Showing titles in Zoology

Late in 2013, snowy owls started showing up in places no one expected to find them - including Florida. What had caused so many of these majestic birds to leave their Arctic home and fly to southern Canada and the United States? Scientists quickly began working to find out. Author Sandra Markle brings together firsthand reports from the scientists involved along with stunning photographs of the owls to explain this rare event, known as an irruption.

In Elkhorn Slough, an inlet on the California coast, seagrass grows healthy and strong in the shallow water. This healthy seagrass baffled marine biologist Brent Hughes. The scientist expected this estuary to be overrun with algae, causing the seagrass to die. Why was the seagrass thriving? As Brent investigated, signs pointed to an unexpected player helping to keep the seagrass healthy: sea otters! What do these top predators have to do with an aquatic grass at the opposite end of the food chain?

In the animal kingdom, survival is the name of the game - and not everything is as it seems. A number of animals rely on particularly clever tricks to fool predators or prey. A baby bird mimics a poisonous caterpillar. A moth escapes bats by making sounds that interfere with the bats' echolocation. A tiny rain forest spider builds a big spider "puppet" out of bits of dead leaves, insect parts, and other items.

Crack, crack...animal babies are hatched all over the place. Can you figure out who's who? The text hints at what the eggs contain: "Hidden in a rock cave / Deep beneath the ocean waves / Their mother wraps her long arms around / To keep these eggs safe and sound." The observant young nature lover will find a visual clue of what animal the mother might be. The next spread provides the answer - in this case, it's an octopus. The second spread also provides fascinating facts about the species.

Oahu tree snails and pink velvet worms are two examples of endangered invertebrates. Few of them exist in the wild. Other invertebrates have already gone extinct. What hurts these animals? What can you do to help? Listen to this book to find out!

How does a robin know when to feed her chicks? Who teaches young otters how to swim? Join Ms. McLean's class on a field trip to the zoo to find out! They're keeping track of patterns in animal behavior by observing different species and recording what they see. Learn to watch for the behavior patterns of wildlife in your backyard!

What is a reptile? Turtles, iguanas, crocodiles, and many other creatures are all reptiles!

What is an amphibian? Frogs, toads, and salamanders and are all amphibians!

What is a fish? Stingrays, goldfish, sharks, and many other creatures are all fish!

What would you do if you found an alligator in your garage? Or if you spotted a mountain lion downtown? In cities and suburbs around the world, wild creatures are showing up where we least expect them. Not all of them arrive by accident, and some are here to stay. As the human population tops seven billion, animals are running out of space. Their natural habitats are surrounded - and sometimes even replaced - by highways, shopping centers, office parks, and subdivisions. The result? A wildlife invasion of our urban neighborhoods.

Honeybees are a crucial part of our food chain. As they gather nectar from flowers to make sweet honey, these bees also play an important role in pollination, helping some plants produce fruit. But large numbers of honeybees are disappearing every year...and no one knows why. Is a fungus killing them? Could a poor diet be the cause? What about changes to bees' natural habitat? In this real-life science mystery, scientists and beekeepers are working to answer these questions...and save the world's honeybees before it's too late.

What does it mean to migrate? Discover which animals migrate and why they migrate.

You know Brachiosaurus. Now meet Mbiresaurus raathi! This long-necked dino lived more than 230 million years ago in present-day Zimbabwe. It walked on two legs and ate both plants and animals. Its mouth was filled with sharp, sawlike teeth. Take a closer look . . . if you dare.

You know Triceratops. Now meet Bisticeratops froeseorum! This horned dino lived more than seventy million years ago and was discovered in the deserts of Arizona. Its neck was protected by a large, colorful frill. Two long horns and rough, bumpy skin kept it safe from predators. Take a closer look . . . if you dare.

Do you know how sea otters help kelp forests? Discover where sea otters live, how their actions make them ecosystem engineers, and more!

Who rules the mangrove forest, Bengal tigers or chital deer? In the Sundarbans Forest Reserve in South Asia, Bengal tigers are fierce hunters with strong muscles and sharp teeth. But chital deer can run fast, and they live in groups to protect one another. Discover both animals’ unique traits to find out if the predator or the prey would win in a fight.

You know Ankylosaurus. Now meet Yuxisaurus kopchicki! This armored dino lived millions of years ago during the Jurassic Period in southern China. It was covered in spikes and bony plates that kept it safe from dangerous predators. Take a closer look . . . if you dare.

Wild boars and Komodo dragons both live on Komodo Island in Indonesia. Komodo dragons are fierce predators with venomous saliva and large muscles. But wild boars can run fast and fight with their tusks. Which animal would win in a fight? Explore their traits and abilities to find out!

Elephants are powerful engineers that make many positive changes to their ecosystems. From trampling trees to digging watering holes and more, explore the lives and habits of these gentle giants.

You know Tyrannosaurus rex. Now meet Meraxes gigas! This dangerous dino lived twenty million years before T. Rex and was discovered in the deserts of Argentina. Its head was huge and full of sharp teeth. Its strong legs and sharp claws were fearsome. Take a closer look . . . if you dare.