Gross-Out Defenses

The stars of the show, at least when it comes to browser appeal, these titles focus on different defensive strategies highlighted in vivid, often gloriously repulsive photos. Leading the way is the hagfish, with its ability to generate clouds of thick, gill- and nose-clogging slime, but, as seen in a spectacular stop-motion image, the horned lizard can squirt blood out of its eye sockets, and a shot of a dog sporting a face full of porcupine quills will have even cynical viewers wincing. Each volume includes a species range map and lively text presented in well-spaced single sentences. Expect plenty of delighted "ewwwww"s and shouts of “gross!”