Anthony Maldonado Castro

May 9, 2014

http://invigorate.royalsociety.org/picture-library.aspx#

Practice Story

As I climbed through the under growth I could hear the rustling of a large animal. I was

fearful but thrilled at the same time. The noise grew louder, sounds I had not heard before!

Suddenly as I came out into the open I saw the strangest creature of all. I had the body of a huge

lizard, like 30 meters high, it had enormous limbs with four claws each and a long strong tail. Its

body was covered by metallic golden scales that shone under the sun. I was still hidden behind

the bushes contemplating such a marvelous creature, when suddenly I stepped on a stick. When

the creature heard the noise, it turned his long neck to reveal his face. Of course that with the

general appearance, I was expecting a dragon-like look, very fierce and frightening. To my

surprise instead of a frightening dragon face, that huge lizard-like creature had the face of the

most adorable kitten I have ever seen! Not only that, but it even act and purred like one to! I was

shocked. Believe me this surpassed all my expectations and I was very excited about my

discovery. You see, in this part of the land there have always been tells about giant fierce full

reptiles that warmed the land in search for food; but it all was believed to be a myth, legends

invented by local folks. Not anymore, because I had at last found it! Boy I want to see the faces

of my colleagues back at the academy when they see this marvelous creature! At first sight it

seemed a little shy, but then, slowly, it came close and closer. It looked pacific, but I remained

still just to make sure not to scare it. Then I remembered that I had some red berry-like fruits that

I had picked some steps before. I then extended my hand and offered the food, hoping to be able

to touch the golden scales. Luckily it seemed to like them, and after eating them all, it began to

purr and to gently rub against me. Remembering cat’s behavior, it seemed as if it liked me! And

there I was, petting a cat faced giant lizard. By then I was thinking of a name that I could give to

it, in order to classify it taxonomically. The first that occurred to me was Lacertilia felis, literally

“cat lizard”. After this wondrous encounter we became very good friends, because even though it

had the body of it a lizard it behaved much more like a cat. Thanks to this, Victor (as called him,

because he was a boy) took me to meet his family and the rest of its kind. There are many of

them, and a lot to learn and discover! When we arrived to where his relatives lived I was amazed

with what my eyes could see. But that is another story!