Copyright Date:
2016
Edition Date:
2016
Release Date:
02/02/16
Pages:
32 pages
ISBN:
1-681-52034-6
ISBN 13:
978-1-681-52034-6
Dewey:
577.8
LCCN:
2014038738
Dimensions:
25 cm.
Language:
English
Reviews:
ALA Booklist
No, not the magically reanimated monsters, although the origin of the word is acknowledged here. These zombies are parasites, mostly worms and spores, that infect other living creatures and take over their bodies. The examples are numerous: a fungus infects a carpenter ant and sends it to the damp ground. The ant dies, and the fungus grows from its head, spreading spores that will infect other ants. Elsewhere, a snail eats bird droppings containing worm eggs that hatch; the worm takes over and forces the snail to climb up high, where it is eaten by a bird. The worm lays eggs, and the cycle starts again. Sound like science fiction? It gets weirder. A type of wasp hatches inside a caterpillar, eats its way out, and builds a cocoon, while, mysteriously, the caterpillar stays to stand guard. This is a very effective look at basic biology and the way parasites operate, and the detailed photographs, often gruesome, effectively highlight and validate the examples they accompany.
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Bibliography Index/Note:
Includes bibliographical references (page 31) and index.
Truth is stranger than fiction, right? Find out where you can uncover real-life vampires and zombies. Learn about crazy mutations, and discover animals with amazing super powers. Pop culture tie-ins and freaky facts hook readers into learning about animal and plant science. They may seem like stories from comic books, but you might find these freaky plants and animals in your own backyard. This photo-illustrated book for elementary readers describes animals that seem to take over the brains of other animals. Explains how parasites can alter their hosts' behaviors to use the host for their survival.