Animals Nonfiction

When a group of meerkats live together, it's called a mob. Learn about life inside a mob of meerkats and why these animals like to stick together. Find out how living together with others helps meerkats raise their young, stay safe, and find food.

As heard on NPR's This American Life “Absorbing . . . Though it's non-fiction, The Feather Thief contains many of the elements of a classic thriller.” —Maureen Corrigan, NPR’s Fresh Air “One of the most peculiar and memorable true-crime books ever.” —Christian Science Monitor A...

Cheep! Cheep! What is that sound? It’s a baby bird in a nest! Beginning listeners will discover why nests make good homes for growing baby birds, squirrels, and other animals.

John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wriggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same. Marley quickly grew into a barreling, ninety-seven-pound...

Sometimes a therapy dog can lift a person's spirits just by being in the same room. Other times, the dogs take more active roles, acting as companions. Therapy dogs help people who are ill or sad feel better. Learn more about these amazing animals, including how they are chosen, the training they go through, and the work they do.

Copperheads make their dens between rocks and in woodpiles. Learn about this patterned predator.

Bactrian camels roam grasslands and rocky deserts. Learn all about these rugged travelers and their habitats in Camels.

Rattlesnakes distract prey with a shake of their tails. Learn about these fanged hunters.

Boa constrictors put the squeeze on their dinners. Learn about these sneaky slithering predators.

Found throughout the United States, a garter snake may be lurking nearby! Hear about these common creepers.

Cobras strike prey with their venomous fangs. Learn about these hooded hunters.

Big, burly anacondas coil around their prey then swallow it whole. Learn about these water-loving giants.

Scientists are not quite sure what colors the dinosaurs were. They can only guess that the dinosaurs may have been colored to match their surroundings, just as most animals are today.

Did you know that Pteranodon was not a dinosaur? Pteranodon belongs to a special group of flying reptiles called pterosaurs.

Wouldn’t it be fun to go on a dinosaur dig and find fossil remains of the famous Tyrannosaurus rex?

Have you ever seen a cuddly looking koala? Most people call them koala bears. But koalas aren't bears! In fact, koalas aren't even related to bears. Koalas are mammals called marsupials. Marsupial means “pouched animal.” Koalas carry their babies in pouches just like kangaroos. Koalas are picky eaters. The only food that a koala will eat is eucalyptus leaves. Eucalyptus leaves are found in Australia, so koalas live in Australia. Koalas are “nocturnal” animals, which means that they sleep during the day and are awake at night.

Lift your tail and splash the water! It's time to share a day up close with a narwhal. See this whale's watery home, what it eats, and how it cares for its young.

You see a fin poke out of the water. It’s a big gray animal with a friendly face. It looks like a dolphin, but is it a porpoise? Dolphins and porpoises are similar, but they have some important differences. Find out how their fins, mouths, teeth, and behaviors can all help you tell these two animal look-alikes apart.

An animal that looks like a turtle munches on some grass. It has scales and a hard shell. But is it a turtle or a tortoise? Turtles and tortoises are similar, but they have some important differences. Find out how their legs, feet, shells, and behaviors can all help you tell these two animal look-alikes apart.

Seals sit on chunks of floating ice. They're ready to dive into the freezing Arctic water at any moment. Learn more about what predators they watch out for and how they protect their young. Learn how seals find food, stay warm, and more.