Books with category Wildlife
Displaying 5 books

What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World's Most Enigmatic Birds

What an Owl Knows is a captivating exploration into the world of owls, penned by the acclaimed author Jennifer Ackerman. This book delves into the rich biology and natural history of these enigmatic birds, unraveling the complex nature of their lives.

For thousands of years, owls have intrigued humans, symbolizing wisdom and mystery. Despite their long-standing presence in human culture, detailed scientific understanding of owls has only recently emerged. Ackerman sheds light on these discoveries, revealing the sophisticated behaviors and capabilities of owls, from their unique communication methods to their impressive hunting skills.

Throughout the book, Ackerman shares her own field observations and the latest research, offering insights into how owls communicate, hunt, court, and migrate. Her narrative is enriched with personal anecdotes and scientific findings, making What an Owl Knows a spellbinding read for anyone fascinated by the natural world.

This book is a must-read for those interested in the science of owls, providing an awe-inspiring journey through the lives of one of the world's most elusive bird species.

Nature Obscura: A City's Hidden Natural World

2020

by Kelly Brenner

With wonder and a sense of humor, Nature Obscura author Kelly Brenner aims to help us rediscover our connection to the natural world that is just outside our front door—we just need to know where to look.


Through explorations of a rich and varied urban landscape, Brenner reveals the complex micro-habitats and surprising nature found in the middle of a city. In her hometown of Seattle, which has plowed down hills, cut through the land to connect fresh and saltwater, and paved over much of the rest, she exposes a diverse range of strange and unknown creatures.


From shore to wetland, forest to neighborhood park, and graveyard to backyard, Brenner uncovers how our land alterations have impacted nature, for good and bad, through the wildlife and plants that live alongside us, often unseen.


These stories meld together, in the same way our ecosystems, species, and human history are interconnected across the urban environment.

The Truth About Animals

2018

by Lucy Cooke

Mary Roach meets Bill Bryson in this uproarious tour of the basest instincts and biggest mysteries of the animal world. Humans have gone to the Moon and discovered the Higgs boson, but when it comes to understanding animals, we've still got a long way to go.

Whether we're seeing a viral video of romping baby pandas or a picture of penguins holding hands, it's hard for us not to project our own values—innocence, fidelity, temperance, hard work—onto animals. So you've probably never considered if moose get drunk, penguins cheat on their mates, or worker ants lay about. They do—and that's just for starters.

In The Truth About Animals, Lucy Cooke takes us on a worldwide journey to meet everyone from a Colombian hippo castrator to a Chinese panda porn peddler, all to lay bare the secret—and often hilarious—habits of the animal kingdom.

Charming and at times downright weird, this modern bestiary is perfect for anyone who has ever suspected that virtue might be unnatural.

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating is a captivating exploration of nature's wonders. In this beautifully crafted narrative, Elisabeth Tova Bailey shares her inspiring and intimate story of encountering a Neohelix albolabris—a common woodland snail. Confined to her bed due to illness, Bailey becomes an astute observer of the snail, which takes residence on her nightstand.

Through her observations, Bailey discovers the solace and sense of wonder that this mysterious creature brings. She gains a profound understanding of her own place in the world and the interconnectedness of life. Intrigued by the snail's molluscan anatomy, cryptic defenses, and hydraulic locomotion, Bailey offers a candid and engaging look into the life of this often overlooked and underappreciated small animal.

This remarkable journey of survival and resilience illuminates how a small part of the natural world can enrich our own human existence, providing a deeper appreciation of what it means to be fully alive.

The Devil's Teeth

2006

by Susan Casey

The Devil's Teeth is a thrilling journey into the world of great white sharks, nestled in the remote Farallon Islands, just twenty-seven miles off the coast of San Francisco. Susan Casey, a journalist, becomes fascinated by these fearsome predators after seeing them in a documentary. Her curiosity transforms into an obsession, leading her to the islands.

Accompanied by biologists Scot Anderson and Peter Pyle, Casey experiences the stark reality of life in this isolated region. Living in a haunted, 135-year-old house, she witnesses the majestic, terrifying sharks up close and personal.

This book is not just a tale of adventure and survival; it explores the boundary between human civilization and the untamed wilderness, where humans are neither wanted nor needed.

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