Animals Nonfiction

You might not be able to get enough of Moo Deng and her sassy antics, but there’s so much more to learn about these elusive creatures. Discover why the pygmy hippo’s skin is always shiny, the surprising aquatic mammals that they’re closely related to, and how their unusual toilet habits help support the ecosystem. You’ll also discover the threats they face in their natural habitat and how you can help. Filled with simple science and plenty of animal facts, it’s a must for all pygmy hippo fans!

Cats have lived with humans for thousands of years, yet some of their behaviors are so puzzling. Why do cats rub up against objects? Why do they knead their paws into your lap? Why do they sit in high places, and why do they jump into cardboard boxes or open drawers? Get ready to demystify the most mysterious cat behaviors and gain a deeper understanding of our feline friends.

Sniffing out people hurt in a disaster is all in a day’s work for these four-legged heroes. Learn what it takes to be a search and rescue dog.

Peck the ground. Lay some eggs. Chickens are at home on the farm.

The Burgess Bird Book for Children (1919) is a classic nature book by Thornton Burgess, who introduces young listeners to the subject of bird life by means of a series of interviews within a story. Peter Rabbit and Jenny Wren interview Slaty the Junco, Redwing the Blackbird, Melody the Wood Thrush, Spooky the Screech Owl, and many other common birds to learn about their appearance, their eating, mating and nesting habits, and their songs and calls. The text remains popular as an exceptional combination of information and entertainment.

Red foxes prowl at night to look for food. The pointed-nosed predators hunt alone. Discover more about these clever animals, their life cycle, appearance, and diet.

Snatch! A great white leaps out of the water to catch a seal. How did it get its dinner? It used its superpowers! From a super sense of smell to super speed, a shark’s body is built for one thing—hunting. Its nostrils can smell some substances 10,000 times better than people! Low light? No problem! A shark’s eyes see well in dim light.

Spiders are nothing to fear! Even though they are carnivores and hunt all sorts of bugs, many spiders cannot harm humans. Spiders can only eat their prey by using their venom to liquefy a bug's insides—in other words, they make bugshakes! Follow along to learn more about common spider mealtime habits.

Have you ever seen a sea star before? They are the pretty star-shaped creatures that hang out at the bottom of the ocean. Learn about Sea Star as she finds and eats her favorite food, moves around the ocean floor, and regenerates her broken arm! Learn about these strange invertebrates and the unique lives they live.

Racing over snow and pulling a heavy a sled is all in a day’s work for these snow dogs. Learn what it takes to be a sled dog.

Aquarium worker Ming gives a guided tour of the Blue Harbor Aquarium, where she explains such things as what kinds of jobs people have there, what kinds of fish and animals live there, and how food is prepared for aquarium dwellers.

Lizzie and Charles Peterson love puppies. Even though they finally have their very own puppy, Buddy, Lizzie still can't get enough time with dogs. She helps her Aunt Amanda at her doggie day care center as often as she can. At the doggie day care, Lizzie meets a pesky but lovable pug named Pugsley. Pugsley is adorable, but he didn't earn the nickname Mr. Pest for nothing and his owners decide he's too much of a handful to keep!

What is juicy, red and green with white stripes and pops up from the ground ready to eat—watermelon! Their seeds need plenty of water, lots of sun and nutrient rich soil. Follow along as a tiny, black seed bursts into a delicious fruit. Watermelons are ready to be picked when their yellow petals have all fallen. Find out what Bee-u-ti-ful insect helps the watermelon grow?

Allosaurus and its relatives were fierce and dangerous predators. Dinosaurs in this group had deadly claws and razor-sharp teeth.

Relive exciting tales from Highlights, now on audio! Stories include: A New Look at Hummingbirds by Jack Myers, PhD, A Peep Inside a Hatchery by Lisa Amstutz, Birds that Flock to Fires by Sneed Collard III, Bringing Back the Bluebirds by Brett Mahoney, Bug-zilla on the Hunt by Mary Meinking, Chatty Birds by Stephanie Logue, Emme Loves Bees by Jane Resides, Flying Copycats by Patricia M. Newman, Hanging by a Thread by Sharon T. Pochron, PhD, Jumping Spiders by Bryan Reynolds, and more!

Calling all German shepherd lovers! Ever wondered about a German shepherd's personality? Want to find out the best way to care for a German shepherd?

There’s a new baby joining the pod. It’s a dolphin calf! Learn all about baby dolphins, including what they eat, what they weigh, how they’re raised, and how big they grow.

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.

Ducks have important roles to play out on the farm. Listeners learn all about a duck’s physical features, diet, life cycle, and what life is like on the farm.

Fetch and face-licks aren’t the only things involved in dog ownership. You’ll care for your dog every day. Is a dog the pet for you?