Ethology and animal behaviour Books

Book SynopsisCats Work Like This is for cat lovers who know that even after ten thousand years of living with cats, no one really has a clue what their cat is thinking. In this insider''s guide to the habits of these puzzling animals, the authors offer insights from two generations of watching their cats work. They share the sometimes hilarious and often astonishing observations on cats that have accumulated over ages, and offer some useful insights into how to understand your own cat. Though there are many famous felines, it is the day to day cat which provides the most enduring interest. Though each one''s behaviour and mannerisms are unique, we can find enough practices in common to guide you to becoming an expert in how cats work.Chapters include Habits, with an insight into how cats train you to have the right ones; and The Scientific Cat, with observations and empirical learning following the classic scientific method, as cats don''t listen well enough to be subjects in any other kind of experimentation.Learn how cats practice their values and explore what your cats know about you. Find out what cats do while you sleep, what a cat''s eyes can tell you and what there is to understand about political and & eco'' cats. With a focus on attention, emotion, cute affection, manipulation, cunning and cussedness, Cats Work Like This gives a rare insight into the workings of a cat''s elusive mind.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A dazzling, funny and elegantly angry demolition of our preconceptions about female behaviour and sex in the animal kingdom ... Bitch is a blast. I read it, my jaw sagging in astonishment, jotting down favourite parts to send to friends and reading out snippets gleefully...' Observer'A book that is tearing down the stereotypes and the biases. Absolutely fascinating.' BBC R4 Woman's Hour'From the heir to Attenborough. 5*' - Telegraph'Glorious ... A bold and gripping takedown of the sexist mythology baked into biology ... Full of marvellous surprises. Guardian'Colourful, committed and deeply informed.' Sunday Times'Gloriously original' Daily MirrorA 'sparkling attack on scientific sexism' Nature'Humorous, absorbing, sometimes shocking (for a variety of reasons), and bound to be a conversation starter' BBC Wildlife'Brilliant ... Cooke is a superb science writer' TLS'Zoologist Lucy Cooke's hilarious and enlightening book reclaims evolutionary biology for females of all species.' New Statesman'Introduces us to a marvelous zoetrope of animals.' The Atlantic'[An] effervescent exposé ... [A] playful, enlightening tour of the vanguard of evolutionary biology.' Scientific American Selected for the Telegraph's 'best books for summer 2022' and as one of the Guardian's '50 hottest new books for a great escape'._______________________________________________________________What does it mean to be female? Mother, carer, the weaker sex? Think again.In the last few decades a revolution has been brewing in zoology and evolutionary biology. Lucy Cooke introduces us to a riotous cast of animals, and the scientists studying them, that are redefining the female of the species.Meet the female lemurs of Madagascar, our ancient primate cousins that dominate the males of their species physically and politically.Or female albatross couples, hooking up together to raise their chicks in Hawaii.Or the meerkat mothers of the Kalahari Desert - the most murderous mammals on the planet.The bitches in BITCH overturn outdated binary expectations of bodies, brains, biology and behaviour. Lucy Cooke's brilliant new book will change how you think - about sex, sexual identity and sexuality in animals and also the very forces that shape evolution.__________Praise for Lucy's previous book THE UNEXPECTED TRUTH ABOUT ANIMALS'Endlessly fascinating' - Bill Bryson'I cannot remember when I enjoyed a non-fiction book so much' - Daily Express'A joy from beginning to end' - Guardian'Best science pick: deeply researched, sassily written' - NatureTrade ReviewLucy Cooke's Bitch shows just how far we have come in seeing nature's females for what they actually are.' -- Simon Ing * Telegraph *Surprising sex lives of the animal kingdom: From bondage-loving spiders to 'Scrooge-like' lobsters who save their sperm for a female who's 'worth it', BITCH lifts the lid on kinky creatures -- Claire Toureille * Daily Mail *Best books of 2022 so far: Zoologist Lucy Cooke's hilarious and enlightening book reclaims evolutionary biology for females of all species. * New Statesman *Mr Darwin, your time is up...This is the evolutionary reboot us bitches have been waiting for. -- Sue PerkinsBrilliant ... Cooke is a superb science writer -- Carol Tavris * TLS *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAlex Riley is an award-winning science writer focusing on long-form features in evolutionary biology, conservation and health. His work has appeared in Aeon, Nautilus, New Scientist, BBC Earth and BBC Future. His first book, A Cure for Darkness, was published by Ebury in 2021.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA fascinating exploration of what animals are trying to say to us and how we can learn to listen

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe third and final updated edition of David Attenborough's classic Life trilogy. Life on Earth covered evolution, Living Planet , ecology, and now The Trials of Life tackles ethology, the study of how animals behave.Trade ReviewPraise for the New Edition of Life on Earth: ‘It does not disappoint. The new Life on Earth is as glorious as the first’ Guardian ‘A beautiful and wide ranging work. The breadth of natural history covered is extraordinary and mesmerising. Life on Earth is still breathtakingly rich, and we would know far less about it were it not for Attenborough’s wonderful skills of communication over the years: our cultural and scientific lives would be poorer without him’ New Scientist ‘This natural history masterpiece offers a spectacular snapshot of a once-wild planet’ New Scientist Praise for David Attenborough: ‘A marvellous book … unputdownable … utterly engaging’ Telegraph ‘An elegant and gently funny writer’ The Times ‘His writing is as impressive and as enjoyable as his TV programmes and there can be no higher praise’ Daily Express ‘A great educator as well as a great naturalist’ Barack Obama ‘Sir David is a wizard of television, and, like Gandalf or Dumbledore, he has a near-magical gift for combining warmth and gravitas . . . the man who, for me, exemplifies the best in British broadcasting’ Louis Theroux ‘When I was a young boy I used to love turning on the television and watching David's programmes and really feeling like I was either back out in Africa or I was learning about something magical and almost out of this planet’ HRH Prince William

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisKNOW SOMEONE WHO LOVES CATS? THEN READ ON FOR THE PERFECT GIFT . . .This book should not be left in the company of dog-lovers' Spectator---- DO YOU EVER THINK YOUR CAT IS TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING? Cat lovers know all too well how mysterious their feline friends can be. Descended from shy, solitary North African wild cats, domestic cats set up home with devoted owners across the world. But how did those wildcats of old creep into our homes and our hearts, convincing us to keep them warm, fed, and pampered? Quite simply, they learned to talk to us.Each chapter dives into a different form of communication, including:- Vocalisation- Tail signals- Scents- Rubbing Renowned cat behaviour scientist Dr. Sarah Brown reveals the previously unexplored secrets of cat communication, translating every meow and every blank stare. Her book will be perfect for any cat lover who wants to learn more about their companion. ---- PRAISE FOR THE HIDDEN LANGUAGE OF CATS Sarah Brown knows cats. A fascinating blend of real-life stories and science informed by her deep expertise, this book will both entertain and inform any cat-lover' John Bradshaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Trainable Cat and Cat SenseEvery cat lover wishes they could understand what their cat is thinking: This book will help you do just that! Highly-entertaining and evidence-based guide to how cats communicate and how to have a better relationship with the cat in your life'' Dr. Mikel Delgado, PhD, Certified Applied Animal Behaviourist and coauthor of Total Cat Mojo ''Reading Dr Brown''s book has only strengthened my love of and fascination with cats!'' Olivia Petter, Independent

Read more less

Book Synopsis**Winner of the 2023 Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize**Discover the world as you've never seen it before - through the eyes of animals.'Immersive and mind-blowing' Peter Wohlleben, author of The Hidden Life of TreesThe Earth teems with sights and textures, sounds and vibrations, smells and tastes, electric and magnetic fields. But every animal is enclosed within its own unique sensory bubble, perceiving only a tiny sliver of this world.In An Immense World, Ed Yong coaxes us beyond the confines of our own senses, welcoming us into previously unfathomable dimensions - the world as it is truly perceived by other animals. Showing us that in order to understand our world we don't need to travel to other places; we need to see through other eyes.A NEW YORK TIMES, GUARDIAN, ECONOMIST, SPECTATOR, TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT and NEW STATESMAN BOOK OF THE YEAR**Winner of 2023 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction**'Suffused with magic' Siddhartha Mukherjee, author of The Song of the Cell'A book that prompts awe at the world around us' Sunday TimesSunday Times bestseller, July 2023Trade ReviewStanding out even during a recent golden age of nature writing, Ed Yong dazzles with a deeply considered exploration of the many modes of sensory perception that life has evolved to navigate the world, written with exhilarating freshness * Winner of 2023 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction *[A] wondrous, lustrous, captivating book: Ed Yong's An Immense World... left me awed and stunned - and revolted by humanity's destructive pride and planetary abuse * Times Literary Supplement, *Books of the Year* *Full of extraordinary discoveries... an encyclopaedic, rigorously researched journey... recasts the world in breath-taking, bewildering immensity * Daily Telegraph *A hymn to the wonders of evolution... fascinating * Mail on Sunday *Yong succeeds in bringing a sense of grandeur to life on every scale * Financial Times *Not just a study of the myriad wonders of the natural world - though wondrous they are - but also a panoramic, complex portrait of the sensory capacities that underpin a multitude of life. ... In uncovering all this, Yong also shows why we should give more thought to our place in the world. * New Statesman, *Best Books of 2022* *An Immense World is an exploration of the ways in which our fellow creatures navigate, understand and interact with one another and their environment through senses. ... The result is so mind-boggling, it's tempting to say 'forget looking in deep space for astonishment'. But let's not do that. Let's continue searching there while also paying better attention to the miracles right under our noses. Yong's marvellous book shows us how. * Spectator, *Best Books of 2022* *This book lifts the shroud on previously invisible dimensions of the world itself * Economist, *Books of the Year* *A magic well of surprising, enlightening discoveries about the sensory worlds of other species... A brilliant book, marvellous and mesmerizing -- Jennifer Ackerman, author of The Genius of BirdsA stunning achievement - steeped in science but suffused with magic -- Siddhartha Mukherjee, author The Emperor of All MaladiesA delight... it prompts a radical rethink about the limits of what we know - what the world is, even. It is quite a book. And, I felt, putting it down, quite a world * Sunday Times *I love this book. Reading it is a delightful sensory experience... I truly enjoyed Yong's adventures in Wonderland! * Gaia Vince, author of Transcendence *A journal of discovery and animal magic, a sensory exploration that is a joy to read -- Susan Orlean, author of The Orchid ThiefMagnificent - an unbelievably immersive and mind-blowing account of how other animals experience our world -- Peter Wohlleben, author of The Hidden Life of Trees and The Inner Life of AnimalsLike stepping into a new kind of Alice in Wonderland. The perfect mixture of revelation, curiosity, science, beautiful prose and buckets full of wonders -- Andrea Wulf, author of The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New WorldA cornucopia of wonders... a fascinating reminder of the humbling truth that most of what happens among life forms on Earth is beyond our ken -- David Quammen, author of SpilloverAn expansive, constantly revelatory exploration of the biosphere's sensorium... Ed Yong is my favourite contemporary science writer -- William Gibson, author of Neuromancer and The PeripheralEvery page finds the reader mouthing quiet whoa's, as the world she thought she knew opens out into a hundred others, improbable, strange, and fabulous. -- Mary Roach, author of Fuzz and StiffAn Immense World took my hand and brought me on a journey I'll never forget. After reading this book, I'll never look at our planet the same way again -- Clint Smith, author of How the Word is PassedA whirlwind tour of animal perceptual abilities. A magnificent book * Frans de Waal, author of Different: Gender Through the Eyes of a Primatologist *

Read more less

Book Synopsis______________ ‘A very appealing, beyond-the-basic reference.’– Booklist ‘Cute illustrations and fascinating facts’ – Guardian ‘A perfect gift for any cat lover’ Reader Review 5 STARS ______________ Cats are so mysterious. What makes them climb into tiny spaces? Why do they sleep that much? And, most of all, how can we give them a good life? Dr. Yuki Hattori is Japan's leading cat doctor, and to him cats are the most beautiful animals in the world. His advice comes with little illustrations showing exactly what to look for as a cat owner - including charts showing how to interpret their different meows, the direction of their whiskers and the way their tail is pointing! Cats may seem low-maintenance but thoughtfulness about where you put their water, how warm or cool they like to be, what name to choose and how to groom them properly will make a life-changing difference. With understanding, affection and respect, your cat will be more healthy and contented - and you'll feel happier too. ‘I bought this book for a friend, but after seeing it I might just buy a stack more’ Reader Review 5 STARS ‘Even my dog enjoyed looking at it’ Reader Review 5 STARS

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Beautifully written and filled with mind-boggling wonders' - Dave Goulson, author of A Sting in the Tale'Thrilling, compellingly readable and paradigm-shattering' - Charles Foster, author of Being a Beast'Both expert and entertaining' - David Barrie, author of Incredible JourneysAnts have been walking the Earth since the age of the dinosaurs. Today there are one million ants for every one of us. The closer you get to ants, the more human they look: they build megacities, grow crops, raise livestock, tend their young and infirm, and even make vaccines. They also have a darker side: they wage war, enslave rivals and rebel against their oppressors. From fearsome army ants, who stage twelve-hour hunting raids where they devour thousands, to gentle leaf-cutters gardening in their peaceful underground kingdoms, every ant is engineered by nature to fulfil their particular role.Acclaimed biologist Susanne Foitzik has travelled the globe to study these master architects of Earth. Joined by journalist Olaf Fritsche, Foitzik invites readers deep into her world - in the field and in the lab - and will inspire new respect for ants as a global superpower.Fascinating and action-packed, Empire of Ants will open your eyes to the secret societies thriving right beneath your feet.Trade ReviewBeautifully written and filled with mind-boggling wonders, Empire of Ants is a delightful tribute to the minuscule but extraordinary world of creatures that live right beneath our feet. -- Dave Goulson, author of A STING IN THE TALEThrilling, compellingly readable, and paradigm-shattering. A gateway to a strange but strangely familiar society - a complex international community, ruled by stern, exotic, resonant and repercussive stories. -- Charles Foster, author of BEING A BEASTBoth expert and entertaining, Empire of Ants will leave you in no doubt that these wonderfully strange little animals are among the most impressive of all our fellow creatures. -- David Barrie, author of INCREDIBLE JOURNEYSAre we the sole rulers of this world? This wonderful book brings our tiny co-rulers alive via an engaging description of ants' cities, hard work, warfare, royalty, diversity, and ecological impact. These insects may be quite different from us, but their societies are eerily similar. -- Frans de Waal, author of MAMA'S LAST HUGIf you ever wanted to travel to an exotic planet filled with strange life forms - you've arrived. Every page of Empire of Ants brims with astonishing stories and facts that could never have been invented by a human mind. -- Carl Safina, author of BECOMING WILDThis is a charming tribute to the 'little creatures that run the world.' A very personal selection of the many wonders discovered in the world of ants that introduces readers to their fascinating lives. -- Bert Hölldobler, co-author of THE SUPERORGANISM and Pulitzer Prize–winning THE ANTSSusanne Foitzik and Olaf Fritsche have you enter a whole new universe worthy of a science fiction novel, yet it exists right at your feet. -- Mark W. Moffett, author of THE HUMAN SWARM and ADVENTURES AMONG ANTSThis highly entertaining book makes it clear that Mother Nature has been having a wildly fun time moulding these social insects into an abundance of behavioural and physical expression. -- Jonathan Balcombe, author of WHAT A FISH KNOWS and SUPER FLY

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe definitive guide to truly understanding your cat from internationally renowned cat behaviour expert Dr Sarah Brown''A must-have for an animal rescuer or guardian who wants to increase their feline fluency!'' Hannah Shaw, bestselling author of Tiny But Mighty''Every house cat wishes their owner would read this book!'' Dr. Mike Delgado, PHD, coauthor of Total Cat Mojo---Today, domestic cats live harmoniously with devoted owners all over the world. But how did the wildcats of old creep into our homes and our hearts, convincing us to keep them warm, fed, and pampered?They learned to talk to us.Renowned cat behaviour scientist Dr. Sarah Brown reveals the previously unexplored secrets of cat communication in a book that is both scientifically grounded and utterly delightful.Each chapter dives into a different form of communication, including: Vocalisation Tail signals Scents Rubbing Ear movementsThrough observing the behaviour of two cat colonies in rural England, readers will also have the opportunity to glimpse into the lives of some of the cats behind Dr. Brown''s science.With references to historical records, modern scientific studies of cat-human communication, and the inclusion of simple, elegant line drawings, The Hidden Language of Cats is perfect for any cat lover who wants to learn more about their beloved companion.----''Easily comprehendible and captivating'' Kirkus ReviewsTrade ReviewFascinating and curious, a wonderful book which should not be left in the company of dog-lovers * Spectator *Fascinating * Gazette and Herald *"Sarah Brown knows cats. A fascinating blend of real-life stories and science informed by her deep expertise, this book will both entertain and inform any cat-lover." -- John Bradshaw, New York Times bestselling author of The Trainable Cat and Cat Sense"At last, a brilliant voice to give cats the recognition they deserve. From feral cats outside an asylum, to pampered mother cats giving birth in the warmth and safety of a home, Dr. Brown studies her subjects with a fascination and delight that is contagious. Tracing our relationship with cats all the way back to the Fertile Crescent, The Hidden Language of Cats solves the mystery of how their solitary predatory ancestors came to be such an important part of our lives. The best book you will read this year." -- Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods, New York Times bestselling authors of The Genius of Dogs"Cat advocates sometimes call themselves "the voice of the voiceless," but the truth is cats express themselves very clearly; we just have to know how to listen. The Hidden Language of Cats decodes the underlying meaning behind the wide variety of ways cats communicate with us, each other, and the world around them, empowering readers to better understand and advocate for them. This deep dive into cat language is a must have for any animal rescuer or guardian who wants to increase their feline fluency!" -- Hannah "Kitten Lady" Shaw, bestselling author of Tiny But Mighty and founder of Orphan Kitten Club"Purrs, hisses, meows, scents, scratches, ear tilts, tail flicks, and head butts. Cats are wonderfully expressive across a variety of modalities, even if their meaning isn't always clear to us. Sarah Brown's delightful book will help you better understand what our feline friends are trying to say, while appreciating how much remains mysterious." -- Sean Carroll, Homewood Professor of Natural Philosophy at Johns Hopkins and New York Times bestselling author of The Biggest Ideas in the Universe"Every cat lover wishes they could understand what their cat is thinking: This book will help you do just that! Sarah Brown provides the reader with a highly-entertaining and evidence-based guide to how cats communicate and how to have a better relationship with the cat in your life. Every house cat wishes their owner would read this book!" -- Dr. Mikel Delgado, PhD, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and coauthor of Total Cat Mojo

Read more less

Book SynopsisYou've heard of the Horse Whisperer now meet the woman who uses similar methods to train dogs.Jan Fennell's remarkable gifts have earned her the nickname the dog listener. Her unique understanding of the canine world and its instinctive language has enabled her to bring even the most desperate and delinquent of dogs to heel.This easy-to-follow guide to understanding Jan's simple techniques draws on her countless case histories of problem dogs from biters and barkers to bicycle chasers to show how we can bridge the language barrier that separates man from his best friend.In The Dog Listener Jan shares her secrets, telling us how she grew determined to find a more compassionate alternative to standard obedience training techniques and ultimately how to communicate with canines.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLONGLISTED FOR THE HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZESHORTLISTED FOR THE RICHARD JEFFERIES AWARDA WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF 2023Footprints in the Woods is John Lister-Kaye''s charming account of a year spent with otters, badgers, weasels and pine martens. This family - Mustelidae - all live in the wild at Aigas, the conservation and field study centre in the Highlands that he calls home.With fifty years of experience living side-by-side with these creatures and the patience of a true naturalist, John reveals the lives of these elusive animals: sometimes red in tooth and claw, but often playful, familial, curious and surprising.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Heady, exhilarating, often astonishing'' New York Times ''Iridescently original, deeply disorientating and yet somehow radically hopeful ... worth reading and rereading'' Brian Eno ''Be prepared to re-evaluate your relationship with the amazing life forms with whom we share the planet. Fascinating, innovative and thought provoking: I thoroughly recommend Ways of Being'' Dr Jane Goodall, DBERecent years have seen rapid advances in ''artificial'' intelligence, which increasingly appears to be something stranger than we ever imagined. At the same time, we are becoming more aware of the other intelligences which have been with us all along, unrecognized. These other beings are the animals, plants, and natural systems that surround us, and are slowly revealing their complexity and knowledge - just as the new technologies we''ve built are threatening to cause their extinction, and ours.In Ways of Being, writer and artist James Bridle considers the fascinating, uncanny and multiple ways of existing on earth. What can we learn from these other forms of intelligence and personhood, and how can we change our societies to live more equitably with one another and the non-human world? From Greek oracles to octopuses, forests to satellites, Bridle tells a radical new story about ecology, technology and intelligence. We must, they argue, expand our definition of these terms to build a meaningful and free relationship with the non-human, one based on solidarity and cognitive diversity. We have so much to learn, and many worlds to gain.Trade ReviewBridle's writing weaves cultural threads that aren't usually seen together, and the resulting tapestry is iridescently original, deeply disorientating and yet somehow radically hopeful. The only futures that are viable will probably feel like that. This is a pretty amazing book, worth reading and rereading. -- Brian EnoJames Bridle is an artist who is fascinated by technology - creating a homemade self-driving car to understand how AIs "think", for example - and I loved their book, Ways of Being, which looks at artificial and animal intelligence, and how those challenge our assumptions about the world. Come for the slime mould replicating the Tokyo subway system, stay for the non-binary computer that used water to model the British economy. -- Helen Lewis * New Statesman Books of the Year *Heady and often astonishing ... the scope of Bridle's curiosity and comprehension is immense ... there is something hopeful and even heartening in their faith that our current disastrous course might be shifted not only by new policies and technologies but also - and more fundamentally - by the power of new ideas. -- Stefan Merrill Block * New York Times *If you plan on reading James Bridle's Ways of Being - and I cannot recommend highly enough that you do - you might consider forming a support group first. The ideas in this book are so big, so fascinating and yes, so foreign, you are going to need people to talk to about them ... Bridle has created a new way of thinking about our world, about being ... read this important book. Read it twice. Talk about it. Tell everyone you know. -- Brenna Maloney * Washington Post *It was so interesting that I luxuriated in every word. The conversation unfolding in these pages is fundamentally important and I would recommend it to absolutely everyone who wants to really think and reimagine a future that remains ours to make. I was left with a feeling that James Bridle hasn't so much written a book, as a manifesto for a new Green Enlightenment ... it made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. -- Sir Tim SmitIn making clear the patience, imagination and humility required to better know and protect other forms of intelligence on Earth, Bridle has made an admirable contribution to the dawning interspecies age. * The Economist *Bridle is a clear, artful writer and a sweeping thinker ... [A] hopeful book, almost an antidote. It imagines technology not as something separate and menacing, but as part of a grand unfolding - an 'efflorescence', to use Bridle's word - along an evolutionary continuum of human and 'more-than-human' ways of being in the world. -- Peter Christie * Post Magazine *Bridle enlarges our definition of what 'intelligence' can be ... This book is an expansive guide, helping us turn our gaze outwards as we look for answers to the challenges of our time. The answers are out there, Bridle says, but Western science and imagination are only just beginning to take them seriously. Ways of Being is an absorbing, existential and ultimately hopeful book. -- Elizabeth Wainwright * Geographical *We must rethink what it means to be intelligent in a spirit of collaboration with non-humans ... What makes Bridle's book new and interesting is its insistence that AI, rightly used, can help in this project ... It may not be intelligence as we know it, but it is human, all too human. -- Stuart Jeffries * The Spectator *James Bridle encourages you to widen the boundaries of your understanding, to contemplate the innate intelligence that animates the life force of octopuses and honeybees as well as apes and elephants. We humans are not alone in having a sense of community, a sense of fun, a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of nature. Be prepared to re-evaluate your relationship with the amazing life forms with whom we share the planet. Fascinating, innovative and thought provoking I thoroughly recommend Ways of Being. -- Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of PeaceFrom what are we alienated? Some kind of godlike being, transcending the physical world? The truth is exactly the opposite ... Alienation means thinking humans are special and different. James Bridle's wonderful book will make you feel and think the power of knowing how like all other lifeforms we are. There is nothing more important. -- Timothy MortonJames Bridle's brilliant Ways of Being shows we can only face the challenges of the 21st century if we go beyond the fear of pooling knowledge: Bridle shows the importance of listening to one another and our surroundings, and of creating new forms of community. -- Hans Ulrich Obrist

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Finalist for the PROSE Award in Biological Sciences""A thorough and thoughtful primer on the interiority of bees."---Mike Welch, Scientific American"The book’s bees astound; so too the clever humans who study them."---Robert Eagan, Library Journal, starred review"The knowledge on offer here is as entertaining as it is edifying. Readers won’t look at bees the same way again." * Publishers Weekly *"This is an outstanding book that provides a comprehensive overview of honeybee cognition. It provides a clear introduction to the field for amateur bee lovers as well as a nuanced and up-to-date summary for professionals. By looking at the world through the lens of a bee, readers will develop tools to better understand the distinct and vivid experiences of tiny invertebrates that are too frequently ignored."---Elizabeth A. Tibbetts, Current Biology"An entrancing journey through the senses and life struggles of bees."---Alun Anderson, New Scientist"The Mind of a Bee is a fascinating book that I hope will be read and understood by as broad an audience as possible, so that the important conclusions within may be shared more widely."---Amanda Williams, Buzz about Bees"This is an amazing book. I give it my highest recommendation."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds"I strongly recommend you read [Chittka’s] book and if you will excuse the pun ‘make your own mind up’. Science and nature writing at its finest and an essential read."---Roy Stewart, British Naturalists' Association"Written with moments of levity and soaked in curiosity, The Mind of a Bee is a delight."---Eliza Middleton, The Conversation"Chittka has managed the extraordinary feat of condensing over three decades of research into a single book and in such a way as to make it accessible to the non-expert." * Beekeepers Quarterly *"[A] devoted, accessible analysis."---Andrew Robinson, Nature"Bee behaviour is undoubtedly fascinating and Chittka is the ideal author to explain the intricacies of how bees learn and make decisions."---John Badmin, British Journal of Entomology and Natural History"Engaging and intellectually stimulating. . . .Despite it being basically a science book, The Mind of a Bee keeps you glued like it were an action-packed story where you just need to know the final conclusion."---Mihai Andrei, ZME Science"An entertaining and enlightening read."---Helen Gray, Animal Welfare"Lars Chittka's book is timely indeed, as it vividly describes and scientifically underpins the stunning intellectual power of these little creatures. . . .Highly recommend this book to everybody interested in nature- layman or professional."---Rudolf Alexander Steinbrecht, Arthropod Structure & Development ​​​​​​​"A wonderful journey into the fascinating world of bee intelligence and consciousness." * Conservation Biology *"The Mind of a Bee makes for fascinating reading. The book’s tight structure and numerous illustrations make it accessible . . . . [And I have] been thoroughly convinced by Chittka that bees are anything but little automatons."---Leon Vlieger, Inquisitive Biologist"This book is based on years of scientific research. It is a fascinating read that poses questions we all ought to be asking ourselves."---Claire Waring, Country Smallholder

Read more less

Book SynopsisWant to know what your cat is really thinking and doing?In Kitty Language, animal illustrator Lili Chin explains everything you need to read your cat''s body language. With sections dedicated to their ears, whiskers, tail and more, you''ll gain deeper knowledge into many feline behaviours, including sniffing, scratching, play-hunting, chattering and tail flipping. And you''ll learn the answers to questions such as: does my cat want to be petted, or do they need space? Are they feeling confident, frightened, relaxed or frustrated? What do they need to feel safe, secure, stimulated and happy?Backed by scientific research, endorsed by animal behaviourists and vets, and packed with playful illustrations, Kitty Language is bursting with information for cat lovers.

Read more less

Book Synopsis* Covers the influence of natural selection on behaviour an animal s struggle to survive and reproduce by exploiting and competing for resources, avoiding predators, selecting mates and caring for offspring, and how animal societies reflect both cooperation and conflict among individuals.Trade Review“Altogether this is an excellent introductory text, with full and balanced coverage, easy to read and, to the publisher’s credit, a physically attractive book. It does the authors great credit that they have so refreshed an enduring classic.” (Austral Ecology, 20 July 2015) “… a new edition of the textbook that has introduced generations of undergraduates (and postgraduates) to the delights of behavioural ecology, inspiring many (myself included) to take up the discipline professionally, is a rare treat. Behavioural ecology is, fundamentally, modern-day natural history and there is no clearer written, more inspiringly enthusiastic guide to the subject on the market. This book sets the gold standard for behavioural ecology and animal behaviour textbooks which will no doubt continue to inform and delight students and researchers in equal measure for many years to come.” (Animal Behaviour, 1 March 2013) “Overall, this seems a timely update to a very useful book; it should be widely used by lecturers and undergraduates alike.” (British Ecological Society Bulletin, 1 December 2012) “[An Introduction to Behavioural Ecology, 4th Edition] Stands tall as the textbook to have in the field of Behavioral Ecology...I expect anyone with an A level in Biology, or equivalent, or an interest in Zoology without the qualification, could pick this book up and get a lot out of it...What this book is, is good science explained well, I scored higher in my behavioral ecology exam than I did in any other exam in my finals. I wouldn’t put that entirely down to this book, but it certainly influenced things. The book is well printed, as you would expect, with great clear photographs used liberally, and a lot of graphs and diagrams. In summary then, if you want to know why animals behave the way they do, why swordtail fish do really have the long tails, why birds sing, why fish shoal under certain circumstances, why well fed parrot females produce more males, and why related long-tailed tits help each other raise young, then this book really is for you. I recommend it wholeheartedly.” (The Amateur Naturalist magazine, 1 November 2012) “The book opens with a section on Watching and Wondering, capturing the excitement of natural history, that same wonderment that Kruuk describes so well, and then guides the reader through a series of fascinating questions and findings, experiments and field studies. . . This is clearly good for students wishing to put together presentations for assessments, and extremely useful for lecturers, new and old . . I should say that this is a certainty and future generations will owe this book a considerable debt.” (Journal of Evolutionary Psychology, 1 October 2012) “Among the most influential books in the field of behavioral ecology, An Introduction to Behavioural Ecology certainly stands out to the extent that it has been called ‘a classic textbook.” (Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 2012) “The long-awaited update to a classic in this field is now here, presenting new direc­tions in thinking and addressing burning questions. Richly informed by progress in many other disciplines, such as sensory physiology, genetics and evolutionary theory, it marks the emergence of behav­ioural ecology as a fully fledged discipline….. This is a marvellous book, written in a lucid style. A must-read for those in the field, it is also a cornucopia of new thinking for anyone interested in evolution and behaviour.” (Manfred Milinski, Nature, 2012)Table of ContentsPreface x Acknowledgements xiii 1 Natural Selection, Ecology and Behaviour 1 Watching and wondering 1 Natural selection 5 Genes and behaviour 6 Selfish individuals or group advantage? 11 Phenotypic plasticity: climate change and breeding times 18 Behaviour, ecology and evolution 21 Summary 22 Further reading 22 Topics for discussion 23 2 Testing Hypotheses in Behavioural Ecology 24 The comparative approach 25 Breeding behaviour of gulls in relation to predation risk 26 Social organization of weaver birds 28 Social organization in African ungulates 30 Limitations of early comparative studies 31 Comparative approach to primate ecology and behaviour 33 Using phylogenies in comparative analysis 37 The comparative approach reviewed 45 Experimental studies of adaptation 46 Summary 49 Further reading 50 Topics for discussion 51 3 Economic Decisions and the Individual 52 The economics of carrying a load 52 The economics of prey choice 59 Sampling and information 62 The risk of starvation 63 Environmental variability, body reserves and food storing 65 Food storing birds: from behavioural ecology to neuroscience 66 The evolution of cognition 71 Feeding and danger: a trade-off 73 Social learning 75 Optimality models and behaviour: an overview 79 Summary 81 Further reading 82 Topics for discussion 82 4 Predators versus Prey: Evolutionary Arms Races 83 Red Queen evolution 83 Predators versus cryptic prey 86 Enhancing camouflage 92 Warning colouration: aposematism 95 Mimicry 100 Trade-offs in prey defences 103 Cuckoos versus hosts 105 Summary 113 Further reading 114 Topics for discussion 114 5 Competing for Resources 116 The Hawk–Dove game 116 Competition by exploitation: the ideal free distribution 119 Competition by resource defence: the despotic distribution 123 The ideal free distribution with unequal competitors 123 The economics of resource defence 126 Producers and scroungers 130 Alternative mating strategies and tactics 131 ESS thinking 142 Animal personalities 143 Summary 144 Further reading 145 Topics for discussion 146 6 Living in Groups 147 How grouping can reduce predation 148 How grouping can improve foraging 159 Evolution of group living: shoaling in guppies 163 Group size and skew 164 Group decision making 169 Summary 177 Further reading 177 Topics for discussion 178 7 Sexual Selection, Sperm Competition and Sexual Conflict 179 Males and females 180 Parental investment and sexual competition 182 Why do females invest more in offspring care than do males? 184 Evidence for sexual selection 186 Why are females choosy? 189 Genetic benefits from female choice: two hypotheses 194 Testing the hypotheses for genetic benefits 196 Sexual selection in females and male choice 201 Sex differences in competition 204 Sperm competition 205 Constraints on mate choice and extra-pair matings 208 Sexual conflict 209 Sexual conflict: who wins? 216 Chase-away sexual selection 218 Summary 220 Further reading 221 Topics for discussion 221 8 Parental Care and Family Conflicts 223 Evolution of parental care 223 Parental investment: a parent’s optimum 227 Varying care in relation to costs and benefits 229 Sexual conflict 232 Sibling rivalry and parent–offspring conflict: theory 238 Sibling rivalry: evidence 240 Parent–offspring conflict: evidence 243 Brood parasites 249 Summary 252 Further reading 252 Topics for discussion 253 9 Mating Systems 254 Mating systems with no male parental care 254 Mating systems with male parental care 264 A hierarchical approach to mating system diversity 279 Summary 280 Further reading 281 Topics for discussion 281 10 Sex Allocation 282 Fisher’s theory of equal investment 285 Sex allocation when relatives interact 286 Sex allocation in variable environments 296 Selfish sex ratio distorters 304 Summary 305 Further reading 305 Topics for discussion 306 11 Social Behaviours: Altruism to Spite 307 Kin selection and inclusive fitness 308 Hamilton’s rule 313 How do individuals recognize kin? 318 Kin selection doesn’t need kin discrimination 322 Selfish restraint and kin selection 325 Spite 327 Summary 331 Further reading 332 Topics for discussion 333 12 Cooperation 334 What is cooperation? 334 Free riding and the problem of cooperation 336 Solving the problem of cooperation 337 Kin selection 339 Hidden benefits 341 By-product benefit 341 Reciprocity 345 Enforcement 350 A case study – the Seychelles Warbler 354 Manipulation 356 Summary 358 Further reading 358 Topics for discussion 359 13 Altruism and Conflict in the Social Insects 360 The social insects 360 The life cycle and natural history of a social insect 364 The economics of eusociality 366 The pathway to eusociality 366 The haplodiploidy hypothesis 367 The monogamy hypothesis 371 The ecological benefits of cooperation 375 Conflict within insect societies 379 Conflict over the sex ratio in the social hymenoptera 379 Worker policing in the social hymenoptera 386 Superorganisms 389 Comparison of vertebrates with insects 390 Summary 392 Further reading 392 Topics for discussion 393 14 Communication and Signals 394 The types of communication 395 The problem of signal reliability 396 Indices 397 Handicaps 405 Common interest 411 Human language 416 Dishonest signals 417 Summary 421 Further reading 422 Topics for discussion 423 15 Conclusion 424 How plausible are our main premises? 424 Causal and functional explanations 436 A final comment 438 Summary 441 Further reading 441 References 442 Index 489

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis comprehensive introductory text integrates evolutionary, ecological, and demographic perspectives with new results from field studies and contemporary noninvasive molecular and hormonal techniques to understand how different primates behave and the significance of these insights for primate conservation. Each chapter is organized around the major research themes in the field, with Strier emphasizing the interplay between theory, observations, and conservation issues. Examples are drawn from the classic primate field studies as well as more recent studies, including many previously neglected species, to illustrate the vast behavioral variation that exists across the primate order. Primate Behavioral Ecology 6th Edition integrates the impacts of anthropogenic activities on primate populations, including zoonotic disease and climate change, and considers the importance of behavioral flexibility for primate conservation. This fully updated new edition brings exciting new metTable of Contents1. Introduction to Primate Studies 2. Traits, Trends, and Taxonomy 3. Primates Past to Present 4. Evolution and Social Behavior 5. Evolution and Sex 6. Food and Foraging 7. Female Strategies 8. Male Strategies 9. Developmental Stages through the Life Span 10. Communication and Cognition 11. Community Ecology 12. Conservation

Read more less

Book Synopsis______________________ What do my dog's barks mean? Should I be brushing their teeth? How do I even know what kind of dog is right for me? Let's be honest, pets may seem pretty straightforward, but as soon as you become an owner there are so many questions. Mat Ward is an internationally recognised expert on dog behaviour, and for him the secret to success is knowing that dogs and humans are both full of potential. (To prove it, he once taught a rescue dog how to fly a plane.) His tips for being the world's best owner come with original illustrations that explain everything you need to know, from how to avoid 'separation anxiety' to why dogs wag their tails. With this book, you'll learn how your pet's brain really works and discover amazing, direct ways to train them at any age from puppy upwards. Play new games, develop communication skills and just relax into having fun together! Your dog will be well-trained and contented – and that means you'll feel happy too. ______________________ Drawings by Rupert Fawcett, the cartoonist behind Off the Leash and Fred. Trade ReviewA fascinating new book … it sounds like something we all need over here * Alex Jones *

Read more less

Book SynopsisScientists have long cautioned against attributing familiar emotions to animals, arguing that it limits our ability to truly comprehend the lives of other creatures. The author focuses on the specific case of grief, and relates story after story - from field sites, farms, and homes - of animals mourning lost companions, mates, or friends.Trade Review"I recommend this book to anyone who doubts that animals grieve. The evidence presented is overwhelming." (EcoLit) "Admirably, carefully, and cautiously reviews and synthesizes a topic that is of great interest to numerous people, including those who are fortunate enough to live with nonhuman companions, those who are lucky enough to study them, and those who are interested in other animals for a wide variety of reasons." (Marc Bekoff, Psychology Today) "King's thoughtful, warm-hearted prose will raise awareness and amaze readers." (Publishers Weekly) "A touching and provocative exploration of the latest research on animal minds and animal emotions." (Washington Post)"

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Kindness and co-operation have played a crucial role in raising humans to the top of the evolutionary tree ... We have thrived on the milk of human kindness.' Observer BY THE AUTHOR OF ARE WE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW HOW SMART ANIMALS ARE? 'There is a widely-held assumption that humans are hard-wired for relentless and ruthless competition ... Frans de Waal sees nature differently - as a biological legacy in which empathy, not mere self-interest, is shared by humans, bonobos and animals.' Ben Macintyre, The Times Empathy holds us together. That we are hardwired to be altruistic is the result of thousands of years of evolutionary biology which has kept society from slipping into anarchy. But we are not alone: primates, elephants, even rodents are empathetic creatures too. Social behaviours such as the herding instinct, bonding rituals, expressions of consolation and even conflict resolution demonstrate that animals are designed to feel for each other. From chimpanzees caring for mates that have been wounded by leopards, elephants reassuring youngsters in distress and dolphins preventing sick companions from drowning, with a wealth of anecdotes, scientific observations, wry humour and incisive intelligence, The Age of Empathy is essential reading for all who believe in the power of our connections to each other.Trade ReviewHis writing and science are infectiously good -- Adam Rutherford * Guardian *There is a widely held assumption that humans are hard-wired for relentless and ruthless competition... Frans de Waal sees nature differently - as a biological legacy in which empathy, not mere self interest, is shared by humans, bonobos and animals -- Ben Macintyre * The Times *A pioneer in primate studies, Frans de Waal sees our better side in chimps, especially our capacity for empathy * Wall Street Journal *Freshly topical ... a corrective to the idea that all animals - human and otherwise - are selfish and unfeeling to the core * Economist *Warm, engaging and empathetic ... the more we learn about nature, the more richly we're able to imagine a better society * Independent *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWe live in a world teeming with parasites. Many animal behaviors, including social interactions, mating displays, and decisions about where to move, nest, and forage are shaped by interactions with parasites. The same is true for humans, where our attraction to mates, hygienic behaviors, food choices, and decisions about when and where to gather in groups often depend on current and perceived infection risk. In turn, behaviors like social distancing and self-medication can alter the trajectories of parasite transmission and evolution, as vividly illustrated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The myriad connections between animal behavior and parasitism have been the subject of growing research interest since the 1970s and 80s, when fundamental theories linking the two fields of study emerged. Since then, a combination of conceptual and technological advances, and increased integration of ideas across disciplines, have helped to uncover fascinating new connections between animal behaviorTrade ReviewGiven the myriad effects parasites exert on various facets of host biology and behavior, this scholarly, well-researched text will appeal to a broad range of biologists with widely varying interests. * Choice *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis illustrated guide tells you everything you need to know to help you understand and bond with your cat. Filled with practical advice - including the secrets of cat body language and tips to help you nurture their happiness - it will deepen your knowledge and help you give your four-legged feline friend a life full of love, joy and affection.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisUnlock the secret code of cats for a deeper connection with the feline in your life.Have you ever wondered why your cats behave the way they do? This authoritative guide has all the answers! Cats can be quite sensitive to their surroundings, and sometimes their behaviour can leave you scratching your head. Discover what''s really behind those things cats do - whether they''re amusing, irritating, or just downright bizarre.What''s My Cat Thinking will help cat lovers build a deeper connection with the feline in their lives. Inside, you''ll find: - Accurate descriptions of behaviour will help you understand your cat''s body language nuances and act accordingly - Advanced Catwatching features put the spotlight on key behaviours such as sofa-scratching- Survival Guides offer top tips for managing challenges such as moving house, or introducing a new cat into the family.- A fun book for cat people t

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs the study of cephalopod behaviour continues to fascinate biologists, this second edition reviews data from more than five hundred papers published since the original 1996 volume. Extensively illustrated, it discusses the causation, function, development and evolution of cephalopod behaviour, inviting students to explore the subject further.Trade Review'A treasure trove of information on the cognitively most advanced invertebrates on earth. This new edition is the update every marine biologist and diver has been waiting for. The last few decades have given us many new findings and insights, which are all covered here. This overview of the cephalopods by two of the world's foremost experts, ranges from their phylogeny, sensory systems and physiology to behaviour, communication and ecology. It is highly readable and beautifully illustrated to boot.' Frans de Waal, author of Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?'Written by two of the leaders in cephalopod research, this book is even better than the first edition. It is a 'must have' not just for scientists but for everyone who is interested in these amazing animals.' Nicola S. Clayton, FRS, University of Cambridge and Scientist in Residence, Rambert'People find cephalopods fascinating, and rightly so as this book demonstrates. It provides a masterly synthesis of cephalopod natural history, written by two scientists who have helped to shape the field. The book is filled with stunning photographs, often taken by the authors. It will be a tremendous boon to cephalopod biologists, as well as to other scientists interested in cephalopods. It provides handy tables summarizing behaviour across species within the Cephalopoda (e.g. mating styles). This book updates the first edition, detailing recent changes in fast moving areas such as phylogeny. The authors discuss a range of current hypotheses about cephalopods (e.g. the role of ink in anti-predator behaviour) in an even-handed manner. Although this book is written with a scientific audience in mind, cephalopods admirers of all types will find this work engaging.' Shelley Adamo, Dalhousie University, Canada'Cephalopods are undoubtedly among the most fascinating group of animals on the planet, varying enormously in appearance, behaviour, and ecology. Hanlon and Messenger do a wonderful job of illustrating how cephalopods thrive in a diverse range of habitats, how they communicate and avoid predators, how they reproduce, and their remarkable skills, ranging from colour change to cognition. The book is a wonderful tribute to these animals - indeed, how can one fail to be excited by a unique group of animals that range from less than 10mm to over 5m, can change colour in an instant, produce flashes of their own light, and solve complex problems? This clear and enlightening book is not only for those fascinated by cephalopods, but for any student and scientist interested in how animals behave, adapt, and diversity. The book beautifully, and in detail, outlines what we can learn from studying one remarkable group of animals for understanding ecology and evolution, and how animals cope with a variety of habitats to survive and reproduce.' Martin Stevens, University of Exeter'The book is a joy to read and, while academic and fact packed in nature, it is quite a page turner if you are interested in marine biology …' Amanda Hardy, The BiologistTable of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Senses, effectors and the brain; 3. Body patterning and colour change; 4. Feeding and foraging; 5. Defence; 6. Reproductive behaviour; 7. Communication; 8. The development of behaviour, learning and cognition; 9. Ecological aspects of behaviour; 10. Nautilus; 11. Synthesis: brains, behaviour and the future.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA compendium of slimy and repulsive facts from the authors of Does it Fart?What is hyena butter, and would you want to put it on toast? A hagfish can produce how much slime in 60 seconds? Which animal produces a snotty sleeping bag? How does a bubble snail use mucus to get around? Which organism is the slime champion?Find out the answer to these and other slimy facts and more in Believe it or Snot, the new book from the authors of the New York Times bestseller Does it Fart? and the follow-through True or Poo. Slime, sludge, mucus, ooze, goo - it's all covered in here (but at least you're not covered in it).Trade Review'A very necessary book' - New York Post on Does it Fart?

Read more less

Book SynopsisA heartfelt hymn to the sea and an unforgettable introduction to one of the most gifted nature writers of the new generation The seas cover over two thirds of our planet and yet most of us live our lives on land, creatures of a different element, at once fascinated and terrified by the beauty and power of these great bodies of water. There are some, though, who go to sea, who get to know its many moods -- the tranquil and mirror-like, the raging and ripple-swept -- and who bring back with them their stories of wonder and warning. Hannah Stowe is one such sea-goer and one such storyteller. Drawing on her expertise as a marine biologist and sailor, and her experiences in the North Sea, the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the North Sea, the Celtic Sea, and the Caribbean, Move Like Water is an exploration of the human relationship with the sea, the powerful impression it has made on our culture, and the terrible damage we have inflicted upon its ecosystems. In shimmering, fluid prose, Stowe introduces us to five keystone marine creatures - the sperm whale, the humpback whale, the orca, the albatross and the firecrow - encouraging us to fall in love with the seas as she has, to appreciate their majesty and their vulnerability.Trade ReviewElegant, enthralling... There are plenty of books about the sea, but few, if any, have the lyrical, almost visceral intensity of this one... Stowe's shimmering prose - and her exquisite line drawings - make us feel the majesty of the sea and its creatures. It also reveals their terrifying vulnerability * Daily Mail *Above all a sensuous book, more felt than described, more described than explained, more painted than penned: part memoir, part journal and - with each chapter named for a creature the author encountered either in real life or in dreams - part natural mystery tour * New York Times Book Review *A haunting evocation of [the sea's] power and beauty, and an exploration of its wildlife... [Stowe's] prose is beautiful, conjuring the storybook setting of her upbringing, the salt spray of the sea and the wonder of travelling alongside whales and sea birds while also imparting scientific knowledge * Western Mail *A briny love story... Stowe wistfully explores the mysteries of water as she navigates the sometimes turbulent, often rousing flow of her life * Booklist *Stirring... Fascinating... Unforgettable... Stowe immerses readers in the sights, sounds, and rhythms of the ocean in her spellbinding debut -- Starred review * Publishers Weekly *Exquisite in its intelligence and boundless in the fetch of its wave -- Jay GriffithsThe shelves are awash with sea books. But Stowe is different. She doesn't just watch and describe the sea; she's part of it. It surges inside her and crashes out onto the page. The book's drenched with salt water. It fizzes, clicks, booms and screams. Tremendous -- Charles Foster, author of Cry of the Wild and A Little Brown SeaInspiring... Hannah Stowe recounts her lifelong love affair with the sea and illuminates the complexities of our relationship with ocean ecosystems... An urgent call to address the damage we're doing to the oceans, and a siren song to the beauty and power of the sea -- Lulah Ellender, author of GroundingLet Hannah's captivating prose transport you on a journey across the waves, feeling the wind and salt on your skin, and always watching out for the tantalising glimpse of a whale. You will be enthralled by her personal story, invigorated by her energy and determination, and persuaded to think deeply about the ocean, its living treasures and the human troubles they face -- Dr Helen Scales, author of The Brilliant Abyss and Scientists in the Wild: GalápagosThis is [Stowe's] personal, poetic and heartfelt story, sharing the lessons the sea has taught her * BBC Wildlife magazine *A gem of a book - a must-read for anyone interested in the sea or marine life, and highly recommended for those who enjoy top-notch memoirs. Stowe's exquisite prose makes this a book to be savored * Bookbrowse *This is Stowe's love letter to the sea -- Best Nonfiction Book of September * Book Riot *Beautifully evocative, Stowe's memoir captures the emotional and physical pull of open waters in a visceral and compelling way. A book that can be read on many levels- memoir, a natural history guide, a call to care-with it's strength in the intersection of all. If you love oceans, women explorers and artists, or just a book to challenge your mind and soul, this one is for you * Southern Bookseller *Not only do readers get to spend time sailing the North Sea, North Atlantic, Mediterranean, Celtic Sea, and the Caribbean in this memoir, but they are led by the rhythmic prose of a deeply invested and poetic marine biologist. Great for people who love marine animals too! -- Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2023 * Independent Book Review *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs we watch the chimpanzees of Arnhem behave in ways we recognize from Machiavelli (and from the nightly news), de Waal reminds us again that the roots of politics are older than humanity.Trade ReviewAn excellent book... Just as fresh and thought-provoking in 2008 as it was in 1983. Laelaps 2008Table of ContentsPreface to the 25th Anniversary EditionIntroduction1. Personalities2. Two Power Takeovers3. Restless Stability4. Sexual Privileges5. Social MechanismsConclusionEpilogueNotesBibliographyAcknowledgmentsIndex

Read more less

Book Synopsis'The modern day Doctor Dolittle' (Guardian), bestselling author of Animals in Translation, investigates the secrets of mental health in animals.Trade Review'A woman whose understanding of animals is very special. What's more, she not only understands them, she also puts her knowledge to practical use' Desmond Morris 'Admirable and extraordinary' Guardian 'Temple Grandin is a global phenomenon ... For those of us who love animals and want the best for them, Temple Grandin is a beacon of common sense and wisdom' Daily Mail

Read more less

Book SynopsisA completely up-to-date introduction to the most common group of bees in Britain.Bees, for most people, mean honey or bumble bees, but in fact these social species make up only a small proportion of the species that live in Britain. Open your eyes to the so-called solitary' bees, and discover a wonderfully diverse population miners, leafcutters, carpenters and masons many of which can be found in your own back garden.Solitary bees come in a variety of colours and sizes, with some as large as bumblebees and some only a few millimetres long, and many are key pollinators for our crops and wildflowers. This comprehensive book will tell the story of how these bees live, reproduce and thrive: discover the numerous strategies used by male bees to find females and persuade them to mate; follow the females as they build their nests or in the case of cuckoo' species, sneak into the nests of their neighbours and watch as the new generation appears. Explore the interactions between flowering pTrade ReviewPraise for New Naturalist Solitary Bees:‘This stands out as my book of the year, and if you are only going to have one New Naturalist book on your shelves or you are an avid collector of the series, this book is a must have and I thoroughly recommend it.’ Steven Rutherford FBNA, Honorary Chairman, British Naturalists Association Reviews of Ted Benton’s previous volumes in the New Naturalist Series – Bumblebees and Grasshoppers & Crickets: ‘The most authoritative work on British bumblebees ever published.’Independent ‘This book is an inspiration. It will fascinate and arm you with everything you need to know to help you save our bumblebees. Buy it, enjoy it, and keep it safe.’BBC Wildlife ‘Ted Benton's entomological opus [New Naturalist] Grasshoppers & Crickets led me into the weird world of British orthoptera, with their edible nuptial gifts, "mate-guarding", harems and extraordinarily complex songs. No field or meadow will seem or sound the same again’ Robert Macfarlane, ‘Books of the Year 2012’, Guardian

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis beautifully illustrated overview of the wildlife of the British Isles showcases the diversity of our plant and animal life.Wild Isles is a celebration of the wildlife found on a relatively modest collection of islands positioned at a latitude so northerly to be unattractive to many animals and plants. Despite these unpromising foundations, the islands of Britain and Ireland, together with more than 6,000 lesser islets that make up our archipelago, contain some of the most diverse, beautiful and wildlife-rich landscapes and seas on our planet.This book will explore the fascinating relationships within and between species who make their home on our beautiful isles.Each chapter focuses on a particular kind of wild space. Britain and Ireland are dominated by a wide variety of grasslands from lowland water meadows to upland moors, and we will see how these human-shaped, semi-natural landscapes thrum with insect, bird and mammal life. Life requires water to flourish, and streams and rivTrade Review‘Filled with glorious photography showcasing the biodiversity of our archipelago’ Radio Times Praise for Patrick Barkham 'Barkham is an outstanding author' CHRIS PACKHAM 'Outstanding nature journalism' HORATIO CLARE 'A heralded nature writer' THE TIMES 'A lovely, fluid writer' DAILY MAIL

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe leading text in the field shows how researchers use scientific logic to study the underlying mechanisms and evolutionary bases of behavior, with emphasis on how evolutionary theory unifies the various sub disciplines within animal behavior. A comparative and integrative overview of how and why animals as diverse as insects and humans behave the way that they do, linking behaviors to the brain, genes, and hormones, as well as to the surrounding ecological and social environments.

Read more less

Book SynopsisUnleash your dog''s potential and build a rewarding relationship that will last a lifetime!From walking on a loose lead to carrying the shopping, The Beginner''s Dog Training Guide has everything you need to know to train your dog and ensure you have a happy canine companion. Choose the right dog breed for you and then keep your dog healthy by understanding their exercise, diet, and grooming needs. Follow clear, step-by-step explanations and illustrations to learn every aspect of owning and training a dog, from basic obedience to advanced tricks.Expert advice accompanied by over 800 clear photographs provide a user-friendly visual guide to training your dog, by showing you exactly what to do. Filled with tips and tricks, this book will help you become the owner of a well-behaved, healthy, and happy dog!This dog training book promises:- An easy-to-follow approach to understanding dog behaviour and dog training based on the latest r

Read more less

Book SynopsisDo you speak to your cat? Do you feel your cat understands you and vice versa?Cat lovers across the globe know cats can speak. In this compelling new book, Susanne Schotz a professor at Sweden's Lund University shares insights into her long-standing cat communication research. Proving that cats not only speak to one another, but also to their human caretakers.This clever book teaches us how to better understand our cats by translating their sounds, recognising their meaning in different situations and giving practical tips to understand them better.Unlocking the cat code, this crash course in cat phonetics is the perfect gift for cat-lovers everywhere.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThere are many introductions to the animal ethics literature. There arenât many introductions to the practice of doing animal ethics. Bob Fischerâs Animal Ethics: A Contemporary Introduction fills that gap, offering an accessible model of how animal ethics can be done today. The book takes up classic issues, such as the ethics of eating meat and experimenting on animals, but tackles them in an empirically informed and nuanced way. It also covers a range of relatively neglected issues in animal ethics, such as the possibility of insect sentience and the ethics of dealing with pests. Finally, the book doesnât assess every current practice using standard ethical theories, but tries to evaluate some of them using the moral frameworks endorsed by those involved. So, for instance, there is a chapter on the way that animal care and use committees try to justify some of the educational uses of animals, and the chapter on zoos considers the way that international zoological societies Trade Review"Bob Fischer’s book is a fantastic and unorthodox introduction to animal ethics. It’s highly readable, appealingly honest, firmly grounded in real-life cases, and challenges readers to think for themselves."Clare Palmer, Texas A&M University"This is an excellent introduction to animal ethics, both its various moral frameworks and the range of issues related to nonhuman animals. Its nuanced exploration of animal ethics is written in a style that is simultaneously accessible and engaging to newcomers to this topic and insightful and productively provocative for readers with extensive experience thinking about these issues. From a teaching perspective, this introduction makes many valuable observations and raises important questions for thinking about how to approach these topics. It is both a fantastic introduction and a valuable tool for prompting deeper discussions in more advanced courses."Elan Abrell, New York UniversityTable of Contents1. Introduction 2. The Moral Community 3. Animal Minds 4. Welfare and Death 5. Moral Theory 6. Animal Agriculture and Aquaculture 7. Production and Consumption Ethics 8. Fishing 9. International Animal Care and Use Committees 10. Animal Research 11. Zoos 12. Pests 13. Companion Animals 14. Activism 15. Conclusion

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs seen on ITV's This Morning'You really can learn to talk to your pet' - Daily MailWe all want what's best for our pets, but what if we simply don't understand what that is?With this easy introductory guide to animal communication, you can leave out the guesswork and open yourself to a deeper, richer relationship with your pet.In this book, you will: • Learn exactly what animal communication is, how it differs from being a pet psychic and the different types of ways you can psychically communicate with your pet, including Beth's unique PACT method • Receive important messages from your pet, learn to communicate with other people's pets, as well as read messages via photographs • Understand how to solve behavioural issues in your pet and help them with their wellbeing • Be able to learn how to use animal communication to help cope with the loss of a beloved pet as well as learn how to use your new skills to locate a missing animal.Your pet is part of your family, they know what you are feeling, and now you can really understand what they are feeling too.Trade Review'You really can learn to talk to your pet' * Daily Mail *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn hourly guide that follows twenty-four birds as they find food, mates, and safety from predators. From morning to night and from the Antarctic to the equator, birds have busy days. In this short book, ornithologist Mark E. Hauber shows readers exactly how birds spend their time. Each chapter covers a single bird during a single hour, highlighting twenty-four different bird species from around the globe, from the tropics through the temperate zones to the polar regions. We encounter owls and nightjars hunting at night and kiwis and petrels finding their way in the dark. As the sun rises, we witness the beautiful songs of the dawn chorus. At eleven o'clock in the morning, we float alongside a common pochard, a duck resting with one eye open to avoid predators. At eight that evening, we spot a hawk swallowing bats whole, gorging on up to fifteen in rapid succession before retreating into the darkness. For each chapter, award-winning artist Tony Angell has depicted these scenes with his signature pen and ink illustrations, which grow increasingly light and then dark as our bird day passes. Working closely together to narrate and illustrate these unique moments in time, Hauber and Angell have created an engaging read that is a perfect way to spend an hour or twoand a true gift for readers, amateur scientists, and birdwatchers.Trade Review“‘What do birds do all day long?’ Ecology professor Hauber answers this question by taking an hour-by-hour, worldwide tour of two dozen bird species. . . . Short vignettes about each bird are beautifully illustrated with Tony Angell's lively drawings, bringing the wonders of bird behavior to life.” * Booklist *"A delightful book by research ornithologist Mark Hauber and illustrator Ton Angell. From owls hunting at night to the common pochard resting with an eye open to spot predators in the daytime, this is a global, hour-by-hour account of individual bird lives." * New Scientist *"Fine drawings by Tony Angell, with a grey background, have a quality recalling old woodcuts." * Birdwatching Magazine *“Bird Day is a brisk, high concept read. It lends the reader a pair of giant wings to soar across the globe, peeking in each hour on the lives of the world’s most fascinating birds. Author Mark Hauber is a research ornithologist, and the text often draws upon his studies. We meet cooperatively breeding superb starlings; a secretary bird that stomps venomous snakes into submission; a duck, keeping one eye open while sound asleep; a bat hawk that swallows its nocturnal prey whole. Lushly patterned chiaroscuro drawings by Tony Angell heighten the mystery and delight of these tall-but-true bird tales.” * Julie Zickefoose, author and illustrator of “Letters from Eden,” “The Bluebird Effect,” “Baby Birds,” and “Saving Jemima” *“A wonderful book that simultaneously made me nostalgic about a cave full of oilbirds in Trinidad and a kiwi running between my legs in a New Zealand sleet storm—and further informed me about the lives of birds. A brilliant collaboration between a first-rate behaviorist and my favorite bird artist.” * Paul R. Ehrlich, author of "Life: A Journey through Science and Politics" and "The Birder's Handbook" *“As much a meditation as a book, Hauber and Angell’s Bird Day gives us a bird to think about at each hour of the day and night. They take us around the world, visiting birds including the brown-headed cowbird (5 a.m.), Hauber’s own research subject, the ocellated antbird (noon), Cook’s petrel in New Zealand (10 p.m.), and twenty-one others. The narrative brilliantly captures the moment; the art makes the moment come alive. Bird Day is an excellent pairing of text and art, one I will return to again and again as the hours go by.” * Joan E. Strassmann, author of "Slow Birding: The Art and Science of Enjoying the Birds in Your Own Backyard" *“One could not ask for two better field companions than Mark Hauber and Tony Angell as they observe some of the world’s most interesting birds. Their book gives us all new ways of seeing, hearing, and thinking about them—hour by hour—without ever leaving home.” * Robert McCracken Peck, author of "A Celebration of Birds" and "The Natural History of Edward Lear" *“Stunning. . . . Sometimes we are oblivious to miraculous objects in our daily lives.” -- Praise for Mark E. Hauber’s "Book of Eggs" * The Guardian *“Angell writes (and draws) with the absolute authority of one who has studied, rehabilitated, lived with, and loved the animals his whole life.” -- Praise for Tony Angell’s "The House of Owls" * Wall Street Journal *Table of ContentsPreface Artist’s Note Midnight: Barn Owl (Worldwide) 1 AM: Little Spotted Kiwi (New Zealand) 2 AM: Oilbird (South America) 3 AM: Kākāpō (New Zealand) 4 AM: Common Nightingale (Eurasia) 5 AM: Brown-Headed Cowbird (North America) 6 AM (Sunrise): Silvereye (Australasia) 7 AM: Bee Hummingbird (Caribbean) 8 AM: American Robin (North America) 9 AM: Eclectus Parrot (Australasia) 10 AM: Indian Peafowl (Asia, Introduced Worldwide) 11 AM: Common Pochard (Eurasia) Noon: Ocellated Antbird (Central America) 1 PM: Secretary Bird (Africa) 2 PM: Emperor Penguin (Antarctica) 3 PM: Superb Starling (Africa) 4 PM: Common Cuckoo (Eurasia) 5 PM: Indian Myna (Asia, Introduced Worldwide) 6 PM (Sunset): Standard-Winged Nightjar (Africa) 7 PM: Great Snipe (Eurasia) 8 PM: Bat Hawk (Africa and Asia) 9 PM: Black-Crowned Night Heron (Worldwide) 10 PM: Cook’s Petrel (New Zealand) 11 PM: European Robin (Eurasia) Epilogue Acknowledgments Further Reading Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Finalist for the PROSE Award in History of Science, Medicine, and Technology, Association of American Publishers""Clearly written and beautifully detailed, this book will be of interest to psychologists, neuroscientists, and anthropologists at all levels of expertise interested in issues of self-recognition or misidentification between the self and other."---Saira Khan, Quarterly Review of Biology

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn indispensible guide to raising your new puppy from the author of The Dog Listener. From teething to training, this book follows the development of your puppy from new pet to best friend.In The Puppy Listener Jan Fennell presents a simple-to-follow yet detailed handbook for puppy owners. Whether this is your first pup or you are a seasoned dog-owner, the hints and tips in this concise guide are valuable and well informed.This handy guide follows the life of your puppy from weaning to walking. Jan Fennell covers every aspect of caring for your new best friend from introducing a puppy into its new home and handling it in public, to dealing with behavioural problems. With detailed sections on everything from exercise to diet, there are problem-solving guides dealing with worries such as biting or anxiety.Once again Jan illustrates her points with entertaining and inspiring real-life cases from her own work with damaged and delinquent dogs. Her love of animals is contagious and she inspires owners to persevere with their pups and show them who is boss.The book contains photographs and plate sections which accompany the text.Trade Review'British dog owner Jan Fennell has devised a revolutionary method of training. It's gentle, simple and remarkably effective.'Mail on Sunday 'Jan Fennell may not have danced with wolves, but she's stood nose to nose with them – and if she was given half a chance, I'm sure she could make lions lie down with lambs.'Daily Record

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover the true meaning of dog behaviour to form the deepest bond with your canine companion.What does it really mean when a dog rolls over and shows their tummy? They''re not always looking for a belly rub...Drawing on the latest research in dog psychology, this book reveals the secret meanings behind more than 80 canine behaviours, including the seven types of dog greeting and why some dogs eat your underwear!Packed with dogwatching tips and positive reinforcement training advice, this book will help you keep your dog happy, stimulated - and adorable!

Read more less

Book SynopsisMimi Koehl is a biomechanist. She uses engineering and physics to study the designs of living things that fly, swim, drift, and crawl. She loves solving riddles about how creatures 'from feathered dinosaurs to flying frogs' live and move. This book presents her story.Table of Contents1 Sample Chapter 1: Hope Calling

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis interdisciplinary volume discusses animal housing and welfare, captive breeding, conservation, zoo legislation, and visitor behaviour. This book is an important resource for students studying zoo biology and management, animal welfare, animal behaviour, wildlife conservation and veterinary science, and anyone with a general interest in zoos.Table of Contents1. Zoos and research; 2. Defining zoos, their culture and visitors; 3. Zoos and education; 4. Anthrozoology and visitor behaviour; 5. Zoo organisation and regulation; 6. Ethics, zoos and public attitudes; 7. The contribution of zoos to Zoology; 8. Animals and their enclosures; 9. Animal welfare; 10. Enrichment and training; 11. Conservation breeding, reproduction and genetics; 12. Restoration, rehabilitation and in situ conservation; 13. Animal nutrition and conservation medicine; 14. The past and future of zoos.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the renowned wolf researcher and author of The Rise of Wolf 8 and The Reign of Wolf 21 comes a stunning account of an unconventional alpha male.A lover, not a fighter. That was wolf 302. A renegade with an eye for the ladies, 302 was anything but Yellowstone’s perfect alpha male. For starters, he fled from danger. He begged for food from other wolves, ditched females he’d gotten pregnant, and even napped during a heated battle with a rival pack!But this is not the story of 302’s failures. This is the story of his dramatic transformation. And legendary wolf writer Rick McIntyre witnessed it all from the sidelines.As McIntyre closely observed with his spotting scope, wolf 302 began to mature, and, much to McIntyre’s surprise, became the leader of a new pack in his old age.But in a year when game was scarce, could the aging wolf provide for his family? Had he changed enough to live up to the legacies of the

Read more less

Book SynopsisEvolution is a series of bets, and no animal gambles the way humans do. This has led us to unprecedented ecological dominance, via the steepest odds and unlikeliest of outcomes, but our winning streak cuts both ways: the secret to our success may yet be our downfall.The Gambling Animal offers a revelatory retelling of the human story. Drawing on their unique research into the management of risk by humans and other animals - including our most impressive compatriots, elephants - Glenn Harrison and Don Ross reveal the hidden logic of our rise. But with an ecological crisis on the horizon, how long can our winning streak continue?

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less