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'The Wit of a Duck and Other Papers'is a collection of essays by American naturalist John Burroughs, first published in 1901. The titular paper,'The Wit of a Duck', is a fascinating essay on bird intelligence, while the rest deal with other bird-related subjects. Contents include:'The Wit Of A Duck','An Astonished Porcupine','Human Traits In The Animals','The Downy Woodpecker','A Barn-door Outlook','Wild Life In Winter','Bird Life In Winter','A Birds'Free Lunch','Bird-nesting Time','A Breath Of April','The Woodcock's Evening Hymn','The Coming Of Summer', etc. John Burroughs (1837 - 1921) was an American naturalist, essayist, and active member of the U.S. conservation movement. Burroughs'work was incredibly popular during his lifetime, and his legacy has lived on in the form of twelve U.S. Schools named after him, Burroughs Mountain, and the John Burroughs Association-which publicly recognizes well-written and illustrated natural history publications. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.

“Biodiversity in Indian Scenarious” with more than thirteen research papers!! Most of the papers are original research papers on various aspects of biodiversity. A few review articles explain the past works in a well-defined manner. It is an excellent book and a source of valuable reference material for research students for various aspects on Biodiversity in our Indian subcontinent. Special reference is laid on South Indian Mountain ranges. This book will serve the purpose of the students of post-graduation in biology, especially in Plant Biodiversity. Hence, I strongly recommend it for educational institution as an excellent reference work. Valuable criticism for the improvement of second edition are welcome and will be gratefully acknowledged.

The naturalist and explorer Alfred Russell Wallace is famed for his contributions to evolutionary theory; his autobiography charts these and other accomplishments.Wallace was born in Wales to a modest family, and originally began his career as an apprentice surveyor in a relative's business in London...However a growing interest in the collection of insects, and the good impressions he left on members of the scientific community, led him to head abroad on his first expedition as a naturalist.His journeys to the Amazon saw him both observe the fauna and map uncharted regions of the rainforest. Later, his voyage to the Malay archipelago yielded a collection of some 126,000 insect specimens and beetles; thousands of these had never before been cataloged in science. Jotting many notes during his years abroad, Wallace determined his own notions of natural selection—on arriving back in England, he published these ideas and began a lively correspondence with Charles Darwin.As a contemporary and friend of Darwin, Wallace had great bearing upon evolutionary thought. Although the two disagreed on how exactly natural selection took place, in broad terms they concurred; Wallace would author multiple papers defending and further explaining the ideas set out in Darwin's'On the Origin of Species'. In certain fields, such as identification and arrangement of new animal species, Wallace was considered the foremost expert. He was a keen and meticulous observer of the natural world, and one of the first scientists to ever express anxiety about the effects that mankind was having upon the natural environment.This excellent autobiography offers readers substantial insight into how Wallace made his discoveries and became a respected figure. Though often struggling financially, and holding no formal qualifications, with deeds and sheer effort Wallace made his mark upon biological science.-Print ed.

The naturalist and explorer Alfred Russell Wallace is famed for his contributions to evolutionary theory; his autobiography charts these and other accomplishments.Wallace was born in Wales to a modest family, and originally began his career as an apprentice surveyor in a relative's business in London...However a growing interest in the collection of insects, and the good impressions he left on members of the scientific community, led him to head abroad on his first expedition as a naturalist.His journeys to the Amazon saw him both observe the fauna and map uncharted regions of the rainforest. Later, his voyage to the Malay archipelago yielded a collection of some 126,000 insect specimens and beetles; thousands of these had never before been cataloged in science. Jotting many notes during his years abroad, Wallace determined his own notions of natural selection—on arriving back in England, he published these ideas and began a lively correspondence with Charles Darwin.As a contemporary and friend of Darwin, Wallace had great bearing upon evolutionary thought. Although the two disagreed on how exactly natural selection took place, in broad terms they concurred; Wallace would author multiple papers defending and further explaining the ideas set out in Darwin's'On the Origin of Species'. In certain fields, such as identification and arrangement of new animal species, Wallace was considered the foremost expert. He was a keen and meticulous observer of the natural world, and one of the first scientists to ever express anxiety about the effects that mankind was having upon the natural environment.This excellent autobiography offers readers substantial insight into how Wallace made his discoveries and became a respected figure. Though often struggling financially, and holding no formal qualifications, with deeds and sheer effort Wallace made his mark upon biological science.-Print ed.

Wild Cats of the World provides detailed accounts for all 38 species of wild cat accompanied by magnificent artwork and stunning photography. From the rabbit-sized Black-footed Cat of southern Africa to bear-killing Amur tigers of the Russian Far East, the 38 members of the Cat Family include some of the world's most fascinating and magnificent species on earth. Supremely adapted for the kill, all cats are obligate carnivores; they survive only by preying upon other animals, and they have become one of evolution's most successful predatory lineages of mammals. Wild Cats of the World explores the spectacular Cat Family in unprecedented depth. Drawing on thousands of scientific papers and direct observations in the field, each species is profiled at length, covering all aspects of felid behaviour and ecology. The book is profusely illustrated with colour plates, black-and-white sketches showing important aspects of cat life and accurate images of every species'skull. Over 400 spectacular photographs are included, many of them showing extremely rare and little-known cats published here for the first time. Each profile includes an up-to-date range map and explains the most current science on how cats are classified and related to each other, including some very recent, surprising discoveries. Despite their great evolutionary success, the challenges facing felids in the modern world are profound. Only one, the ubiquitous domestic cat, does not require dedicated conservation action to ensure survival for the next century. The book also explores the current conservation issues facing wild cats, the increasingly perilous status of many species and how they can be saved.

Deer have been central to human cultures throughout time and space: whether as staples to hunter-gatherers, icons of Empire, or the focus of sport. Their social and economic importance has seen some species transported across continents, transforming landscape as they went with the establishment of menageries and park. The fortunes of other species have been less auspicious, some becoming extirpated, or being in threat of extinction, due to pressures of over-hunting and/or human-instigated environmental change. In spite of their diverse, deep-rooted and long standing relations with human societies, no multi-disciplinary volume of research on cervids has until now been produced. This volume draws together research on deer from wide-ranging disciplines and in so doing substantially advances our broader understanding of human-deer relationships in the past and the present. Themes include species dispersal, exploitation patterns, symbolic significance, material culture and art, effects on the landscape and management. The temporal span of research ranges from the Pleistocene to the modern day and covers Europe, North America and Asia. Papers derived from international conferences held at the University of Lincoln and in Paris.

This synopsis covers evidence for the effects of conservation interventions for native farmland wildlife. It is restricted to evidence captured on the website www.conservationevidence.com. It includes papers published in the journal Conservation Evidence, evidence summarized on our database and systematic reviews collated by the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence. It is the thrid volume in the series Synopses of Conservation Evidence. Evidence was collected from all European countries west of Russia, but not those south of France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary and Romania. A list of interventions to conserve wildlife on farmland was developed collaboratively by a team of thirteen experts. A number of interventions that are not currently agri-environment options were added during this process, such as ‘Provide nest boxes for bees (solitary or bumblebees)'and ‘Implement food labelling schemes relating to biodiversity-friendly farming'. Interventions relating to the creation or management of habitats not considered commercial farmland (such as lowland heath, salt marsh and farm woodland) were removed. The list of interventions was organized into categories based on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifications of direct threats and conservation actions. Interventions that fall under the threat category ‘Agriculture'are grouped by farming system, with separate sections for interventions that apply to arable or livestock farms, or across all farming types.

Biological diversity or biodiversity refers to the diversity, or variety, of plants and animals and other living things on earth. There are many levels of diversity-from DNA and genes to species, populations, ecosystems, and communities. This diversity is the beauty of nature and is essential for the survival of human beings. Life on Earth would not exist if its rich biodiversity were severely altered. Species and the ecosystems in which they live are linked together though the flows of energy and materials. A change in the life of one species could ripple throughout an ecosystem, changing the life of many other species, including humans. But due to the greed of mankind, there has been a great threat to the biodiversity. Many human activities, which stem from the population explosion, have threatened biodiversity. Pollution, over hunting, global climate change, habitat fragmentation and degradation and introduction of exotic species are some main causes of loss of biological diversity. Thus it is necessary to think about the problem of biodiversity loss and to come out with some solution for its conservation. This book is a humble effort in this direction. The main objective behind this book is to make people aware about biological diversity and to sensitize them about the urgent need for its conservation. The book is divided into two sections: Section I includes review articles by various academicians and the Section II has research papers by various scientists and academicians. We hope these review and research articles would be able to motivate the students, academicians and general public about various issues of biological diversity and its conservation.

Some 500 million USD are spent annually on fisheries development projects. But fisheries access agreements and trade policies are sometimes applied in ways that dampen developing countries'ability to benefit fully from their rich marine resources. Also, many development projects do not pay sufficient regard to the sustainability issues that are a key for the future of the fishing sector. This publication, a compilation of papers from the Workshop on Policy Coherence for Development in Fisheries, addresses these issues.--Publisher description

Biomass is set to play an increasing role in the supply of energy, both in the industrialised world and in developing countries, as concern for the state of the global environment grows. The possibility for the acceleration of commercial production has received support from the increasing involvement of the large power producers and the growing political commitments of several European countries.The 9th European Bioenergy Conference was held in Copenhagen, 24-27 June 1996. Interest in this conference series continues to grow and the event attracted around 700 delegates from 45 countries. In contrast to previous events, more emphasis was placed on demonstrating bioenergy technology in the marketplace. Overviews on recent achievements in commercial or near commercial activities formed the main focus of the event, but highlights of advancesin science and technological development were also presented, in addition to papers covering environmental aspects of bioenergy.The proceedings contain 350 state-of-the-art papers addressing the following areas; primary production of biomass; provision and production of solid biomass fuels; processes for large power plants; processes for decentralised heat and power production; processes for production of transportation fuels; market, economic and environmental aspects of bioenergyand policy measures to overcome non-technical barriers

Loss of biological diversity through the extinction of species, the conversion and degradation of natural habitats, and the disruption of ecological processes, is occurring throughout the world at an unprecendented rate. As species and their habitats disappear, so do products of present and future value, genes with which to improve crop varieties and livestock, and the natural resiliencies of the world's living resources to respond to climatic and enviornmental change. Nowhere else is the loss of biodiversity expected to be higher during the coming decades than in the Asia-Pacific region. The loss of biodiversity is irreversible. Recognizing this, the Asia Environment Division prepared this paper which is intended to identify priority areas of investment in the Asia-Pacific region. The paper accepts the importance of biodiversity conservation and suggests that policy change coupled with the establishment of protected area systems will be critical to success. A wide range of interventions will be needed to support these efforts toward conserving biodiversity - interventions involving national and local governments, national and international nongovernmental organizations and, most importantly, local people. The strategy defined in this paper is intended to complement existing national and international initiatives and to build partnerships in conservation for the 1990s.

This field guide dedicated to wildlife of Acadia National Park is an information-packed book that introduces park visitors to animals, plants, insects, and more that reside in the area in a colorful, easy-to-use package. Including full-color photos and easy-to-understand descriptions and with full cooperation from the park association, this book will appeal to anyone interested in nature.

A Year's Work in an Out-Apiary by G. M. Doolittle is a practical and insightful guide to beekeeping, offering a detailed account of how the author achieved exceptional honey yields despite challenging conditions. Doolittle, a pioneer in modern beekeeping methods, shares his expertise and techniques for managing an out-apiary—an apiary located away from the beekeeper's residence—demonstrating how attentive care, strategic planning, and innovative practices can lead to success even in poor seasons.The book takes readers through the entire beekeeping year, month by month, covering essential tasks such as colony management, swarm control, queen rearing, and disease prevention. Doolittle offers clear, actionable advice on how to optimize hive productivity, improve honey yields, and maintain healthy colonies. His narrative reflects both scientific precision and a deep passion for beekeeping, making it a valuable resource for beginners and experienced apiarists alike.Doolittle emphasizes the importance of understanding bee behavior and adapting practices to the environmental conditions of each season. He explains how to select optimal locations for out-apiaries, manage hives to prevent swarming, and maximize nectar flow periods. His work also includes insights on troubleshooting common problems, from queen issues to weather challenges, providing practical solutions to ensure steady production.More than just a technical manual, A Year's Work in an Out-Apiary serves as a testament to the rewards of patience, observation, and dedication in the art of beekeeping. Doolittle's achievement of harvesting 114½ pounds of honey per colony in a poor season stands as an inspiring example of what is possible through thoughtful effort.This book remains a classic in the field, offering both practical knowledge and timeless wisdom to those interested in beekeeping. Whether you are a hobbyist or a professional beekeeper, Doolittle's guidance provides invaluable tools to help you achieve sustainable success in your apiary.

Spending the summers of 1958 through 1960 on a large ranch south of Cascade, Montana, as a teenager, I learned a lot about ranching—and life. Teams of horses were used for much of the work, and buckboard wagons were used daily. Technology-wise, this ranch was about thirty years behind the times, but it made a profit for the absentee owner, and it was a wonderful way of life.

Bees, butterflies, bats, badgers … These beautiful and fascinating creatures need a little help from us, as their natural habitats are under pressure. It's time to invite nature into your home – whether it's a window box, a suburban garden or a farm. Learn how to build a pond, make places for bats to roost and spaces for hedgehogs to ramble. Discover the amazing secret lives of Ireland's wildlife, from tiny bugs to large mammals. Do try this at home!

A study of elephant tourism in Nepal from its origins in the 1960s to the present day, this book examines the challenges faced by captive elephants. Used as human conveyance, on anti-poaching patrol teams, as rescue vehicles, and in forestry service, elephants have worked with and for humans for hundreds of years. However, the use of elephants in tourism is a fairly new development within Nepal. Because the health and welfare of tourism elephants is vital to the conservation of wild individuals, this book offers an assessment of captive elephant needs and an examination of their existing welfare statuses. Numerous NGOS and INGOs are now active in elephant lives, and numerous advocacy organizations have arisen with the goal of changing tourism practices and improving captive elephant welfare. This book seeks to examine the motivations of these NGOs and INGOs, and to consider their ethical approaches to elephant health and welfare. Are the motivations of these organizations similar enough to work together towards a common goal, or are their ethical norms so different that they get in one another's way? Using an ordinary language and ethics framework, this text aims to identify the norms of cultures and organisations and reframe them in ways which may allow for more successful interactions.

Wild Animals Might Eat You—Learn Which Ones“Informative and very entertaining”—Readers of Richard's booksCreatures That Eat People is an action-packed deep dive on predators that turn man eater. Learn about past and present cases on human eating animals—big and small—so you can survive being hunted!Avoid getting eaten! Do you find yourself wondering: Do bears eat humans? Do snakes eat people? Could I survive people-eating predators of any kind? Perfect for anyone with a fun or morbid interest in wildlife or survivalism, Creatures That Eat People is full of stories of strange animals that eat humans and the situations that lead to it.Learn which wild animals might eat you—from an expert. Cryptozoologist, former zookeeper, current zoological director, best-selling author, and animal enthusiast Richard Freeman examines all the cool man eaters in the animal kingdom—so you can be prepared on your next adventure.Inside, you'll find:Tips for visiting different types of areas with apex predators in themBears, sharks, crocodiles, snakes, and other other weird, wild animals that eat peopleReal-life, thrilling stories of animals eating people—and some survive and some don'tIf you liked How To Survive A Freakin'Bear Attack, Plants That Kill, Surviving the Wild, or In Search of Real Monsters, and if you enjoyed shows like Tiger King or Human Prey, you'll love Creatures That Eat People.

A masterful hybrid of nature writing and cultural studies that investigates our connection with deer—from mythology to biology, from forests to cities, from coexistence to control and extermination—and invites readers to contemplate the paradoxes of how humans interact with and shape the natural worldDeer have been an important part of the world that humans occupy for millennia. They're one of the only large animals that can thrive in our presence. In the 21st century, our relationship is full of contradictions: We hunt and protect them, we cull them from suburbs while making them an icon of wilderness, we see them both as victims and as pests. But there is no doubt that we have a connection to deer: in mythology and story, in ecosystems biological and digital, in cities and in forests. Delving into the historical roots of these tangled attitudes and how they play out in the present, Erika Howsare observes scientists capture and collar fawns, hunters show off their trophies, a museum interpreter teaching American history while tanning a deer hide, an animal-control officer collecting the carcasses of deer killed by sharpshooters, and a woman bottle-raising orphaned fawns in her backyard. As she reports these stories, Howsare's eye is always on the bigger picture: Why do we look at deer in the ways we do, and what do these animals reveal about human involvement in the natural world? For readers of H is for Hawk and Fox & I, The Age of Deer offers a unique and intimate perspective on a very human relationship.

'If you ever doubted that you can help change the world, READ THIS BOOK.'CAROLINE LUCAS'The greatest existential crisis we face distilled into the crucible of a tiny piece of paradise.'CHRIS PACKHAMFive years after writing her first nature memoir, The Bumblebee Flies Anyway, Kate Bradbury has a new garden. It's busy: home to all sorts of wildlife, from red mason bees and bumblebees to house sparrows, hedgehogs and dragonflies. It seems the entire frog population of Brighton and Hove breeds in her small pond each spring, and now there are toads here, too. On summer evenings, Kate watches bats flit above her and for a moment, everything seems alright with the world. But she knows habitat loss remains a huge issue in gardens, the wider countryside and worldwide, and there's another, far bigger threat: climate change. Temperature increases are starting to bite, and she worries about what that will mean for our wildlife. In her uplifting new book, Kate writes passionately about how her climate-change anxiety pushes her to look for positive ways to keep going in a changing world. As in her first memoir, she invites you into her life, sharing stories of her mum's ongoing recovery and her adventures with her new rescue dog, Tosca. One Garden Against the World is a call to action for all of us – gardeners, communities and individuals – to do more for wildlife and more for the climate. Climate change and biodiversity loss go hand in hand, but if we work together, it's never too late to make a difference.

The definitive site guide to a surprisingly bird-rich corner of England – Kent, Essex and the Greater London area.From the deep forests of Kent to the low-lying mudflats, beaches and saltmarshes of the Greater Thames Estuary, this ecologically rich area of England attracts vast numbers of wildfowl and waders. The region boasts many internationally and nationally important reserves including Rainham Marshes and Cliffe Pools, while Dungeness in Kent is one of Britain's best known birding hotspots for vagrant species such as Penduline Tit and Kentish Plover. London itself contains numerous birdwatching sites including Barnes and Woodberry Wetlands, along with some of the best spots in Britain for scarcities such as Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Black Redstart. From Marsh Harrier and Firecrest to Curlew and Lapwing, there is plenty for birdwatchers to enjoy while exploring the parks, wetlands, woodlands and coast of southeast England. Written by life-long birdwatcher David Callahan, this is the definitive guide to the birding highlights of the region. It contains a comprehensive review of all the major sites and many lesser-known ones, with maps, notes on access, and information on target species and when to visit. Where to Watch Birds in Southeast England is indispensable for any birder exploring the region, or anyone in London wanting to head out to the countryside and enjoy a slice of our rich avian heritage.

Victoria's South-West is an iconic region of Australia that includes the exceptional landscape features of the Grampians-Gariwerd, the Victorian Volcanic Plain with crater lakes and cones, the forests of the Great Dividing Range, and Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay. Victoria's South-West supports remarkable wildlife, including some found only in the region, and is recognised as both nationally and globally significant for the conservation of biodiversity. Wildlife of Victoria's South-West is a comprehensive photographic field guide to the region's wildlife, many of which occur throughout south-eastern Australia. It covers all the mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs that occur in the region, including on land and in the coastal marine environment. Each of the 432 taxa profiles includes detailed information on identification, range, conservation status, habitat and ecology, and the local Aboriginal name for the species when known. An outstanding colour image and regional distribution map is also included for each species. Additional information is provided on habitat types, conservation and management of wildlife in Victoria's South-West as well as 19 places in the region to visit and view wildlife. Ideal for those who wish to identify and learn more about the diversity of animals found in the region, while also gaining an understanding of the distinct role Victoria's South-West has in contributing to conserving Australia's stunning wildlife.

Explore the fascinating world of native Australian animals through the five basic senses – sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Covering more than 145 truly astounding animals – from sharp-eyed whale sharks to sticky-bellied green tree frogs – Sensational Australian Animals showcases the strange things these creatures can do with their eyes, ears, noses, mouths and skin! Meet birds that laugh, frogs that quack and fish that sing. Discover mammals that glow in the dark and seahorses disguised as seaweed. Be surprised by turtles that breathe through their bums and squirm at lizards that clean their eyes with their tongues. And then there's the dangerous creatures that bite and sting! Be intrigued, amazed and astonished by what insects, birds, spiders, fish and many other animals are capable of! Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 8 to 12.

Kaum etwas ist beeindruckender, als afrikanische Tiere in ihrem natürlichen Umfeld zu beobachten, zu hören, zu spüren und zu riechen. Und in Tansania befinden sich einige der interessantesten Nationalparks und Wildtierregionen Afrikas: die weite Savannenlandschaft der Serengeti, der Ngorongoro-Krater, der schneebedeckte Kilimanjaro und die Gewürzinsel Sansibar. Unser Autor Jörg Gabriel lebt mit seiner Familie in Tansania. Auf Grund seiner jahrelangen Erfahrung ist er ein großartiger Guide durch die vielfältigen Nationalparks, z.B. durch die paradiesische Abgeschiedenheit des Mahale Nationalparks, zu den Schimpansen zwischen Regenwald und Lake Tanganyika. Folgen Sie unserem Experten in seine persönliche Heimat, den Arusha Nationalpark zwischen den Gipfeln des Mt.Meru und Kilimanjaro, oder gehen Sie mit ihm auf Safari in den großen wilden Ruaha Nationalpark. Zu den beeindruckendsten Naturwundern gehört der Ngorongoro-Krater, 600 m tief und 20 km breit. Hier lebt Tansanias Tierwelt auf kleinem Raum. Da es so viele Reservate und Nationalparks gibt, unterstützt Sie unser Autor Jörg Gabriel durch seine jahrelange Erfahrung und Ortskunde, seine ausgezeichnete Fachkenntnis sowie durch detaillierte Beschreibungen der Parks und Reservate. Das Buch wendet sich an Reisende, die eine Safari in Tansania planen (mit oder ohne Badeurlaub auf Sansibar), und liefert das dazu notwendiges Reise-Know-how. Das steckt in unserem Reiseführer Tansanias Nationalparks | Sansibar: - Alles Wissenswerte rund um Planung, Buchung und Durchführung von Safaris. - Ausführliches Kapitel zur Tierwelt Ostafrikas. - Sorgfältige Beschreibung von 17 Nationalparks: Northern Circuit (mit Arusha), Kilimanjaro National Park (mit Moshi), Eastern, Southern und Western Circuit - Unterkunftsempfehlungen: Safari Lodges, Tented Camps, Hotels, Beach Resorts - Tipps zum Bergsteigen und Trekking. - Separates Kapitel für den Strand- und Tauchurlaub auf Sansibar. - Kleines Tier-Wörterbuch Deutsch/Englisch/Kisuaheli

The cult of performance leads our society to emphasise the values of success and continuous optimisation in all areas. Slowness, redundancy and randomness are therefore negatively perceived. Olivier Hamant, in his book, reclaims them by his knowledge of biological processes.What can we learn from life sciences? While some biological mechanisms certainly boast formidable efficiency, recent advances instead highlight the fundamental role of errors, incoherence or slowness in the robustness of living organisms. Should life be considered suboptimal? To what extent could suboptimality become a counter-model to the credo of performance and control in the Anthropocene?In the face of pessimistic observations and environmental alerts, the author outlines solutions for a future that is viable and reconciled with nature.Key Features: Solidly documents with a grounding in scientific facts focusing on solutions Explores a pragmatic way towards robustness, moving the debate beyond performance, technolatry or degrowth Responds to eco-anxiety by providing an engaging and viable way forward

The marsupial family Dasyuridae has a history of study extending from 18th century naturalists to the modern genomics era. The Evolution of Dasyurid Marsupials: Systematics and Family History tells the story of dasyurid evolution as it unfolded in the context of changing world views on biodiversity, biotic history and scientific methodology, from its roots in Enlightenment taxonomy to its transformation by the Darwinian and Hennigian revolutions, and then its maturation as statistical phylogenetics and phylogenomics. Research on dasyurids includes every major approach in animal systematics, including some for which few comparable examples exist. It extends beyond the recent consensus on species relationships to include the timing of diversification, historical biogeography and the evolution of key phenotypic traits. This book introduces readers to living and fossil dasyurids, the questions evolutionary biologists have asked about them, the inferential methods used to answer those questions and the implications of those answers for understanding the history of this fascinating marsupial family. It offers a comprehensive synthesis of dasyurid evolutionary biology for students, teachers and researchers in mammalian evolution and marsupial biology.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR WRITING ON CONSERVATION'Full of joy, pathos, warmth, integrity and intrigue.'AMY-JANE BEER'One of the most notable works of recent nature writing.'HELEN MACDONALD'A thrilling expedition into a wild, unruly world.'LEE SCHOFIELD'Gently thought-provoking and beautifully written.'LEIF BERSWEDEN'The remarkable story of Britain's wild boar.'THE GUARDIAN'A real page-turner.'STEPHEN MOSSAfter centuries of absence, wild boar are back in Britain. What does this mean for us – and them?Big, messy and mysterious – crossing paths with a wild boar can conjure fear and joy in equal measure. Driven to extinction seven hundred years ago, a combination of the species'own tenacity and illegal releases from the 1980s has seen several populations of this beast of myth begin to roam English and Scottish woods once more.With growing worry over the impacts on both people and the countryside, the boar's right to exist in Britain has been heavily debated. Their habitat-regenerating actions benefit a host of other wildlife, yet unlike beavers, these ecosystem engineers remain unloved by many. Why is there no clamour to reintroduce them across the land? And, with the few boar in England threatened by poaching and culling, why are we not doing more to prevent their re-extinction? In Groundbreakers, Chantal Lyons moves to the boar's stronghold of the Forest of Dean to get up close and personal with this complex, intelligent and quirky species, and she meets with people across Britain and beyond who celebrate their presence – or want them gone. From Toulouse and Barcelona where they are growing in number and boldness, to the woods of Kent and Sussex where they are fading away again, to Inverness-shire where rewilders welcome them, join Chantal on a journey of discovery as she reveals what it might take for us to coexist with wild boar.

A beautiful photographic celebration of the world's 18 species of penguin.Featuring breathtaking photographs of the world's 18 species of penguin, Mission Penguin takes you to many of the most remote places on earth, from the Falkland and Galápagos Islands to the Antipodes Islands and Tristan da Cunha. Following the loss of her husband, Ursula Clare Franklin embarked on a personal mission to see and photograph every species of penguin in their natural habitats. The result is a remarkable showcase of penguins – hundreds of striking photographs accompanied by engaging text that details the penguins'features and characteristics. Each chapter explores a new penguin species and details Ursula's spectacular journey to see and photograph these much-loved birds. This astonishing and informative book explores the difficulties all penguins face and how humanity's actions have threatened their very existence. Ursula warns of the devastating effects of climate change and the conservation efforts needed to ensure future generations can continue to experience the joy of penguins. This is a story that will inspire, uplift and educate.

Christie Green learned to hunt in order to complement the food she grew in her New Mexico garden. As an act of practical agency this fulfilled her needs, yet a restlessness stirred within. She longed for a life defined by something deeper than weekly schedules, work roles, and cultural norms. Could she travel beyond the supposed domain of women and venture into the world of animals, into the wild, where men were said to prevail?Outside the grip of the human realm, the moon beckons to Green to go beyond. Here, hunting in the wild, the moon cycles through her, rising and falling at dawn and dusk, whispering messages from the dark side. Rather than circle the hot insistence of a masculine sun, Green begins to attune to the more elusive, mysterious murmuration of the moon.Animals and dreams, lunar partners, choreograph Green through time and space. She longs to dream, toil, live and love at the edges of the fertile ecotones where she can withdraw inward, retreat like an animal into hiding, and then come into full, radiant view on her own terms.Layer by layer, hunt by hunt, Green peels away societal skins that adhere to a prescribed grid, a manufactured tick of time, a picture of perfection. Tracking and tracing, moving in darkness, watching, smelling, listening, and following the animals, Green sheds the burdens of her domestic self and witnesses the animals defying reason as they walk her into their world, ambling her along, straddling night and day, waking and sleeping. Through them, definitions of gender dissolve and boundaries blur. In the process, Green eclipses western society's definitions of her as a woman, mother, lover, and entrepreneur, courageously birthing her own independence through a profound connection to the animals and the places they call home.What she sought from these animals was food. What she found was freedom.

Step into the shadows of the unknown with'Sasquatch Unleashed: The Truth Behind the Legend,'where former law enforcement officer and seasoned investigator Brian King-Sharp takes you on a suspense-filled journey to unravel one of nature's most enduring mysteries—the existence of Sasquatch. In this gripping book, King-Sharp weaves together a tapestry of scientific inquiry, personal field research, and captivating storytelling that will leave you questioning the line between myth and reality. With each page, you'll be drawn deeper into a world where footprints loom large in the mud, eerie howls echo through the forest, and fleeting shadows hint at a creature just beyond reach.'Sasquatch Unleashed'is not merely a recounting of encounters; it's an exploration of human perception, belief, and our fascination with the creatures that lurk at the edges of our understanding. King-Sharp challenges readers to confront their preconceptions, scrutinize evidence with a critical eye, and join him in seeking answers to questions that have long eluded us. As you navigate through tales of high strangeness and confront the skepticism that shrouds Sasquatch research, prepare for an experience that transcends traditional reading. Hangar 1 Publishing's innovative Immersive Book Technology (IBT) enhances your journey with carefully curated videos at the back of the book—each one designed to complement your reading experience by bringing vivid detail and context to King-Sharp's enthralling investigation.'Sasquatch Unleashed: The Truth Behind the Legend'promises more than just words on a page—it offers an immersive adventure that beckons you to delve into realms unseen. Will you heed its call? Discover for yourself—grab your copy today and become part of a story that defies imagination yet demands exploration.

This “delightful…compelling” (Scientific American) and revelatory look at the science behind why animals play “will fill you with joy and wonder” (Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus).Acclaimed science writer David Toomey takes us on a fast-paced and entertaining tour of playful animals and the scientists who study them. From octopuses on Australia's Great Barrier Reef to meerkats in the Kalahari Desert to brown bears on Alaska's Aleutian Islands, we follow adventurous researchers as they design and conduct experiments seeking answers to new, intriguing questions: When did play first appear in animals? How does play develop the brain, and how did it evolve? Are the songs and aerial acrobatics of birds the beginning of avian culture? Is fairness in dog play the foundation of canine ethics? And does play direct and possibly accelerate evolution? Monkeys belly flop, dolphins tail-walk, elephants mud-slide, crows dive-bomb, and octopuses bounce balls. These activities are various, but all are play, and as Toomey explains, animal play can be defined as a distinct behavior that is ongoing and open-ended, purposeless and provisional—rather like natural selection. Through a close examination of both natural selection and play, Toomey argues that life itself is fundamentally playful. A “lively, informative, and scientifically entertaining animal behavior study” (Kirkus Reviews) Kingdom of Play is an illuminating—and yes, playful—look at a little-known aspect of the animal kingdom.

The story provides a firsthand account of underwater naturalist and veterinarian Dr Chris Harvey-Clark's many diving research adventures with sharks, torpedo rays, endangered Northern Right Whales and other charismatic megafauna in Canadian waters. The book is loaded with fascinating biological discoveries and anecdotes featuring the secret lives of aquatic animals and tells the story of a burgeoning passion for marine species and undersea exploration. From early experiences as a marine biologist and commercial diver to later, first-ever studies with Greenland sharks, torpedo rays, beavers and ultimately Great White sharks in Canadian waters, Chris gives you an immersive look at the unique animals and people encountered in Canada's three oceans, as global warming changes the invisible underwater world that surrounds us.

A ranger's seasonal account of managing wild animals to revive a lost landscape at the National Trust's oldest nature reserve

'This book is fabulous and takes you close inside the wild world, where you feel the creatures whispering your old name.'—Craig Foster, My Octopus TeacherLearn how to decode the secret conversations of wild animals all around you.From a Yellowstone naturalist and expert in animal language comes “a tantalizing guide to revamping our approach to wild things.” (WSJ) Growing up in rural New York, as a young man George Bumann learned to track deer and turkeys as a hunter. Then everything changed. He left his hunting days behind and began an extraordinary journey into the more-than-human world …Humans once relied on the calls of wild animals to understand the natural world and their place within it. Now, this remarkable guide reveals what our ancestors knew long ago—that tuning in to the owl in the tree, the deer in the gully, can tell us important information and help us feel connected to our wild community.In Eavesdropping on Animals, George Bumann shares the fascinating stories and insights he has gained from studying wildlife around the world for more than forty years, the last twenty of which have been spent leading popular programs on animal language and intelligence in Yellowstone National Park. Bumann shares tips, tricks, and advice for readers living in urban, suburban and rural areas and clearly shows us that you don't need an exotic vacation or a biology degree to have transformative wildlife encounters. Listening to and observing creatures in your own backyard, on nearby trails, and in local parks, seashores, fields, and forests can lead to extraordinary experiences and a profound sense of belonging.Are you ready to eavesdrop on your wild neighbors? Are you ready to learn how to tell a warning call from a mating call, a purr of satisfaction from idle chatter? Then this book is for you!

“Combines accessible prose with solid science.”—Wall Street Journal • “Demonstrates that whatever creature you are—from a giraffe to a Tasmanian devil—life is all about who you know.”—New Scientist • “Fascinating.... Easily the most intriguing, thorough explanation of animal behavior ever produced.”—Library Journal (starred review) • “This book makes a fitting companion to Ed Yong's An Immense World. An entertaining tour of what we learn as we eavesdrop on the non-human conversations all around us.”—Kirkus Reviews • “Terrific.”—Booklist An engaging exploration of the wondrous social webs that permeate life in animal societies around the world. It's all about who you know. Whether vampire bats sharing blood meals for survival, field crickets remembering champion fighters, macaque monkeys forming grooming pacts after a deadly hurricane, or great tit birds learning the best way to steal milk—it pays to be well connected. In this tour of the animal kingdom, evolutionary biologist Lee Alan Dugatkin reveals a new field of study, uncovering social networks that existed long before the dawn of human social media. He accessibly describes the latest findings from animal behavior, evolution, computer science, psychology, anthropology, genetics, and neurobiology, and incorporates interviews and insights from researchers he finds swimming with manta rays, avoiding pigeon poop, and stopping monkeys from stealing iPads. With Dugatkin as our guide, we investigate social networks in giraffes, elephants, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, whales, bats, and more. From animal networks in Australia and Asia to Africa, Europe, and the Americas, The Well-Connected Animal is an eye-opening exposé of wild friends, enemies, and everything in between.

What's it like to study polar bears in the wild? How do you raise children among large carnivores? And how do you find a frog that no-one has seen for 40 years? From deserts to rainforests and even the polar Arctic, scientists venture into the field to collect, observe and study the world's organisms and the environments they live in. But even with the best planning, unexpected weather, unpredictable animals and unforeseen encounters can occur. Wild Science: Unexpected Encounters When Working in Nature explores the precarious, hilarious and thought-provoking stories ‘behind the science'. It shows the value of these experiences, even when things don't go right, and the importance of fieldwork for understanding our own place in the world.

Possums in the roof, an echidna in the garden, or perhaps a python in the pantry? Living with Wildlife: A Guide for Our Homes and Backyards explores commonly asked questions and issues about encounters with wildlife. Taking a wildlife-friendly approach, Tanya Loos provides practical information, advice and solutions, based on current guidance from wildlife rescue organisations and the latest research. Living with Wildlife features helpful advice on wildlife rescue, both for every day and during extreme weather events, as well as common issues such as feeding wildlife, pets and driving. As urbanisation and climate change effects intensify, Australian wildlife need our help now more than ever, making this a timely guide for successfully living alongside our wild neighbours.

'...as a Wildlife Biologist working with NH native species… Eric's expertise was unmatched.'- Colonel Kevin Jordan, Chief of Law Enforcement, NH Fish and Game DepartmentAs the state's first bear biologist in the 1970s, Eric Orff began a half century career as a “forest ranger who works with animals,” his stated dream job as a 7-year-old. A respected wildlife biologist, with more than thirty-one years at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and another fifteen years with the National Wildlife Federation, he still publishes a video blog called “What's Wild in New Hampshire” that regularly receives hundreds of thousands of views each week.Known for his educational programs and political action—If Only Moose Could Vote—Eric has been a literal voice in the wilderness, declaring the threat of climate change to be real, based on what he has seen in the woods. Sharing his knowledge of the changing climate even when his audience didn't want to believe it.His trademark humor and kind heart, coupled with a solid scientific foundation make him someone people like to listen to when they want to know what's happening in the woods, rivers, and fields of New England. Wildlife is now more abundant across the region than since colonial times, thanks to Eric and people like him.From stories of rehabbing bats in the laundry room, to riding a whitetail buck who didn't quite cooperate with a tagging effort, Eric's stories will make you laugh, and help you connect with the wild nature that lives within us all.

Finalist: George Perkins Marsh PrizeWinner: Ohio Academy of History Junior Scholar Publication AwardFounded amid the urban commotion of Washington, DC, before the dawn of the twentieth century, the National Zoological Park opened to “preserve, teach, and conduct research about the animal world.” Entangled Encounters at the National Zoo is a study of this important cultural landmark from 1887 to 1920. Centered on the animals themselves, each chapter looks from a different angle at the influential science of popular zoology in order to shed new light on the complex, entangled relationships between humans and animals.Daniel Vandersommers's goal is twofold. First, through narrative, he shows how zoo animals always ran away from the zoo. This is meant literally—animals escaped frequently—but even more so, figuratively. Living, breathing, historical zoo animals ran away from their cultural constructions, and these constructions ran away from the living bodies they were made to represent. The author shows that the resulting gaps produced by runaway animals contain concealed, distorted, and erased histories worthy of uncovering.Second, Entangled Encounters at the National Zoo demonstrates how the popular zoology fostered by the National Zoo shaped every aspect of American science, culture, and conservation during the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. Between the 1880s and World War I, as intellectuals debated Darwinism and scientists institutionalized the laboratory, zoological parks suddenly appeared at the heart of nearly every major American city, captivating tens of millions of visitors. Vandersommers follows stories previously hidden within the National Zoo in order to help us reconsider the place of zoos and their inhabitants in the twenty-first century.

Once described by Sir David Attenborough as ‘the best ornithological illustrator alive', William T. Cooper was a generous mentor to many wildlife artists. His willingness to share his knowledge and skills is epitomised in Capturing the Essence: Techniques for Bird Artists. First published in 2011, Capturing the Essence is a step-by-step guide that offers practical advice to observing birds, retaining the essential information and then painting them from field notes and sketches, photographs and other observations. The author takes the reader through the processes involved in oil painting, watercolour and acrylic techniques, and a piece of art is built up in stages to demonstrate the skills required in each of these media. While the book concentrates on birds, much of the general basics will be relevant to painting a wide variety of natural history and wildlife subjects. This re-release edition will ensure a whole new generation of artists can learn and benefit from William T. Cooper's timeless knowledge and expertise.

The bears of the world—from the polar bears of the Arctic to the Andean bears of South America—are among the most studied and loved of all wild creatures. In this revised and updated edition, Gary Brown collects what is known about the world's bears, capturing in words and images a complete factual compendium of bear knowledge for the amateur naturalist and the bear specialist alike.The Bear Almanac is for anyone who has ever paused to wonder at both the might—and the mind—of the bear. Beyond their well-known, imposing physical traits, these generally shy creatures command the ability to learn rapidly and to reason. In addition to addressing such topics as bear physiology, social behavior, and habitats, this comprehensive resource lists endangered bears by state and covers a breadth of other bear-related topics, such as the effects of war on bears and what to do if you meet up with one, as well as issues in the news related to the most beloved, and mysterious, of creatures.

LONGLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR WRITING ON CONSERVATIONInvestigating the ethical and practical challenges of one of the greatest threats to biodiversity: invasive species.Across the world, invasive species pose a danger to ecosystems. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity ranks them as a major threat to biodiversity on par with habitat loss, climate change and pollution.Tackling this isn't easy, and no one knows this better than Hugh Warwick, a conservationist who loathes the idea of killing, harming or even eating animals. Yet as an ecologist, he is acutely aware of the need, at times, to kill invasive species whose presence harms the wider environment.Hugh explores the complex history of species control, revealing the global movement of species and the impacts of their presence. Combining scientific theory with gentle humour in his signature style, he explains the issues conservationists face to control non-native animals and protect native species – including grey and red squirrels on Anglesey, ravens and tortoises in the Mojave Desert, cane toads in Australia and the smooth-billed ani on the Galapagos – and describes cases like Pablo Escobar's cocaine hippos and the Burmese python pet trade.Taking a balanced and open approach to this emotive subject, Hugh speaks to experts on all sides of the debate. How do we protect endangered native species? Which species do we prioritise? And how do we reckon with the ethics of killing anything in the name of conservation?

All life on Earth has the right to exist, but as we teeter on the verge of a sixth extinction this book discusses why biodiversity matters and why we should care if species go extinct.We are witnessing the largest and fastest rate of extinction in the history of the planet. While the concept of rights is a human one, all plants and animals strive to survive, and this book argues for their rights to continue doing so without being driven into premature extinction by human actions. Acknowledging and describing the practical reasons for conserving biodiversity, this book argues that these should not overshadow the compelling ethical reasons to care about the future of species other than our own. However, the issues are complex. What do we do when faced with an immediate ethical choice where biodiversity rights, animal rights, human rights, economic development and ecosystem survival all get mixed up together? There are seldom hard and fast answers, but thinking about and understanding a variety of points of view will help us make informed trade-offs. Drawing on his vast practical experience, the author presents insightful perspectives and real-world examples with the hope that this book will instigate a much-needed rethink about why and how we practise conservation.This book is essential reading for all those concerned with sustaining our planet, and all who inhabit it, in the face of climate breakdown, biodiversity loss and ecological collapse.

A short hike through an Indiana forest reveals layers of living things: the overstories and understories of trees, the shadow of a mammal, colorful fungi. But what would it mean to methodically document the communities of plants and animals harboring in Indiana's public forests, at humid midnight or coldest dawn? What is the impact of this wondrous knowledge?Ecoblitz describes the findings of, and the dogged scientists behind, the Indiana Forest Alliance's multiyear forest wildlife census. Scientists'journeys in pursuit of elusive bats, lavish lichen, and spider species paint a breathtaking picture of Indiana's biodiversity and its value to Indiana's policy, polity, and poetics. This book will amaze readers with a dazzling portrait of local biodiversity, deepen appreciation for Indiana's eastern hardwood forest system, and inspire a desire to advocate for it. Ecoblitz is a book for lovers of nature, for those who appreciate science but are not scientists themselves, and for those who want to learn something new.

Bear Attacks of the Century recounts tales of bravery, documenting the most gripping encounters between humans and bears. Providing expert guidance on avoiding such incidents and offering insights to navigate encounters unscathed, this book is essential for anyone entering bear territory, whether hikers, hunters, or campers. It's also a valuable resource for those intrigued by these majestic yet potentially dangerous creatures, seeking a deeper understanding of their behavior and interactions with humans.Do bear encounters stir primal fears entrenched deep within our psyche, evoking ancestral memories of when humans were prey? Some argue that nightmares featuring bears haunt them long before encountering one, whether in reality or through media portrayals. Tragically, these nightmares can materialize as horrifying realities. When facing bear attacks, individuals often display extraordinary resilience, performing near-superhuman feats in their struggle for survival.'The human survival instinct in bear encounters is nothing short of extraordinary,'remarks a doctor who witnessed the harrowing aftermath endured by bear attack victims.

Naturalists Jim and Lynne Weber guide readers to the surprising natural diversity found in the urban wildscapes of the Texas capital city and beyond. With clarity and depth of knowledge, Naturalist's Austin: A Guide to the Plants and Animals of Central Texas provides a tour that includes nearly 700 species of plants and animals native to the region. The book opens with a natural history overview underscores the importance of a strong environmental ethic for ensuring the ability of naturally occurring species to thrive within an urban environment—even one exhibiting the type of explosive growth found in Austin. Highlighting features of the area's natural processes (migration, wildfire, caves, aquifers, and others), Weber and Weber present lavishly illustrated accounts of both common and unique plant and animal species, with selected exotics included, that may be found in Austin and the surrounding areas. Each section in the species accounts opens with an informative overview, and the individual accounts discuss species status, seasonality, descriptions, habitat, and “fun facts” related to interesting behaviors or adaptations. With vivid photographs throughout, this colorful and informative guide is sure to be a favorite of Texas nature lovers. Naturalist's Austin provides an authoritative and enjoyable resource for the greater appreciation and better stewardship of our natural resources.

A dramatic new interpretation of the encounter between Europe and the Americas that reveals the crucial role of animals in the shaping of the modern world.When the men and women of the island of Guanahani first made contact with Christopher Columbus and his crew on October 12, 1492, the cultural differences between the two groups were vaster than the oceans that had separated them. There is perhaps no better demonstration than the divide in their respective ways of relating to animals. In The Tame and the Wild, Marcy Norton tells a new history of the colonization of the Americas, one that places wildlife and livestock at the center of the story. She reveals that the encounters between European and Native American beliefs about animal life transformed societies on both sides of the Atlantic.Europeans'strategies and motives for conquest were inseparable from the horses that carried them in military campaigns and the dogs they deployed to terrorize Native peoples. Even more crucial were the sheep, cattle, pigs, and chickens whose flesh became food and whose skins became valuable commodities. Yet as central as the domestication of animals was to European plans in the Americas, Native peoples'own practices around animals proved just as crucial in shaping the world after 1492. Cultures throughout the Caribbean, Amazonia, and Mexico were deeply invested in familiarization: the practice of capturing wild animals—not only parrots and monkeys but even tapir, deer, and manatee—and turning some of them into “companion species.” These taming practices not only influenced the way Indigenous people responded to human and nonhuman intruders but also transformed European culture itself, paving the way for both zoological science and the modern pet.

An essential companion for anyone visiting or hiking in the Alpine regions of France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The Alps remain one of Europe's foremost tourist destinations – not just for its world-famous scenery, but also its remarkable and diverse wildlife. Field Guide to Alpine Wildlife covers all of the animals and plants you are likely to see on a trip to this extraordinary place, including mammals such as Mouflon and Ibex, birds like the Bearded Vulture, White-winged Snowfinch and Wallcreeper, and a diversity of insects and wild flowers that will stop even seasoned wildlife-watchers in their tracks. It is packed with photography of each species, with photos carefully chosen to help pinpoint key identification criteria. Portable and pocket-friendly – crucial for all travellers in this mountainous region – this book is an essential companion for anyone visiting or walking through this spectacular part of central Europe.

From alpacas to zebus, crocodiles to wombats, journey through the individual histories of bizarre garden pets and their often bizarre owners. Who would dream of keeping a bear in the summerhouse, or a peccary in the park? Find out why the artist Rossetti favoured a wombat over a zebu, and if hares make good pets for depressed poets. Dr Twigs Way uncovers a secret world where crocodiles lurk in the fernery and flamingos stalk the shrubberies. From the Roman period to the modern day, discover the story of armadillos kept by merchants in London and Queen Charlotte's filthy-tempered zebra. These are quirky tales of animals in the garden.

In Bald Eagles, Bear Cubs and Hermit Bill, wildlife biologist Ron Joseph recounts his youth in central Maine, the importance of his family's dairy farm, and his adventures in the field over the course of a career that spanned more than three decades. A gifted storyteller, he also introduces readers to other like-minded people and fascinating characters who have worked in some way to preserve the natural beauty of Maine. Joseph's forty stories are told with the compassion and appreciation of a man who truly loves Maine, its people, and its many wonders. The book includes an introduction by Paul Doiron, author of the Mike Bowditch series of Maine crime novels and former editor-in-chief of Down East magazine.

From an award-winning nature writer, true stories of our shared planet, all its inhabitants, and the fascinating ways they connect in the net of lifeAnimals have shaped our minds, our lives, our land, and our civilization. Humanity would not have gotten very far without them—making use of their labor for transportation, agriculture, and pollination; their protection from predators; and their bodies for food and to make clothing, music, and art. And over the last two centuries, humans have made unprecedented advances in science, technology, behavior, and beliefs. Yet how is it that we continue to destroy the animal world and lump its magnificence under the sterile concept of biodiversity?In Beastly, author Keggie Carew seeks to re-enchant readers with the wild world, reframing our understanding of what it is like to be an animal and what our role is as humans. She throws readers headlong into the mind-blowing, heart-thumping, glittering pageant of life, and goes in search of our most revealing encounters with the animal world throughout the centuries. How did we domesticate animals and why did we choose sheep, goats, cows, pigs, horses, and chickens? What does it mean when a gorilla tells a joke or a fish thinks? Why does a wren sing? Beastly is a gorgeously written, deeply researched, and intensely felt journey into the splendor and genius of animals and the long, complicated story of our interactions with them as humans.