These fun and focused programs are a perfect introduction to some of the most widely studied “creatures.” found on the planet.  Created specifically for “kids”, each program provides beautiful, up-close imagery and age appropriate narration. Life science concepts addressed throughout the series include habitats, body parts, adaptation, migration, ecosystems, the life cycle, and more.

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Creatures include:

Volume 1

Frogs & Tadpoles:  With bulging eyes and bumpy skin I'm a champion of the long and high jump.  That's because of my long, strong hind legs.  Did you know that before we become frogs we are young tadpoles?  It's interesting to see how we change.

Toads:  You might not see us very often but every once in awhile you will.  Oh, and we're really quite different from a frog.  In some cultures we are considered a symbol of wealth and wisdom, so there.

Sea Turtles:  We tend to be rather mysterious creatures, weighing over 600 pounds and able to live for a 100 days or more under the sea.  As soon as our babies hatch, they instinctively know to run for the sea away from predators.

Salamanders:  Humans seem to like us, because we look cute, almost  like miniature dinosaurs.  But you know what really makes us salamanders happy?   It's when we're resting in the water with our smooth skin all cool and moist

Volume 2

Bees & Wasps:  Where there are blooming flowers, you'll find us as well.  We have the largest number of species with the largest populations.  You probably heard about all the work we do spreading pollen from flower to flower, right?

Crayfish:  We look like a crab, live in rivers and streams, have a hard shell and 8 quick moving legs.  Would you like to see where I live and meet some of my family?

Cicadas:  Our life is really quite interesting but humans only get to see a mere 2 - 4 weeks of it.  As a nymph, we spend years under ground before we emerge and get wings.  A fascinating process.  Oh, and just so you know, it's only the males that sing.

Cricket:  If you look between the rocks, you might see me.  Did you notice my back wings, they look almost like a tail, it's the same for all crickets.  Rubbing our front wings allows us to make different sounds for different reasons.  I like being a cricket.

Volume 3

Ants:  It's strange to think that in many interesting ways we are very much like humans.  Our societies are well organized and each member has certain duties that supports the colony.  Come along to see how much alike we really are.

Leaf Beetles:  As the name implies, I enjoy eating leaves.  Once I get attached to a tree, I'll be eating leaves for a long period of time.  I guess that makes my presence somewhat undesirable. Even so, us leaf beetles are an important part of the earth's natural ecosystem.

Ladybugs:  There is little chance you won't notice us with all our splendid color, no need for us to worry about camouflage. We have a couple secret weapons we use to discourage predators.  Even so, we have earned a much respected reputation from farmers for being helpful.

Volume 4

Butterflies:  We usually appear twice per year, with males and females being of different colors.  Our larva go through several fascinating changes before becoming adults.  Once able to fly, they will take to the sky and soon the cycle of life will begin all over again.

Crabs:  We are one of the more interesting creatures you'll find along the sea shore, especially with our crooked legs and sideways walk.  However, should you attempt to pick us up, you better be careful of our pincers.  We are considered the king of all crustaceans.

Bats:  In millions of years we really haven't changed much and are proud to say we're the only mammals that can fly.  It's also cool to hang upside down and navigate by using ultrasound.  Is it stretching it to say we're sort of cute?

Mosquitoes:  Talk about feeling unwanted, we mosquitoes never get invited to anything.  To set the record straight, it's just the females that bite and they only do it for a very important reason.  And that dreaded buzzing sound, it's because our wings flap 600 times a second.

Volume 5

Spiders:  We first appeared on earth about 400 million years ago, even before dinosaurs.  Today we number about 40,000 known species.   It's time to learn the truth and folklore about us spiders.

Sea Urchins:  There are more things living under the sea than you would ever find on land, including us sea urchins.  With our shiny spines we can look much bigger than we really are.  For us, it's handy to be built sort of upside down.  Our mouth is on the bottom, any guess why?

Dragonflies:  We dragonflies were the very first to fly through the skies,  able to go forward, up and backwards.  Our name comes from the mythical dragons and our eyesight is the best among the insects.  We can see in all directions without turning our heads.  Look for us near water.

Volume 6 (NEW TITLE)

Globefish & Puffers: You might call them the magician's of the sea, because when they are in danger, they swell up like a big ball and raise their spines, totally surprising their enemies.  All they have to do is take a big gulp of water and poof!  The globefish and puffer are very interesting in other ways too.  For one thing they are poisonous, and like the salmon, they live in the sea but swim back upriver to lay their eggs. Once the young hatch, they will follow the river on out to the sea, beginning the cycle all over again.

Octopuses: An octopus is what's called an invertebrate.  It has no backbone.  These large underwater creatures can grow to 9 feet long and weigh over 60 pounds.  Their rather strange ball like part that looks like a head is actually the body and they have gills for breathing.  Their 8 legs are longer than their body and can move freely when underwater.  As unusual as the octopus might look, they are generally considered highly intelligent, even being able to understand their own reflection. Their small but plentiful eggs resemble grains of rice. An Octopus is a fascinating underwater creature.

Salmon: If ever there was an interesting underwater creature it is the salmon.  Do you wonder how they are able to return to the very place they were born to lay their eggs, traveling thousands of miles, through challenging waters to the exact place?  Only one of about every 3,000 actually make it successfully all the way back. By the time they arrive to the place they were born, they are exhausted, damaged and wounded from the challenges of the trip. But don't be sad, because soon their offspring will return just as they did and just as their ancestors did before them. It's the salmon's cycle of life.

Starfish: As the name rightly indicates, starfish are the stars of the sea.  They are bright and colorful.  There are about 1,800 different species of starfish in the world.  But as interesting as they might be to look at, starfish are not well liked, especially by fishermen.  Each starfish eats about 15 shellfish every day reducing the overall available supply to be caught in the nets of the fishermen.  But starfish have been living in the oceans for 300 million years and have learned to survive and they very likely will continue to do so.

Volume 7 (NEW TITLE)

Freshwater Fish: As their name implies, many freshwater fish are found in the fresh, pure waters that flow between the mountains.  And even though you might not be able to always see them they are there beneath the surface.  Some examples of freshwater fish include the chub, perch, and an interesting species called the doty barbel.  Of course we shouldn't overlook the trout as they are one of the most demanding and only live in the cleanest of waters.  For us humans, however, the rivers and streams are places to visit but be ever mindful that this is home for freshwater fish so be extra careful not to damage their environment.

Snails & Slugs: I'm not sure what's slower, the snail or the turtle but where ever you find water, along the tops of rocks, you'll probably find snails.  You'll see them slowly crawling along carrying their house right along with them.   One of the main differences between a snail and a slug is the snail keeps its shell and the slug has a coat of brown mucus to help it travel about.  Interestingly, when snails mate both partners lay eggs.  It's a good way of ensuring the future of the species.

Minnows: Minnows thrive best where the water is clean, usually in the upper most parts of streams.  Minnows are members of the carp family and they enjoy hanging out under the shade of large willow trees.  As the name indicates they're not very big, on average about 4 inches long.   As small as they are they really like to stuff themselves with little plants and organisms.  If you're looking in a clear stream some bright sunny day you might see the sunlight hitting their skin which gives off a shimmering shiny reflection from these underwater creatures.