(DK) The Animal Book - A Visual Encyclopedia of Life on Earth

Size Variable, but small ❯Habitat Lowland forest, swamps, ❯and mangroves. Distribution Tropical, subtropical, and some ❯temperate areas, including the eastern USA, sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Australasia. Diet In ❯many species adults have no mouthparts. They do all their eating as caterpillars, devouring the leaves of plants such as figs. Some species are seen as pests as they eat crops. Breeding Caterpillars retreat into hard, round cocoons, from ❯which they emerge as adult moths. Adults mate and lay eggs that will hatch into new caterpillars. Predators Parasitic ❯flies and wasps. Pest species may be killed by humans. Number of species About 1,000 slug moth species. ❯

100Insects❯ FliesFliesFlies include some of the world’s most helpfulinsects, as well as some of the most harmful ones. Many of them have bristly bodies, and most have just one pair of wings. In place of the rear wings, they have a pair of tiny knobs. These work like an aircraft’s gyroscopes, keeping the fly stable in the air so it can perform extreme aerobatics. These include landing upside down and hovering steadily in mid-air. The humble house fly is the best-known of 1these insects, with an annoying habit of flying indoors. It eats anything sweet and spreads germs as it feeds. The bluebottle fly lays its eggs on meat and carrion, which its maggots 2burrow into, eating as they go. Mosquitoes have sharp 3mouthparts and drink blood by piercing the skin of other animals. In some parts of the world they carry parasites S y r p h u sr ib e s i iL e s s e rh o u s e f ly6B a tf lyF le s h f ly7 Dron e f ly5B e e fly4M a r s h cr a n e f lySavannah tsets e f lySlender abdomenLong, fragile legsSticky body helps to carry pollen to plantsSingle pair of wingsElongated front of headLong tongue for feeding at flowersS i c u s f e r r u g in e u s2B lu e b o ttle flySCALEB u z z e rm id g e3M o s q u it oM a r s h s n ip e f ly1H o u s e f lyS tM a r k ’ s f lyFlat, wingless body

101Insects❯ Fliesthat can cause malaria and other killer diseases. The marsh crane fly has extra-long legs that break off if it is 4touched. Bee flies do a useful job by pollinating flowers. 5The bat fly has no wings. It does not need them because 6it spends its adult life in the fur of bats. Drone flies 7 are very good at mimicking honey bees. Like bee flies, they are effective pollinators. The awesome-looking giant bluerobber fly from Australia grabs other insects on the wing, 8and flies with a distinctive buzzing sound. Male stalk-eyed flies have bizarre heads with eyes set far apart. In the 9breeding season, males stand head to head, and the one with the widest eyes wins. The banded brown horsefly bites 10horses, and sometimes humans, too, but timber flies are 11harmless and do not feed at all as adults.8G i a n t b l u e r o b b e r f l yL e u c o z o n a l e u c o r u m11T imberf lyM o t h f l yLong, flexible snout for stabbing and sucking preyLegs with strong clawsDark cloud on wingDumpy abdomenP la t y u r am a r g in a t aM a rm a la d eh o v e r f lyC a b b a g e r o o tf ly9S t a lk - e y e d f lyF o r e s tf ly10B a n d e db r o w nh o r s e f ly

102Insects❯ Bees, wasps, and antsBees, wasps, and antsBees and their relatives are very useful insects. Although many of them pack a painful sting, they help farmers by pollinating crops and killing pests. Apart from sawflies, they all have slender waists and most have two pairs of transparent wings. Honey bees 1 live in nests containing thousands of workers ruled by a single queen. The queen lays the eggs, while the worker bees build the nest, collect food, and care for the young. Army ants also live together but 2do not make a permanent home. Instead, millions of them rush across the rainforest floor, grabbing small animals with their powerful jaws. The great carpenter bee feeds on 3nectar from flowers, and lays its eggs in tunnels in dead wood. Like other bees, it uses its sting only if attacked. Leaf-cutter ants make giant nests underground, and feed on a special 43G r e a tc a r p e nter beeC h a lc idw a s pC im b ic id s a w f lyR o s e s a w f lyEgg-laying tubeBristly leg1H o n e yb e eG ia n tw o o dw a s pW o o d a n tS w e a tb e eT ip h i idw a s pP e r g id s a w f ly4L e a f - cutt e ra n t5F ir ea n t2A rm y a n t

103Insects❯ Bees, wasps, and antsSCALEfungus which they grow on chewed-up leaves. These ants are harmless, but some others are not. Tropical fire ants 5have a vicious sting that feels worse than a burn. The mammoth wasp 6 is a predator. It paralyzes the grubs of scarab beetles and lays eggs on their bodies, so its young have a private food supply. Common wasps make papery nests, 7and help to get rid of pests by hunting insects to feed their young. Plasterer bees and 8buff-tailed bumblebees 9nest in the ground. Plasterer bees waterproof the walls of their nests with a fluid from their bodies. Bumblebees have furry insulation which lets them fly in the cold days of early spring. They are good crop pollinators. The horntail looks 10dangerous, but cannot sting. Females lay their eggs in pine trees, and their grubs feed by chewing through wood.6 Mammoth wasp9B u f f - t a i le d b u m b le b e eO a k a p p leg a l lw a s p8P l a s t e r e r b e eP t e r om a l idw a s p7C o m m o n w a s pEgg-laying tubeFur like bristlesExtra-long tongueSlender waistLong antennaeO r c h id b e eS p le n d id em e r a ld w a s p10 Horntail

FishFish were the first vertebrates to evolve. They live underwater and their streamlined bodies are adapted for speedy swimming. They breathe by absorbing oxygen from the water through their gills. Fish have a special extra sense, using organs along their sides to detect vibrations in the water.Tail Most fish use their tails ❯to power themselves through the water. This lionfish can use its tail to stay steady in the water, so it can hang motionless, ready to ambush passing prey.

FeaturesFins Fish fins consist of bony spines ❯linked by membranes. The fish uses them to steer its body through the water. In some species they are adapted for other purposes such as burrowing into mud or sand to hide. This lionfish can inject venom through spines in some of its fins.Gills Like all animals, fish need oxygen to survive, ❯which they absorb from the water using gills. As the fish swims, water constantly flows across a stack of fine membranes inside the gills, through which oxygen passes into the fish’s bloodstream.AnimalsFish• Live underwater• Absorb oxygen from the water using gills• Swim with the help of fins and a tail• Mostly lay eggs to reproduce• Are mostly cold-bloodedR e d l io n f i s h

106Sharks, rays, and skatesRazor-sharp teeth and powerful jaws make sharks the most fearsome hunters in the seas. Like skates and rays, they have skeletons made of cartilage or gristle. Frilled sharks and 1bluntnose sixgill sharks live in deep 2water, but many other sharks live near the surface, in open water or close to the shore. Most sharks have a streamlined body and several rows of sharp teeth, which are constantly replaced throughout their lives. Their relatives chimaeras, a group of blunt-headed fish, have teeth that last the whole of their lives. The spotted ratfish and 3elephant fish chimaera use their flat teeth for crushing molluscs and 4crabs. Some sharks have to swim non-stop to breathe, but zebra sharks spend the day resting on the seabed, waking 5up to hunt after dark. Skates and rays have wing-like front fins 1F r i l le d s h a r k2B luntn oses ix g ill sharkT h o r n b a c k r a yH a l le r ’sr o u n d r a y4E le p h a n tf is h c h im a e r a3S p o t t e d r a t f is hFlap funnels plankton into mouthParallel gill slitsTail fin almost half of body length6C o m m o n s t in g r a y5Z e b r a s h a r kB lu e - s p o t t e d r ib b o n t a i lr a y7S p o t t e d e a g l e r a yFish❯ Sharks, rays, and skates8G ia n tm a n ta rayB lu e s k a t eU n d u lat e r a ySCALE

107and mouths on their undersides. Some kinds, including the common stingray , have a venomous spine in their tails. 6Accidentally treading on these fish can be very dangerous. In some cases, a single jab from a spine can kill a person. Rays swim by beating their front fins like a bird’s wings. The spotted eagle ray feeds on seabed animals, while the 7giant manta ray scoops up plankton as it “flies” through the open sea. 8Measuring up to 9 m (30 ft) across, this colossal but harmless fish is the largest ray in the world, with an exceptionally big brain. The smalltooth sawfish is a rare and unusual ray 9with a toothed snout like a saw. It uses this to dig up animals in the seabed and to slash at other fish that come nearby. The longnose sawshark looks similar, but is much smaller, 10with two barbels, or feelers, attached to its snout.M a r b le d e le c t r ic r a yNurse sharkSnout can sense prey buried in seabedSensory barbels used to detect vibrationsBrownish grey colour acts as camouflage on the ocean floorWing-like front fins9S m a l lt o o t h s a w f i s h10 Longn o s e sa w s h a r kE p a u le t t e c a t s h a r kFish❯ Sharks, rays, and skatesS a n dd e v i l

108Some of the world’s biggest sharks roam the open seas. The shortfin mako is one of the fastest of 11these tireless hunters. In short bursts, it can swim at more than 70 kph (43 mph). Makos feed mainly on fast-swimming fish and squid, but the great white shark has a taste for 12seals, dolphins, and occasionally humans, too. Growing up to 7 m (24 ft) in length, and weighing as much as 2 tonnes, this gigantic and much-feared predator typically attacks from below, and sometimes bursts out of the water as it slams into its prey. The beautifully streamlined blue shark travels 13thousands of kilometres a year, between the places where it feeds and the places where it breeds. Like most large sharks it gives birth to live young. Small-spotted catsharks14and their relatives lay eggs with leathery cases. Called SCALELarge, saw-like teeth for ripping apart preyPectoral fins act as stabilizers12G r eatw h it e sh a r k11S h o r t f inm a k oP ik e dd o g f is h13 Blue sharkK it e f in s h a r k15Sm o o t hh am m erh e a d14Sm a l l - s p o t t e d c a t s h a r kS t a r r y sm o o t h - h o u n dB la c k n o se sharkLarge dorsal finSharply pointed snout

109“mermaid’s purses”, they can take over a year to hatch. The smooth hammerhead belongs to a family of sharks with 15strange T-shaped heads. Its eyes are at each end of the head, enabling it to see all around as it swims. Port Jackson sharks and 16horn sharks live on the seabed. They 17have downward-facing mouths and flat back teeth, which crunch up molluscs and other hard-bodied animals. The thresher shark is an open-water predator. Its extra-long 18tail works like a whip, stunning other fish and making them easy to catch. Blacktip reef sharks and 19whitetip reef sharks 20 rarely harm humans, but the bull shark is a 21notorious man-eater, with a habit of swimming up rivers and cruising close to the shore. Despite its size, up to 3.4 m (11 ft) long, it can hunt in water just 1 m (3 ft) deep.Highly flexible tail used to stun preyLight and dark shading hides shark from above and belowFish❯ Sharks, rays, and skates16P o r tJ a c k s o n s h a r k17H o r n s h a r kS h a r p n o s e s e v engill shark21B u l ls h a r k19B la c k t ip r e e fs h a r k18T h r e s h e rs h a r k20W h it etip ree fs h a r kTail with two equal-sized blades

WHALE SHARK By far the largest fish in the world, the whale shark has a huge mouth that stretches almost as wide as its whole body, armed with up to 300 rows of tiny teeth. However, despite its fearsome appearance, this gentle giant feeds on plankton. In fact, it is often followed by shoals of smaller fish that keep the shark clean by eating bacteria and debris from its mouth.

Size 7–12 m (23–40 ft). Some may grow even larger. ❯Weight Up to 18 ⁄ tonnes ❯12Habitat Tropical and warm ❯temperate seas. They migrate thousands of kilometres every year. Distribution Pacific, South Atlantic, and Indian ❯Oceans. Diet Plankton, small fish, and crustaceans. Whale ❯sharks feed by taking in water then pushing it through their gills to filter out the food. Breeding The female carries ❯up to 300 embryos and gives birth to live young. Lifespan❯Unknown but thought to be up to 150 years. Predators❯ Adults have no enemies except humans. Other sharks, sailfish, and killer whales may attack the young.Conservation status ❯ Vulnerable due to hunting.

112Fish❯ Saltwater fish5Z e b r am o r a ySaltwater fishSaltwater fish come in a mind-boggling variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, and scientists discover many new kinds every year. Rays and sharks have rubbery (cartilaginous) skeletons, but most saltwater fish have bony skeletons and are covered in scales. The spotted boxfish’s scales fit together 1like armour plating, while the long-spine porcupinefish2has scales with sharp spines. If it feels threatened, this fish swallows lots of water and turns into a prickly ball. The clown triggerfish lives in the Indian and Pacific Oceans 3and jams itself in coral reefs if danger comes its way. It feeds by crunching up sea urchins and other hard-shelled animals. The sargassumfish lives in floating seaweed around the 4world. Even in broad daylight, its incredible camouflage makes it almost impossible to see. The zebra moray51S p o t t e d b o x f is hW h it e - s p o t t e d p u f f e rS p o t t e d g arde n e e l2L o n g - s p in ep o r c u p in e f is h3C lo w n t r ig g e r fi hsW a r t y f r o g f is h4S a r g a s s u m f is hBody swollen with waterSpiny front fins can grip seaweedLarge mouth has blunt teeth adapted for crushing preyTail burrows into sand as anchor

113Fish❯ Saltwater fishcomes out to feed at night. To firmly grip its prey, it has a second set of jaws in its throat, which can spring forward into its mouth. Needlefish live near the surface of the 6sea. Large specimens have been known to spear people by jumping on to boats. The red lionfish’s striped colours 7warn predators that this fish is venomous. It defends itself by spreading out its poison-tipped fins. The stonefish8can give humans a lethal jab with its venomous spines. The yellow seahorse swims with its body upright. Like other 9seahorses it is one of the world’s slowest fish, with a maximum speed of just a few metres an hour. Male coral toadfish10make strange grunting or whistling sounds to attract females. After the females have laid their eggs, the males guard them until the young fish hatch and swim away.SCALEVariegated lizardf i s h7R e d l io n f i s h9 Yellow sea h o r s eL o n g s p in e db u l lh e a dFly in g g u r n a r d8S t o n e f is hW e e d y s e a d r a g o nTrumpetfishS m a l ls c a le s c o r p io n f is h6 NeedlefishS t r ip e d e e lc a t f is hP in e a p p le f is hC r o w n e d s q u ir r e l f is h10C o r a lt o a d f is hCamouflage imitates rockExtra-large fins for gliding over seabedTail winds around solid objectsUpturned mouth sucks in smaller fish

114Fish❯ Saltwater fishMore fish live on coasts and coral reefs than anywhere else in the seas. The emperor angelfish and 11its relatives are some of the most colourful reef-dwellers with vivid markings that change as they mature. Banded archerfish live in estuaries in Southeast Asia. They look 12for insects on overhanging branches and knock them off by squirting a jet of water from their mouths. The blue-spotted seabream eats animals on the seabed, while the beautiful 13powder-blue surgeonfish feeds mainly on algae and 14underwater plants. Surgeonfish look harmless, but when attacked they fight back using two sharp blades on either side of their tails. The clown anemonefish hides in 15the tentacles of sea anemones. Unlike other fish, it is not harmed by their stings. Common bluestripe snappers16SCALER o y a la n g e l f i s h11E m p e r o ra n g e l f i s hB r o w nm e a g r e13B lue-s p o t t e d s e a bream15C lo w n a n em o n e f i s hR o y a lg r am m as u r g e o n f is h14P o w d e r -b lu eO c h r e - s t r ip e d c a r d in a l f i s hR e d mulletL o n g n o s eh a w k f is h12 Ba n d e d a r c h e r f is hB u t t e r f lyb le n n ySlender body fits in burrowFleshy barbels help detect buried preyLong dorsal fin raised like a sail

115Fish❯ Saltwater fishlive on coral reefs. They move in fast-swimming shoals by day, dispersing at night to feed. Harlequin tuskfish flip 17stones over with their teeth to get at small animals hiding underneath. The Mediterranean parrotfish crunches 18up food with its beak-shaped mouth. Like many other parrotfish it starts out life as female, but may change into a male as it grows older. Atlantic mudskippers live in 19mangrove swamps where they climb up roots or hop across the mud. Their front fins work like stubby legs, and they can survive out of the water by breathing air through their skin. The albacore tuna belongs to a family of high-speed 20swimmers with muscle-packed bodies and long, razor-like fins. Unlike most fish, tunas are warm-blooded, and can hurtle through water at up to 80 kph (50 mph). Red bandfish20A lb a c o r e t u n a17H a r le q u in t u s k f i s h16C om m o n b lu e s t r ip e s n a p p e r18 Medit e r r a n e a np a r r o t f is h19A t la n tic mu d s kipperF o x f a c erab b it f is hBluefishBold pattern camouflages eyesH a r le q u in s w e e t l ip s

116Fish❯ Saltwater fishSea fish thrive in cold water because it is oftenfull of food. Shore rocklings search for shrimps and crabs 21in rock pools using sensitive whiskers or barbels. Atlantic mackerels live in the open sea. Like tunas they have 22muscle-packed bodies and a streamlined shape for speeding through the water. They have to keep swimming, as they rely on the flow of water to breathe. Turbot and other flatfish 23live on the seabed. Very young flatfish look like other fish. As they grow up, one eye moves around their heads until, as adults, they swim on one side with both eyes facing up. The lesser weeverfish also lives on the bottom, with its body 24half-buried near the shore. This venomous fish has spines on its back, which it raises to defend itself against predators. It can even give humans a painful sting. Sockeye salmon spend 25SCALE21S h o r e r o c k l in g23T u r b o t22A tlant ic m a c k e r e lG u n n e lSm all sa n d e e l24L e s s e rw e e v e r f i s hSnake-like bodyThree fins on backSlippery body without scalesUpper side camouflaged against seabed

117Fish❯ Saltwater fishtheir adult lives in the northern Pacific Ocean but return to fresh water to breed. In some rivers, thousands of sockeyes fight their way upstream, creating a feast for fish-eating eagles and bears. The John Dory looks big when seen from the 26side, but it is good at sneaking up on other fish because its body is as thin as a human hand. The Atlantic cod and 27Atlantic herring are often fished for food. Cod can produce 285 million eggs every time they breed, but their numbers have plummeted due to overfishing. Herrings are some of the most common fish in seas. A single shoal can contain more than a billion members, attracting predators such as seals, whales, and larger fish. The European plaice and 29common sole30are two flatfish that are highly prized as food. Both of them often hide on the seabed by covering themselves with sand.25S o c k e y e s a lm o n27A t la n t ic c o d26J o h n D o r y29E u r o p e a n p la ic e28A t la n t ich e r r in gA ll s is h a dP e r u v ia n a n c h o v e t aLarge eyes give good visionJaws extend to catch preyFleshy barbel on chinBoth eyes on right-hand side, which always faces upwards 30C o m m o n s o le

BLACK-STRIPED SALEMA These tropical fish are found in waters around the Galápagos Islands. They form huge schools of hundreds or thousands. When a predator approaches, the school bunches into a tight cluster known as a bait ball. By swarming together, splitting, and changing direction in a flash, these fish try to confuse predators, making it difficult for them to attack.

Size Up to 30 cm (12 in) long ❯Habitat Reefs and rocky ❯areas in shallow waters. They gather in large shoals during the day, but disperse at night. Distribution Eastern Pacific ❯Ocean, only around the Galapagos Islands. Diet Plankton ❯ and fish larvae Breeding The female releases eggs that ❯float freely in the ocean. These eggs hatch into tiny larvae without scales or fins, which slowly develop into young fish. Predators Dolphins, seals, penguins, and sharks. ❯Conservation status Vulnerable due to changes in its ❯environment. Recently, a weather system called El Niño has disrupted the oceans around the Galapagos, increasing water temperatures, which may affect fish like these.

120Fish❯ Deep-sea fishThe deep sea is dark, silent, and bitterly cold. The fish that live here have evolved strange shapes to survive. Food is hard to find, so deep-sea fish cannot waste any chance to catch a meal. The tripodfish perches 1above the seabed, propped up by three long rays that stick out from its fins. It faces into the current and catches small animals that drift by. The common fangtooth lives at 2depths of up to 5,000 m (16,400 ft). It feeds on smaller fish, grabbing them with its needle-like fangs and swallowing them whole. The orange roughy gathers over ocean 3ridges and underwater mountains. It grows very slowly and can live to be 150 years old. Footballfish attract 4their prey using luminous lures that dangle in front of their mouths. If other fish come near to investigate, they are P a c i f ich a t c h e t f i s h2C om m o n f a n g t o o t hB r is t lem o u t hLure can be held in front of mouthElongated rays form a tripodGiant super-flexible jawsNorth e r n stopligh t lo o s e ja w3O r a n g e r o u g h yViperfishDeep-sea fishTiny lights or photophores on both sides1T r ip o d f is h4F o o tballfis h

121instantly sucked inside. Female footballfish really are as big as footballs, but the males are tiny and often fasten themselves to the females as parasites. The Pacific grenadier cruises over the ocean floor, gently rippling 5its long, rat-like tail, while the black swallower has a 6super-stretchy stomach and can gulp down prey larger than itself. Feelerfish stay close to the ocean floor. Their front 7fins are thin and whiskery and work like antennae for sensing food. The longnose lancetfish is a daily 8visitor to the deeps. It hides in the dark by day, coming closer to the surface to feed when night falls. The pelican eel has enormous jaws but tiny teeth. It uses its mouth like 9a scoop to catch its prey. Like the black swallower, it has an expandable stomach to deal with over-sized meals.5P acific grenadier9Pelic a n e e lP e a r lf is hP r ic k ly la n t e r n f i s hS p o t t e d la n t e r n f is h8L o n g n o s e la n c e t fishN a r r o w n e c k e d o c e a n ice e lLong, whip-like tailSlender fins held above bodySail-shaped dorsal finLumin o u s la n t e r n f is h7Fee le r f is h6B la c k sw a l lo w e rSCALE

122Fish live in a huge variety of freshwater habitats, from lakes and rivers to streams and ponds. They can be found in hot springs where the water temperature is a steamy 40°C (104°F), and in chilly caves hundreds of metres underground. The smallest fish, even the fully grown ones, are not much bigger than a grain of rice, while the biggest are as long as a family car. Some freshwater fish, including the goldfish and 1koi carp , have been raised 2in captivity for hundreds of years. There are many varieties of both these fish, and the rarest koi carp can be worth more than $1 million. Catfish are common freshwater fish, particularly where the water is murky or the current is slow. The glass catfish from Southeast Asia has a transparent 3body. The South American tiger shovelnose catfish has 4Extra-large decorative scalesSensitive barbels to probe for foodG ia n tw h ip t a i lc a t f is hC lo w n lo a c h2K o ic a r pT e n c h3G la s sc a t f is h5C h a in p ic k e r e lB r o w n bullh e a d4 Tiger shovelnose catf is hG r e e n s u n f is hFreshwater fish1G o ld f is h

123Fish❯ Freshwater fishlong barbels that probe the riverbed for food. The chain pickerel is an ambush hunter. It lurks in the shallows and 5lunges at other fish with a powerful flick of its tail. The red piranha from South America usually eats fish, worms, 6and crustaceans, but a large group of red piranhas can attack big mammals, stripping away chunks of flesh with their razor-sharp teeth. The American paddlefish looks 7ferocious, but it feeds only on tiny animals filtered out by its gills. Tigerfish are fierce predators from Africa’s rivers. 8They are famous for putting up a tremendous fight if hooked. The European eel is a long-distance migrant. It spawns in 9the Sargasso Sea, in the North Atlantic Ocean, and its tiny young travel all the way back to Europe’s rivers, an epic journey of up to 6,000 km (3,700 miles).Large rear fins help the fish to hover in one spotL o n g s n o u td istichodusM e x ic a n t e t r a6R e dp ir a n h aR iv e rh a t c h e t f i s hS t r ip e da n o s t om u sM u dm in n o w9E u r o p e an eel8Tigerfish7American paddlefishProminent jaw with sharp teethSCALEThis cave-dwelling species has no eyes

124Many freshwater fish have special skills thathelp them to survive. The elephantnose fish 10 from tropical Africa lives in murky rivers. It finds its way by giving off weak electric signals and probes for food using its long lower jaw. The electric eel from South America uses 11electricity to find and kill prey. It can give a jolt of up to 650 volts, enough to knock a person off their feet. The foureyed fish has eyes that are divided into two, letting 12it see clearly above and below the waterline. Siamese fighting fish are small but famously aggressive. When 13two males clash, they sometimes fight to the death. Far away from the tropics, the Arctic char lives in icy rivers and 14cold lakes. It is one of the world’s most northerly freshwater fish, surviving as close as 800 km (500 miles) from the North SCALE14 Arctic charC lo w n k n i f e f is h12F o u r e y e d f is hB u r b o tLong lower jaw used to probe for foodThin, rounded tail 11 Electric eelC h ip o k a e13S ia m e s e f ig h t in g f i s hZ e b r a f is hS p o t t e d c t e n o p om a10E le p h a n t n o s e f is hLarge mouth with strong jaws Mouth can gulp air in stagnant waterSlippery skin without scales

125Fish❯ Freshwater fishPole. The European perch is a patient predator, lying 15in wait for its prey. It lays eggs in long ribbons and fastens them to underwater plants. A distant relative of the European perch, the African Nile tilapia 16 breeds in a very different way. The female scoops up her eggs, up to 2,000 at a time, and holds them in her mouth until they hatch and her young swim away. African lungfish 17 live in lakes and swamps that can dry out for months at a time. They seal themselves up in cocoons of mud and survive by breathing air. The rainbow trout originally came from North America 18but has been introduced into lakes and rivers in many other parts of the world for food and sport. Another American fish, the longnose gar bursts out of hiding to stab 19other fish with its needle-sharp teeth.17A f r i c a n lu n g f i s h18R a in b ow trou tThread-like front fins19 Longnose gar16N i le t i la p ia15E u r o p e a np e r c hBlade-shaped tail

AmphibiansAmphibians spend part of their lives in the water and part on land. Some kinds undergo metamorphosis, like many invertebrates, starting out as water-based tadpoles with gills and evolving into air-breathing adults. They need fresh water to survive, and many species are threatened with extinction due to pollution, disease, and destruction of their habitat.Poison glands Many species ❯of amphibian secrete a poisonous slime from glands in their skin. This helps to keep them moist as well as to deter predators. Some amphibians simply taste nasty, while others, like this cane toad, can be deadly to some predators.Skin Amphibians have ❯permeable skin, so water can pass outwards and evaporate. This means they mostly live in water or in damp areas to stop their bodies from drying out.

FeaturesAnimalsAmphibians• Have moist skin, and may die if they dry out• Often spend much of their lives in water• Some hatch as tadpoles, and change shape to become adults• Usually lay eggs to reproduce• Are cold- bloodedLegs Some amphibians only ❯have legs as adults. These kinds hatch out from eggs as tadpoles, tiny swimming creatures with tails. As the tadpoles mature, legs grow out of their bodies and their tails shrink and disappear.C a n e t o a d

128Amphibians❯ Frogs and toadsFrogs and toadsFrogs and toads look very different to other amphibians, with their stubby bodies and long back legs. Frogs are usually sleek and slippery, but most toads have dry, warty skin. Nearly all of these animals start life as tadpoles, changing shape as they grow up. The lemur frog 1 from Central America hunts insects by night and hides under leaves during the day. Like other treefrogs, it is an expert climber with slender, sucker-tipped toes. The giant broad-headed treefrog lives in South American forests. It 2clings to tree trunks and branches, while the Australian green treefrog sometimes climbs into houses, where it 3makes itself at home in water tanks and kitchen sinks. The Amazon milk frog lays its eggs in rain-filled tree-holes. 4It lives high in the treetops and hardly ever comes to the SCALE3A u s t r a l iang r e e n t r e e f r o gF r in g e - l im bed treefrog4A m a z o nm il fk r o g5P a r a d o x ic a lf r o g2 Gian tb road-h e a d e d t r e e f r o g6S o l o m o n I s la dnsh o rned f r o gSuckers on all toesLoose skin soaks up water for use in dry conditionsY u c a t a n c a s q u e - head e d t r e e f r o gO r a n g e - le g g e d le af frogTongue flips out to catch preyA grub makes a tasty morsel 1L e m u r f r o g

129ground. The South American paradoxical frog spends its 5life in lakes and pools. It gets its name from its monster tadpoles, which are up to four times the adult’s length. The Solomon Islands horned frog has a pointed snout and 6horn-like projections above its eyes, camouflaging it perfectly among fallen leaves. The European common toad hunts 7all kinds of small animals, including beetles, snails, and slugs. The rare golden mantella 8 frog from Madagascar is brilliantly coloured, warning predators that it has poison-covered skin. The Malayan tree toad is one of the few 9true toads that lives off the ground. The enormous cane toad gulps down mice and even snakes. Originally from 10Central America, this ravenous predator has become a major pest in Australia and other parts of the world. Eyes with slit-shaped pupils detect small, moving prey8G o ld e nm a n t e l laElegant Ma d a g a s c a n f r o g9M a la y a n tree toad10C a n e t o a dN a t t e r ja c k t o a dWarts on male’s skin develop dark, sharp spines in the breeding seasonG u y a n a n s t u b f o o t t o a dRaucous toad7 Eu r o p e a n c o m m o n t o a d

130Amphibians❯ Frogs and toadsToads usually move by crawling, but frogs often hop and jump. In emergencies, the European common frog can leap more than seven times its own 11length, equivalent to a human athlete clearing a school bus without a run-up. In Central and South America, tiny poison-dart frogs climb up trees or hop over the rainforest floor. Their bright colours are a warning to predators to stay away. The golden poison-dart frog is the deadliest, 12with enough poison to kill two African elephants, while the granular poison-dart frog is one of the smallest, and 13could easily fit inside a matchbox. In the past, native Americans used these frogs to make poison hunting darts, which is how they got their names. In the breeding season, frogs and toads often make loud calls. Male edible frogs14SCALECircular eardrums behind eyesY e l lo w - b a n d e dp o is o n - d a r t f r o g13G r a n u la rp o is o n - d a r t f r o gT u n g a r a f r o gC om m o np a r s le y f r o g11European c o m m o n f r o g12G o ld e n p ois o n -d a r tf r o g15W o o d f r o gB r a z i l - n u tp o is o n - d a r t f r o g14E d ib le f r o g16A m e r ic a n b u l l f r o gD y e in gp o is o n - d a r t f r o gT h r e e - s t r ip e dp o i s o n - d a r t f r o g

131Amphibians❯ Frogs and toads17 Asian horned f r o gand wood frogs sound like quacking ducks, while the 15male American bullfrog 16 sounds more like a mooing cow. This massive frog swallows almost anything it can cram into its mouth, including smaller frogs, young turtles, and small water birds. The “horns” and the brown colour of the Asian horned frog help it blend in among fallen leaves. 17The Indian bullfrog leaps into water if it is disturbed. 18It usually climbs out after a few minutes, but can stay underwater for several hours. Painted toads and 19tomato frogs live on land and come out to feed at night. 20Their skin is covered with a glue-like substance, which helps to protect them from attack. Tinker reed frogs from 21Africa lay their eggs on waterside plants. Their tadpoles wriggle down into the water after hatching.Sticky, bright red skin to ward off predatorsB o l i f am b a r e e d f r o gC o u c h ’ss p a d e f o o t21T in k e r r eedf r o gC om m o n s k i t t e r in g f r o gR a jam a l lyw a r tf r o gG i a n ts t um p - t o e d f r o gF o u la s s ib a n a n a f r o g19P a in t e d t o a d20T om a t o f r o g18India n b ullfrog

132Amphibians❯ Frogs and toadsFrogs and toads have lots of different shapes, and varied lifestyles that help them to survive. If threatened, the Mexican burrowing toad can blow itself up to 22resemble a small balloon. It lives underground and feeds on ants, coming to the surface only when it breeds. The horned marsupial frog has a strange way of breeding that lets it 23stay high up in trees. The female carries her eggs in a pouch on her back. Instead of producing tadpoles, they hatch directly into baby frogs. The midwife toad is so called 24because the male carries the female’s eggs. When the eggs are ready to hatch, he takes them to water so that the tadpoles can swim away. Fleischmann’s glass frog lives in trees. 25On its underside, its tiny beating heart can be seen through its transparent skin. The ornate horned frog is a sit-and-26SCALEEggs wrapped around male’s hind legs25F le is c hm a n n ’sg la s s f r o g22M e x ic a nb u r r o w in g t o a dB ig - h e a d e d r a in f r o g26O r n a t eh o rned frog24Mid w if e t o a dO r ie n t a l fire - b e l l ie d t o a dP a in t e d f r o gM a s c a r e n e r id g e d f r o gMouth as wide as headp o iso n -d a r tf r o gS p otte d - t h ig h e d23H o r n e dma r s u p ia lf r o g

133Amphibians❯ Frogs and toadswait hunter from the grasslands of Argentina. Camouflaged by its green and brown markings, it lurks in muddy ground and grabs anything edible that comes nearby. The desert rain frog lives and breeds among Namibian sand dunes, 27hiding beneath the surface during the day. Wallace’s flying frog 28 glides through the forests of Southeast Asia on its webbed feet. Fraser’s clawed frog from Africa 29stays in water all its life. It has a flat body, sensitive fingers, and upward-facing eyes. The African bullfrog lives in 30grassland and savanna. Big and aggressive, it sometimes eats its own kind. It spends the dry season underground. Males of this species defend their eggs fiercely until they hatch. The common spadefoot toad digs burrows with its back 31legs, and spends half the year hidden away.W e s tC am e r o o n f o r e s tt r e e f r o gA f r ic a n t r e e f r o gB r o w n - s t r ip e dm a r s h f r o gS o u t h e r nw h ip p in g f r o g27D e s e r tr a in f r o gLimon robb e r f r o gC o r o m a n d e lN e w Z e a la n d f r o g31C om m o n s p a d e f o o tt o a dD a rw in ’sf r o g29F r a s e r ’sc la w e d f r o gA f r i c a n f o a m - n e s t t r e e f r o gM o s s y f r o gWebbed feet work like parachutes30Afric a nb u l l f r o g28W a l la c e ’s f ly in g f r o gP e ur t oR ic a n c o q u i

TREE FROGS There are more than 900 known species of tree frogs, most of which live high up in the branches of tropical rainforests. These red-eyed tree frogs are easy to recognize, thanks to their startling colouring. Their bright eyes are thought to surprise predators and discourage them from attacking. However, during the day they often keep their eyes shut, relying on their green skin to camouflage them among forest leaves.

Size Up to 7 cm (2 ⁄ in) ❯34Habitat Trees and shrubs near ❯water in warm, tropical forests and jungles. Distribution❯Central America Diet Insects such as crickets, flies, ❯and moths, also worms and spiders. Breeding Females ❯lay a batch of 50 eggs on a leaf over water. This process is repeated several times. The eggs hatch after about five days and tadpoles fall into the water. Lifespan❯Up to five years. Predators Many climbing and flying ❯birds, reptiles, and mammals, including snakes and monkeys. Fish may prey on tadpoles. Conservation status Numbers of some species are declining where ❯their forest habitats are being cut down.

136Amphibians❯ Salamanders and newtsWith their slender bodies and long tails, salamanders and newts look very different from frogs and toads. Many are well camouflaged, but others, including the fire salamander and 1tiger salamander , have bright 2warning colours. This shows other animals that they are poisonous and best left alone. Some species spend all their lives on land, but most return to water to mate and lay their eggs. The Asian crocodile newt heads for ponds 3at the beginning of the monsoon, while the Japanese giant salamander is fully aquatic and never leaves its watery 4home. Measuring up to 1.5 m (5 ft) long, this huge, wrinkly-skinned amphibian feeds on fish and freshwater insects, and hunts after dark. Young salamanders and newts breathe using feathery gills. Some salamander species, such as the Salamanders and newtsS p o t le s ss t o u tn e w tL o r e s t a n n e w t1F ir e s a lam a n d e r4 Ja p anes e gia n t s a lam a n d e rO it a s a lam anderSCALE2Tig e rs a lam a n d e rSplayed legs3C r o c o d i len e w tBlue markings attract a mateSensors in skin detect prey by vibrations

137Amphibians❯ Salamanders and newtsaxolotl 5 and olm 6, keep their gills throughout their lives. If the axolotl loses a body part, it can regrow the entire part within months. The olm lives in dark, flooded caves. Extremely slender and totally blind, it finds its food by smell and touch. Great crested newts 7 breed in ponds, and have elaborate courtship displays. The male grows his impressive crest in spring and uses it to attract females waiting to lay their eggs. On land, salamanders and newts live in damp woodlands and rocky places, and hunt mainly after dark. During the summer, many species, such as the California newt8and Ensatina salamander , keep moist by hiding under 9rotting logs. The three-toed amphiuma 10 buries itself in mud, and makes a waterproof cocoon. This slimy, snake-like amphibian has tiny legs but a powerful bite.5A x o lo t lS a r d inia nb r o o k s a lam a n d e rC a l i f o r n ia ag in ts a lam a n d e r7G r e a tc r e s t e d n e w tA lp in en e w t6O lmF o u r - t o e d s a lam a n d e rS p e c t a c led a slam a n d e rT h r e e - l in e d s a laman d e rI t a l ia n c a v e s a lam a n d e r10T h r e e - t o e d am p h iu m a9E n s a t in a s a lam a n d e rFeathery gills8C a l i f o r n ian e w tS h a r p - r ib b e d s alaman edrBones can poke through sides for defence

ReptilesMillions of years ago reptiles ruled the Earth in the form of dinosaurs. Modern reptiles are mostly smaller, although they still include fearsome predators such as the Komodo dragon, giant snakes, and ferocious crocodiles, which can attack and kill human beings. However, they also include gentle vegetarians, such as giant tortoises and the green sea turtle.Cold-blooded Unlike birds and ❯mammals, reptiles cannot keep their bodies warm by burning food. Instead they rely on sources of heat in their environment to keep warm.

Scaly skin As well as skin, reptiles have an ❯outer layer of protective armour. Lizards and snakes are covered in scales. Turtles, tortoises, crocodiles, and alligators have scutes, horny layers of skin backed by bony plates.FeaturesAnimalsReptiles• Have dry, scaly skins• Are mostly meat-eaters• Mostly live in warmer climates• Mostly lay eggs to reproduce• Are cold-bloodedLegs Most reptiles have ❯four legs. Some groups, such as snakes, have no legs at all. They move by pushing against the ground with their flexible bodies.Lungs Reptiles have ❯lungs and must breathe air to survive. Even turtles that live under water, usually return to the surface to breathe.P a n t h e rc h am e le o n

140Reptiles❯ Turtles and tortoises4Leatherback sea tu r tle1Y e l lo w -m a r g in a t e d b o x t u r t leS a lt w a t e rt e r r a p inR e d - e a r e d s l id e r5C om m o n s n a p p in g t u r t le2R e d - b e l l ie d t u r t leG o ld e n c o in t u r t leH a w k s b i l ls e a t u r t leTurtles andtortoises3C a r o l in ab o x t u r t leWith their domed shells and beak-like mouths,turtles and tortoises are easy to recognize. The yellow-marginated box turtle has a hinge on the underside of 1its shell. If danger strikes, it quickly pulls in its head and legs, and shuts itself away. The American red-bellied turtle2likes sunning itself near the shore, while the Carolina box turtle escapes the heat by retreating into cover or by 3burying itself in mud. Turtles and tortoises come in many sizes. The smallest ones are not much bigger than a baseball, but the record-breaking leatherback sea turtle can 4weigh as much as a small car. It is one of the greatest travellers in the animal world, swimming vast distances with its large flippers. Sea turtles live mainly in tropical oceans, but freshwater turtles live in rivers and lakes, where they eat Hooked beak delivers a powerful biteRubbery shellJaws can cut sh in twofiB la n d in g ’st u r t le

141SCALEO r n a t eb o x t u r t leB ig - h e a d e d t u r t leMat am a t aY e l lo w s l id e r7P a in t e d t u r t leM is s is s ip p im u d t u r t le6C h in e s esof t - s h e l le d t u rt leF a ls em a p t u r t leC o m m o nm u s k t u r t leA s ia n le a ft u r t leC om m o n s n a k e -n e c k e d t u r t leE u r o p e a n p o n d t u r t le9L o g g e r h e a d s e a t u r t le8A l l ig a t o rs n a p p in g t u r t leplants or animal prey. The common snapping turtle , 5from North America, is one of the world’s biggest freshwater turtles. It lurks in the mud at the bottom of rivers and lakes. The Chinese soft-shelled turtle has a nose like a snorkel, 6and spends most of its time in the water. Turtles and tortoises breed by laying eggs. Freshwater kinds, such as the painted turtle , lay theirs in holes not far from the water’s edge. The 7female alligator snapping turtle leaves the water in 8spring to lay eggs, whereas the male spends most of his time at the bottom of rivers or lakes. Sea turtles, including the loggerhead 9, dig nests in sandy beaches. After hatching, the young turtles dig their way to the surface and then scuttle towards the sea. It is a dangerous time, and many are caught by predators before they reach the water’s edge.Paddle-like limb

142Reptiles❯ Turtles and tortoisesTortoises are close relatives of turtles, but they have stronger legs and spend all their lives on land. Like turtles, tortoises breed by laying eggs. Most of them are vegetarian, although some, including the South American red-footed tortoise , also eat small animals 10and dead remains. Tortoises are famous for being slow, but to make up for this, they can be amazingly long-lived. The Hermann’s tortoise 11, for example, has a lifespan of 50 years, while the Aldabra giant tortoise from coral 12islands in the Indian Ocean can survive for more than two centuries. One recently died in captivity at the astonishing age of 255. Most tortoises have high shells, which predators find hard to break. The African pancake tortoise is 13almost flat, which allows it to hide in rocky cracks to avoid B o w s p r itt o r t o is e10R e d - f o o t e d t o r t o i s e11H e rm a n n ’st o r t o is e12A ld a b r a g ia n tt o rtois eSCALE13P a n c a k e t o r t o is eScales on shell show growth ringsSharp jaw for cutting through foodSaddle shape allows tortoise to raise its head

143Reptiles❯ Turtles and tortoisespredators. It has the tiniest families, as it lays just one egg at a time, although it usually breeds several times each year. Galápagos tortoises live on islands in the Pacific 14Ocean. They are as large as the Aldabra giant tortoise, and often have shells with a saddle-shaped front. This lets them stretch their necks high up to munch prickly cacti, their primary food. Radiated tortoises , from Madagascar, 15have shells with raised knobs, but the lumpiest shell belongs to the Indian starred tortoise , which has star-like 16markings that hide it in dry grass. The spur-thighed tortoise from Europe and North Africa has bony 17projections on its hind legs. It lays up to 20 eggs at a time, while the desert tortoise , found in small burrows in 18the deserts of North America, lays as few as four eggs. 18D e s e r tt o r t o is e15R a d ia t e d t o r tois eE lo n g a t e d t o r t o is e16I n d ia n s t a r r e d t o r t o i s eS e r r a t e dh in g e - b a c k t o r t o is e14G a lá p a g o stortoiseL e o p a r d t o r t o i s e17S p u r - t h ig h e d t o r t oiseShell with vertical streaksW o o d t u r t leKnobbly shell

144Reptiles❯ LizardsThere are more than 4,000 lizard species inthe world, more than all other reptiles put together. Most of them hunt small animals, and most lay eggs, although some give birth to live young. The emerald skink preys 1on insects. It spends most of its time on tree trunks, while the heavy-bodied Gila monster stays on the ground. 2Found in North American deserts, the Gila monster is one of the few lizards with a poisonous bite. Fortunately, it is a slow mover, so attacks on people are very rare. The fierce Asian water monitor grows up to 2 m (6 ⁄ ft) long. A 312good swimmer, it hunts all sorts of animals, from fish and frogs to crabs. The Madagascar day gecko is mostly 4found on trees and belongs to a family of lizards famous for their “sticky” toes. Like other geckos, it can cling to almost Lizards3A sian water monitorD e s e r th o r n e d l iz a r dToes with sharp claws for climbing1Em e r a ld s k in kSlender toes for climbing treesSCALEC a p e g i r d le d l i z a r d4M a d a g a scar day gecko2G i lamonsterShiny, beadlike scalesG r eena n o le

145Reptiles❯ Lizardsany surface, and can even hunt upside down. When faced with danger, many lizards shed their tails. This distracts their enemies while they run away. The Australian frilled lizard has a different technique to protect itself. It stands 5its ground and opens up its frill, making it look much more threatening than it really is. The North African sandfish skink dives for safety, disappearing into the desert sand 6by “swimming” through it. The green basilisk from 7Central America has the most impressive escape trick of all. Standing on its back legs, it runs over the surface of lakes and streams, before swimming away from the predator. Found in the Galapagos Islands, the marine iguana is 8the only lizard that feeds in the sea. It uses its blunt jaws to tear seaweed from underwater rocks. Long, flattened tail used in swimmingStrong back legs built for speedWonder gec o k5F r i l le d l i z a r d7G r e e n b a s i l is k8M a r in e ig u a n aRough-scale dp la t e d l iz a r dFrill opens like an umbrella6S andfish skin kV ivi a pr o u s l iz ardK n ig h ta n o leL a r g ep s am m o d r om u sSpiky crest

146Reptiles❯ LizardsGeckos are widespread in warm parts of theworld, where there are plenty of insects for them to hunt. One of the most popular reptile pets, the common leopard gecko from South Asia is easy to look after. This small 9gecko has an amazingly loud call for an animal just 20 cm (8 in) long. The slow worm , from Europe, has no legs 10at all while the common scaly foot 11, from Australia, looks like a snake with tiny leg flaps, Both these lizards hunt insects and spiders, finding their prey on the ground. The Central American green iguana is a much bigger 12reptile, with a spiky crest. Although it looks dangerous, it feeds mainly on plants and often climbs high up trees. Chameleons are even better climbers and hardly ever come to the ground. Parson’s chameleon from Madagascar 13C o lo r a d od e s e r tf r in g e - t o e d l iz a r dSCALETail can wrap around branches13P a r s o n ’sc h am e le o n12G r e e n ig u a n aB e r b e rs k in k9C om m o n le o p a r dg e c k oMo o r i s h g e c k o10S lo w w o rmS o lo m o n I s l a n d s s k in k11C om m o n s c a ly f o o tM e d i t e r r a n e a n g e c k oF r in g e - t o e d l iz a r dI t a l ia nw a l ll iz a r d

147Reptiles❯ Lizardsis the largest chameleon. It creeps along branches using its feet and its tail and catches insects by shooting out its unbelievably long, sticky tongue. Like other chameleons, its eyes swivel in all directions, and it can change colour to match its background or to show its mood. The tokay gecko gets its name from its harsh “to-kay” call. This 14large gecko from Southeast Asia lives in houses and often hunts indoors. African fat-tailed geckos live in deserts. 15Unlike other geckos, they do not have sticky toes, and rarely climb. Jackson’s chameleon lives in East Africa. The 16males of this species are identified by the three horns on their snouts. The red tegu is one of the biggest lizards 17in South America. A predator and a scavenger, it sometimes steals chickens from farms.Body fat in tail used as a food reserve14T o k a y g e c k o15A f r ic a nfat - t a i led ge c k o17Red te g uY e l lo w - s p o t t e dn ig h t zl ia r dW e s t e r n b an e ddg e c k o16J a c k s o n ’s chameleonG r e e n -s rt p ie d t r e e d r a g o n

KOMODO DRAGON Like a creature out of a horror film, the Komodo dragon lurches over the ground in search of carrion and live prey. The world’s largest lizard, it has a poisonous bite, and can smell food more than 5 km (3 miles) away by flicking out its forked tongue. It can swallow small prey whole and knock down bigger animals with a swipe of its powerful tail, killing them with a bite to the throat.