Among Animals

Stories that affirm the indelible bond among humans and animals The relationships among human and non-human animals go back to the beginning of time—and the ways in which these relationships have evolved (and sometimes not) is the inspiration for this collection of contemporary short fiction, penned by writers from across the globe. This diverse collection of stories explores the ways in which we live among—and often in conflict with—our non-human counterparts. These stories feature animals from the familiar (dogs and cats) to the exotic (elands and emus), and in these stories animals are both the rescuers and the rescued. Within these pages are glimpses of the world through the eyes of a zookeeper, a shelter worker, a penguin researcher, and a neighborhood stray, among many others—all highlighting the ways in which animals and humans understand and challenge one another. Among Animals is a dynamic collection of stories from the world’s most gifted contemporary authors—those who pay close attention to the creatures with whom we share our planet, and who inspire us to pay closer attention as well.

Despite the depiction of nature "red in tooth and claw," cooperation is actually widespread in the animal kingdom. Various types of cooperative behaviors have been documented in everything from insects to primates, and in every imaginable ecological scenario. Yet why animals cooperate is still a hotly contested question in literature on evolution and animal behavior. This book examines the history surrounding the study of cooperation, and proceeds to examine the conceptual, theoretical and empirical work on this fascinating subject. Early on, it outlines the four different categories of cooperation -- reciprocal altruism, kinship, group-selected cooperation and byproduct mutualism -- and ties these categories together in a single framework called the Cooperator's Dilemma. Hundreds of studies on cooperation in insects, fish, birds and mammals are reviewed. Cooperation in this wide array of taxa includes, but is not limited to, cooperative hunting, anti-predator behavior, foraging, sexual coalitions, grooming, helpers-at-the nest, territoriality, 'policing' behavior and group thermoregulation. Each example outlined is tied back to the theoretical framework developed early on, whenever the data allows. Future experiments designed to further elucidate a particular type of cooperation are provided throughout the book.

Journey among Animals is zoologist Meredith Happold’s delightful and enlightening story of her work with animals – especially bats. It begins with the story of Mickey the mouse-eared bat who taught her to love bats, and her childhood in rural Australia surrounded by goats, horses, dogs and possums who taught her how to establish empathy with animals. Meredith studied zoology at university, going on to become a highly regarded zoologist specializing in animal behaviour and ecology. Journey among Animals explores some of her field career in Nigeria and Malawi where she and her husband studied the ecology and behaviour of small mammals and bats in many different habitats. Their research culminated in having an African bat named after them (Happolds’ Pipistrelle, Parahypsugo happoldorum) in recognition of their work. Bats are much-maligned animals, but Meredith demonstrates how these delightful, intelligent, friendly, curious, useful creatures are so important in today’s world and Journey among Animals are Meredith’s reflections on how attitudes to animals and the study of animal behaviour have changed during her lifetime.

Mimicry, and Other Protective Resemblances Among Animals by Alfred Russel Wallace takes you on a fascinating journey into the natural world, exploring the captivating phenomenon of mimicry and camouflage in animals. Wallace's keen observations, drawn from his extensive research and travels, weave together intricate patterns of survival tactics, illuminating how animals adapt to evade predators or capture prey. His meticulous descriptions and deep understanding of nature will leave readers awestruck at the ingenuity of evolution. Mimicry, and Other Protective Resemblances Among Animals is not just a scientific study, but an homage to the miracles of nature. Wallace invites readers to contemplate the unending marvels of the animal kingdom and the delicate balance that sustains it. Join Alfred Russel Wallace in his quest to unravel the enigma of nature's own illusionists. This is a book that every nature lover, biologist, and enthusiast of the natural sciences should read. Get your copy today and dive into the fascinating world of animal mimicry.

The third edition of the pioneering book series Animals speak. But humans are, with few exceptions, ill-equipped to understand them. Fortunately, we have writers. Writers play the critical role of interpreter, positioned between humans and the billions of nonhuman animals with whom we share this planet. In Among Animals 3, you will meet some of these writers as well as the animals who inspire them. The short stories in this edition feel more visceral, more urgent than ever. Perhaps it is climate change and the plight of animal species around the globe that compels us all, writers and readers alike, to take a closer look at what we are so close to losing. Perhaps it is also the plight of the human species and the many stresses of a tiny virus. The rapid spread of Covid has underscored that we humans are not just animals but highly social animals who can spread a virus faster than any other species on this planet. And perhaps because of Covid, we face the simple realization that life is short and we must make the most of our time and our talents. Fortunately, these writers have made the most of their talents in writing about animals, about species ranging from dogs and cats to chickens and pigs. In one story, we meet a donkey. In another, a jaguar. And we even encounter a species or two not yet formally identified. These stories challenge us see what we have tried to avoid seeing. It’s only by looking straight on—and acting upon what we witness—that we can ensure a better future for animals and the planet.

A second collection of critically acclaimed stories that affirm the bond among humans and animals The relationships among human and non-human animals have captivated writers since the beginning of time—and the ways in which these relationships have evolved (and sometimes have not) continue to inspire writers of contemporary short fiction around the world. This carefully curated collection of stories explores the ways in which we live among—and often in conflict with—our non-human counterparts. These stories feature animals from the familiar (pets and strays) to the wild (deer and birds) to the less beloved but no less important (cockroaches and fish). Within these pages are glimpses of the world through the eyes of those who live among, who rescue, and who study these animals, and these collected tales highlight the ways in which animals and humans understand and challenge one another. Among Animals 2 continues the tradition of gathering stories from the world’s most gifted contemporary authors—those who pay close attention to the creatures with whom we share our planet, and who inspire us to pay closer attention as well.

"[The author] identifies more than 50 species of alien animals and plants that have established themselves in British Columbia."--

A leading anthrozoologist and the bestselling author of Dog Sense and Cat Sense explains why we are so drawn to pets. Historically, we relied on our pets to herd livestock, guard homes, and catch pests. But most of us don't need animals to do these things anymore. Pets have never been less necessary. And yet, pet ownership has never been more common than it is today: half of American households contain a cat, a dog, or both. Why are pets still around? In The Animals Among Us, John Bradshaw, one of the world's leading authorities on the relationship between humans and animals, argues that pet ownership is actually an intrinsic part of human nature. He explains how our empathy with animals evolved into a desire for pets, why we still welcome them into our families, and why we mourn them so deeply when they die. Drawing on the latest research in biology and psychology, as well as fields as diverse as robotics and musicology, The Animals Among Us is a surprising and affectionate history of humanity's best friends.