Extreme Survivors: Animals That Time Forgot

by Kimberly Ridley

Selected for the 2018 Bank Street College of Education Best STEM Children’s Books of the Year What do the goblin shark, horseshoe crab, the “indestructible” water bear, and a handful of other bizarre animals have in common? They are all “extreme survivors,” animals that still look much like their prehistoric ancestors from millions of years ago.   Meet ten amazing animals that appear to have changed little in more than 100 million years. They are the rare exceptions to the rule. More than 99 percent of all life forms have gone extinct during the 3.6-billion-year history of life on Earth. Other organisms have changed dramatically, but not our extreme survivors. Evolution may have altered their physiology and behavior, but their body plans have stood the test of time.   How have these living links with Earth’s prehistoric past survived? The search for answers is leading scientists to new discoveries about the past―and future―of life on Earth. The survival secrets of some of these ancient creatures could lead to new medicines and treatments for disease.   Written in a lively, entertaining voice, Extreme Survivors provides detailed life histories and strange “survival secrets” of ten ancient animals and explains evolution and natural selection. Extensive back matter includes glossary, additional facts and geographic range for each organism and a geologic timeline of Earth. F&P Level V Color Photography throughout

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction, Science

48 pages, Paperback

Published May 4, 2021

Reviews

[Barbara]

Many species have not survived the test of time and have now become extinct. Youngsters interested in science, the environment or survival stories are likely to relish learning about some species that somehow have managed to survive for millions of years. These so-called "extreme survivors," offer some clues as to what life on Earth might have been like long ago. The book provides snippets about unusual creatures such as the lungfish, the horseshoe crab, the tardigrade, and the chambered nautilus, among others. Some of the pages even contain Extreme Survival Secrets about the various species. The excellent photographs allow readers to connect what they were reading in the text with actual images of the subject. I was enraptured by the fascinating facts being shared here, and closed the book thinking about the likelihood of sponges having been the oldest animal on Earth.

[Lisa]

At least 10 species alive today have ancestors who lived with the dinosaurs or even before. Through evolution, they have become super survivors. This short informative read was fascinating! I had no idea there is a shark off the islands of Japan or an iguana (sort of) in New Zealand or (best of all) a tadpole shrimp in the deserts of Utah whose species is over 100 million years old.

Well written with a glossary, timeline and bibliography, this book would be an asset to the science classroom of either elementary or middle school - the pictures are so cool!

Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*]

Ridley, Kimberly Extreme Survivors : Animals that Time Forgot, 48 pages. NON FICTION Tilbury House Publishers 2017 $18.

EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...