| aquatic | growing or living in or on water; done in or upon water |
| assert | to say firmly; to declare |
| avert | to turn away; to keep from happening |
| bleak | without much hope; cold and dreary; exposed to cold winds and bad weather |
| blithe | cheerful; carefree; not showing proper care; heedless |
| docile | well behaved; easy to handle |
| dwindle | to keep on becoming less; to grow smaller in number or amount |
| lethal | causing or capable of causing, death |
| monitor | to watch closely and frequently; to observe and make note; a video screen used to display information |
| mutilate | to hrt or damage by cutting into, cutting off, or cutting out |
| nimble | able to move quickly and easily |
| plight | a difficult or danerous condition or situation |
| ponderous | heavy and slow-moving |
| verge | an edge, border or brink; to come close to the edge or border of |
| vigilant | watchful; ready for danger |