physiology, comparative

Describes the ways in which each of the five senses benefits a variety of animals, from the far-ranging, food-sighting vision of vultures to the sensitive, wave-detecting chin hairs of seals.

Describes the ears and sense of hearing of such diverse animals as the beetle, dolphin, drum fish, oilbird, and snake.

Explains the sense of sight including information on how the eye works, which animals can see colors, and the different types and functions of eyes in birds, reptiles, and underwater creatures.

Explores the sense of touch throughout the animal kingdom, examining how it works in mammals, birds, fish, insects, and humans.

Highlights animals with speed records, including the fastest land mammal, fastest digger, fastest swimmer, and more. Includes comprehension activity.

Photographs and text depict how fur, feathers, and blubber keep animals warm in cold weather.

Describes how animals stay cool in hot weather, by such actions as wallowing in mud, burrowing, or panting.

Describes the organs and sense of touch of such diverse animals as the scorpion, catfish, sloth, platypus, and gecko.

Discusses some of the physical characteristics of slime mold, elephants, orangutans, boars, peregrine falcons, tortoises, and sharks, comparing them to similar human features, and presents information about Greenpatch Kids, an alliance of young people who are interested in learning about the environment.

The senses of animals are described and compared to those of a human boy on a summer evening.