Books in Animal Prey series

Predators beware! Skunks, such as the striped skunks living in the North American forests, come equipped with a foul-smelling liquid that can be sprayed up to ten feet away. Skunks forage at night in the forest looking for fruit, seeds, frogs, and mice to eat. They will run and hide from danger when they can. When a predator comes close a skunk will stomp its feet and lift its tail, preparing to defend itself. If the predator doesnt heed the warning signs, the skunk will let loose its putrid-smelling weapon.

Herds of musk oxen roam the treeless tundra of the Far North. Following closely are wolves, predators looking for a meal. The wolves are no match for the powerful adult musk oxen with their helmet-like horns. When the herd is threatened, the adults form a circle around their young to protect them. Musk oxen, with their long, thick hair, are built to survive the harsh arctic winters. But the wolves still watch the herd ―for a calf that can’t keep up or an old musk ox too weak to survive.

Prairie dogs find safety in numbers. Hundreds of them live together in underground tunnels. When the small animals come to the surface to nibble prairie grasses, they keep a close watch for enemies, such as eagles, coyotes, or black-footed ferrets. When one member spots a predator, it gives an alarm call and the whole colony ducks back into their tunnels. If one member is captured, the group will attack and drive the predator away. For prairie dogs, large colonies keep them safe.