Animals Reptiles

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.

A brownish creature with bumps and lumps sits on rock. Is it a frog or a toad? From the color of their skin to how they move, frogs and toads are not the same. Dive right in to discover how they are alike and how they are different.

Two beady eyes peek out of the water. Is it a crocodile or an alligator? They may look similar, but these two reptiles have many differences, including where they live and the shape of their snout. Let’s find out what fearsome creature is really lurking below the water and explore their differences.

Anacondas hide in muddy waters. Learn all about these giant snakes and their habitats in Anacondas.

If you think dinosaurs are cool, wait till you learn what covered Earth 430 million years ago. That’s long before dinos even existed. There wasn’t much on land - some really tiny plants and even smaller animals like millipedes and mites. But offshore life was another story. Six-foot-long relatives of modern scorpions roamed the open water, gobbling up smaller creatures. Fish were out there, too. There just weren’t many of them, and they were much different than today’s fish.

These are the adventures and discoveries of the scientists who revealed the secrets of the Komodo dragon. This strange creature inspired myth and legend, luring brave souls into the forests of Indonesia to see if the tales were true. In the end, it attracted scientists, who unraveled the mysteries of how such a remarkable creature could exist, how it uses the deadly germs in its saliva to its advantage, and how those microbes may lead to cures for stubborn diseases.

Amphibians are cold-blooded like reptiles, have backbones like reptiles and mammals, but are very different. Amphibians do not have any hair or skin scales on their bodies. They can breathe through their skin as well as through their lungs. Most amphibians spend part of their lives in water. Frogs, toads, and salamanders are examples of amphibians.

They might not fly with wings but these lizards have flaps of skin that let them glide through the sky. Learn all about these colorful flying dragons of Southeast Asia.

With a quick flip of the tongue, a frog catches its next meal. Learn all about theses long-legged amphibians in Frogs.

Bright colors can mean danger! Poison dart frogs may be small, but their bright colors keep others away. Listen to Poison Dart Frogs to find out why most animals leave these rain forest frogs alone.

Mr. Tortoise has finally made his new home, but all the other animals want to share it with him. Soon, Mr. Tortoise is sharing his burrow with a cricket, a beetle, a frog, a snake, and an owl! What’s he to do with so little space? How will all these animals get along?

A small reptile scurries across a rock under the hot sun. It's a lizard! Learn more about these desert animals.

Children’s author and illustrator Philip C. Stead counts a Caldecott Medal among his many literary accomplishments. A Home for Bird is a touching tale of friendship and determination. Out one day, Vernon the toad happens upon a tiny blue bird who is oddly silent. Vernon introduces Bird to his friends and tours him around to many of his favorite places, but Bird still won’t talk. Thinking that Bird is quiet because he is homesick, Vernon takes his new friend on an exciting journey to find him a home.

This beginner's guide offers a first glimpse into the natural world of amphibians. In this addition to the acclaimed About series, educator and author Cathryn Sill uses simple, easy-to-understand language to teach children what amphibians are, how they look, how they move, what they eat, and where they live.

Gary the lizard is going to be a big brother. He is ready to teach the baby how to run, jump, bike, and swim. Will Gary have a baby sister or a baby brother?

Gary the lizard has a new ball and is ready to play. However, his parents are too busy to play with him. Will Gary find a new friend?

Why are snakes important? Snakes control pest populations such as rats and mice that might overpopulate and destroy crops or carry diseases. They can be both predator and prey. Snakes maintain a healthy balance in the food web.

There are numerous hobbies that can develop into true passions. Among them is the upkeep of an aquarium. This is a serious hobby, as there is no space for error; otherwise, you risk injuring or killing a living thing.

Short-nosed sea snakes and blue iguanas are two examples of endangered reptiles. Few of them exist in the wild. Other reptiles have already gone extinct. What hurts these animals? What can you do to help? Listen to this audiobook to find out!

A young man is murdered for his prized pet fish. An Asian tycoon buys a single specimen for $150,000. Meanwhile, a pet detective chases smugglers through the streets of New York. Delving into an outlandish realm of obsession, paranoia, and criminality, The Dragon Behind the Glass tells the story of a fish like none other: a powerful predator dating to the age of the dinosaurs.