Bad to the Bone: Nastiest Animals

Army ants, with their armored bodies and knifelike jaws, are formidable insects, especially in large groups. These incredible creatures work so well together that they intertwine their bodies to create nests and even bridges across water! Readers will be engrossed by interesting information about army ant colonies and mesmerized by vivid photographs of army ants in action. "That's Nasty!" fact boxes augment the text with fun supplementary details, and a map and graphic organizer allow readers to review their understanding.

Wolverines are full of nasty surprises. Not only does this rough, tough predator have razor-sharp claws, incredibly strong jaws, and killer senses of smell and hearing, it can also release a very potent "stink bomb" to scare away its enemies! Wolverines spend most of their time trying to fill their bellies, though. These ferocious mammals are built to survive in their northern habitats. Readers will enjoy this entertaining account of wolverines in the wild, full of hair-raising facts and stunning action photographs.

A honey badger's reputation as one of the most fearless animals in nature is much deserved. This omnivorous member of the weasel family is well equipped to take on lethal cobras and other predators. Honey badgers, which live in Africa, the Middle East, and India, have special adaptations such as thick skin and sharp teeth that make them fearsome fighters. They even have the ability to release a stinky liquid! Readers will learn much more about honey badgers' abilities and lives in this entertaining look at one of nature's toughest creatures. Colorful photographs make the resilient animal come to life.

Mongooses, with their long body, short legs, and pointy snouts, are cute furry animals, unless you're an enemy. Then, it doesn't matter how dangerous the situation, they aren't afraid to fight. Mongooses are famous for going head-to-head with venomous king cobras and adders! Readers will discover the adaptations that equip mongooses for these battles, including lightning-quick reflexes and razor-sharp teeth. They'll also learn some odd quirks about some mongoose species, such as how they crack open eggs by throwing them at rocks. A habitat map, graphic organizer, and photographs of mongooses in action will make readers feel like mongoose experts.

Red devil squid have a forbidding name for a reason. They can be pretty scary to their prey, ripping them apart with their incredibly sharp beak! Also called jumbo squid because of their size, these aggressive mollusks are effective predators with some terrifying body parts. An eye as large as a pool ball, eight arms with up to 200 suckers, and two very long barbed tentacles prepare red devil squid for the hunt in the deep, dark ocean. Readers will feel like marine biologists as they learn even more fascinating facts about these fierce and fascinating ocean beasts.

Incredibly, the little creatures called mantis shrimp are one of the most dangerous animals in the ocean, at least to the marine life they hunt. These crustaceans have claws so strong that they've broken aquarium glass with them! Mantis shrimp are also nicknamed "thumb-splitters" because of their painful encounters with people. This fascinating book is filled with riveting facts that will leave the reader amazed at how such a small creature can wield such power. Adaptations and habitats are two science topics that are discussed in this complement to any animal book collection.