Animals

Did you know that Barnacle geese were once classified as fish? That both the Cherokees and the ancient Greeks were convinced that cranes regularly fought battles with pygmies? That the Swiss believed that any cuckoo that managed to survive for a year would turn into an eagle? Throughout history, birds have fascinated and intrigued mankind, so it is hardly surprising that an astonishingly rich body of myth, legend and superstition has grown up around them. "Flights of Fancy" explores the stories told about 30 of the world's best-kno... read more

This exhaustive book reflects the ornithological diversity of five continents. It includes a thematic documentary text by a specialist in animal behavior and more than 250 astonishing photographs by well-known nature photographer Gilles Martin.

Fifty Animals that Changed the Course of History is a beautifully illustrated book that uncovers the fascinating stories of creatures great and small. These are the animals that have played a central role in the evolution of humankind and modern society, but remain at the periphery of our undertsanding of history. Take, for example, the horse, which has been used in warfare since the fourth millenium BC and helped the Mongols to conquer nearly all of continental Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe; or the silkworm, vital to ... read more

Extraordinary tales of the natural world's cleverest creatures. How do we know which animals are smart and how do they use this superior intelligence? This riveting book brings together the most recent global research about nearly every "smart" species. Fully illustrated, and with step-by-step diagrams to show experiments, studies and observations both in the wild and in captivity.

More and more people, even those in cities, are keeping chickens, tempted by the appeal of eating fresh free-range eggs. This comprehensive guide covers everything from choosing a breed to ensuring they are happy, healthy and productive. How do I make their house secure? What if I go on holiday? Will they get on with my children? All your questions and more are answered. "Choosing and Keeping Chickens" includes a gallery of 60 of the most popular breeds, from the Dorking to the Silkie.

Seba's "Cabinet of Curiosities" is one of the 18th century's greatest natural history achievements and remains one of the most prized natural history books of all time.

In her groundbreaking and bestselling book Animals in Translation, Temple Grandin drew on her own experience with autism as well as her distinguished career as an animal scientist to delivery extraordinary insights into how animals think, act, and feel. Now she builds on those insights to show us how to give our animals the best and happiest life - on their terms, not ours. It's usually easy to pinpoint the cause of physical pain in animals, but to know what is causing them emotional distress is much harder. Drawing on the latest r... read more

A groundbreaking, inspiring, and deeply personal exploration of the unique relationship between dogs and humans, from the bestselling author of Dogs Never Lie About Love. In The Dog Who Couldn’t Stop Loving, Masson considers the far-reaching consequences of the co-evolution of dogs and humans. Over the past 40,000 years a collective domestication has occurred that brings us to where we are today —humans have formed intense bonds with dogs, and the adoration is almost always reciprocal. Masson himself has experienced a profound bon... read more

Ever since our ancestors first set eyes on a woolly mammoth and agreed that it needed hunting, human beings have been making judgements about animals. The king cobra: that's an A-plus animal. The garden snail? It gets a D-minus. On a good day. In "Animal Review", Jacob Lentz and Steve Nash give authoritative listings and ratings of dozens of your favourite (and least-favourite) animals. Expanded from their popular blog, the entries mix fascinating animal facts with hilarious assessments, set off with brilliantly captioned photos an... read more

Animal Habitats presents a huge range of animals, from tiny beetles to elephants, and explains the special problems of living where they do, and the solutions they have evolved. It visits a wide range of climates and habitats, from tropical grasslands and vast tracts of forest, to rivers and deep oceans. Maps show the worldwide distribution of different animals, and reveal that some have succeeded in pushing the boundaries of their range to incredible limits. With amazing wildlife photography and lively, information-packed text, th... read more

A special film tie-in edition of the heart-warming story about the World's Worst Dog, adapted from John Grogan's phenomenally bestselling memoir, Marley and Me. Meet Marley, a yellow furball of a puppy who quickly grows into a large, rowdy Labrador retriever. Marley is always getting into trouble, whether he is stealing underwear, crashing through doors, or drooling on guests, some may say he's the World's Worst Dog! But those who know and love Marley accept him as a dog like no other. His heart is pure and his larger-than-life p... read more

Helen Brown wasn't a cat person, but her nine-year-old son Sam was. So when Sam heard a woman telling his mum that her cat had just had kittens, he pleaded to go and see them. Helen's heart melted as Sam held one of the kittens in his hands, with a look of total adoration. In a trice the deal was done - the kitten would be delivered when she was big enough to leave her mother. A week later, Sam was dead. Not long after, a little black kitten was delivered to the grieving family. Totally traumatised by Sam's death, Helen had forgott... read more

Did you know that water bears (tardigrades) can survive in space? That woodpeckers stab their prey with their tongues? That the world's smallest antelope is smaller than the largest frog? Or that platypuses can detect electrical fields? This book is a light-hearted and accessible, non-jargony yet richly informative compendium of surprising, amusing and intriguing facts about the animal world. It is arranged thematically and delivered in snappy, bite-size sections, making this the perfect 'dip in and out' book for the nature-lover. ... read more