First Animal Encyclopedia_clone

Buzzard Birds Picture detective Take a look through the bird pages and see if you can spot who these body parts belong to. Orange-flanked bush robin Blackbird Parakeets A world full of birds Macaw There are almost 10,000 Flamingo different kinds of birds in the world. They range from the Turn and enormous, flightless ostrich, learn which is taller than a man, to the bee hummingbird, which Flying mammals: is smaller than your thumb. pp. 30-31 Turkey Flying insects: pp. 110-111 Chicken The whistling swan – it has roughly 25,000! 49

Birds Birds spend much of their time looking The world of birds after, or preening, their feathers to keep them Only a few animals in the world are able to fly – insects, bats, and birds. in good condition. But none of them are more powerful or skilled than birds. Turn and learn Feathers are Feathered friends made up of Nest-making: tiny hair-like Birds are the only creatures pp. 54-55 barbs that all that have feathers. They use mesh together. them to fly and to keep Exotic birds: warm. Some birds use pp. 72-73 brightly coloured feathers for display. A rigid “backbone”, or quill, runs through the centre of the wing feathers, strengthening them for flying. Feathers Different feathers have different jobs on a bird. Outer wing: strong feathers to provide power in flight. Inner wing: has smooth and flat feathers to help in flight. Tail feather: long and thin for steering and balancing during flight. Body feather: soft and downy to keep a bird warm. Some have exotic colours. 50 What is the world’s smallest bird?

The world of birds Flight By flapping its wings up and Birds that can fly have wings and a down, the bird very light skeleton – many of the bones remains in the air. are hollow. Their short and compact bodies also help make them neat fliers. There are two methods of flying; flapping, like this red-tailed minla, and gliding. Red-tailed minla Travelling birds About one-third of birds spend summer in one place then when the winter sets in they fly thousands of miles to a warmer spot. Often they go to exactly the same places year after year. Feet Bills Communication The shape and size of The shapes of a bird’s bill, or beak, All birds have good hearing show what they eat. so they can respond to songs birds’ feet very in from other members of their Duck: wide and family. Birds are well known different habitats. flat to tear plants for their tunes, and some, and filter food like this parrot, even speak. Eagle foot: birds underwater. of prey have sharp 51 Woodpecker: talons to kill and long and hard grip animals. to chisel into wood and pick out insects. Perching foot: songbirds have three Chaffinch: short and toes in front and one cone-shaped, ideal for behind for perching. cracking seeds. Webbed foot: Heron: waterfowl have webbed ideal for feet to help them to stabbing fish paddle on water. underwater. Ostrich foot: two thick toes help this flightless bird to run very fast. The smallest bird in the world is the bee hummingbird.

Birds Fierce competition Courtship There is often competition between the males to attract the females, so At various stages in her life, performances have to be very slick. a female bird will be on the This female has chosen her mate. lookout for a mate. Males go out of their way to impress Crowned cranes the ladies, often in spectacular ways. A good decorator The male satin bowerbird builds an avenue of twigs, and at each end he places a collection of anything he finds attractive, such as shells, bones, or berries. The female picks the bower she finds the most appealing. weiSrodme but true birds of prey perform amazing aerobatic displays. The male and female lock talons in mid-air and fall almost to the ground before swooping up again. 52 In which season do birds start courting?

Pairing off Courtship It is important for birds to find the right partner. Building a home Peacock: the male The male weaver bird builds shows off by shaking an incredible nest that hangs his spectacular tail. from a branch. When a female passes by, he hangs beneath Swans: when a male it fluttering his golden wings and female swan and shrieking to her to join him. mate, they stay together for life. Spotted- Foot backed dance Pheasant: male weaver pheasants fight The blue- aggressively with footed booby each other for females. has blue feet, which attracts the females. When a male wants a mate, he dances and lifts his feet to show them off. Once cranes have selected a partner Of the 15 species of they dance together, then bow, leap, cranes, 11 are either bounce, and make sudden frantic runs. threatened or in danger of extinction. Show off The male frigate bird has a huge, red neck pouch, which he inflates with air when he is looking for a mate. When a female passes by, he wobbles it around and makes gobbling noises to impress her. Birds mostly court each other in the spring. 53

Birds A city in a nest Nesting Some weavers, called social weavers, build one huge nest All birds lay eggs, which other animals find tasty. to hold lots of birds. This To keep their eggs only happens in dry safe, many birds regions, because if it build nests. got too heavy with rain it would fall. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world. Weaver bird Out of reach Weaver birds go one step Tiny home further than building nests The most important in trees; they build them This hummingbird has built thing about a nest is that hanging down from branches. its nest on a fir cone. Some no enemies can reach it. For hummingbirds use spiders’ this reason many birds build webs to secure their nests. their nest in trees. Which birds are able to tie knots? 54

Nesting A perfect fit Round, hollow nests like this are called cup nests. Birds build them in trees using twigs, feathers, moss, and anything else they can find. When a bird has Pileated made its nest, it turns woodpecker around and around Nests in it until it has made Some birds go to a perfect hollow. great lengths to make amazing-looking nests. Handy holes Tunnel home: some Hollowed-out trees are weaver birds build nests good places to keep eggs with tunnel entrances. safe. Woodpeckers make nests by chiselling through the wood In the reeds: the reed with their sharp beaks. The warbler builds its nest between thin reeds. following year, birds such as parrots, may use it. Mud nest: the domed ovenbird makes its nest Safety in numbers entirely out of mud. Along the west coast of Africa, thousands of cape gannets Tree trunk: A blue tit has built this nest in lay their eggs at the same time, right next to each other. a hollow tree trunk. This reduces the chances of the eggs being eaten. Ground eggs Some birds don’t make nests at all. Instead, they lay their eggs on the ground. These Eurasian oystercatchers’ eggs are camouflaged against the pebbles. Eggs Southern cassowary Birds’ eggs egg come in a The eggs are speckled variety of sizes and difficult to spot. and colours. Weaver birds can tie knots. 55

Birds Hatching out Inside the Making or finding a nest is a lot of work eggs, each chick grows for birds, but looking after the eggs using the yolk as food. and chicks is even harder! Blue tit chicks Nest birds The mother bird sits on her nest keeping the eggs warm until they hatch. When they are born, they  need constant feeding until they can look after themselves. At one day old, After two weeks, the bald chicks there is barely are very hungry. enough room to move. The chicks At three days old, the chicks are are now ready demanding constant food. Their bright to fly away. mouths are easily seen by parents. At nine days, their feathers are Baby birds Duckling starting to appear and the nest is There are two types of getting crowded. young bird. Nest birds are born blind and naked and Waterbirds depend completely on their parents. The other type, like Waterbirds are often born on the ducklings, hatch with open eyes ground rather than in nests, so and a coat of downy feathers. they have to be able to get out of danger quickly. Ducklings take to water very soon after hatching. The chick has an egg It then pushes against both ends tooth that it uses to and breaks itself out of the egg. poke through the shell. Egg Which bird builds the biggest nests in the world? tooth 56

Hatching out Swan family A female swan lays up to eight eggs in a clutch and only she looks after them. When the chicks are born, both parents take care of them for about five months. These swan chicks catch a ride on their mother’s back. Wren Feeding frenzy Both parents help to feed their chicks. Some can make up to 1,000 trips a day between them to bring back enough food. Rotten parents The cuckoo chick is fed Cuckoos don’t look after by the adopted their chicks. Instead, the parents, and female lays her egg in is often bigger another bird’s nest. When than they are. it hatches, the chick kicks out the other eggs. The bald eagle. 57

Birds A variety of birds Members of the Songbirds songbird family vary in looks, Most of the world’s birds are part of habits, and songs. a huge family known as the songbirds. They spend a lot of their time in flight. Robin: European robins are easy to spot because of their red tummies. Blackbird: the blackbird often sings in the evenings from a high perch. Warbler: these birds are known for their different songs, including a scolding song. Foot perch The short beak is used Songbirds, or to crack hard perchers, all foods, such have a unique as nutshells. type of foot, which helps them Songbirds can sleep Finding food to grip onto even on twigs and branches the thinnest branches. without falling off. Like this song thrush, most Three of their toes songbirds are small, but point forwards and Blue tit because they use up a lot of one points backwards. energy flying, they need a lot of food. They feed on small insects, worms, and snails. 58 How do songbirds learn how to sing?

Songbirds Songbird parents feed their chicks until they are 10–15 days old. Bird songs Each species of songbird has its own special song, using different notes and rhythms. Most of the singing is performed by males. Dawn chorus In Europe and North America, male songbirds sing loudly at dawn to attract females. Somehow, the females can hear weiTrhde or what ? and identify the correct tune among the many melodies. Australian lyrebird can not only Safety in flocks imitate other birds’ songs but also other sounds Many songbirds live in it hears in the rainforest, groups, called flocks. They such as chainsaws and  collect food together and join forces to fight off bigger birds even camera clicks! that might eat them. Many songbirds are small and compact, with short beaks. Dunnock By listening to sounds the male parent makes and copying them. 59

Birds Hummingbirds have long beaks that can Life in the air poke into flowers to  sip the nectar. Some birds are spectacular acrobats. They are the experts of the air – a few Magenta-throated can even fly backwards! Many birds woodstar hummingbird spend most of their lives in the air. Hummingbirds These tiny birds beat their wings in a figure-of-eight pattern. This means that they can hover and fly backwards! Smaller species beat their wings 80 times a second. Record holder Air acrobats The smallest bird in the world Swifts, swallows, and is the bee hummingbird. Found martins have forked tails that help them to control their flight. in Cuba, it feeds They can catch insects while they on nectar from are flying and even swoop down flowers. Its eggs are smaller than peas! over water, like this swallow, and drink without landing. Bee hummingbird Some flying insects Swallow are bigger than the bee hummingbird. 60 What is unusual about the sword-billed hummingbird?

Life in the air Nesting Swifts, such as this chimney swift, spend a lot of their time in the air but they must land when they are ready to nest. Swallows’ nests Swallows have small beaks, but Swallows collect mud pellets big mouths to catch and mould them into cup- insects in mid-air. shaped nests. These can often be seen beneath Forked tail the eaves of buildings. The parents feed the Turn chicks by hovering and learn near them rather than landing. Other nesting methods: Swift pp. 54-55 Nesting in burrows Sand martins look similar to swallows. They make their nests by digging burrows in soft earth along riverbanks or in cliffs. The swift Swifts can spend a lot of time in the air without landing. They even sleep on the wing! It is the only bird whose beak is longer than its body. 61

Birds Freshwater birds The male mallard makes a lower pitched quack than the female, and whistles as well. If you search around fresh water Geese anywhere in the world, you will Swan find teams of birds living on it or near it. Some are swimmers and others Mallard duck are waders. (female) Kingfishers Cygnets Mallard drake Kingfishers live by (baby swans) (male) rivers. They perch on branches above the Waterfowl water waiting for fish to swim past. Ducks, geese, and swans are waterfowl. They When they see one, they dive! have boat-shaped bodies and webbed feet, which make them very good swimmers. When the kingfisher catches a fish, it flicks its wings, resurfaces, and flies away with its dinner. Bottoms up! Waterfowl have long bills with sharp ridges along them to grip slippery fish. Mallards often feed by tipping their heads into the water to reach plants. 62 How long do herons usually live?

Freshwater birds Flamingo This stork, with its hunchback and bald neck, is often described as ugly. Black- Wattled Heron crowned jacana night heron Marabou stork Waders Have a stab Waders have long legs that allow Herons are found living them to walk in shallow water next to rivers and lakes. They eat without getting their feathers fish, which they catch by darting wet. Some also have long necks their “s”-shaped necks forwards for finding food. at lightning speed and stabbing the fish with their sharp beaks. Flamingos Pink flamingos Turn sleep in and learn the water, Flamingos live in huge flocks, of often on sometimes a million birds! Many Migrating birds: one leg. of them are pink because of the pp. 76-77 tiny shrimps that they eat. Sea birds: pp. 64-65 Flamingo Flamingos’ bills act like sieves to filter out tiny food from the water. Herons can live up to 20 years. 63

Birds A life at sea Sea birds A lot of sea birds, such as this albatross, have webbed feet that help Many birds spend their lives next them swim, and special beaks to the sea or out to hold slippery fish. on the open ocean. Some return to land only to breed and raise young. Webbed feet The albatross has the largest wingspan Dramatic divers of any bird The sea is full of prey and birds have various ways to catch it. Some chase fish underwater while others, such as gannets and boobies, dive down like torpedoes from the air to snatch them. Other sea birds Pelican The coastlines of the world are always packed with sea birds. Herring gull: this bird is common in Europe and North America. Inca tern: this Pelicans A mouthful of fish bright-beaked bird  also use lives on the west their large A pelican dives underwater coast of South America. mouths to and scoops up fish in its large catch rainwater mouth. It can fit three times Cormorant: this for drinking. more fish in its mouth pouch bird can also be found inland in Europe, Asia, and Africa. than in its stomach! 64 How long can birds survive without returning to land?

Cliff birds Sea birds These black-legged Kittiwakes kittiwakes, like many other birds, live in huge, noisy groups on cliff faces. They even nest and lay their eggs on the narrow ledges. A flock of gulls The cliffs are a safe place to rest, away Gulls can often be seen in huge numbers along the seashore. from enemies. They eat almost anything, The albatross’ raiding rubbish dumps and beak is hooked, stealing other birds’ eggs. with special ridges to help it hold onto fish. Puffins The puffin can dive to depths The puffin has of 60 m (200 ft). webbed feet and small wings, which it uses like fins to Puffin swim, as well as to fly. It raises its one chick, Turn What a lot of fish! called a puffling, and learn in a burrow. Atlantic puffins have large, colourful beaks. The top bill The ultimate sea and tongue are ridged with spikes that enable it to hold bird – the penguin: lots of fish at one time. pp. 66-67 65 Some do not return to land for five years!

Birds In the chill You have to be pretty tough to The penguin survive the freezing temperatures of the Antarctic. But some birds Most penguins, such as these emperor penguins, live in colonies, not only survive but thrive which can consist of hundreds in the chill. of thousands of birds. Penguins cannot fly but they sometimes leap into the water from icebergs. Water wings Penguins may look clumsy on land and can’t even make it into the air, but in the water they are master swimmers. They use their wings as flippers and their tails and feet to steer. Keeping warm To keep them warm in icy water and in the snow, penguins have a dense covering of waterproof feathers and many layers of fat. Egg 66 How long can a penguin stay underwater?

In the chill Other snow birds One of the few birds that lives and breeds on Antarctica all year round is the snow petrel. It is completely white, which keeps it hidden in the snow. Penguins’ feet are positioned Antarctic skua Penguin predators so far back that when they stand upright, they have to This Antarctic skua lives on or near the ice use their tails to balance in Antarctica and nests at the coast. It eats or they would topple over backwards. penguin eggs and even baby penguins if they are left unguarded. Adult penguins Turn have white and learn tummies and dark backs, which help Flightless birds: to camouflage pp. 78-79 them in the water. Other sea birds: Penguin parents pp. 64-65 King penguins tuck their eggs under their bellies, resting them on their feet. The parents take turns to look after their egg. When king penguin chicks are born, they are covered in brown, downy feathers. In very cold Slip-sliding around conditions chicks and penguins Penguins find it hard to walk, huddle together so they often slide on their bellies for warmth. over snow and ice, pushing with their flippers and feet. The chicks must be afedduultn, twilattheeryprgoroofwfeathers The emperor penguin holds the longest recorded time underwater – 20 minutes. 67

Birds Birds of prey With their huge wings, sharp talons, and hooked beaks, birds of prey are the hunting kings of the bird world. Hunting Many birds of prey spot an animal on the ground from very high up in the air with their excellent eyesight. They swoop down and grab it with their sharp talons. African hawk eagle Birds of prey Secretary bird Walkabout are the only birds that These birds are Secretary birds have kill with famous for eating incredibly longs legs. their feet. snakes, which they They rarely fly. Instead they can 68 kill by stamping be seen taking long on them. strides across the grasslands of Africa. Eagles are the most powerful of the birds of prey. They can kill animals as big as themselves. Which is the fastest bird of prey?

Red tailed Birds of prey buzzard The vulture A buzzard’s wings are huge, which means they are fast flyers Vultures are the waste that can glide and even hover collectors of the world, eating without flapping their wings. dead animals before they rot. They very rarely kill their own food. Vultures Vultures are very clean birds. After eating they will often fly long distances to have a bath. A vulture’s taste The Egyptian vulture loves ostrich eggs but cannot break Vultures don’t just eat them with its beak. Instead it dead animals. This uses a stone to crack the egg. Egyptian vulture enjoys eggs as well. Ostrich The osprey egg Ospreys have such good eyesight that they can spot fish swimming underwater. They swoop down to the surface and seize the fish in their talons, often without landing on the water. The peregrine falcon – it can dive down towards its prey at 270 kph (168 mph). 69

Birds Owl types Owls come in lots of Night flyers sizes and colours and can be found around As the sun sets, most birds settle down for a good night’s sleep. Owls and the world. nightjars, however, are preparing for a night of hunting. Great horned owl: this regal-looking owl Nightjars has ear tufts or “horns”. Nightjars rest on Spectacled owl: this the ground during the owl lives in the South day. At night they hunt, American rainforest. plucking insects out of Snowy owl: this owl the air as they fly. has extra feathers on its feet, to keep it warm, like slippers. Burrowing owl: this owl makes its nest underground. Barn owl Hooked Hidden from sight beaks help to tear During the day owls sleep, up food. often in branches of trees. Their feathers camouflage Owls them so well, as on All owls, these scops owls, such as this that people barn owl, hunt in very rarely darkness and must rely notice them. on their amazing eyesight and hearing to help them. Many owls have Owl eggs velvety fringes are almost Owls use their sharp around their flight completely talons to catch and grip feathers that make round. their wings very animals that they eat. quiet as they fly through the air. 70 What is the smallest owl in the world?

Night flyers Hunting by night In the dark owls sometimes find All owls eat small animals. They animals only by the swoop silently on their victims in sounds they make. the dark and grab them in their sharp talons. Tawny owl Most owl chicks learn to fly when they are two months old. Until then, they are fed by their parents. Owls like to eat animals, such as mice and small birds. Eating Owls cannot chew so they swallow their food whole. When they have digested the animal, they cough up the bones and fur as a small pellet. If you tear one of these pellets apart, you can see the whole skeleton of the animal it has just eaten. An owl’s mouth may look quite small Owl pellets Iranian but it can open very wide indeed. eagle owl chicks Owl chicks Rather than build nests, owls prefer to lay their eggs in holes of some kind – in trees or buildings. The male and female both help to feed the chicks. The elf owl – it is only 15 cm (6 in) tall. 71

Birds Exotic flyers The toucan uses Tropical rainforests and its massive bill places with warm climates to reach for are filled with exotic and fruits on the tips colourful birds, which of branches. are often very large. Although the bill This species of toucan looks heavy, it lives in the top of the is hollow and, rainforest canopy. therefore, very light. Chestnut- Toucan eared aracari Toucans Toucans have two toes facing forwards These birds live in the and two facing South American rainforest and backwards on surrounding areas. They are each foot. famous for their huge bills. Birds of paradise These exotic birds are from Papua New Guinea. This raggiana bird of paradise is showing off his beautiful feathers to a female by opening his wings and shaking them at her. 72 Where do budgerigars live in the wild?

Exotic flyers The parrot family Parrots are very colourful and often very noisy. They are strong fliers and good climbers. Parrots include macaws, budgerigars, lovebirds, and parakeets. Rainbow lorikeet Crested cockatoos Scarlet macaw These parrots, called cockatoos, have a bright yellow crest on their head, which they raise when they are frightened or angry. Nuts Lorikeets are the  about nuts most colourful of all parrots. They can be Almost all parrots eat found along the east fruit, nuts, and seeds. coast of Australia. They are the only birds that hold food up to their mouths using their feet. Budgerigars are Turn popular as pets for and learn their ability to mimic sounds and “talk”. Colourful creatures of the ocean: pp. 144-151 73 They live in Australia.

Birds Some game birds, like these chickens, are raised specifically Game birds to provide food for humans. Game birds live most of their lives Hen on the ground. Most are plump with Cockerel a small head, short wings, and sturdy, Good-looking males strong legs. This male common Like most male game birds, pheasant has a tough, this cockerel is more brightly Sport hooked beak for digging coloured than the hen. He up plant roots and uses his fine feathers to Game birds, such as this insects to eat. attract females. male common pheasant, are hunted by humans for Males sport, which is why they are called game birds. have bri The tail drags along ghtl the ground behind y co the male when not loured feathers...spread out. Nesting Some game birds keep their eggs warm not by Most game birds nest in shallow sitting on them, but by holes in the ground. They can burying them underground. produce more than 20 eggs in one nest – more than most other birds. Females are duller in colour than the males, to camouflage them against the ground when nesting. 74 Where are wild turkeys commonly found?

Game birds The peahen chooses Vertical take-off a peacock as her mate based entirely on Game birds are his looks. strong runners and prefer to run away from danger rather than fly. When very afraid, however, they are capable of rocketing upwards quickly with frantic, flapping wing beats. Peahen The peacock Peacock lifts his tail and shakes it at the female. Reeve’s pheasant An amazing tail When they fly upwards at speed, their wings The male peacock has the make a whirring sound most spectacular tail in the animal world. When that can startle enemies. he wants to attract attention, he raises it high. This male ptarmigan is ... that attract females. in its summer plumage. Game bird chicks Turn Colour change escape danger on the and learn ground because they Not all males are able to run and fly Courtship displays have bright between birds: feathers. Both soon after hatching. pp. 52-53 male and female willow Pheasant chicks ptarmigans change their colours throughout the seasons so they are always camouflaged. In the woodlands of the USA. 75

Birds Travelling birds Globetrotters Birds have different travel habits. Some fly The great advantage birds have is non-stop, some rest that they can fly. This means they on the way. can choose the warmest part of the world to live in at any one time. Song thrush: these small birds are night Record holder Arctic tern fliers and use the stars to find their way. The Arctic tern is the biggest traveller of all. Buzzard: these Each year, it flies the birds of prey wait whole way around the for a warm day and world from the Arctic glide for long distances. to the Antarctic and back again. Sanderling: waders eat a lot before Arctic leaving so they can fly non-stop. EUROPE Canada goose: geese PACIFIC OCEAN NORTH AFRICA Migration are fast fliers, so they use AMERICA ATLANTIC OCEAN a lot of energy and need Many birds have to stop frequently to eat. CENTRAL a summer and AMERICA a winter home Swan: these birds fly in different places. by day or night but SOUTH Their journey from rest if visibility gets poor. AMERICA one place to another is called migration. Ruby-throated hummingbird: this tiny bird flies non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico. To Antarctica Gaggles of geese Each winter, tens of thousands of snow geese leave Canada for a 2,000 km (1,250 miles) trip to California and Mexico. They follow exactly the same route each year. 76 What proportion of the world’s birds migrate each year?

Turn Birds of prey Globe trotters and learn Hawks, buzzards, and eagles Bald Waterfowl: from North America fly south eagle pp. 62-63 to warmer climates as the Birds of prey winter approaches. pp. 68-69 galiirdce.urrents warm them e help Eagles us to Knots Knots leave the Arctic in the autumn and fly towards South America. They travel over the 3,218 km (2,000 miles) of ocean non-stop. “V” formation Many birds fly in a “v” formation because the bird in front makes the air easier to fly through for the ones behind. About one third of all birds in the world migrate. 77

Birds Flightless birds New Zealand birds There are so few Some birds cannot fly even though mammals here that some they have wings. Often, as a result birds have no need to fly. of this, they become excellent at running or swimming instead. Kakapo: this flightless bird is the world’s The ostrich rarest parrot. has a long neck and a Kiwi: the kiwi lives on the small head. ground. Its feathers are so small they look like fur. Takahe: these birds were almost extinct, but are slowly increasing in numbers. Rapid runners Ostriches are the fastest bird runners in the world. In fact they are faster than racehorses – they can reach speeds of 75 kph (45 mph). The ostrich Ostrich Ostriches are the The ostrich is world’s largest the only bird birds. They have in the world feathers, which look to have only more like fur, to keep two toes. them warm. Even though they can’t fly Moving in flocks they still have small wings, which are not Like flying birds, ostriches and emus used for flying, but may live in large groups, called flocks. have various other uses like shading their young. Which bird lays the largest eggs? 78

Flightless wings Flightless birds One reason birds have wings is to make Penguins a quick escape from predators. If birds don’t have predators, they have no need to fly The penguin uses its and may lose this ability over time. wings as flippers to “fly” underwater. Its Flightless birds, like this feathers are short rhea, have wings that and stiff to help keep them warm they don’t use for flying. in cold climates. Turn Flightless cormorants and learn The Galápagos Islands off western Penguins: South America have no animals pp. 66-67 that kill birds, so their cormorants Bird’s eggs: have lost the ability to fly. They pp. 56-57 have become good swimmers. Rheas and Rearing rheas emus have three large Most birds’ eggs are looked after by their toes that all mothers, but in the rhea family the father face forwards. is in charge. He sometimes looks after up to 60 eggs, all from different mothers, in one nest. Large flightless birds have thick legs, which help them to run fast. The father looks after the babies until they are five months old. The ostrich. 79

Reptiles and amphibians Reptiles and amphibians Flying gecko Reptiles and amphibians are the “cold-blooded” creatures of our world. Most amphibians, which include frogs and toads, live near water. Reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, Baby caiman are found both on land and in water. Green tree python Anole lizards Baby spectacled caiman Cold-blooded Common snake- Cold-blooded creatures do not have necked turtle cold blood. Cold-blooded means they are the same temperature Common snapping turtle as the air or water around them. If they are cold, they Madagascan sunbathe. If hot, they day gecko seek shade. Rattlesnake 80 Are snakes reptiles or amphibians?

Green Reptiles have Reptiles and amphibians anaconda scaly skin. Picture Detective Wagler’s Take a look through the pit viper reptiles and amphibians pages and see if you can spot who these skins belong to. Ornate horned toad Indian starred tortoise European common frog Diadem snake White’s tree frog Asian tree toad Turn and learn Green iguana Creatures with scales: pp. 142-151 Snakes are reptiles. 81

Reptiles The world of reptiles Reptiles are mainly egg-laying Eating habits animals that have a tough skin covered in scales. They live Most reptiles are meat-eaters, on land and in water. apart from tortoises, which move too slowly to catch fast-moving prey. The reptile groups Reptiles can Lizards, such as this gecko, There are four main eat huge can eat half their own weight groups of reptiles. in insects in one night. meals, then go without All reptiles shed food for days. their skin from time to time. The tortoise family: Most reptiles, these reptiles all have like this lizard, Flying gecko a shell over their bodies. swing their Hot and cold Snakes and lizards: bodies from the majority of reptiles side to side Reptiles have scales, fall into this group. when walking. which can control how much water they lose The crocodile family: through their skin. This this group are the giants means they can live in of the reptile world. dry places. They are, however, cold–blooded, Tuataras: these reptiles and so rely on the are very rare and look climate to keep their a bit like lizards. bodies warm. European eyed lizard Reptile babies Nearly all reptiles lay eggs, which hatch into miniature versions of their parents. However, a few, such as this slow worm, give birth to live young. This lizard, which lives in the desert, 82 basks on rocks to warm up its body. What is the longest snake in the world?

Tuataras live in The world of reptiles burrows and hunt at night. They can Living fossils live for 100 years. Tuataras are the only survivors of a group of reptiles that lived with the dinosaurs millions of years ago. Today, they live on a group of islands off New Zealand. Scaly skin Reptile relatives A reptile’s skin is covered with scales made of The reptiles of today are keratin, like your nails. living relatives of dinosaurs and look very similar to Tortoise: the shell their ancient ancestors.You of a tortoise has lots of can see similarities between large, hard scales on it. the Tyrannosaurus rex and this lizard. Lizard: lizards’ scales have stretchy skin Tyrannosaurus rex between them. Crocodile: these scales are strengthened in between by bony plates. Snake: the skin on snakes has overlapping scales for extra protection. Turn Collared and learn lizard Snails: pp. 132-133 The reticulated python can reach lengths of 10 m (33 ft). 83

Reptiles Under a shell You can spot tortoises or turtles because they carry their homes on their backs – these domes, called shells, are attached to their bodies. Tortoise or turtle? Tortoise Shell shapes The main difference between these two Shells are hard and protect the body. They reptiles is that tortoises live on land and come in many shapes. turtles live in water. Starred tortoise: their Turtles high domed shells are difficult to attack. African red-necked turtle: flatter shells help turtles slip through water. Red-footed tortoise: these tortoises have unusually long shells. Tortoises Turtles Tortoises walk very slowly Turtles live under water. because of their heavy shells. They sometimes poke They have short, stocky legs their heads out to breathe, but they can that support their weight. also breathe through They spend most their skin. Some of the day can stay under the eating plants. surface for weeks. 84 Do tortoises have teeth?

Eggs and babies Tortoises and Under a shell turtles are born Most turtle and tortoise eggs are completely complete with Race to the ocean round, like ping-pong balls. Some are hard, their shells. but others are quite soft to touch. The Turtles return to land to lay eggs babies peck their way out of the eggs. – sometimes thousands of them on one beach. When they hatch, Hinge-back Hiding on the spot the babies all make a rush for tortoise the sea where they will live. When a tortoise feels threatened, it quickly pulls Galápagos giants its legs and head under its shell, and keeps very still. The biggest tortoises in the The shell is too hard for world live on the Galápagos any animal to eat. Islands off the coast of South Tortoises’ shells are made of bone. America. They can be 1.8 m (6 ft) long – that’s as long as a man is tall! The Galápagos tortoise can live up to 150 years old. Experts believe that tortoises lived among the dinosaurs 200 million years ago and have changed little since. No, instead they have sharp jaws that can snip twigs and leaves. 85

Reptiles Introducing lizards There are over 40,000 different types Most lizards have of lizard, living in habitats ranging sharp teeth along the from deserts to rainforests. They are particularly fond of hot places. edges of their jaws. Lizards Tokay gecko Lizards have scaly bodies and four feet that Slow worm each have five fingers. As lizards grow, they shed their skin about once a month. Legless lizards Madagascan This slow worm is not a worm – day gecko it’s a lizard. It looks like a snake but, unlike snakes, it has eyelids and a notched tongue, whereas snakes’ tongues are forked. Some lizards have no eyelids. They lick their eyes to clean them. Day gecko Most geckos prefer to be active at night but this Madagascan day gecko likes the daylight. It lives in forests and eats small insects and fruit. 86 Which is the fastest lizard on Earth?

Flying lizards Introducing lizards Lizards can’t fly, Getting around but some can glide from tree to tree. Lizards are extremely agile. This lizard has skin They can run very fast, some around its body climb trees, and some can that opens out, like a even walk on water! parachute. Climbing lizards, such Eggs as chameleons, have Most lizards lay long claws that grip eggs on the ground. onto branches. Laying: lizards lay their eggs among Sticky fingers leaves on the ground or in sandy holes. Geckos have special toe pads covered in millions Eggs: the eggs are soft Chameleon of tiny hair-like spikes. and leathery – easier These spikes can grip to break out of. any surface, so geckos are able climb up walls Hatching: after The chameleon’s and even along ceilings. two to three tail helps it to weeks the balance when Crested lizards hatch. it perches on water thin twigs. dragon Babies: baby lizards look like 87 their parents. Walking on water When they want to go faster, some lizards, like this crested water dragon, run on their hind legs. The basilisk lizard above can even run for short distances across the surface of the water, its wide feet pushing it along at high speed. The racerunner can run at 29 kph (18 mph) – that’s faster than most people can run.

Reptiles Hunting and defence Some lizards are Get lost! fast runners, so they can get away from When the frilled lizard feels threatened, it doesn’t danger quickly. run away. Instead it opens its umbrella-like frill They also use their around its neck, rocks its body, and hisses loudly. speed to catch This is often enough to scare the enemy away. smaller animals for food. d opens out, it looks four times bigger. When the loose skin on a frilled lizar The frilled lizard also lashes its tail backwards and forwards. Turn Frilled and learn lizard Insect defence: pp. 114-115 Fish defence: pp. 148-149 88 What is unusual about a chameleon’s eyes?

Chameleon Hunting and defence Losing the tail Lunch time Some lizards are able Most lizards eat meat. Some to detach part of their eat small animals; some tail if it is grabbed. Often can eat animals bigger than the tail will carry on wiggling themselves. This chameleon when it has broken off, which flicks out its enormous, can distract the enemy. sticky tongue and catches insects This tree skink has broken on the tip. its tail and is growing a new one. The Komodo dragon can grow to 3 m (10 ft) long. Enter the dragon A touch of venom The Komodo dragon is the largest of all The Gila monster is one of only two species of venomous lizards. It is so powerful it can catch and lizards. When it has caught a kill animals bigger than itself. It has victim, it chews the venom into their bodies to a long forked tongue that it uses kill them. to taste the air and search out dead animals. It lives in Indonesia. Thorny Gila devil monster Thorny defence The thorny devil has a very tough defence. Its back is covered with sharp spines, which make picking it up and eating it very difficult indeed. Chameleons can move their eyes in different directions. 89

Reptiles Slithering snakes Snakes can survive anywhere, from Types of snake cold climates to the hot deserts and Snakes can be divided rainforests of the world – you can into four different groups, even find them underwater. or families. Getting around A snake’s forked Typical snakes: this family tongue flicks in is the biggest of the four. Snakes have no arms and no legs. Instead the air to smell they have a bendy body that wriggles. food or alert it Vipers: they have Some slither in a straight line, others to enemies. venomous fangs and like this viper wiggle in an “s” shape. live in the hot places. Red-tailed Constrictors: kill their prey racer by squeezing them to death. Cobras and kraits: they are some of the most deadly creatures alive. Snakes have no eyelids, so they cannot blink. Snake senses Snakes can’t see or hear very well, but they can smell much better than you or me. They use their forked tongues to smell and taste the air around them. Turn and learn Snake defence: pp. 92-93 Snake-like eel: p. 149 90 What is the smallest snake?

Some tree snakes have ridges Slithering snakes on their bellies, which help them to grip Tree climbers onto branches. Many snakes live in trees, coiling themselves around the branches. They tend to have long tails to help them climb and balance. Snakes everywhere Snakes have veryTree snakes can find birds’ benests in the trees using Snake body shapes are ndsmell in order to attack adapted to where they live. y band eat the chicks. Ground snakes have heavy bodies to slide through soil, odies.Hibernating while sea snakes have oar-like tails for swimming. Snakes can’t control their Most sea snakes, body temperature very well such as this sea so those that live in cold krait, are incredibly climates often have a long venomous. sleep, or hibernation, during the winter. Garter They can survive snakes for many months without eating. Laying eggs Snakes lay eggs but most do not make good parents. The python coils itself around its eggs to keep them warm, but most snakes leave them, so the young must fend for themselves. The thread snake – it is not much bigger than a worm. 91

Reptiles Attack and defence All snakes eat animals, including Forms of defence smaller snakes. But other animals also Snakes have many other find snakes a tasty meal, so they have defences that protect to be experts at defending themselves them from enemies. as well as hunting for food. Playing dead: the grass snake lies with its mouth open pretending to be dead. Camouflage: this viper’s colouring camouflages it among the leaves. Rattlers: the rattlesnake shakes its tail making a loud warning noise. When Protection Spitting Attack danger cobra threatens, Snakes have various ways to protect Cobras are among the cobra themselves. Some snakes, such as the most dangerous rears up its the forest pit viper above, have long snakes on Earth; head and fangs containing deadly venom. their venom can hisses. If When threatened, they bite. easily kill humans. this doesn’t This spitting cobra frighten the enemy away, squirts venom at its it strikes. victims, which can permanently blind them. 92 Which is the most venomous snake in the world?

Cunning Attack and defence Snakes creep up Eating habits on their victims then lunge at them Snakes eat pretty incredibly quickly. much anything that They kill larger moves, from ants and victims before they snails to goats and eat them, either by crocodiles. The egg- injecting venom or crushing them. eating snake can swallow eggs bigger Green cat snake than its head! It then squeezes the insides out Many snakes are and vomits up the shell. well camouflaged against their Egg-eating snake background, which makes it easier The snake’s jaws are for them to elastic and stretch wide to stalk victims. allow it to eat big animals. The egg is squashed by muscles inside the snake’s body. Snakes can eat so much in one meal A tight squeeze that they don’t have to feed for weeks. Constrictors, such as this anaconda, wrap themselves around their victims and squeeze them until they can’t breathe. This snake will eat this large alligator whole! Turn and learn How lizards defend themselves against enemies: pp. 88-89 The “fierce snake”, found in Australia, is the most venomous. 93

Reptiles Crocodiles and alligators Lurking beneath the water are the Crocodilians monsters of the reptile world. Meet There are three the wild, ferocious crocodilians. types of crocodilians. This animal Fierce crocs Gharial: this is a caiman, a crocodilian has type of alligator Crocodilians are large, meat-eating reptiles a long thin snout. that lives in that live in water, but sometimes hunt on land as Alligator: it has Central and a shorter, broader South America. well. They all have very powerful jaws and teeth. snout and lives in the Americas. Crocodilians have three eyelids on Crocodile: unlike each eye – one the alligator, it has acts like goggles teeth showing when underwater. its mouth is closed. Water beasts Crocodilians cannot chew. Crocodiles and alligators Spectacled live in water and are very caiman good swimmers. Their eyes and nostrils are on top of their head so that they can see, breathe, and hunt with the rest of their bodies underwater. Most crocodilians live in freshwater rivers and lakes, although a few species also venture out to sea. Day to day Crocodilians lead fairly lazy lives. During the morning and evening they lie on banks basking in the sun with their mouths open. This helps them to warm up or cool down. They spend the night in the water. 94 How big can crocodiles grow?

Crocodiles and alligators Parenting The temperature at which the female keeps the Crocodilians make very good eggs determines whether parents. Males attract females they are male or female. by bellowing and blowing bubbles. The female lays her eggs near the water and guards them fiercely. Baby crocodile being carried by its mother Parenthood Nile crocodile The female stays with the eggs until they hatch into tiny versions of their parents. Often the mother will then pop the babies into her mouth and carry them to the safety of the water. They shake and tear meat. Crocodiles and Turn A large appetite alligators only and learn eat about 50 Crocodilians are some of the world’s great meals a year. Other reptiles meat-eaters. Often, like this crocodile, they wait that enjoy the at the water’s edge for an animal to take a drink, water – turtles: then they attack, grabbing it with their massive jaws. They can kill animals bigger than themselves. pp. 84-85 95 Saltwater crocodiles can grow up to a massive 6 m (20 ft) – that’s as long as a large car.

Amphibians The world of amphibians Amphibians are different Amphibians There are three main from reptiles in that they types of amphibians. have smooth skin with no Frogs and toads: these amphibians have no tail scales. They are born in and big back legs. water, then live on Newts and salamanders: these land or in water lizard-shaped animals live on land or in water. Fire when they grow up. salamander Caecilians: these worm-like creatures Amazing skin have no legs. Most adult amphibians, such as this salamander, can breathe through their skin as well as their lungs. In order for the skin to breathe it has to be kept moist, which is why most amphibians like to live near water. Turn Colourful creatures and learn Many amphibians are incredibly Mammals that colourful creatures. Some are also like to live spotted, others are striped, and in water: some are just very bright. pp. 44-45 96 What is the world’s most poisonous frog?

The world of amphibians A choice of home Frogs and toads can live both on land and in water. Some even live in trees. Land frogs Water living tend to be more rounded in shape Some salamanders than water frogs. spend the whole of their lives underwater. This cave salamander does not have any lungs; it breathes using gills, like a fish. It is almost blind. all trees. of t live in the tops Caecilians Some frogs Legless caecilians are rarely seen by humans because they live either underwater or underground. They have a pointed head, which they use as a shovel. Tomato frogs If an animal is poisonous it is often a very bright colour that warns predators. Travelling parents Common newt Each spring salamanders, newts, 97 frogs, and toads lay their eggs in ponds or streams. Some travel 5 km (3 miles) to get there. The most poisonous frog is the golden poison dart frog.

Amphibians Frogs and toads White’s tree frog Frogs and toads have short, Frogs often tubby bodies and large heads have longer back legs than toads. with bulging eyes. They have no visible neck and most have Frog or toad? a very wide mouth. Frogs and toads live in lots of different There are not many differences between frogs and toads. Toads tend to have warty skin, while frogs have smooth skin. habitats around the world. In order to leap, the frog straightens its legs and pushes away... North Legs and leaping American leopard frog Frogs are well known for their high leaps into the air, which they Frogs leap to make using their muscular back legs. move around and Because these are longer than the front to escape danger. ones, they stay folded until it’s time to jump! Making more frogs Tadpoles live under water Each spring, thousands of frogs return to the water to find a until they are frogs. mate and lay their eggs. Large clumps of these eggs, called Spawn spawn, are laid together, covered in jelly to protect them. 98 How many eggs can frogs and toads lay in a lifetime?