Design an Animal

It is the future, the year 3007, and it is now possible for humans to build planets, and genetically engineer plants and animals to live on that planet.

• You are one of the scientists working on the animals, and it is your job to design and create an animal which will be perfectly suited to its environment on this new planet.


• Your animal must be strong and resilient enough to survive in its environment.


• You need to consider how this animal is going to stay warm or cool, what it is going to eat, how it is going to get its food and water, and how it is going to care for its young to make sure they survive.


• Your animal must fit into the existing food chain - it cannot be the top predator.
  

The planet MARITT

This planet is dark and cold most of the time.
It is very mountainous.
It rains almost all day.
Because of the wet, dark conditions, the only plants that grow well are small mosses and funguses.
Animals on this planet include a type of mouse, a nocturnal hunting large cat, fish, and a variety of insects.




The planet Q’ENNIT

This planet is dry and hot.
Most of the planet is flat.
Water is found in underground streams but there is little water on the surface of the planet.
Most of the planet’s surface is covered in sand, although there are patches of dry grass.
When plants can get their roots down into the water table, they grow into tall trees with leaves at the top but not along the trunk.
Plants which are not connected to the water table are small and dry, but they are edible.
Animals on this planet include carnivorous insects that attack in packs, a species of birds which roost in the high trees, a harmless sand-coloured lizard and a type of rat that eats dead flesh.

The planet DHONI

This planet is tropical: wet and hot.
Most of the planet is covered by rainforest.
The planet is very flat. Water collects in large pools and lakes which have water in them all year round.
A species of poisonous plant grows thickly on the ground. The spines of this plant are poisonous, and any animal which steps on one is sure to die.
The vegetation is plentiful, and includes leaves, fruits and nuts.
Animals include carnivorous snakes, varieties of insects, monkeys, fish and birds.