In this authoritative and entertaining book, first published in 1992, Thomas Palmer introduces us to a community of rattlesnakes nestled in the heart of the urban Northeast, one of several such enclaves found near cities across the United States. Recognizing the unexpected proximity of rattlers in our urban environs, Palmer examines not only Crotalus horridus but also the ecology, evolution, folklore, New England history, and American culture that...

Malachi has the most wonderful adopted family in the world. They love him and tell him stories and bring him food. The problem: Malachi is a boa constrictor and his adopted family are a colony of rats. His particular friend is a young rat named Eve, who does her best to steal tasty treats for Malachi from the farm house. However, the treats seem to be making Malachi sick, and he is growing dangerously hungry.Then, one day, an old enemy comes to visit....

A trip to Komodo national park becomes an adventure in learning math! Learn about the fascinating Komodo dragon while practicing operations with whole numbers. Packed with factual information and high-interest content, this nonfiction math book uses real-world examples of problem solving to build students' math and reading skills. Let's Explore Math sidebars feature math questions that challenge students to develop their math skills. A problem-solving...

African deserts and grasslands are a good place to find a variety of predators. Caracals rely on sharp claws and soft footsteps to pull off successful ambushes. But black mambas take down their prey with speed and a venomous bite! Who would win in a battle between these two fighters? Engaging text and vibrant photos work together in this hi-lo title to introduce these creatures and their fighting moves. Special features include profiles that highlight...

Kingii is a frilled lizard who narrowly escapes danger throughout this intense reader. Children will learn about different predators and the lifestyles of frilled lizards in this exciting story. Kingii escapes fire, wins a territory battle, and eventually secures the love of his mate. Wonderful wildlife illustrations accompany this story of Kingii the frilled lizard and his search for a safe home in the savanna.

Known for its natural beauty, Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is the largest inland peninsula in the United States. Consisting of 170,000 acres of forested and protected public land between Kentucky Lake (Tennessee River) and Lake Barkley (Cumberland River), this scenic sanctuary is visited by more than 1.4 million nature lovers annually and encompasses many diverse habitats, each supporting a particular community of plants and animals. Amphibians...

This book highlights the amazing ways animals have adapted to live in very hot places. Short paragraphs of easy-to-read text and plenty of colorful photos make reading simple and exciting. The book also includes a table of contents, fun facts, sidebars, comprehension questions, a glossary, an index, and a list of resources for further reading. Apex books have low reading levels (grades 2-3) but are designed for older students, with interest levels...

Burmese pythons are native to Southeast Asia, so when one showed up dead along the side of a Florida highway in 1979, scientists wondered where it came from. No one knew the snakes had launched a full-scale invasion. Pet pythons that escaped or were released by their owners started breeding in the wild, and these enormous predators began eating every animal in their path. Today a group of scientists at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida is tracking...

Whose green scales are these? An iguana's green scales, of course! Little ones will love to see the close-up photography and try to guess which animal the hairy, big, yellow, or pointy scales belong to. Animals featured: armadillo, iguana, pangolin, snake, and turtle.

Meet the monstrous Komodo Dragon as it prowls Indonesian islands! This book introduces the unique features of this wild animal including habitat, life cycle, physical characteristics, diet, threats, and defenses. Also included are a range map and a food chain diagram. Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.