There are 1.371 million animal species on Earth, each with their own quirky characteristics... keep reading to learn some bonkers and hysterical facts about a few of them! Like the time my friend's hearing aid was stolen by a kookaburra Or the time I saw a dolphin beach itself to eat a school of fish Or the bizarre courting rituals of echidnas Or that cockroaches can survive without their heads Or that platypuses glow in the dark! People won't protect things they don't love. People won't love things they don't know. Here's your kid's chance (and your chance, too) to get to know some awesome, amazing, and amusing animals! This book is academically oriented and full of scientific facts... with a comedic twist! For example, you'll also discover: Which animals have technicolor bodies Which insects have been known to engage in mutiny Which animals are the most dedicated parents (you might be surprised!) Which population of insects weigh more than humans! In case you haven't guessed yet, this isn't your average wildlife book that's heavy on the beautiful pictures and light on the animal facts. This 26-chapter book (reading level age 10], but fun for littles, too!) is filled with detailed information for each animal that's discussed inside... you won't find your standard "quick facts" here! Instead, you'll take a deep dive into the anatomy, behavior, and life-histories of some of the author's favorite animals - many of which she's worked with over the course of her career. Not to mention a healthy dose of ecology, environmental science, zoology, evolution... the list goes on. Each chapter also includes black-and-white illustrations of the animals that are reminiscent of images found in old field guides! Speaking of the author... Hello! I'm Mary Beth (aka. the Bonkers Biologist), a wildlife biologist who's spent years working on wildlife conservation issues both as a field biologist and as a lobbyist in Washington, DC. In the field, I implemented conservation projects for birds and marine animals; in DC, I fought to pass natural resource conservation legislation and distributed millions in funding for fish and wildlife conservation programs. In short, I LOVE ANIMALS. So much, that I was reluctant to leave my work behind for maternity leave. But now that I'm a mom, I'm trying to instill that same love of animals in my kiddo. It fills my heart to see him try to move turtles out of the road, rescue jellyfish on the beach, and save moths that get into the house. The w