Armor Up

Book excerpt: Armored skin, bony plates, and shells are key defenses animals employ to survive in their natural surroundings. By examining the many forms animal armor can take, readers will have the opportunity to explore the physical makeup of turtle shells, armadillo bands, and millipede exoskeletons, among others. They'll learn how animals use their armor to protect against specific predators. Lively fact boxes, along with sidebars and accessible descriptions of current scientific research, help students discover the more unusual aspects of animal armor. Full-color photographs of the animals and close-ups of their special features enhance the narrative while a list of recent books and websites encourage further exploration of the topic.