When Lunch Fights Back: Wickedly Clever Animal Defenses - Softcover

Johnson, Rebecca L

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1512400009 ISBN 13: 9781512400007

Publisher: Millbrook Press (Tm), 2015

Synopsis

The octopus spies a nice, tasty mantis shrimp. It swims over for a closer look at the small creature. Then--WHAM!--the mantis shrimp strikes a nasty blow with its hammer-like forelimb. The octopus shrinks back, defeated. That wasn't such an easy meal after all . . .

In nature, good defenses can mean the difference between surviving a predator's attack and becoming its lunch. Some animals rely on sharp teeth and claws or camouflage. But that's only the beginning. Meet creatures with some of the strangest defenses known to science. How strange? Hagfish that can instantaneously produce oodles of gooey, slippery slime; frogs that poke their own toe bones through their skin to create claws; young birds that shoot streams of stinking poop; and more.

About this title

Review:

"This title explodes with fascinating facts and action-packed photographs that convey how different creatures have evolved to escape predators. Each chapter is chock-full of interesting tidbits ('Hagfish are nicknamed snot eels for good reason: they can release handfuls of slippery slime in seconds'). Chapters begin with a gripping description of the creature evading a hungry animal, followed by a section called 'The Science Behind the Story, ' which explains the mechanics of the survival method. The book is well designed, featuring bold splotches of color that accent each page and large, colorful photographs layered with info-bubbles highlighting key details. Readers will also find a variety of additional resources, such as books, websites, and YouTube videos. A visually stimulating and informative addition." --School Library Journal

--Journal

"Any book that features animals that protect themselves with slime clouds, shooting blood out of their eyes, and foul smelling vomit is sure to be a hit with young readers. The author uses short stories to introduce each creature and their unique defense mechanisms. When the reader turns the page they receive the scientific information behind the narrative. The work of scientists who study each creature is referenced. High quality photographs and attractive page layouts make this book visually appealing and complement the text perfectly. A list of websites and videos is included so that students can see these creatures in action. This combination of storytelling, scientific fact, and attractive photographs will appeal to many readers, especially boys. Bibliography. Glossary. Table of Contents. [Editor's Note: Available in e-book format.] Highly Recommended."―starred, Library Media Connection

--Journal

"Here's blood in your eye.

Along with the ever popular hagfish (aka 'snot eel') and the horned lizard--which can indeed squirt blood from one or both eyes--Johnson (Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature's Undead, 2012) profiles 10 animals with particularly noxious defense mechanisms. Likewise introducing researchers who have helped to provide 'the science behind the story, ' she explains the nature of each defense and, in simple but specific language, the biology that makes it work. Large color photos feature a mix of portrait views and close-ups of relevant body parts, to which spatters of blood and dripping ichor on each page add melodramatic visual motifs. This is an outstanding way for readers to meet scientists at work in both field and lab, as well as to learn that, for instance, fulmar chicks can project vomit up to 6 feet and, creepily, that a school of the Amazonian two-spot astyanax will attack and eject one of its own to distract an approaching predator.

Thrilling reading for budding biologists." --starred, Kirkus Reviews

--Journal

"From the award-winning science author Johnson comes another somewhat gross but definitely engrossing book. She introduces eight lesser-known animals with natural defenses to ward off unsuspecting predators. For each animal, a color photograph takes center stage on the first page, accompanied by a text box with vital statistics and followed by an encounter between the animal and a predator. Then, in 'The Science behind the Story, ' abundant photos accompany biologists' explanations of how the natural defense mechanisms work. For instance, a peacock mantis shrimp's forelimbs can move about 50 mph in 1.8 milliseconds to land a powerful knockout punch to an octopus. One such shrimp even shattered the wall of a researcher's aquarium. As she researched the animals, Johnson talked with and learned from the scientists who study these interesting creatures. Includes detailed source notes, a glossary, a bibliography, and more. Some of the animals are featured in other similar books, but few bring them together with such a punch." --Booklist

--Journal

About the Author:

Rebecca L. Johnson writes award-winning nonfiction for children and young adults about scientific discoveries and the scientists who make them. She hopes her books will inspire new generations of scientists by introducing readers to some of the remarkable species with whom we share the planet. Learn more at www.rebeccajohnsonbooks.com.

About this edition

• Publisher: Millbrook Press (Tm)
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1512400009
• ISBN 13: 9781512400007
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 48