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Your Hidden Life
Your Pets' Secret Lives: The Truth Behind Your Pets' Wildest Behaviors
From poop-eating pups to supersmooth spy snakes, get a glimpse of our pets’ amazing secret lives with this funny and fact-filled exposé!
Butt-sniffing dogs. Terrified tarantulas. Canaries with invisible force fields? Yep—it turns out our pets experience the world in totally different ways than we do. Unlock some of your nonhuman family members’ wildest behaviors in this hilarious (and sometimes shiver-worthy) illustrated guide to their secret lives, complete with exciting interviews with the scientists who research them. From fierce hamster stink wars to the hidden wild side of Bubbles the goldfish, who knew there was so much more to understand about our furry and scaly friends? Back matter includes websites for do-it-yourself research, a bibliography of real studies and scientists, a glossary, and even some how-to-draws (how about tapeworms high-fiving on a poop rocket?). Bold, playful illustrations and witty text combine in this delightfully fun and gross page-flipper from the team behind Your Hidden Life: Unseen Jungle.
Butt-sniffing dogs. Terrified tarantulas. Canaries with invisible force fields? Yep—it turns out our pets experience the world in totally different ways than we do. Unlock some of your nonhuman family members’ wildest behaviors in this hilarious (and sometimes shiver-worthy) illustrated guide to their secret lives, complete with exciting interviews with the scientists who research them. From fierce hamster stink wars to the hidden wild side of Bubbles the goldfish, who knew there was so much more to understand about our furry and scaly friends? Back matter includes websites for do-it-yourself research, a bibliography of real studies and scientists, a glossary, and even some how-to-draws (how about tapeworms high-fiving on a poop rocket?). Bold, playful illustrations and witty text combine in this delightfully fun and gross page-flipper from the team behind Your Hidden Life: Unseen Jungle.
- GenresNonfictionAnimalsHumor
224 pages, Hardcover
Published May 28, 2024
7 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Eleanor Spicer Rice
17 books15 followersEleanor Spicer Rice is an award-winning author with a Ph.D. in entomology. She studied ants and how they shape the natural world. After publishing six books on ants, she now writes books for children about the amazing life with which we spend our days.
Eleanor is also the senior science editor at Verdant Word, a science communication company she co-founded with Robin Sutton Anders.
Eleanor is also the senior science editor at Verdant Word, a science communication company she co-founded with Robin Sutton Anders.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 1, 2024
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
From the team that brought you Unseen Jungle: The Microbes that Secretly Control Our World comes a fantastic look into what makes pets of all kinds tick! Accompanied by Wilson's charming illustrations, there is information about a wide range of pets and their sometimes strange behaviors.
As a dog lover, I appreciated that the book started with man's best friend... even if things got a little gross when talking about the different kinds of worms that dogs can pick up! Even though I am always good about giving my dogs heartworm medicine, it's very important to understand how easy it is for dogs to get worms, and I can see young readers convincing parents that this treatment for their pets is important, even if it can be expensive. There's a lot of information about cats, their nocturnal habits, and their hunting instincts, and even some discussion of whether or not your cat really likes you. (Even though I've made peace with my grandcat, I still believe that MOST cats just want to do me in!)
Dogs and cats aren't the only pets discussed. Why are birds such messy eaters? It's their job. It was especially interesting to read about the relationships that birds have with each other. I'm not convinced that I could make the life of a goldfish any better, but there are very convincing arguments for ways to do this. I wasn't surprised that gerbils and hamsters communicate through their odors, and I learned a few things about ferrets and rabbits as well. There's even a fascinating bit about reptile parthenogenesis, as well as information about tarantulas and lizards.
This ends with information about jobs that are related to animal and pet care, making this a great book to read alongside French's How to Be a Vet. There are also a lot of source notes and internet sites for further research. There are several interviews with scientists who specialize is various pets as well. Rice is an entomologist, and does a great job of explaining science on a middle grade level.
This was just the right length for pleasure reading even though it was packed with information. There's plenty of white space on the page, and Wilson't illustrations support the humorous and conversational tone of the text. Hand this to pet lovers and aspiring vets along with Keenan's Animals in the House, Brownlee's Cute, Furry, and Deadly, Mills' Guide to Kittens and Guide to Puppies, and books by Alexandra Horowitz, who has worked with Rice.
From the team that brought you Unseen Jungle: The Microbes that Secretly Control Our World comes a fantastic look into what makes pets of all kinds tick! Accompanied by Wilson's charming illustrations, there is information about a wide range of pets and their sometimes strange behaviors.
As a dog lover, I appreciated that the book started with man's best friend... even if things got a little gross when talking about the different kinds of worms that dogs can pick up! Even though I am always good about giving my dogs heartworm medicine, it's very important to understand how easy it is for dogs to get worms, and I can see young readers convincing parents that this treatment for their pets is important, even if it can be expensive. There's a lot of information about cats, their nocturnal habits, and their hunting instincts, and even some discussion of whether or not your cat really likes you. (Even though I've made peace with my grandcat, I still believe that MOST cats just want to do me in!)
Dogs and cats aren't the only pets discussed. Why are birds such messy eaters? It's their job. It was especially interesting to read about the relationships that birds have with each other. I'm not convinced that I could make the life of a goldfish any better, but there are very convincing arguments for ways to do this. I wasn't surprised that gerbils and hamsters communicate through their odors, and I learned a few things about ferrets and rabbits as well. There's even a fascinating bit about reptile parthenogenesis, as well as information about tarantulas and lizards.
This ends with information about jobs that are related to animal and pet care, making this a great book to read alongside French's How to Be a Vet. There are also a lot of source notes and internet sites for further research. There are several interviews with scientists who specialize is various pets as well. Rice is an entomologist, and does a great job of explaining science on a middle grade level.
This was just the right length for pleasure reading even though it was packed with information. There's plenty of white space on the page, and Wilson't illustrations support the humorous and conversational tone of the text. Hand this to pet lovers and aspiring vets along with Keenan's Animals in the House, Brownlee's Cute, Furry, and Deadly, Mills' Guide to Kittens and Guide to Puppies, and books by Alexandra Horowitz, who has worked with Rice.
April 10, 2024
Longer at 200+ pages than most middle grade non-fiction that focuses on pet behaviors, especially in the areas of communication and quirks. Chapters thoroughly cover dogs, cats, pets that live in cages such as hamsters, rabbits, etc., a fish tank, terrariums, and aviaries. Full-color, cartoon-style illustrations are frequent, supplement the text well, and will often bring a smile. I did find myself wondering who all the researchers were who determined things like dogs pee as high as they can in order to make it appear that the one who left that scent is taller than he is. And how do they know for sure what certain tail flips or burrowing behavior might mean? But regardless of possible research inaccuracies, readers are likely to learn a great deal and may decide they need to “parent” all the animals described! Some readers in grades 4-7 may not finish the entire box and many in school libraries may only check it out for the information on pets they either want to own or currently have, but a solid title for most collections serving the target grades.
Thanks for sending me a finished copy, Candlewick Press.
Thanks for sending me a finished copy, Candlewick Press.
July 12, 2024
Domestic pets’ secret lives are explored in this fun nonfiction book for kids.
Dogs, cats, birds, fish, and more! Animal behavior like tail wagging (and hiding), catnip obsession, messy eating, and poop eating is explained in great detail. Sometimes there’s too much detail, as in the section on tapeworms and heartworms in dogs (yuck!), as well as the poop eating behavior of rabbits and guinea pigs (it’s called cecotrope). Children will likely be more interested in content related to poop than this adult reader! Interviews with animal experts are interspersed throughout the book, as well as information about scientific studies on domestic animals. The tone is conversational and cutesy, which works for this content. The book is perfect for curious kids who like asking questions and want to know more about their pets. Highly recommended!
Dogs, cats, birds, fish, and more! Animal behavior like tail wagging (and hiding), catnip obsession, messy eating, and poop eating is explained in great detail. Sometimes there’s too much detail, as in the section on tapeworms and heartworms in dogs (yuck!), as well as the poop eating behavior of rabbits and guinea pigs (it’s called cecotrope). Children will likely be more interested in content related to poop than this adult reader! Interviews with animal experts are interspersed throughout the book, as well as information about scientific studies on domestic animals. The tone is conversational and cutesy, which works for this content. The book is perfect for curious kids who like asking questions and want to know more about their pets. Highly recommended!
January 7, 2025
Jan 2025: Your Pets' Secret Lives
If you are looking for a non-fiction book for your child, and it's about pets, then this one is recommended!
Presented in a hilarious engaging tone, even non-pet owners or adults would enjoy this book too. Done reading this and I wonder how amusing the first book of Your Hidden Life series must be.
So, this book is divided into main topics on Dogs, Cats, The Aviary, The Cage, The Fish Tank and The Terrarium. Let me share with you some points that shook me (even at my age!)
🐶Dogs have this sort of a built-in compass in their body for them to find their way home
🐱Cats are not contra freeloaders. I just learned the term 'contra freeloading' Hehe
🦜Parrots are messy eaters, and it has its purpose for doing that for the nature
🪙Goldfish have a great memory.
🐹Ferrets were used by the colonists in the 1800s US to guard their grains from rats and mice
🐍 almost skip reading the snake part. Goosebumps!
And these are findings (except the last one) from numerous, never-give-up scientists who strive to understand our pets. I enjoy interviews with scientists who changed the textbooks and inspire others to learn science.
In the last part, the author introduces us to the professions in studying animals so after this, herpetologist or animal behaviourist can be put in the ambitions column.
I'm glad too that the release of pets that are no longer fit the cage is mentioned. The 6-meter-long Burmese python released to the Florida Everglades as an example is on point since the Burmese Python is considered an invasive species in that area.
Selective breeding among fish that eventually threatens their lives in the wild (when released) is also mentioned. So, if you want to adopt a pet, please have the end in mind.
Apart from the interesting info, I think Dr Eleanor Spicer Rice's write-ups and Rob Wilson's illustrations make the book deserve a 5-star! Thank you @definitelykidsbooks for this amazing copy. This book is available at all good bookstores.
If you are looking for a non-fiction book for your child, and it's about pets, then this one is recommended!
Presented in a hilarious engaging tone, even non-pet owners or adults would enjoy this book too. Done reading this and I wonder how amusing the first book of Your Hidden Life series must be.
So, this book is divided into main topics on Dogs, Cats, The Aviary, The Cage, The Fish Tank and The Terrarium. Let me share with you some points that shook me (even at my age!)
🐶Dogs have this sort of a built-in compass in their body for them to find their way home
🐱Cats are not contra freeloaders. I just learned the term 'contra freeloading' Hehe
🦜Parrots are messy eaters, and it has its purpose for doing that for the nature
🪙Goldfish have a great memory.
🐹Ferrets were used by the colonists in the 1800s US to guard their grains from rats and mice
🐍 almost skip reading the snake part. Goosebumps!
And these are findings (except the last one) from numerous, never-give-up scientists who strive to understand our pets. I enjoy interviews with scientists who changed the textbooks and inspire others to learn science.
In the last part, the author introduces us to the professions in studying animals so after this, herpetologist or animal behaviourist can be put in the ambitions column.
I'm glad too that the release of pets that are no longer fit the cage is mentioned. The 6-meter-long Burmese python released to the Florida Everglades as an example is on point since the Burmese Python is considered an invasive species in that area.
Selective breeding among fish that eventually threatens their lives in the wild (when released) is also mentioned. So, if you want to adopt a pet, please have the end in mind.
Apart from the interesting info, I think Dr Eleanor Spicer Rice's write-ups and Rob Wilson's illustrations make the book deserve a 5-star! Thank you @definitelykidsbooks for this amazing copy. This book is available at all good bookstores.
April 25, 2024
Our family received a review copy of "Your Pets' Secret Lives: The Truth Behind Your Pet's Wildest Behaviors" by Dr. Eleanor Spicer Rice and Illustrated by Rob Wilson. This is the second book in the "Your Hidden Life" series and it is such a great compliment to the first book in the series, "Unseen Jungle: The Microbes That Secretly Control Our World," which focuses on microbes. The accessible, comedic writing is enhanced by the illustrations which make all of the fact-packed pages shine. Our family especially loved the many connections there were to real researchers studying animals! We also loved how many stories there were about each different pet that were new and interesting to us! This book is also fitting for a family read aloud, for a classroom, a homeschool environment, a Veterinary waiting room, or the like. It would especially make a great gift for a middle grade child who has pets or who is interested in getting one.
This book explains the common animal behaviors of popular pets like cats and dogs, but also helps solve the mysteries of why gerbils can't stop digging and even, surprisingly, that some fish change their appearance when they sleep! I'll never think that fish make boring pets -- they are so much more interesting than I realized! We also learned all the details about why our pet rabbit eats his own poop! There are also excellent recommendations to readers who want to learn more about certain topics covered in the book so the learning can continue. Can't recommend this enough for any young person curious about animal behavior!
This book explains the common animal behaviors of popular pets like cats and dogs, but also helps solve the mysteries of why gerbils can't stop digging and even, surprisingly, that some fish change their appearance when they sleep! I'll never think that fish make boring pets -- they are so much more interesting than I realized! We also learned all the details about why our pet rabbit eats his own poop! There are also excellent recommendations to readers who want to learn more about certain topics covered in the book so the learning can continue. Can't recommend this enough for any young person curious about animal behavior!
November 13, 2024
Though the recommended age for Your Pets' Secret Lives is between ages 7-10, as an adult I found plenty of interesting reading material. Author Eleanor Spicer Rice has a PhD, but this is more of a fact-oriented animal book that explains about animal habits in a way that doesn't talk down to kids. The author writes with a humoristic style that will apeeal to most children.
I'm a dog lover, and there was an excellent chapter on dog behavior including plenty of nuggets that I didn't already know. Other animals covered include cats, birds, fish, rodents, and even spiders. What may seem as gross habits in pets are often necessary for their survival. This is a quick, entertaining read that may point children in the direction of wanting to become a vet or a biologist.
I'm a dog lover, and there was an excellent chapter on dog behavior including plenty of nuggets that I didn't already know. Other animals covered include cats, birds, fish, rodents, and even spiders. What may seem as gross habits in pets are often necessary for their survival. This is a quick, entertaining read that may point children in the direction of wanting to become a vet or a biologist.
March 6, 2025
This book offered some insight into family pets. Dogs cats birds fish mice snakes. Some of the information I already knew and other information was new to me. But either way, it was a cute overview of pets, and the reason why they do certain things. Also I really love the illustrations.I thought it really added to the book.So this could be a really great book to show kids as far as why animals do the things they do.
June 8, 2024
Great recommendation for pet lovers! Some kids just dig animals and devour nonfiction about them. This will be on my recommend list. Also enjoyed "Unseen Jungle" by same author -- that is for kids who like all things gross! :)
July 14, 2024
My 9 year old daughter enjoyed it but we both thought the book would be a work of fiction, a cute story about pets and what they so when we are not with them.
It’s not the books fault but ours for not doing our research and like I said, she did enjoy reading about all the animal facts.
It’s not the books fault but ours for not doing our research and like I said, she did enjoy reading about all the animal facts.
August 28, 2024
A funny and fact-filled exposé on what's really going on with our favorite pets, from the furry to the scaled.
December 11, 2024
Engaging
Silly
Fascinating
Generally recommended online for ages 7-10 (though an older animal or fact enthusiast may enjoy it as well)
Silly
Fascinating
Generally recommended online for ages 7-10 (though an older animal or fact enthusiast may enjoy it as well)
March 14, 2025
Learning with humor included...best way to learn!
June 26, 2025
A fun book with interesting facts and cute illustrations that animal lovers will enjoy. Warning: you may be tempted to take on additional pets after reading!
April 1, 2025
This is the perfect non-fiction book for a kid who loves animals, from third grade to eighth grade or so. It is filled with interesting facts about the behavior of one's pets and offers a wide variety of information, ranging from "your tarantula's worst nightmare" to the meaning of a dog wagging its tail in one direction or another. General information on pet care is not the main point of the book ... instead, it focuses on pet behaviors and what they are intending to communicate to you, the pet's owner.
The intellectual kid who loves informational books and owns a pet will be sure to find the book entertaining and informative. There are humorous illustrations, as well as a humorous tone at times, as well as an extensive bibliography and list of resources for further study.
The intellectual kid who loves informational books and owns a pet will be sure to find the book entertaining and informative. There are humorous illustrations, as well as a humorous tone at times, as well as an extensive bibliography and list of resources for further study.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews