Kid Turns Into a Dog Overnight

By Candace and William

Oregon – On Monday, March 30th, HSBI third grader Jacob Johnson turned into a dog. The time he turned into a dog is unclear. The only information about his transformation from his parents is that he morphed overnight. He cannot speak human language; he only barks. For three days he has been acting weirdly at home, which includes not eating dog food and running away from his family. Linguistics are working hard to translate dog language into English. So far they have little success. The only things they can make out are “Help me! I want to be human again!” and “I need food!”

Scientists say that the translator might be able to help Jacob learn how Jacob turned into dog form. “We just need to add a few tweaks to the machine so the translations will be clearer.” This hypothesis worked, and scientists were able to figure out complete sentences of dog language. “It might even solve all the misery of other stray dogs, and understand what they want.”

Doctors say that they have no idea how he turned into a dog. “There is no scientific explanation for this event,” Frankie Franks, cynologist (a person who studies dogs), states. Jacob’s mother, Jamie Johnson, adds, “I don’t get it! I raised my son with all my heart and this is what I get? A dog?!”

Lately, the linguistics are able to tell Jacob’s full story, due to the improvements made to the machine. “I was just dreaming about dogs and I told the dog god to let me be a dog for a month. Now I totally regret what I said, because being a dog is not fun, and it will be a long time until I turn back into a human,” says Jacob, still in a dog form. Doctors are shocked to discover that they didn’t have to perform any medical changes to help Jacob turn back into human; they just had to be patient. Jacob successfully turned back into a human weeks later.

Jacob Johnson, in dog form.

The dog translating machine

Amazing Animals: Platypus

Duck or beaver? Thats the Question!

By Hina

What animal has a bill, tail, webbed feet, spurs, eggs, claws, and venom? A platypus!  A platypus is a carnivore and is very rare. They mostly feed on a diet of shrimps, crayfish, insect larvae and worms. They usually live in the eastern part of Australia. Dr. Tom Grant is an expert on platypuses. He protects them and tells people about them. Platypuses are not usually recommended as a pet but you could still keep them as one. These animals are shy, elusive, very sensitive to noise and change in the quality of the water they swim in and are more active at night. They are, in fact, considered as a wild animal. It costs tons of thousands, if not a hundred thousand dollars to get one, including the proper licenses and habitat for one. In Australia, you will have a better chance of getting one because they will be more likely to have people who take care of sick ones or are allowed to have them for different reasons. But they are usually friendly as long as you don’t threaten them. Unfortunately, platypuses are an endangered species, and as a result, it’s illegal to export a platypus from Australia.

Sources:

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platypus

http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2007/benrud_ryan/what_does_a_platypus_eat.htm

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080610160444AATW8KI

Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6QHzIJO5a8

Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7ptN_5BWCc

Peculiar Pets: Fennec Fox

By Katelyn 

In most peoples minds, foxes are sly, cunning, and usually the bad guy in cartoons. But unlike the normal foxes, fennec foxes aren’t like that!

Fennec foxes, also called fennecs, is a small nocturnal fox, found in the Sahara of North Africa. Fennec foxes most noticeable trait is its unusually large ears, used for releasing heat. They weigh 2-3.5 pounds, and have a soft, thick, short coat that is white on the belly and reddish or tawny on the back. They also have some black markings on their back and tail. Fennec foxes eats insects, small mammals, and birds. They are about the size of a cat, but their energy and playfulness is the same as a very active dog. Fennec foxes agility and the height they can jump is more like a cat.

Fennec foxes are energetic 15% of the time, snuggly 20% of the time, and rest of the time they are asleep. Fennec foxes DO NOT calm down with age! Most fennec foxes loves to be petted and cuddled, but only when they get to know you. They are generally not afraid of strangers, and is friendly to everyone. Most people say that male fennecs are easier to take care of than female fennecs.

Fennec foxes have a lifespan of 10-16 years, so will be a wonderful choice for a pet, but you will have to coordinate with its barking and never tiring energy!

http://www.therichest.com/expensive-lifestyle/lifestyle/top-15-exotic-animals-you-can-legally-own/9/

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/fennecfoxes/a/fennecfoxes.htm

http://fennecfoxes.net/fennecs-as-pets/

Fennec foxes have large ears to release heat.

Fennec foxes are snuggly 20% of the time.