Nature Nonfiction

Axolotls have gills, but they are not fish. They are amphibians! Unlike other amphibians, though, axolotls spend their whole lives in the water. Young listeners will have fun finding out more about these unique creatures.

It’s good to be a queen bee! The queen bee lets the other bees in the hive feed and care for her. What does she do? She lays eggs! A queen bee can lay more than 1,000 eggs a day! Learn all about the social structure inside a bee hive and the important role the queen and the female worker bees play.

Learn about the science and history of dinosaurs with iMindsJNR audio-learning series for younger minds. Huge and sometimes ferocious, dinosaurs ruled the earth for more than 175 million years. To us, dinosaurs might be scary-looking. But humans never had to fear dinosaurs because they died out 65 million years ago, a long time before the first people were around!Dinosaurs lived in a period called the Mesozoic era, which began about 240 million years ago.

Dinosaurs such as Triceratops had deadly horns, bony frills, and sharp beaks. Some of these powerful plant eaters were so strong, they could knock down trees.   

In 1952, the United States was heavily involved in the Korean War. When members of the U.S. Marine Corps bought a horse to join in the war effort, little did they know that a hero would soon emerge. Trained to be a military pack horse, Sergeant Reckless quickly became a part of the unit and served to support the troops in several combat missions during the war.

When the platypus was first discovered by Europeans in the 1800s, it was well-known by Australian Aborigines - but no one knew how to classify it. It lived in the water and laid eggs like a reptile, had a bill like a bird, and was furry and warm-blooded like a mammal. Scientists had to come up with a way to solve this and many other mysteries of nature. Alaskan Polar bears sleeping in hidden underground dens caused problems for researchers wanting to drill for oil without disturbing the bears. Find out how scientists used infrared imaging to see the caves beneath the snow.

Squeal! Guinea pigs make fun pets. Some have long hair and some have almost no hair at all. Some have crests on their heads and others have droopy ears. Young listeners will learn about the appearance and behavior of guinea pigs, and discover why these playful rodents make great pets.

Listen all about the brave little pigeon that carried out a dangerous mission to deliver a desperate message across a deadly battlefield.

Relive the exciting tales from Highlights, now on audio! Stories include: A Crab’s Clever Costume by Sudipta Bardhan, A Sea Turtle’s Quiet Miracle by Lorraine A. Jay, A Whale of a Baby by Kim Valice, Alligators Are Really Shy by Pringle Pipkin, Baby Dolphins in Shark Bay by Sharon T. Pochron, Ph.D., Bowhead Whales with Talent! by Laura Lane, Can Dolphins Do Math? by Sherry North, Dr. Octopus by Dana Church, Flying Jellyfish by Andy Boyles, High-Tech Fish by Jack Myers, and more!

Learn how fossils teach us about dinosaurs.

Ankylosaurus and other armored dinosaurs were the tanks of the prehistoric world. Sharp spikes and rock-hard plates protected these plant eaters from dangerous predators.

Who's that hiding in the tree? It's a panda! Listen to learn more about giant pandas.

Say hello to bees, ants, butterflies, and more! Not only will kids discover basic topics such as habitat, anatomy, and diet, but they'll also find fun topics such record-breaking insects and how insects help people - all written in a clear, concise way.

Pet guinea pigs have cool body parts that sniff, chew, wheek, and scamper. Take an up-close look at these squeaky, four-legged friends.

Are you crazy for horses? Do you dream about owning your very own horse one day? Are your walls covered with pictures of their beautiful coats and flowing manes? Horse fans can't get enough of loveable equines. From horse history and life cycles to physical features, characteristics, and communication, find out everything you want to know about your favorite animal!

Some desert creatures are masters of disguise! They use camouflage and cover to outsmart predators or sneak up on prey. Some desert animals blend in with rocks, sand, and more. Others burrow beneath the ground or hide in shrubs. Learn more about creatures that hide in the desert!

In January 1925, many people in Nome, Alaska, and the surrounding area were sick and dying from an outbreak of diphtheria. A supply of medicine was found but there was one problem—it was hundreds of miles away. The only way to get it to Nome was by dogsled.

Presenting turtles, lizards, snakes, alligators, and crocodiles! Not only will kids discover basic topics such as habitat, anatomy, and diet, but they'll also be treated to close-up looks at Komodo dragons and the SuperCroc—all written in a clear, concise way.

Capybaras are at home on land and in the water. Learn about these round-bodied rodents and their habitats in Capybaras.

What’s that red-haired animal swinging through the rain forest’s trees seemingly without a care in the world? It’s an orangutan! Aside from all that red hair, these beautiful beasts look almost human, but they’re a lot stronger. Learn more about these colorful animals, including how they live, how clever they are, how they’re dealing with a shrinking habitat, and what you can do to help.