Less than two decades ago, four Island Fox subspecies faced extinction. Human activities, including pollution and the introduction of invasive species, threw the Channel Islands’ ecosystem out of balance. Thanks to the concerted efforts of wildlife biologists, government officials, and others, the island fox has made the fastest recovery of any mammal in the history of the Endangered Species Act. This fascinating book traces the events that nearly caused the island fox’s demise, and the collaborative efforts that led to recovery of this “comeback kit.”
The California Condor is one of North America’s largest birds. These mighty scavengers were nearly wiped out by habitat loss, poaching, and lead poisoning. In 1982, only 22 California Condors remained in the wild! In this engaging book, readers will learn about the captive breeding programs, public education, and other conservation efforts that have led to a small but increasing population of California Condors in the wild.
The Grand Cayman blue iguana is named after the small island in the Caribbean Sea on which it lives. The largest reptile on the island, it had few predators until people arrived. Habitat loss and invasive species quickly diminished the blue iguana population to fewer than 25 by 2005. This captivating book traces the iguana’s remarkable journey back from the brink of extinction and highlights the continued efforts to protect the species.
Would you be surprised to see a coyote wandering down a suburban street? Once considered a native of open grasslands and plains, coyotes have become “adaptors” to the human territory of paved streets and houses. An examination reveals the ways in which animals such as coywolves, white-tailed deer, red foxes, red-tailed hawks, and alligators live on the periphery of developed areas. Special sections address encroachment and how humans can learn to adapt to wild animals in their backyards.
Paris, France has a population of 2.2 million people and 3.8 million rats. Toronto, Canada is the raccoon capital of the world. This intriguing book focuses on urban animals called “exploiters.” These are animals such as squirrels, raccoons, skunks, opposums, rats, and crows who have turned living near humans to their advantage. An examination reveals the ways in which these animals have adapted to living alongside humans. Special feature boxes address city-specific animal control and rehabilitation programs.
When you live in bear or cougar territory, you learn to lock your garbage cans indoors, keep your pets safe, and not feed wild animals. This exciting and highly illustrated book focuses on the “human avoiders,” animals that are sometimes found on the fringes of urban developments, where humans are the new kids on the block. Readers will gain an understanding of human-wildlife conflict, as well as key concepts in wildlife conservation of animals such as gray wolves, mountain lions, and gray foxes.
An estimated 70 million feral cats live in the United States alone—decimating bird populations and threatening public health. This informative book investigates the growing populations of "obligates"—abandoned pets, now wild and producing feral offspring, and introduced animals that live in urban and urban fringe areas. An examination reveals the impact these animals are having on resources, space, and native species. Additional content focuses on the charities and organizations that help care for and limit the numbers of feral animals.
Read about unusual animal journeys around the world, from wandering saltwater crocodiles to invasive insect species and outbreaks of Australian plague locust. Interesting facts, unexpected outcomes, and human impacts on the journeys are highlighted.
Read about extraordinary animal migrations by land, from the millions of red crabs that migrate at the exact same time on Christmas Island to the grueling journey of the pronghorn in North America. Interesting facts and obstacles are highlighted, and a sidebar details how humans impact each migration.
Read about extraordinary animal migrations by air, from the incredible migration of the godwit between Alaska and New Zealand to the long-lasting journey of the monarch butterfly across North America. Interesting facts and obstacles are highlighted, and a sidebar details how humans impact each migration.
Native to several mountain ranges and plateaus in south Asia and eastern Europe, the snow leopard has been threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and a reduced food source. Learn how collaborative programs across borders and with local people have helped the species populations in some areas remain steady, and also benefit the big cat's main food source, wild sheep and goats, whose numbers are reduced by hunters and competition for grazing from livestock.
The lesser long-nosed bat became the first bat species to be removed from the US endangered species list due to population recovery. This mammal plays a vital role as a pollinator in desert ecosystems in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Readers will learn about the collaborative efforts between the two countries, conservationists, tequila producers, and citizen scientists that are bringing back not only the lesser long-nosed bat, but the plants they rely on for food.
The black-footed ferret was once listed as extinct on the prairies of North America. Its population had been devastated by a disease that also reduced its main food source—prairie dogs. This book tells the fascinating story of the black-footed ferret's rediscovery in 1981 by a dog in Wyoming. Readers will learn how the find inspired a captive breeding program that is restoring not only this prairie species to the wild, but its essential food source as well, the prairie dog.
For decades, as the monarch butterflies swooped through every year like clockwork, people from Canada to the United States to Mexico wondered, "Where do they go?" In 1976 the world learned the answer: after migrating thousands of miles, the monarchs roost by the millions in an oyamel grove in Central Mexico's mountains. But who solved this mystery? Was it the scientist or the American adventurer? The citizen scientists or the teacher or his students? Winged Wonders shows that the mystery could only be solved when they all worked as a team--and reminds readers that there's another monarch mystery today, one that we all must work together to solve.
In this book, early fluent readers will learn how and why wolves live together in groups called packs. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they learn more about the animal’s predatory habits, diet, behaviors, appearance, and social structure. A Take a Look! infographic aids understanding, sidebars present interesting, supplementary information, and an activity offers readers an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about wolf packs using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Wolf Packs also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
In this book, early fluent readers will learn how and why monkeys live together in groups called troops. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they learn more about the animal’s habitat, diet, behaviors, appearance, and social structure. A Take a Look! infographic aids understanding, sidebars present interesting, supplementary information, and an activity offers readers an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about monkey troops using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Monkey Troops also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
In this book, early fluent readers will learn how and why lions live together in groups called prides. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they learn more about the animal’s habitat, diet, behaviors, appearance, and social structure. A Take a Look! infographic aids understanding, sidebars present interesting, supplementary information, and an activity offers readers an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about lion prides using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Lion Prides also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
In this book, early fluent readers will learn how and why kangaroos live together in groups called mobs. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they learn more about the animal’s habitat, diet, behaviors, appearance, and social structure. A Take a Look! infographic aids understanding, sidebars present interesting, supplementary information, and an activity offers readers an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about kangaroo mobs using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Kangaroo Mobs also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
In this book, early fluent readers will learn how and why geese live together in groups called gaggles. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they learn more about the animal’s habitat, diet, behaviors, appearance, and social structure. A Take a Look! infographic aids understanding, sidebars present interesting, supplementary information, and an activity offers readers an opportunity to extend discovery. Children can learn more about geese gaggles using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Geese Gaggles also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
An explanation of the life cycle and life span of cows, using up-close photographs and step-by-step text to follow a cow’s growth process from embryo to calf to mature cow.
An explanation of the life cycle and life span of pigs, using up-close photographs and step-by-step text to follow a pig’s growth process from embryo to piglets to mature pig.
An explanation of the life cycle and life span of horses, using up-close photographs and step-by-step text to follow a horse’s growth process from embryo to foal to yearling to mature horse.
An explanation of the life cycle and life span of goats, using up-close photographs and step-by-step text to follow a goat’s growth process from embryo to kid to mature goat.
An explanation of the life cycle and life span of sheep, using up-close photographs and step-by-step text to follow a sheep’s growth process from embryo to lamb to mature sheep.
An explanation of the life cycle and life span of chickens, using up-close photographs and step-by-step text to follow a chicken’s growth process from egg to chick to mature chicken.
