Blastoff! Readers Level 1

A spider’s silk is liquid inside its body. When it hits air, it solidifies into elastic strands that spiders use to build webs, trap prey, bungee from great heights, and more. This… More →

At a glance, sea otters seem to have a laid-back approach to life. Look closer and you’ll find that they tackle all kinds of tasks on their backs, like nursing their young or cracking… More →

Snails move pretty slowly. Maybe it’s because they carry their homes on their backs, or because they have only one “foot” to work with. One thing is for sure: snails would have trouble moving More →

How do you measure the success of a wombat? Count how many warrens it has! This busy burrower digs several underground homes, or warrens, complete with tunnels, sleeping chambers, and… More →

Orangutans spend much of their time in quiet solitude. That is, unless they’ve just given birth. Babies spend several years with their mother, clinging to her back as she swings from branch… More →

The male peacock’s brilliance lies in his train of feathers. When he finds a potential mate, he fans out his train to impress her with his bright and shiny plumage. As far as females are… More →

Modified pickup trucks, or monster trucks, offer drivers an adrenaline rush and audiences action-packed shows. They race around rugged tracks and crush regular cars beneath their oversize… More →

When kangaroos gather in large groups, they get loud and physical. Males duke it out in boxing matches, jumping and jabbing with feisty determination to earn the “dominant male” title. Be… More →

Animals with an appetite for hedgehogs must work hard for their dinner! They need a pain tolerance for sharp spines and the strength to pry tightly curled bodies. Get a feel for why hedgehogs More →

Ostriches are birds that can't fly. They take it in stride, sprinting in short bursts instead. When ostriches can't run from danger, they face it head on. Well, with their heads on the… More →

When it comes to lemurs, it's a woman's world. Females rule—they eat first, win all family arguments, and fight enemies on the front lines. Learn why you'd want to be “one of the ladies” in a More →

In an act known as “pronking,” gazelles leap straight into the air with their backs arched before landing on all four feet. Their motive is a mystery, but it may just be their way of telling… More →