octopodidae Family. There
are about 300 recognized species of octopus found.

Habitat- The most commonly occurred in shallow-water in most of North

American West Coast. Its range extends from the southern Gulf of California at least to
the Gulf of Alaska, but may also occur in the western Pacific Ocean.It normaly stays at a
depth of 300 m.
Body-The East Pacific red octopus normally grows to a mantle length 810 cm,
and arm length of 3040 cm. Adult can weight is normally around 100150 grams, but
there have been some have occasionally been found at 400 grams. change its color and
texture, making its appearance highly variable. Color can vary from a deep brick red, to
brown, to white, or mottled mixtures of the three. This allows the East Pacific red octopus
to blend into surrounding.

Communication- Octopus have a very interesting way of communication. They

use their color changing abilities to attract mates or when threatened.
Characteristics- Red Octopuses tend to live alone, only spending time with others
at the end of their lives to mate before dying. Researchers have found that they are able to
problem solve and that they have excellent memories both in regards to the short and
long term.
Cultural importance- There are multiple different forms of octopus in past
mythology such as:
- The Gorgon of Greek mythology has been thought to have been inspired by the octopus or
squid, the octopus itself representing the severed head of Medusa, the beak as the protruding
tongue and fangs, and its tentacles as the snakes.[60]
-The Kraken are legendary sea monsters of giant proportions said to dwell off the coasts of
Norway and Greenland, usually portrayed in art as a giant octopus attacking ships.
-The Hawaiian creation myth relates that the present cosmos is only the last of a series, having
arisen in stages from the wreck of the previous universe. In this account, the octopus is the lone
survivor of the previous, alien universe.[61]
-

Akkorokamui is a gigantic octopus-like monster from Ainu folklore, which supposedly lurks in
Funka Bay in Hokkaid and has been sighted in several locations including Taiwan and Korea
since the 19th century.[62]

Population-

Ben- Lion
The lion's name, is derived from the latin work Leo. Females of a lion pack generally do
most of the hunting. Lionesses are caring mothers who will even take care of a
neglected cub, allowing him/her to suckle and giving them a chance to survive. Two or
more lionesses in a group tend to give birth around the same time, and the cubs are
raised together. Cubs are extremely playful. Lions are symbols of courage. Lions are
native to Africa and parts of the middle east.

(Youre welcome to change this picture I was

just bored so I thought I would put one in for people.) Good job!

Cloe- Gryphon
Spelled Gryphon, griffin, or griffon, is a legendary creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a
lion; the head and wings of an eagle; and an eagle's talons as its front feet. Because the lion
was traditionally considered the king of the beasts and the eagle the king of birds, the griffin was
thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. The griffin was also thought of as
king of all creatures. Griffins are known for guarding treasure and priceless possessions. They
represent courage and boldness, intelligence and strength, it is also a protector from evil, and
witchcraft. They are watchful and loyal, graceful and swift, rapacious and vengeful, monstrous
and divine. Its magic talons have detected poison and its feathers have cured blindness in some
myths. Known as Grypes in many different medieval stories and cultures these winged
monsters would find gold in the mountains and built nests from it. This lured hunters, so griffins
kept a very hostile guard over their nests. They would eat the men and devour their horses. In
hieroglyphics, griffins represent heat and summer. In Mesopotamia the griffin, as well as the
dragon, were symbols of wisdom. In Roman art, griffins are often pulling the chariot of Nemesis
(goddess of justice and revenge). They have also pulled the chariots of Pharaohs, Apollo, and
Alexander the Great. It is used to indicate strength, military courage and leadership. As a
major heraldic animal, it has been displayed on the shields of knights and on the coats of arms
and royalty. In the Iron Age the griffin was again prominent in both Asia and Greece. The griffin
was in some sense sacred, appearing frequently in sanctuary and tomb furnishings. The
gryphon was/is found frequently in art, but very rarely in writing.
Grouping
Similar creatures

Mythological hybrids
Simurgh, Sphinx

the ancient Greek historian Herodotus wrote But in the north of Europe there is by far the most
gold. In this matter again I cannot say with assurance how the gold is produced, but it is said
that one-eyed men called Arimaspians steal it from griffins. But I do not believe this, that there
are one-eyed men who have a nature otherwise the same as other men. The most outlying
lands, though, as they enclose and wholly surround all the rest of the world, are likely to have
those things which we think the finest and the rarest.

[excerpt from Prometheus bound] But now listen to another and a fearsome spectacle.
Beware of the sharp-beaked hounds of Zeus that do not bark, the Grypes , who dwell
about the flood of Plouton's stream that flows with gold. Do not approach them."

yeah no problemo

The Gryphon marks the entrance to the city of

london.

Mesopotamian cylinder seals

Persian statue

Griffin fresco in a Throne Room

Daniel-Dog
Scientific Name: Canis lupus familiaris
Cultural Views & Beliefs of Animal: Chinese believe that owning a dog is a luxury
(then again theyve eaten dog meat for a long time) and that the second day of the new
years is the birthday for all dogs. Muslims believe that keeping a dog is bad. In some
religious texts it states that angels will not enter a home that has a dog and that they are
unclean. In Nepal, Hindus have a 5 day celebration of lights and on the second day they
dedicate it to dogs. They believe that dogs guard the door to heaven, Of course, the
western culture has embraced the dog as a family member most of the time. Egypt has a
god named Anubis (god of funerals/death) who is a jackal which also means its from the
genus of Canis just like dogs or wolves.
Current Population & Habitat: Varies too much, Habitat depends on breed
Attributes, Habits and Characteristics of Animal: Varies
People all over the world with different cultures and religions enjoy dogs. Some dont,
but the majority of the western population as well as many other places do, and why
not? Dogs are lovable, adorable, loyal, and intelligent animals that have even earned the
title mans best friend.