This is a charming series of essays on animal behavior, written in 1951 by the note British science writer Frank W. Lane, reveals obscure and fascinating oddities of animal behavior. The clear, logical explanation behind each bizarre happening grounds the observations in scientific research, and provides modern readers insight on mid-century scientific field methodology. Here are some of the cases featured in this fantastic compilation: Do bees tell time and tell each other of honey locations? Can game animals dodge bullets? Have fish an ear for music? Do birds hitch hike on each other’s backs? These questions and thousands of others are answered with scientific proof. Natural history fans, history of science buffs, and explorers of nature will find hours of fascinating reading within. A true mine of conversational material and arbiter of game controversies!
'Animal Worlds of Wonder' showcases the world's most incredible animals in their natural environments. Discover amazing animals and learn all about their natural environments: their place in the food chain, the animals they share their habitats with and much more. Divided into three sections showcasing animals on land, in water, and in the air, this book will introduce you to discover the worlds of animals from every corner of our incredible planet.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “thrilling” (The New York Times), “dazzling” (The Wall Street Journal) tour of the radically different ways that animals perceive the world that will fill you with wonder and forever alter your perspective, by Pulitzer Prize–winning science journalist Ed Yong “One of this year’s finest works of narrative nonfiction.”—Oprah Daily ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Time, People, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Slate, Reader’s Digest, Chicago Public Library, Outside, Publishers Weekly, BookPage ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Oprah Daily, The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Economist, Smithsonian Magazine, Prospect (UK), Globe & Mail, Esquire, Mental Floss, Marginalian, She Reads, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal The Earth teems with sights and textures, sounds and vibrations, smells and tastes, electric and magnetic fields. But every kind of animal, including humans, is enclosed within its own unique sensory bubble, perceiving but a tiny sliver of our immense world. In An Immense World, Ed Yong coaxes us beyond the confines of our own senses, allowing us to perceive the skeins of scent, waves of electromagnetism, and pulses of pressure that surround us. We encounter beetles that are drawn to fires, turtles that can track the Earth’s magnetic fields, fish that fill rivers with electrical messages, and even humans who wield sonar like bats. We discover that a crocodile’s scaly face is as sensitive as a lover’s fingertips, that the eyes of a giant squid evolved to see sparkling whales, that plants thrum with the inaudible songs of courting bugs, and that even simple scallops have complex vision. We learn what bees see in flowers, what songbirds hear in their tunes, and what dogs smell on the street. We listen to stories of pivotal discoveries in the field, while looking ahead at the many mysteries that remain unsolved. Funny, rigorous, and suffused with the joy of discovery, An Immense World takes us on what Marcel Proust called “the only true voyage . . . not to visit strange lands, but to possess other eyes.” WINNER OF THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL • FINALIST FOR THE KIRKUS PRIZE • FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD • LONGLISTED FOR THE PEN/E.O. WILSON AWARD
“A poet celebrates the wonders of nature in a collection of essays that could almost serve as a coming-of-age memoir.” —Kirkus Reviews As a child, Nezhukumatathil called many places home: the grounds of a Kansas mental institution, where her Filipina mother was a doctor; the open skies and tall mountains of Arizona, where she hiked with her Indian father; and the chillier climes of western New York and Ohio. But no matter where she was transplanted—no matter how awkward the fit or forbidding the landscape—she was able to turn to our world’s fierce and funny creatures for guidance. “What the peacock can do,” she tells us, “is remind you of a home you will run away from and run back to all your life.” The axolotl teaches us to smile, even in the face of unkindness; the touch-me-not plant shows us how to shake off unwanted advances; the narwhal demonstrates how to survive in hostile environments. Even in the strange and the unlovely, Nezhukumatathil finds beauty and kinship. For it is this way with wonder: it requires that we are curious enough to look past the distractions in order to fully appreciate the world’s gifts. Warm, lyrical, and gorgeously illustrated by Fumi Nakamura, World of Wonders is a book of sustenance and joy. Praise for World of Wonders Barnes & Noble 2020 Book of the Year An NPR Best Book of 2020 An Esquire Best Book of 2020 A Publishers Weekly “Big Indie Book of Fall 2020” A BuzzFeed Best Book of Fall 2020 “Hands-down one of the most beautiful books of the year.” —NPR “A timely story about love, identity and belonging.” —New York Times Book Review “A truly wonderous essay collection.” —Roxane Gay, The Audacity
Cynthia Rylant and Brendan Wenzel explore the beauty and tenacity of life. Life begins small, then grows… There are so many wonderful things about life, both in good times and in times of struggle. Through the eyes of the world’s animals—including elephants, monkeys, whales, and more—Cynthia Rylant offers a moving meditation on finding beauty around us every day and finding strength in adversity. Brendan Wenzel’s stunning landscapes and engaging creatures make this an inspiring and intriguing gift for readers of all ages.
Open the gates of the Wonder Garden to explore five of Earth's most extraordinary habitats, each filled with incredible creatures and epic scenery. Trek through the Amazon Rainforest, travel to the Chihuahuan Desert, dive in the Great Barrier Reef, delve deep into the Black Forest and stand on the roof of the world - the Himalayan Mountains - to see nature at its wildest. Breathtaking, engraved illustrations bring to life Earth's spectacular Wonder Garden.
“Just astonishing . . . Our natural navigational capacities are no match for those of the supernavigators in this eye-opening book.”—Frans de Waal, The New York Times Book Review Publisher's note: Supernavigators was published in the UK under the title Incredible Journeys. Animals plainly know where they’re going, but how they know has remained a stubborn mystery—until now. Supernavigators is a globe-trotting voyage of discovery alongside astounding animals of every stripe: dung beetles that steer by the Milky Way, box jellyfish that can see above the water (with a few of their twenty-four eyes), sea turtles that sense Earth’s magnetic field, and many more. David Barrie consults animal behaviorists and Nobel Prize–winning scientists to catch us up on the cutting edge of animal intelligence—revealing these wonders in a whole new light.
""Wonderful Animals"" takes readers on a captivating journey through the animal kingdom, exploring the remarkable adaptations that enable diverse species to thrive in their environments. This engaging nature book examines physical adaptations, behavioral strategies, and ecological roles, providing insights into the intricate relationships between form, function, and habitat. By focusing on both well-known and lesser-known species, the book challenges common perceptions and reveals the depth of biodiversity often overlooked in popular media. The book progresses through three main sections, beginning with an introduction to animal adaptations and major animal groups. It then delves into specific examples of physical and behavioral adaptations, before exploring the ecological roles of different species in maintaining ecosystem balance. Drawing on a wide range of scientific studies, including recent findings from biomechanics and animal cognition, ""Wonderful Animals"" presents up-to-date information in accessible language. The text incorporates anecdotes and case studies to illustrate key points, making complex concepts relatable to a general audience interested in nature. By examining how animal adaptations have inspired technological innovations and addressing ongoing debates in biology, ""Wonderful Animals"" offers readers a deeper understanding of the natural world. This comprehensive exploration not only fosters an appreciation for biodiversity but also underscores the importance of conservation efforts in preserving our planet's wonderful animals.
In the bestselling tradition of Marley and Me, a funny, heartwarming and inspiring true story of how one adorable little pig changed her owners' lives forever. When an old friend called animal lover Steve Jenkins and begged him to take in an adorable 'micro' piglet, he couldn't say no. Although he knew his partner Derek would be far from thrilled about him adopting yet another stray, the idea of owning a cute little piglet was impossible to resist. Little did he know, that decision would change his and Derek's lives forever. Esther turned out to be beyond adorable but there was nothing 'micro' about her, and Steve and Derek realised that they had signed on to raise a blooming full-sized pig. Within three years, tiny Esther tipped the scales at a whopping 270 kilograms. After some growing pains and a lot of pig-sized messes, Steve and Derek made another life-changing decision: they bought a farm and founded the Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary, where they could care for Esther and other animals in need. Esther the Wonder Pig follows Steve and Derek's excellent adventure - from reluctant pig parents to two of the world's most successful and beloved animal rights activists, alongside the magnificent Esther, a social media star with millions of fans around the globe.
