Nonfiction Zoology

The Komodo Dragon is the world’s largest lizard! Listeners will learn all about this real-life dragon that roams only a few small islands on Earth.

Some animals have minds of their own. This is certainly the case for Mariska, the horse escape artist; Milkshake, the charging cow; and Pony, the runaway goat! When these animals put their minds to something, they can't be stopped - especially when they are causing mischief. In Horse Escape Artist, you'll find out how these determined animals caused chaos in three hilarious stories.

Blue whales are the largest animals to ever have lived on Earth! But they are often hidden from human eyes deep beneath ocean waves. Find out their secrets and get all the facts about these majestic water mammals.

Squeal! Guinea pigs make fun pets. Some have long hair and some have almost no hair at all. Some have crests on their heads and others have droopy ears. Young listeners will learn about the appearance and behavior of guinea pigs, and discover why these playful rodents make great pets.

Bearded dragons don’t breathe fire, but they do have spikes to scare away predators! Listeners will learn all about this real-life dragon that lives only in Australia.

Meow! Meow! Cats make fun pets. Some have short hair and some have long hair. Some have flat noses and others have stubby tails. Young listeners will learn about the appearance, behavior, and abilities of pet cats, and discover why these curious creatures make amazing pets.

Capuchins are cute and clever members of the monkey family. From food to homes to behavior, learn the facts on these pink-faced primates.

Polar bears look cuddly, but beware! Their curved claws, powerful jaws, and jagged teeth all help them attack and kill prey. Discover how the world’s biggest land predator finds its next meal.

Imagine living with a pack of wolves! For National Geographic wildlife documentarians Jim and Jamie Dutcher, that dream came true. Join the Dutchers as they discover what life is like among wolves in the western wilderness.

World-famous zoologist Dian Fossey is remembered for her inspiring work studying the mountain gorillas of central Africa’s isolated Virunga Mountains. Her tireless devotion to understanding - and actively protecting - these shy and gentle primates introduced them to an admiring public and promoted values of conservation in the African nations they inhabit. In 1966, Dian Fossey left home for Africa to conduct field research on mountain gorillas. It was her second trip to Africa, but it wouldn’t be her last.

Few activities grip our attention more than animal watching. Dolphins and seals bring us much joy, and sharks and alligators hold us in awe. But animals can also prompt a variety of fascinating questions. Why do dolphins sometimes surf? How well can birds of prey actually see? Why do giant pandas eat bamboo fast food? Why are cavities essential to one reptile's survival? What effect can a slight temperature change have on alligator hatchlings? How can some seals stay underwater so long and dive so deeply without harm?

A small reptile scurries across a rock under the hot sun. It's a lizard! Learn more about these desert animals.

Snowy owls make their homes in the icy white lands of the north. In these snowy places, they are perfectly camouflaged. Learn more about this giant owl!

Ocean animals' special features help them survive in all parts of their watery homes, from the deep dark depths to busy coral reefs. Learn all about the amazing adaptations of ocean animals.

What do insects eat? Do insects have bones? Buzz through the chapters of this book to learn all about insects.

What happens when conservationists meet rhinos in trouble? They arrange to airlift them to safety! Follow National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence Dereck and Beverly Joubert as they move rhinos out of harm's way and meet a courageous little Hawaiian monk seal and a pair of Siberian tiger cubs fighting for survival.

On a cold January day in 2017, nearly two months before due date, Nile hippopotamus Bibi gave her keepers at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden a big surprise: a tiny newborn hippo, no bigger than a football. The first premature hippo born and raised in captivity, baby Fiona was an underdog from the start: She couldn't nurse, she couldn't stay hydrated, and she wasn't thriving. But the staff at the zoo knew they could save her.

Explore colorful animals across the globe!

With a quick flip of the tongue, a frog catches its next meal. Learn all about theses long-legged amphibians in Frogs.

Brr! Polar bears live in cold places. Learn other things about these animals inside this book.