They call me 'bear' but I'm not,
I live in the sub-tropics where it's hot,
I'm ash-coloured and cute but my claws can scratch,
I feast on the leaves in my local patch,
I don't travel far and i can be quite slow,
But i attract loving stares wherever i go.

I bet you didn't know that i have to molt,
I shed my shell as i grow,
This is when I'm most vulnerable,
I have to slip, slide and hide beneath the coral bed.

When i sense an attack i stop my gentle stroll,
I curl and uncurl my abdomen,
I swim backwards,
Keeping one beady, devilish eye upon the threatening team.

I have blue blood, a fact i bet you didn't know,
But still you drag me from my home,
And i feel the heat of the boiling water,
I crack, crumble and croak - on to some ***** plate I'm thrown.

Walking to our death,
An endless search for a resting place,
Passing the bones of friends,
Scattered and devoured with no grace,
Although the path we tread is cruel,
We hold ourselves with enduring pride,
They can take our freedom and our tusks,
But we have dignity and elegance on our side.

I'm green and happy,
Upon my lily pad,
Leaping to the side to rest,
And back to the water again,
Few troubles have I,
And here I shall stay,
Upon my lily pad,
I'm green and happy.

Ancient,
Wallowing in filth,
A strong jaw,
And violent teeth.

I'm like a dinosaur,
But a modern form of beast,
I'm intelligent and brave,
But few are in the wild.

Out of my way,
I'm coming through,
Don't get to close,
I've got killer teeth for you,
I'll slice the water,
I'll smash your skull,
And eat you up,
I'll eat you whole.

A giant of the ocean,
But gentle as can be,
I'm the one they talk about,
The one they rarely see.

I swim and eat,
Eat and swim all day,
I blow out all the water,
And avoid the light of day.

How many boats come out to sea,
To catch a glimpse of me,
I hear the engines and the noise,
I hide beneath the ocean bed with such rapid urgency.