Colleen Sexton

Did you know that a puffer fish inflates into a ball when it senses danger? It uses size to intimidate predators. This book introduces children to the appearance, eating habits, and predator escape tactics of puffer fish.

Sidewinders leave J-shaped tracks when they slither through the deserts of the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. Students will learn why sidewinders leave such tracks, what sidewinders eat, and how these poisonous snakes stay safe in the wide-open desert.

After birth, it takes a kitten between seven and ten days to open its eyes. Soon after this, kittens develop quickly into very playful animals. Eager readers will see what kittens eat and how they play.

These unique insects get their name from the position in which they hold their front legs together. These legs are also "preying" as they shoot out and grab insects for the mantis to eat. Students will learn about the other physical characteristics of praying mantises and how they use each body part.

Boa constrictors slither around smelling for prey with their forked tongues. Eager students will learn what these fierce hunters look like, where they can be found, and how they use their coils to kill.

With estimates between 5 and 8 million, beetles have more species than any other insect. Beetles can live in almost all habitats, using their strong jaws, legs, and other body parts to find food and defend themselves from predators. Eager readers will discover beetles of all shapes, sizes, habits, and colors!

Tusks are long teeth that never stop growing. Walruses use tusks to pull themselves out of the water and onto ice. Young readers will learn how walruses look, act, and swim.

Angelfish are colorful ocean creatures known for their vibrant beauty. This book introduces young readers to the attractive appearance of angelfish and explains where angelfish live and what they eat.

Living in parts of the Eastern United States, copperheads are named after the orange-brown color of their bodies. Students will learn about the diet, habitats, and physical characteristics of these poisonous snakes.

Sea snakes are skilled underwater breathers able to spit out stored saltwater with their tongues. Kids will learn what these ocean creatures look like, how they swim and thrive in water, and how they hunt near the ocean floor.