Technology Nonfiction

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.

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.

Late in 2013, snowy owls started showing up in places no one expected to find them - including Florida. What had caused so many of these majestic birds to leave their Arctic home and fly to southern Canada and the United States? Scientists quickly began working to find out. Author Sandra Markle brings together firsthand reports from the scientists involved along with stunning photographs of the owls to explain this rare event, known as an irruption.

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.

What color are your eyes? Brown is the most common color. But some people have blue, green, gray, hazel, or amber eyes. What determines your eye color? Listen to this book to find out about how your genes affect your physical features.

Ring-tailed lemurs have bushy, striped tails. Newborn lemurs hold onto their mothers' bellies. Within a few weeks, they learn to walk and climb. Baby lemurs climb trees to find food and sleep. How do baby lemurs grow and change? Listen to this book to find out.

Ostriches are the largest birds in the world, but they cannot fly. Ostrich chicks hatch from their eggs. Then they grow quickly. Chicks practice running. This makes their legs strong and fast. How do baby ostriches grow and change? Listen to this book to find out! This title also includes fun facts, a glossary, and more!

Hippos are big animals that live in Africa. Hippo calves are born underwater. They are strong swimmers. Baby hippos spend most of their time in the water. Their mothers help them stay safe from predators. How do baby hippos grow and change? Listen to this book to find out! This title also includes fun facts, a glossary, and more!

Honeybees are a crucial part of our food chain. As they gather nectar from flowers to make sweet honey, these bees also play an important role in pollination, helping some plants produce fruit. But large numbers of honeybees are disappearing every year...and no one knows why. Is a fungus killing them? Could a poor diet be the cause? What about changes to bees' natural habitat? In this real-life science mystery, scientists and beekeepers are working to answer these questions...and save the world's honeybees before it's too late.

Chimpanzees live in forests in Africa. Baby chimpanzees cannot walk. They ride on their mothers' backs. Baby chimpanzees first learn to climb. They learn how to walk at about age four. How do baby chimpanzees grow and change? Listen to this book to find out! This title also includes fun facts, a glossary, and more!

Discover eye-opening facts about a collection of go-getting women who have pioneered careers in a kaleidoscope of different industries. Prepare yourself for a celebration of women who opened doors and made it possible for more women to achieve amazing things today. List of women featured: Junko Tabei, Sophie Blanchard, Maria Merian, Elizabeth Magie, the London Matchgirls, Rosa May Billinghurst, Katherine Johnson, Annette Kellerman, Katia Krafft, Rosalind Franklin, James Barry, Madam C.J. Walker and Lotte Reiniger.

African lions are powerful hunters. Newborn cubs are born with their eyes tightly closed. Their eyes open at about a week old. Lion cubs grow up in a group called a pride. Cubs learn how to hunt by watching the adults. How do baby lions grow and change? Listen to this book to find out!

How does iron turn into a brand-new car? Follow each step in the production cycle - from digging up iron ore to hitting the road - in this fascinating book!

On a hot day in the African savannah, a group of elephants searches for food. While foraging they often lose sight of one another. Yet at the end of the day, in one coordinated movement, the elephants suddenly regroup. This coordinated movement - and others like it - has puzzled scientists and caused them to question how elephants communicate with each other. Since the 1990s, scientists have gathered significant data on elephant “talk.”

Asian elephants and Mexican long-nosed bats are two examples of endangered mammals. Few of them exist in the wild. Other mammals have already gone extinct. What hurts these animals? What can you do to help? Read this book to find out!

Zebras are speedy, striped animals that roam the African grasslands. Zebra foals can stand right after birth. Foals eat grasses and grow quickly. They learn how to survive from their mothers. They must be fast to run from predators. How do baby zebras grow and change? Read this book to find out! This title also includes fun facts, a glossary, and more!

Giraffes are the tallest animals in the world. Baby giraffes grow fast. Soon they are almost as tall as their mothers. Baby giraffes' coats blend in with the African grasses. This keeps them safe from lions and leopards. How do baby giraffes grow and change? Listen to this book to find out!

African elephants are the largest animals that live on land. Elephant calves are born into a big family. They play with other calves. Calves learn to use their trunks. They drink water and make loud noises. How do baby elephants grow and change?

Short-nosed sea snakes and blue iguanas are two examples of endangered reptiles. Few of them exist in the wild. Other reptiles have already gone extinct. What hurts these animals? What can you do to help? Listen to this audiobook to find out!

Helicopters can take off from almost anywhere and change directions quickly. They can even hover. But how do they stay in the air? And how do pilots control these special aircraft? Listen to this book to find out!