good,â replied Danny, still gently rotating in the water. He knew this was something alligators did when they had prey in their jaws, to drown it before eating it.
âAlligators dig right into banks, sometimes, and make these sort-of caves,â explained Josh. âRight up under the bank where nobody can find them.â
âThat would be amazing!â Danny said. âWe should make one now!â
âYeah . . .â said Josh, his tail arching lazily in the water behind him. âBut we havenât really got enough time. Any second weâre going toââ
SPLOOSH
!
ââS.W.I.T.C.H. back,â gasped Josh as soon as his head was above water.
Danny climbed onto the bank, taking the case from his brother so Josh could get himself out as well. âWe could always have another go . . .â
âNot now,â Josh said, looking at his watch (happily a waterproof one). âWeâd better get back.â
They climbed out in the farthest corner of the lake and made their way back home, keeping well away from the crowds and the yellow tents and the police on the other side of the lake. They spotted an animal-control van too. Obviously, the hunt for the alligators was on.
Back at home, they got into the house and managed to shower, dry off, and change before Jenny had even finished watching TV. The
Darcy Show
episode she was watching had been recorded some time ago. So she had no idea about the amazing show she had just missed in her own town.
âSo,â Danny said as he made cups of tea in the kitchen. âDo you think weâll ever see Petty again?â
âNot for a while,â Josh said, cutting them both a bit of ginger cake. âBut one dayâdefinitely. After allââhe pointed to the lunchbox on the tableââweâve still got the whole S.W.I.T.C.H. spray set.â
âWeâd better hide itâreally well,â Danny said. âIn case Victor Crouch comes after us again.â
âYes,â agreed Josh. âBut on the other hand . . . if he does come after us, we probably should have just a little bit of S.W.I.T.C.H. spray on us. âWeâll never know when we might need it . . .â
BOOKS
Want to brush up on your reptile and amphibian knowledge? Hereâs a list of books dedicated to slithering and hopping creatures.
Johnson, Jinny.
Animal Planet⢠Wild World: An Encyclopedia of Animals
. Minneapolis: Millbrook Press, 2013.
McCarthy, Colin.
Reptile
. DK Eyewitness Books. New York: DK Publishing, 2012.
Parker, Steve.
Pond & River
. DK Eyewitness Books. New York: DK Publishing, 2011.
WEBSITES
Find out more about nature and wildlife using the websites below.
National Geographic Kids
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids
Go to this website to watch videos and read facts about your favorite reptiles and amphibians.
San Diego Zoo Kids
http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/animals
Curious to learn more about some of the coolest-looking reptiles and amphibians? This website has lots of information and stunning pictures of some of Earthâs most interesting creatures.
US Fish & Wildlife Service
http://www.nwf.org/wildlife/wildlife-library/amphibians-reptiles-and-fish.aspx
Want some tips to help you look for wildlife in your own neighborhood? Learn how to identify some slimy creatures and some scaly ones as well.
CHECK OUT ALL OF THE TITLES!
Ali Sparkes grew up in the wilds of the New Forest, raised by sand lizards who taught her the secret language of reptiles and how to lick her own eyes.
At least, thatâs how Ali remembers it. Her family argues that she grew up in a house in Southampton, raised by her mom and dad, who taught her the not terribly secret language of English and wished sheâd stop chewing her hair.
She once caught a slow worm. It flicked around like mad, and she was a bit scared and dropped it.
Ali still lives in Southampton, now with her husband and two sons. She likes