Nature's Deadliest Creatures Visual Encyclopedia (DK Children's Visual Encyclopedias)

Nature's Deadliest Creatures Visual Encyclopedia (DK Children's Visual Encyclopedias)

Come face-to-face with 150 of the world's scariest killer creatures, from the lion and great white shark to the tarantula, anaconda snake, golden eagle, vampire bat, and even the fierce ant! The book profiles every kind of animal--mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, insects, and arachnids. Chapters are arranged according to how these dangerous predators kill. Do they use jaws and claws, venom, stings, traps, tricks and cunning, or mass invasion? With more than 200 spectacular photos in the book, every page has a stunning image of the animal in action, with data files giving a visual guide to its size, distribution, diet, and habitat, as well as a rating of its "scare factor." Each profile features bite-size text that will appeal to all readers. Discover key facts about how the animal lives (is it solitary or a pack animal?), intriguing anatomy (the platypus is famously one of the few venomous mammals, but did you know that the venom comes from the hind leg on the males only?), and of course, their method of attack (such as chasing prey to exhaustion, launching an ambush, or paralyzing with poison). Further fascinating facts can also be found in the reference section at the end of book, including deadly defense, family trees, toxins, and prehistoric deadly creatures that are no more. Gr 2-5-The combination of DK's vibrant photos, a lean text, and a sensational subject matter makes for a page-turner. This book covers eight categories of perilous creatures, including "muscles, jaws, and claws"; "stings and poisons"; and "disease and destruction." Readers will learn about the animals' size, range, and diet, as well as their "danger factor." This intriguing, edifying book covers a wide array of well-known and obscure creatures (from the microscopic to the huge) that inhabit a variety of terrains. The seemingly harmless peacock mantis shrimp can "hammer its victim's shell to pieces" or "smash the glass of an aquarium," while the spitting cobra blinds its victim with poison before going in for the kill. The work also compares the pain of a sting, from mild discomfort to feeling like "getting your hand squashed in a revolving door." VERDICT Place this one in a display, where it will attract browsers by the dozen.-Nancy Call, formerly at Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. DK was founded in London in 1974 and is now the world leading illustrated reference publisher and a member of the Penguin Random House division of Bertelsmann. DK publishes highly visual, photographic non-fiction for adults and children. DK produces content for consumers in over 100 countries and over 60 languages, with offices in the UK, India, US, Germany, China, Canada, Spain and Australia. DK's aim is to inspire, educate and entertain readers of all ages, and everything DK publishes, whether print or digital, embodies the unique DK design approach. DK brings unrivalled clarity to a wide range of topics, with a unique combination of words and pictures, put together to spectacular effect. We have a reputation for innovation in design for both print and digital products. Our adult range spans travel, including the award-winning DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, history, science, nature, sport, gardening, cookery and parenting.  DK’s extensive children’s list showcases a fantastic store of information for children, toddlers and babies. DK covers everything from animals and the human body, to homework help and craft activities, together with an impressive list of licensing titles, including the best-selling LEGO® books. DK acts as the parent company for Alpha Books, publisher of the Idiot's Guides series and Prima Games, the world’s leading publisher of strategy content for PC and console video games.