Amazing Animals

Humans tend to think that we are unique in our intelligence, social skill and depth of emotion. We tend to forget that we are animals too, and if we’re paying attention, we might see a bit of ourselves in the sheer variety of species, with their myriad behaviors, survival skills, social and communication systems and other traits. For example, it might seem baffling that a certain African termite would build mud homes that can reach 18 feet tall – until we find out that they're not the latest style in insect McMansions, but rather the height works for climate control. In this eBook, we gather recent research on animal behavior, including surprising discoveries of how animals think and feel, from man’s best friend to some of the earth’s oddest creatures. In examining the act of mourning, for instance, mounting evidence indicates that species from dolphins to elephants to cats and dogs experience grief over the loss of loved ones. Killer whales appear to be splitting into separate species over, of all things, cultural differences in food acquisition – currently a hot button issue for our own species. The animal kingdom teems with secret stories of strange and fascinating lives, some of which can help remind us what it means to be human.