Small But Deadly

At rest, the pufferfish looks like a regular fish, but when it's alarmed, watch out! Pufferfish quickly suck in water or air to blow up like a balloon. Many also have sharp spines for protection. These two defenses chase away most enemies. However, the pufferfish also produces one of the deadliest poisons in the world. Eating even a tiny amount of pufferfish is enough to kill many animals, even humans. Amazing photographs allow readers to swim in for a close-up view of these deadly creatures.

A female black widow spider is so small it could sit on a quarter, but don't let its size fool you. These tiny spiders are producing a powerful venom inside their bodies. Just one bite packs enough venom to make a person really sick, and sometimes it's enough to be deadly. Striking photographs allow readers to get up close to these dangerous creatures while also helping them to identify the spider it's best to avoid at all costs. Fact boxes share additional information and the fun narrative will keep readers coming back for more.

Most people know mosquitoes are small, annoying bloodsuckers, but many children don't know that they can also be deadly. One tiny mosquito can transport illnesses from person to person, making them one of the most dangerous insects in the world. This informative book explains how mosquitoes grow, how females find human blood to help lay their eggs, and the types of diseases they carry. Amazing close-up photographs take readers into the miniature world of the mosquito.

The largest blue-ringed octopus is no bigger than a golf ball, but these miniature cephalopods don't like to be messed with. Their venom is one of the strongest in the world, and they use it to kill their enemies very quickly. At rest, their brown bodies blend in with their surroundings. When alarmed, their glowing blue rings tell predators to stay back or risk death if they don't. Incredible photographs of blue-ringed octopuses in their natural habitat will amaze readers of any age.

Bacteria are some of the smallest living things on Earth. They can live just about anywhere-from the hottest desert to the deepest ocean. Billions of bacteria even live on and inside our bodies! Many bacteria are helpful, but some cause deadly diseases. Inside this book, readers will view amazing close-up photographs as they learn about the history of microbiology and how to keep bacteria from making them sick. Fact boxes summarize interesting tidbits, also making it easy for report writers to find helpful information.

Poison dart frogs are cute and tiny. They come in many eye-catching colors. These colors, however, aren't meant to make them attractive. The bright colors tell other animals that they shouldn't try to eat them. These vibrant amphibians are covered with a deadly poison that makes predators very sick. It's so strong that some Native American tribes even used it to make poison darts for hunting. Readers will surely enjoy getting up close to these small but deadly poison dart frogs.