Many animals are carnivores, but some eat mainly insects. Insect eaters, known as insectivores, can be as small as insects or as large as giant anteaters. Spiders, frogs, lizards, bats, and other mammals are insect eaters, but not all insectivores are animals.This book is loaded with fascinating photos and information that will delight kids of all ages.
Dressage introduces readers to the basics of the dressage competition, often referred to as horse ballet. Horse-lovers will appreciate the clear text detailing the history and rules of the sport. Text is accompanied with beautiful photographs and informative diagrams.
Saddle up and leap into the pages of this book to read all about show jumping! You'll learn about verticals, oxers, combinations, and other jumps that horses - and their riders - attempt to complete quickly and flawlessly. You'll also discover the breeds and care of show horses, how they train and compete in Olympic and other jumping events, and the history of this challenging equestrian sport.
Animals have become extinct for many reasons. The most famous example, the extinction of the dinosaurs, may have been the result of an asteroid hitting Earth or an Ice Age freezing them to death. Prehistoric mammoths and saber-toothed cats may simply have been hunted to extinction. Today, animals such as elephants, zebras, tigers and leopards, some wolves, and many kinds of primates may still face extinction due to climate change, habitat loss, hunting, poaching, and pollution. This fascinating book introduces and explains the designations of endangerment from extinct in the wild to vulnerable. Children are also introduced to fossils as a way of learning about animals that lived long ago.
This informative and beautiful book looks at apex or top predators - animals that are not eaten by other animals in their habitats - and why these animals play a very important role in keeping food chains in balance. Students are introduced to the energy pyramid, which shows that there are fewer top predators than other animals and gives reasons why many of these animals are endangered. Humans, the most powerful top predators, are the biggest threat to these essential endangered animals.
They feed on us, make their homes on us, and generally make our lives miserable. They are horrible guests, sometimes spreading deadly diseases. These blood-sucking parasites are lice and fleas and they are pests of the first order! This book delves into the tiny world of ectoparasites that prey on humans and animal hosts. Learn how lice and fleas cant live without us and how humans have been battling the itchy critters, often without much success, since the dawn of time. Special sections give information on the plague-producing history of rat fleas and how to combat the scourge of head lice.
This intriguing book looks at the remarkable abilities of plants and animals, which need to be studied to make our environment more sustainable. People have already used birds as models for constructing airplanes, but there are so many other models that have not been replicated. Living things live at the depths of oceans and at the tops of the highest mountains, harness the energy of the sun to make food, make oxygen from carbon dioxide, walk on water, build structures that are air-conditioned, and make materials stronger than steel without ever polluting or damaging the environment. They have done all the things we wish we could do. This book will make young scientists aware of the super powers of nature and may inspire some to find ways to change the future of Earth!
Kids will be shocked to learn that arthropods outnumber all other animal species combined! They will also be fascinated by the variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and behaviors found among these invertebrates. Labeled diagrams and startling close-up photography will introduce concepts including the similarities and differences among insects, arachnids, myriapods, and crustaceans, the functions and features of an exoskeleton, molting, metamorphosis, and other interesting body facts, and the crucial function of arthropods in food chains and webs.
Marsupials are the only mammals that have a pouch on their body in which they carry their young. Most of these amazing animals live in Australia, where they have adapted to the harsh conditions of life in the outback. In What is a Marsupial? children will learn astounding facts about marsupials, including the important differences between marsupials and placentals, how kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, opossums, and bilbies are related, how marsupials reproduce and raise their young, the ways in which they hunt and feed, and why some marsupials are in danger.
Amphibian means two lives since these animals spend the first part of their lives underwater and the rest on land. From flying tree frogs to slithering caecilians, kids will be captivated by this slimy animal group in What is an Amphibian? Young readers will discover the amphibian family tree, an amphibian's body, special skin and senses, how they move and what they eat, water- versus land-dwelling species, their life cycle and parental care, and defending themselves.
While humans are different from monkeys, apes, and lemurs, they are all primates and are similar in many ways. For example, primates make many sounds that humans make, such as sneezes, burps, hiccups, and even laughter! What is a Primate? identifies the members of the primate family tree and describes how they are different from each other. This book describes reproduction, communication, and feeding, the complex social structures of primates such as chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and gibbons, Old and New World monkeys, and how people are different. what is being done to rescue threatened primates from destruction by their human cousins
Children continue to be fascinated by these prehistoric creatures. What is a Reptile? covers all orders of reptile from 10-foot long Komodo dragons to tiny, inch-long gecko lizards. Featured are such amazing reptile facts as reptile bodies and senses, their hunting and self defense techniques, reptile homes and babies, the different kinds of snakes, lizards, chelonians, crocodilians, and tuataras, and the dangers to reptiles.
The cat, with its grace, strength, and prowess, has been a source of intrigue and companionship for humans throughout time. In this comprehensive study, kids will learn about the bodies, habits, and lifestyles of large and small cats. Full-color illustrations and stunning wildlife photography accompany detailed text that covers the maternal relationship between cats and kittens, the unique features of a cat's body that allow for agility and speed, the similarities and differences between large and small cats, and endangered and vanishing cats.
Dogs are believed to be the first animals to live with people as pets. What is a Dog? explains how these once-wild members of the animal kingdom still use their senses and instincts in daily living as well as in helping people. This book describes the dog family tree, a dog's body, dogs' super senses, the complex social order of dogs, and categories of dogs.
Children will be fascinated by the life cycle of these enormous polar animals. Stunning pictures and clear text guide readers through each stage of a polar bears life from cub to adult. Children will also learn how polar bears are being affected by global warming. Beautiful images and well-written text describe polar bear dens, how cubs grow and learn to live in the Arctic, and polar bear hunting techniques.
Slithering snakes, jumping kangaroos, flying albatrosses, and swimming salmon - every animal, including humans, has its own unique way of getting around. This beautiful book explains the how, why, and "are we there yet?" of animals large and small across the globe. Topics include how an animal's environment affects its movement, how an animal's skeleton affects its movement, unusual animal movers such as the water-walking basilisk, and how a parent helps its young move around.
Certain sea slugs have developed a remarkable defensive adaptationthey can use the stinging cells of the sea anemones they eat to protect themselves. Whether adapting over millions of years or in the blink of an eye, How Do Animals Adapt? examines the ever-changing world of animals. Children will thrill at discovering why animals need to adapt, animals that can see using sounds, how animals use camouflage and mimicry to protect themselves, and how wild animals have adapted to habitat loss and learned to live in cities.
Habitat loss, pesticide use, and the collecting of rare species are putting some of the world's most beautiful butterflies in danger. Without action now, it is possible that some species may actually become extinct. In this book, stunning full-color images of these magnificent insects will appeal to young readers and encourage them to take an interest in helping butterflies and their habitats. Children will be fascinated by butterfly bodies, habitats, and defenses, the amazing changes that occur during metamorphosis, and the ways that people are helping protect butterflies and the natural places where they live.
Kids will love reading about these clever and sociable primates! Through beautiful images and descriptive text, kids will learn about the lives of chimpanzees in their African habitats, including what they eat, how they use tools, why they are endangered, and what people all over the world are doing to help save them.
Over hunting of the wolf in Europe and North America almost led to the extinction of the species in the twentieth century. Today, the beauty and mystique of wolves has created a new wave of support for these animals. Beautiful photographs and informative text help children discover the life cycle of a wolf, wolf bodies, a pack's need for territory and prey, the dangers of habitat loss, and the preserves, national parks, and other places where wolves are protected.
The largest land-dwelling mammals on Earth, elephants are in danger of becoming extinct! Endangered Elephants details both the African and Asian habitats of these animals, the stages of the elephant life cycle, the social structure of elephant herds, and how habitat loss, war, and poaching have contributed to the endangerment of elephants. what people are doing to help save them from extinction
Frogs live both in water and on land and require not one, but two, safe and healthy habitats in which to live and find food. It's no wonder then that some frogs are in danger. This important book explains how sensitive frogs are to changes in their environments and why people need to protect them. Children will be fascinated to learn where frogs live and what they eat, how tadpoles turn into frogs, the dangers of habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change, and how people are helping frogs.
A monarch born in the fall has two major challenges! In addition to metamorphosis, these butterflies fly 4,000 miles on a two-way migration trek! The Life Cycle of a Butterfly explains butterfly metamorphosis and migration in simple terms. The text is beautifully illustrated with photographs and art, making this book a joy to read. Topics include where butterflies lay their eggs, the "eating machine" caterpillar, the transformation from pupa to chrysalis to butterfly, the monarch migration, and butterfly facts and activity suggestions about how to protect butterflies.
Following lion cubs from birth to maturity, The Life Cycle of a Lion details a cub's place in the pride by discussing the hunt, territory patrols, and pride dominance. Vivid photographs and beautiful illustrations accompany text. Topics include lions in Asia and Africa, the network of aunts, sisters, and cousins in a lion pride, a lioness's preparation for birth, a cub's involvement in the pride's work and play, and the lives of lone lions in search of a pride.
Although there are over 9,000 species of birds in the world, each develops from a single-celled egg, is incubated, hatches, and grows to adulthood. Some bird life cycles involve migration. The Life Cycle of a Bird focuses on the various stages and explains the differences in the length of time birds incubate their eggs and care for their young, the development of a chicken embryo and how a chick hatches, the dangers to nesting habitats, and the effects of pollution and how these affect the life cycle of birds.
