Vampire Bats Drink Blood!
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
Certain species of bats get their chilling name from a legendary monster, the vampire, and like these revolting fantasy creatures, these bats really do drink the blood of animals. Luckily, vampire bats don't harm people; they're much more interested in the blood of livestock and forest animals. Their bites are so small that they're often undetected by the animals they feed on. Readers will be fascinated by these eerie creatures as well as the awesome photographs of vampire bats in the wild.
Lizard Blood
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
The horned lizard has one of the most astonishing ways of defending itself in the wild. It can shoot blood out of its eyes at its enemies! And that's not the only trick that this remarkable reptile performs. Readers will love learning about lizard adaptations in this entertaining look at one of nature's coolest, and weirdest, animals. Important science content is linked with fun, informative photographs and brightly written, achievable text.
Rats Eat Toenails!
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
Most people think rats are gross. So it might not be a surprise that they eat some gross things, such as paper, glue, and even toenails, but rats do this because they're great survivors. This attention-grabbing book will motivate readers to find out about the bizarre behaviors of this remarkable rodent. Vivid photographs shed further light on the secret lives of these curious creatures.
Head Lice Drink Your Blood!
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
Head lice infect between 6 to 12 million people in the United States each year, but they're found on people worldwide. Head lice are common among children ages three to 11, but anyone in a house infected by lice can catch them too! Young readers will jump right into this close-up look at the life cycle of the common head louse. With full-color photographs paired closely with approachable text, readers will discover more about the tiny (and gross) world of lice!
Cows Fart!
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
There are around 92 million cows found on farms across the United States. That many cows mean more milk and more food, but it also means more of a cow's gross habit: Farts! Through this lighted-hearted exploration of a cow, young readers will discover why cows fart and why scientists believe they might be dangerous to the environment. With full-color photographs paired closely with approachable text, young readers will learn not only about why cows fart, but how they live on the farm.
Seagulls Eat Trash!
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
Seagulls are found in many places around North America. They can usually be spotted flying around beaches and bays, but seagulls can also be found waddling around parking lots. What are they doing there? Eating food left behind by humans! In this book, young readers will explore the life of a seagull and learn why seagulls are so willing to eat trash. With beautiful photographs of seagulls doing what they do best, readers will deepen their understanding of animal adaptation and other important science concepts.
Jackals Eat Rotting Food!
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
While a jackal might look like a small dog, this little canine can be pretty gross! Jackals are opportunistic omnivores, which means they'll eat nearly anything they can get their jaws around. While usually that means small reptiles and berries, it also means jackals will eat rotten food left over from bigger predators! Through this book's full-color photographs of jackals in the wild paired closely with easy to understand text, young readers will love learning more about how jackals survive.
Snail Slime
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
Snails are definitely peculiar animals. They travel around on one foot with a spiral shell to protect them and leave a trail of slime as they go. Ew! Readers will find out why snails have this important adaptation, one that even helps them hang upside down. Vivid photographs of snails in action in the wild will help readers understand why some things we think are gross about animals are actually integral to their survival.
Vulture Vomit
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
Vultures have some pretty disgusting habits. Their idea of a yummy meal is carrion, or rotting meat. But they have an even grosser idea of how to protect themselves from their predators. They throw up on them! Vultures can make their acidic vomit fly several feet to burn their enemy. This also makes them lighter so they can fly away. Readers may think these adaptations are gross, but they'll keep turning the page to find out even more in this entertaining and brightly designed book.
Skunk Stench
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
Phew! Luckily, a skunk's infamous stench isn't the way it smells all the time. Instead, it's a secret weapon. The black and white mammal can actually aim and squirt its stinky liquid at its enemy or create a cloud of disgusting smell as it runs away. Readers of this amusing and informative peek into one of nature's stinkiest creatures will learn there are several species of skunks and what to do to avoid being sprayed.
Hippos Throw Poop!
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
Hippos have a strange way of telling strangers to back off. If a hippo sees another hippo they don't know or senses dangers, hippos throw their poop! Young readers will love this adventure into the weird and gross world of the hippopotamus. Young readers will learn important facts about strange and gross animal adaptation and why something that seems icky, might be important for an animal's survival! Full-color photographs bring young readers up close to hippos in their wild home.
Chicks Eat Puke!
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
Everyone finds some kind of food distasteful. That might be broccoli for some or olives for others. This book puts those foods into perspective, and young readers will eat it up. They'll learn that bird parents will do anything to bring their chicks the nutrition they need and in a form they can ingest. That sometimes means chicks eat vomit. The accessible text explains this "fowl" behavior as well as other captivating facts that will motivate even reluctant readers.
Hyenas Eat Bones!
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
Hyenas are some of nature's grossest creatures. These vicious creatures will claw and fight each other over a carcass, stripping an animal of its meat in under an hour. They have no problem eating other animals' leftovers, even if that means eating hair and bones. Readers will love learning these distasteful facts and more about these gross, but intelligent, creatures in this captivating volume, full of vivid photographs that feature hyenas in their native habitats.
Caterpillars Eat Their Skin!
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
Young naturalists learn early that when butterflies and moths first hatch from an egg, they're in the form of caterpillars. They probably don't know that as caterpillars grow, they shed skin, and then eat it. Readers will find this entertaining and accessible look at these ubiquitous larvae exceptionally informative. Carefully chosen photographs support the text and key science vocabulary.
Rabbits Eat Poop!
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
Everyone loves petting a rabbit. They're so cute and fluffy...and gross? Readers will be delighted to find out why their favorite downy mammal actually eats its own excrement. Hint: It's full of nutrients. This accessible volume excels at explaining rabbits' unique digestive system, which helps them get the most vitamins possible from their herbivorous diet. This high-interest text, full of adorable images, is a fun introduction to several important elementary science topics.
Dogs Lick Their Butts!
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
Every dog owner has seen them do it at least once. You're enjoying some quality time with your dog. Then, your furry friend turns around and starts licking its butt! This isn't just gross for a dog to do, it's also an important part of a dog keeping itself clean. Through this fun look into a dog's life, young readers will learn not only why a dog might like its own behind, but why it's important for dogs to do it!
Whale Poop
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
Whales are awe-inspiring creatures. They move their gigantic bodies through water gracefully. But some of these majestic marine animals have an odd way of protecting themselves from bloodthirsty sharks and other predators. They can create a cloud of waste, or poop, to hide in or to confuse their pursuer. While that's amazing, perhaps it's even more incredible that one kind of whale poop is so valuable it's called "floating gold"! Readers will love all these facts and more in this fun, accessible book about these beautiful mammals.
Octopus Ink
Part of the Nature's Grossest series
The octopus is a perfect animal to demonstrate the extraordinary adaptations that some animals possess to help them survive in their habitats. An octopus's abilities to camouflage itself and squeeze into tight places are great ways to hide from fearsome predators. They even have a few more bizarre talents. They can squirt ink clouds to screen their getaway or even create an inky image of another octopus! Readers will want to learn even more high-interest octopus facts after this colorful look at one of nature's grossest, and coolest, marine creatures.