"A millipede the size of a basketball player? A pit-bull-sized scorpion? It's hard to believe, but such mega-critters once lived on our planet. In this peek into prehistory, award-winning science writer Helaine Becker introduces us to nine of these terrifying giants. You'll discover when and where they lived, how they grew to their mega-sizes and what (thankfully!) caused their extinction. On each spread, a highly realistic illustration shows us what the animal looked like, in its habitat, based on fossil evidence. Each spread is chock-full of visual information, including a size chart that shows how big the animal could grow, a timeline placing the animal in its geological period and a map of where its fossils have been discovered. Sidebars throughout expand on scientific and historical concepts, such as adaptation and the Permian extinction. Written to engage a hi-lo (high interest, low reading level) audience, Megabugs is sure to satisfy dino-lovers, bug-lovers and kids fascinated by prehistoric life."-- Provided by publisher.

Includes index.