Ben Rothery's Weird and Wonderful Animals

Format: Hardback
Length: 48 pages
Publication date: 07 September 2023
Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK

Discover the weirdest and most wonderful creatures of Planet Earth!

In this curated collection, award-winning illustrator Ben Rothery pairs fascinating facts with his stunning artwork to bring you the most incredible creatures in the animal kingdom.

From the bone-crunching beard vulture to the venomous platypus and to the miscroscopic tardigrade that can survive for up to 30 years without food or water, and many, many more, you'll enjoy exploring just how weird and how wonderful the world of animals can be!

The beard vulture is a fascinating creature that inhabits the deserts of Africa and Asia. It has a distinctive appearance, with a long, featherless neck and a large, bald head. The bird's diet consists mainly of bones, which it scavenges from the carcasses of other animals. One of the most remarkable features of the beard vulture is its ability to digest bones. It has a specialized stomach that contains enzymes that break down the tough tissue of bones, allowing the bird to extract the nutrients it needs.

The venomous platypus is another incredible creature that is native to Australia. It is one of the few mammals that can produce venom, and it is used as a defense mechanism against predators. The platypus has a flat, duck-like body, a long, beak-like snout, and webbed feet. It is also able to lay eggs, which is unusual for a mammal. The venom of the platypus is toxic to humans and can cause severe pain and swelling.

The tardigrade is a microscopic creature that is found in a wide range of environments, including soil, water, and even space. It is one of the most resilient creatures on Earth, able to survive in extreme conditions that would kill most other organisms. The tardigrade has a hard, protective shell that covers its body, and it has eight legs that it uses to move around. The creature is able to go for long periods of time without food or water, and it can survive exposure to radiation and extreme temperatures.

There are many other incredible creatures that inhabit the Earth, each with its unique features and adaptations. From the giant squid that can grow to a length of over 30 meters to the tiny kangaroo mouse that can jump up to 30 times its body length, the world of animals is full of surprises and wonders.

In conclusion, the weird and wonderful creatures of Planet Earth are a testament to the incredible diversity and adaptability of life on our planet. From the beard vulture that can digest bones to the venomous platypus that can lay eggs, these creatures showcase the incredible wonders of nature and remind us of the importance of protecting and preserving the natural world.

Weight: 564g
Dimension: 305 x 226 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780241532294