Hong Kong is famous for its tall buildings and delicious food, but the city also has many unique animals.

One of these is the Chinese white dolphin. The marine mammal is born grey and turns pink as it gets older. They are smart and playful, but they face threats from human activities.

The horseshoe crab has been around for over 400 million years. You can find it in the water, on sandy beaches and in mudflats.

The Romer’s tree frog is the smallest frog in the city. It was named after J.D. Romer, who first found it on Lamma Island in 1952. This amphibian usually lives in the woods near water. It has a special “X” marking on its back.

While not all of the city’s animals are as famous as these, many need our protection so they don’t disappear.

Animal fact file

Materials:

• paper

• pen or pencil

• computer or phone

Instructions:

1. Choose one animal that was mentioned in the story.

2. Use the internet to find out more about its habitat, diet, lifespan and special features.

3. Fill in the animal fact file below, and share what you’ve learned with your friends.

Nature journal

Materials:

• notebook

• pen or pencil

• smartphone

• binoculars (optional)

Instructions:

1. Take a walk with an adult in one of Hong Kong’s country parks.

2. Observe the animals you see along the way, and take photos of them on a phone. Stay a safe distance away from the animals.

3. If you have a pair of binoculars, take a closer look at the animals and pay attention to their details.

4. Draw a picture of each one in your journal.

5. Write down any interesting observations about the wildlife you saw. What colours are they? Do they make any noises?

6. Use Google Lens or another similar app to help you identify the animals in your photos. Use your journal to tell others about Hong Kong’s amazing animals.