Animals Nonfiction

Did you know there are over 400 different species of sharks? Did you know they have been on Earth much longer than humans, and even lived before the dinosaurs? Here you'll learn all about these fearsome kings of the ocean, including their eating habits and the basics of their anatomy. Sharks come in many sizes, from under a foot long to over 40 feet - and that's not even counting the long-extinct, 60-foot-long Megalodon shark. And while some have been known to bite people, they are usually quite content to hunt other sea creatures.

Picked by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the unknown wilds of the Louisiana Territory, Meriwether Lewis assembles a rugged team of adventurers, including co-captain William Clark - and a Newfoundland dog named Seaman. As hunter, retriever, and guard, Seaman becomes a trusted member of the Corps of Discovery. While the team tackles raging rivers and muddy shallows, Seaman is there - sharing their hunger and fatigue. Whether Indians threaten or grizzlies roar, he stands his ground. And through mountain peak or valley deep, Seaman remains a watchful friend and determined foe.

Chew some grass. Flick a tail. Cows are at home on the farm.

Hi, there! I'm a red-eyed tree frog. You might think red eyes would make me stand out, but my green skin helps me blend in with my surroundings. Learn more about my life cycle and how I went from a teeny tiny tadpole to a full-grown frog.

Lions are often called the king of the beasts. They rank among the largest cats in the world and, other than people, they have no predators. Learn more about these fearless cats, including where they live and how they work together in groups to ensure their survival.

Abby wanted to be a penguin for the school play, but is cast as an owl instead! After complaining to her horseback-riding instructor, Abby learns a lesson on the important role barn owls play on farms. After seeing an owl in action, will she be able to proudly portray an owl in the play?

Capybaras are at home on land and in the water. Learn about these round-bodied rodents and their habitats in Capybaras.

In 1952, the United States was heavily involved in the Korean War. When members of the U.S. Marine Corps bought a horse to join in the war effort, little did they know that a hero would soon emerge. Trained to be a military pack horse, Sergeant Reckless quickly became a part of the unit and served to support the troops in several combat missions during the war.

Ernest Seton's stories reach, inside the animals he writes about in telling their stories. He gives us a greater understanding of their lives on planet earth. Adventure, comedy and sadness all intertwine to make these stories hard to put down until the last word...

Mikey the horse needs a new pair of shoes. Since he’s a horse, he can’t just go to a shoe store. Instead, a farrier comes to take care of his feet. Meet Natasha, the farrier who takes care of Mikey’s hooves. She cleans and clips his hooves—just like humans clip their toenails!—before putting on his special horseshoes. Learn about her job and why it’s important to keep horses’ hooves healthy!

Duma the cheetah is showing her cubs how to hunt in the Africa grasslands. Learn all about cheetahs and the speedy qualities they have that allow them to be effective hunters. WIll Duma be able to catch her family’s next meal?

Could griffins have been real? When Adrienne Mayor carefully read the ancient Greek and Roman descriptions, this mythic hybrid of a lion and an eagle sounded like something people had actually seen. What could explain that evidence? After a decade of hunting through myths, poring over old maps, and tracing the discoveries of modern dinosaur hunters, she found the answer: awesome dinosaur fossils observed by ancient gold hunters in the Gobi desert.

Learn how fossils teach us about dinosaurs.

Learn how green sea turtles live in the ocean, meet their friends, and see their natural habitat.

Earthworms wiggle in the soil under our feet. In their dark homes, these helpful critters make their way around with no eyes or ears while enriching the soil.

Gary Paulsen has owned dozens of unforgettable and amazing dogs. In each chapter he tells of one special dog, among them Cookie, the sled dog who saved his life; Snowball, the puppy he owned as a boy in the Philippines; Ike, his mysterious hunting companion; Dirk, the grim protector; and his true friend Josh, a brilliant border collie.

With their keen senses, dogs can sniff out bombs and hear artillery shells being fired long before people can. Military dogs are trained to use their senses to save soldiers' lives and make the soldiers' jobs easier. Learn more about these amazing animals, including how they are chosen, the training they go through, and the missions they complete.

When a group of bees lives together, it's called a colony. Learn about life in a colony of bees and why these animals like to stick together. Find out how living together with others helps bees stay safe, find food, and mate.

Dogs are amazing creatures with amazing bodies! Discover how fur protects their delicate skin, and which body parts gives them balance. Did you know dogs can wiggle their ears in many directions? Learn more facts about dogs and how their unique anatomy is different from other animals.

There’s a new baby joining the family. It’s a cheetah cub! Learn all about baby cheetahs, including what they eat, what they weigh, how they’re raised, and how big they grow.