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ANIMAL COVERINGS
by Eric Geron Children’s Press ® An imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Geron, Eric, author. Title: Fur / by Eric Geron. Description: First edition. | New York : Children’s Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., 2024. | Series: Learn about: animal coverings | Includes index. | Audience: Ages 5-7. | Audience: Grades K-1. | Summary: “Let’s learn all about the different types of animal coverings! Animals have different body coverings for different reasons. Some animals use their coverings to keep warm or stay cool, others use them for protection, and can either stand out or blend in. Some animals even use their coverings to move! This vibrant new set of LEARN ABOUT books gives readers a close-up look at five different animal coverings, from fur and feathers to skin, scales, and shells. Each book is packed with photographs and fun facts that explore how each covering suits the habitat, diet, survival, and life cycle of various animals in the natural world. Which animals have fur? Mammals! Do you know why mammals need fur to survive? With amazing photos and lively text, this book explains how fur helps mammals stay dry, keep warm, defend themselves, and more! Get ready to learn all about fur!”—Provided by publisher. Identifiers: LCCN 2023000185 (print) | LCCN 2023000186 (ebook) | ISBN 9781338898026 (library binding) | ISBN 9781338898033 (paperback) | ISBN 9781338898040 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Fur—Juvenile literature. | Body covering (Anatomy)—Juvenile literature. | Animals—Adaptations—Juvenile literature. | BISAC: JUVENILE NONFICTION / Animals / General | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Science & Nature / General (see also headings under Animals or Technology) Classification: LCC QL942 .G47 2024 (print) | LCC QL942 (ebook) | DDC 591.47—dc23/eng/20230110 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023000185 LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023000186 Copyright © 2024 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Children’s Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc., Publishers since 1920 . scholastic , children ’ s press , and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Scholastic Inc., Attention: Permissions Department, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 24 25 26 27 28 Printed in China 62 First edition, 2024 Book design by Kay Petronio
A special thank-you to the team at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden for their expert consultation.
Photos ©: cover: AlexTurton/Getty Images; 8 background: Byrdyak/Getty Images; 8 bottom inset: Stuart Westmorland/ Getty Images; 11 top: Momatiuk Eastcott/Animals Animals/ age fotostock; 12–13: Alastair Pollock Photography/Getty Images; 15: Cheryl Ramalho/Getty Images; 17: JNevitt/ Getty Images; 24 center left: Chris Blank/Getty Images; 24 bottom right: fmajor/Getty Images; 25: Gunther Fraulob/ Alamy Images; 29 top left: Wesley Vroom/500px/Getty Images; 29 top right: Wolfgang Kaehler/Getty Images; 29 center right: Jupiterimages/Getty Images. All other photos © Shutterstock.
Introduction: Thick as Fur . . . . . 4 Chapter 1: Special Fur . . . . . 8 Chapter 2: Fur to the Rescue . . . . . 12 Chapter 3: Fur-mometer . . . . . 16 Chapter 4: Invisible Mammals . . . . . 20 Chapter 5: What Else Can Fur Do? . . . . . 24 Conclusion: Fur Matters . . . . . 30 Glossary . . . . . 31 Index/About the Author . . . . . 32
Animal bodies can have different coverings. Some are covered with feathers. Others are covered with skin, scales, or shells. This book is all about a special covering: fur! Fur can be short or long, curly or straight, spotted or striped.
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Close-up of leopard fur
LEOPARD
Fur grows in many colors and patterns. Discover which animals have it, what fur is made of, and the fantastic things it can do.
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Which Animals Have Fur?
Mammals have fur! Mammals are warm-blooded animals. Did you know humans are mammals? All mammals have backbones and breathe air.
Fur and hair are made from keratin, the same material that makes up human nails and bird feathers.
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Mammals live on every continent. Some live on land, and some live in water.
Did you know fur and hair are the same thing? We usually say that hair is what grows on humans. Fur is what grows on mammals that are not humans. 7
Fur is really useful. Just like there are different types of mammals, there are also different types of fur. Each type of fur plays an important role. Some fur protects against sunburn and scrapes.
BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN
Certain types of mammals are hairless—like dolphins and whales!
Close-up of brown bear fur
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BROWN BEAR
Some fur keeps mammals dry in the water. Sometimes fur helps a mammal stay warm or cool off. Some fur hides a mammal from predators or prey . Some fur can even sense danger!
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Fur
This is a fur seal. It uses its fur to stay warm in cold weather. Like most mammals, its fur has a topcoat and an undercoat. Topcoats are made of long, oily hairs that protect against harsh wind, icy water, and hot sun.
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Topcoat
Undercoat
The topcoat is made of guard hairs, and the undercoat is made of down hairs.
Panda bear fur also has a topcoat and undercoat.
Undercoats are made of soft, short, thick hairs that help keep animals from getting chilly or overheated.
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