Discovery Animals

Meet Speedy, a vibrant Blue Betta, also known as a Siamese Fighting Fish and Betta Splendens in the world of ichthyology. Living in a small bowl, Speedy finds himself perplexed by the reflection he sees daily, mistaking it for a rival Blue Betta. With the spirit of a Japanese fighting fish, Speedy prepares diligently to defend his territory, training harder each day to become faster and stronger. His determination grows as he waits for his adversary to return. But then, a realization dawns on him: there is no need for an actual fight.

Did you know that women once wore corsets under their bathing suits? Or that "semi-drowning" - the strip and plunge practice - was thought to be good for one's health? Or that Pudgy Stockton, the body-building queen of Muscle Beach, California, opened the country's first gym for women? From the bathhouses of the ancient Greeks to Venice Beach and Coney Island, Let's Go to the Beach takes a multifaceted and well-researched look at beaches and their attendant customs.

Acclaimed science author Sandra Markle offers a fascinating look at Gobi bears - the rarest bears on the planet. These adorable animals face threats ranging from illegal gold miners to climate change. Find out more about these bears, which are considered a national treasure in Mongolia, and learn what scientists are doing to help this critically endangered species.

In the dark, Kristofer Helgen and a group of scientists peered up into the treetops of the Ecuadorian cloud forest. Staring back at them was a furry, four-legged creature. Could it be the mysterious, wild olinguito? Helgen had been studying the olingo, a relative of raccoons, for years. As he examined their pelts and skulls in museums, he noticed differences in a few. Through scientific investigating, he realized the different examples weren't olingos at all - he had discovered a completely new species.

Southern white rhinos are in trouble. For years, a rumor has been spreading that their horns can be used to cure cancer, and poachers have been targeting these gentle creatures. Sandra Markle takes listeners behind the scenes to see how civilians, volunteer organizations, and African governments are working together to protect rhinos.

In the cloud forests of the Amazon Basin, scientists are installing extraordinary numbers of camera traps in the hopes of learning more about an elusive species - woolly monkeys. No one knows for sure how many woolly monkeys are left in the wild. But they play a key role in their ecosystem, and without them the rain forest is in trouble. Join scientists on their quest to solve the mysteries surrounding the lives of woolly monkeys before it's too late. Scan QR codes inside the book to see and hear the monkeys!

Freya the Chocolate Rabbit and her friends, Lyra, Skye and Melinda have found a rare, magical flower, which they decide to keep a secret. They look after it together at first, but then they start to argue about the best way to keep the flower safe. Freya starts to wonder how her and her friends will make up . . . and what will happen when the flower blooms.

African penguins waddle around nesting colonies in lower numbers than ever before. Despite South African government efforts to protect the penguin colonies and their ocean fish supply, young penguins still struggle to survive. Fuzzy chicks waiting for food in open nests may overheat in the sun or become prey. Others simply may not get enough food to survive on their own once their parents leave.

Little brown bats do us a big favor. They eat huge numbers of insects! That helps limit the spread of diseases and the damage that insects do to farm crops. But in recent years, large populations of little brown bats have been dying off each winter. Is a virus killing them? Could climate change or pesticides be the cause? Or is it something else? Follow a team of dedicated scientists working to save the little brown bats in this real-life science mystery.

On this adventure, Mr. Waldorf discovers the huge Russia. The curious canine encounters fun new friends and places while visiting Saint Petersburg, the Ural Mountains, Lake Baikai, Russian State Library and more. Silly Mr. Waldorf has a tendency to misplace his favorite reading spectacles and can't seem to find them while discovering the largest country in the world. Mr. Waldorf will learn all about Russia, while seeking his missing spectacles.

Amy embarked on an amazing alphabet adventure, guided by a magical book. Each letter of the alphabet introduced her to a new animal friend and a delightful story. From Antelope to Zebra, Amy explored the wonders of the animal kingdom, learning valuable lessons along the way.

Ocean and his little brother, Kingston, explore the beautiful island of Maui in search of a sunrise shell for their mom’s birthday gift. But with a rumbling volcano and so much to unearth, will the boys ever find the special shell? Celebrity couple Carlos and Alexa PenaVega, known for their starring roles in Big Time Rush and Spy Kids, respectively, debut their first children’s book, inspired by their firstborn son, Ocean, and their home in Hawaii.

Columbus forever changed America the moment he discovered it. Because along with his discovery are the new species of plants and animals that would be introduced to the natives. Also, there were diseases that were felt by the natives for the first time. This book focuses on the many changes that came with Columbus’ discovery. Hear about them today.