Real-Life Vampires

Lampreys aren't just freaky because of their funnel-shaped mouth or many species' appetite for blood. They're an invasive species slowly entering North American waters and causing harm to native species there. Readers learn about the problems invasive species cause as well as details about the parasitic relationships lampreys engage in with other fish. The gross truth about how they suck blood will fascinate readers as they also learn about lampreys' life cycle, habitat, and more. Up close photographs of lampreys in action are surely as close as readers will want to get to this real-life vampire.

The long tradition of vampire myths can be scary to a lot of people. But for birds that evolved on the harsh Galapagos Islands, drinking blood is necessary. That doesn't make vampire finches and hood mockingbirds any less creepy! Readers learn about the healthy treat blood can be for some kinds of birds as well as how they came to use it as a source of nutrition. Full-color photographs introduce these bloodthirsty birds, and fact boxes provide additional science information to enhance the main content.

Ticks have been long known to transmit Lyme disease. However, there are more than 800 species of tick, and only two of these carry disease to humans at all! That doesn't stop tick bites from being a great annoyance, especially considering they're caused by a tick sucking your blood! Often grouped with another real-life vampire, the flea, ticks use this blood to complete their life cycle while fleas use it for food. Surprising facts about the life cycle, habitat, and feeding habits of these bugs engage readers while full-color photographs bring these tiny creatures into clear view.

Mosquitoes are truly more terrifying than vampires could ever be. That's because as disease carriers, they are the deadliest animals on Earth. Mosquitoes are vectors for malaria, yellow fever, and many other diseases that kill more than a million people every year, and all because they suck human blood. The fascinating reason why mosquitoes suck blood will truly surprise readers as they learn about mosquitoes' body parts, life cycle, and many habitats. Bloodsucking monsters won't seem like much once readers sink their teeth into the truth about mosquitoes.

Many people know that vampire bats drink blood, but most people don't know that's the only food adult vampire bats take in. In addition to milk, mother bats feed their babies regurgitated blood when they're old enough. Readers learn creepy facts like these throughout the main content. Full-color photographs take readers through the night with vampire bats on the hunt, including a look at a bat actually drinking from livestock. Fact boxes enhance the main content's focus on this incredible adaptation, adding information about vampire bats' life-span, size, and more.

There are over 650 different types of leeches, and most want to suck your blood! These real-life vampires are nocturnal, like dark places, and only come out when they get thirsty. But can these bloodsuckers actually help humans? The ancient Egyptians may have been on to something. Readers learn about the habitats, history, and medical uses of the bloodsucking leech. Full-color photographs offer an up close view of these thirsty worms, and fact boxes share more details about their fascinating lives.