Polar Bears and Arctic Foxes Team Up! - (Animal Allies) by Stephanie True Peters (Hardcover)

About the Book

" Polar bears and arctic foxes team up for a hunt in this photo-filled nonfiction book for young research writers and wildlife fans. One powerful polar bear + one sly arctic fox = a dream team! Discover how two vastly different animal species team up to find food. With super-smell and tremendous strength, polar bears are the Arctic's deadliest hunters. So much so, these big-time beasts often have leftovers. Cue the arctic foxes! These clever opportunists are game for any game and will clean up after polar bears, lickety-split. With eye-popping photographs, quick facts, and beyond-the-book back matter, Polar Bears and Arctic Foxes Team Up ! will have young research writers and wildlife fans rooting for these Animal Allies"--

Book Synopsis

Polar bears and arctic foxes team up for a hunt in this photo-filled nonfiction book for young research writers and wildlife fans. One powerful polar bear + one sly arctic fox = a dream team! Discover how two vastly different animal species team up to find food. With super-smell and tremendous strength, polar bears are the Arctic's deadliest hunters. So much so, these big-time beasts often have leftovers. Cue the arctic foxes! These clever opportunists are game for any game and will clean up after polar bears, lickety-split. With eye-popping photographs, quick facts, and beyond-the-book back matter, Polar Bears and Arctic Foxes Team Up! will have young research writers and wildlife fans rooting for these Animal Allies. Other Animal Allies: Coyotes and Badgers Team Up! Groupers and Moray Eels Team Up! Ravens and Wolves Team Up!

Review Quotes

The animal pairs in this series work together to hunt and capture prey. After an opening chapter describing their teamwork in action, the individual creatures are introduced, with commonalities and differences noted. This leads into the process of their combined hunting efforts. Readers learn how complementary qualities, like the grouper's speed and the moray's eel's ability to squeeze into tight spaces increase chances of success. The authors note that not all symbiotic relationships work the same, with clear focus on the practicality of cooperation in terms of survival. Photographs are useful, if not especially dynamic. Many focus on just one animal, though several show the two species teaming up, either during or after the hunt. Useful captions are attached to some, but not all photos. Closing pages note the threats facing both animals. VERDICT Well-executed introduction to animal symbiosis.--Steven Engelfried, formerly at Wilsonville P.L., OR "School Library Journal"

The Animal Allies series (4 titles) highlights examples of symbiosis within the animal kingdom. While most of the series deals with mutualism, this title examines commensalism, a relationship in which one animal benefits but the other isn't harmed. Here the arctic fox's strategy of following polar bears to share in their kills is revealed. The text is written in a narrative style that will draw in readers, and it smoothly incorporates general facts about polar bears and arctic foxes, such as physical descriptions, position on the food chain, diet, and hunting abilities. The final chapter touches on challenges related to climate change. Large photos appear on every page, and "Did You Know?" fact boxes are scattered throughout. The book concludes with additional polar bear and arctic fox facts and stats.--Julia Smith "Booklist"