Squirm in agony
What is writhe?
Some species of this creature with a mythic beast in its name can reach speeds of 30 miles per hour
What is a dragonfly?
South Carolina's state bird is the Carolina variety of this small flyer

What is a wren?
These rodents of the American West don't just bark; their sounds can tell the colony, "Tall human in blue shirt approaching"
What is a prairie dog?
In a 2013 hit Miley Cyrus "came in like" one of these
What is a wrecking ball?
This tree-dwelling carnivore of Asia combines ursine and feline creatures in its name

What is a cat-bear (or bear-cat)?
As you might gather from its name, escritoire is French for this type of desk
What is a writing desk?
The horned toad of the Americas isn't a toad at all, nor even a frog, but one of these reptiles
What is a lizard?
A past participle of work, as in "What hath God..."
What is wrought?
Not actually swine but rodents, they may be pets, lab research subjects or food, depending where you are
What are guinea pigs?