Why Animals Talk
The New Science of Animal Communication
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- £5.99
Publisher Description
‘Wonderful . . . Endlessly interesting and beautifully written’ DAILY TELEGRAPH
‘Steady-headed and fun’ SUNDAY TIMES
‘Read this book and, I promise, you’ll never listen to animals in the same way again’ JESSICA PIERCE, author of Who’s a Good Dog?
Why Animals Talk is a scientific journey through the untamed world of animal communication. From the majestic howls of wolves and the enchanting chatter of parrots to the melodic clicks of dolphins and the spirited grunts of chimpanzees, these diverse and seemingly bizarre expressions are far from mere noise. In fact, they hold secrets that we are just beginning to decipher.
For example, wolves – just like humans – possess unique accents that distinguish their howls; gibbons have different alarm-calls for leopards and snakes, and sing romantic duets with their partners; and dolphins not only give themselves names but respond excitedly to recordings of the whistles of long-lost companions.
Chapter by chapter and animal by animal, Kershenbaum draws on his extensive research and observations of animals in the wild to explain the science behind why animals are communicating. Also revealing profound insights into our own language and why it is different, In doing so, Why Animals Talks tells the comprehensive story of communication and how it works across the entire animal kingdom.
‘Quirky, insightful . . . based on a deep understanding of recent research’ TIM CLUTTON-BROCK, author of Meerkat Manor
‘A new look at a fascinating subject’ DESMOND MORRIS, author of The Naked Ape
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this rewarding study, Cambridge University zoologist Kershenbaum (The Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy) examines the meaning behind howls, screeches, and other calls of the wild. He explains that wolf howls can be heard over 10 kilometers away and help pack members keep in touch with one another while alerting outsiders that they're in another pack's territory. Each dolphin develops its own "signature whistle" to identify itself to others, Kershenbaum writes, noting that dolphins get excited when they hear the whistle of another dolphin they haven't seen in a long time. Recounting his own work with African gray parrots at a Canary Islands zoo, Kershenbaum describes how male rivals attempt to establish social dominance by copying and embellishing one another's calls in a "kind of avian dueling banjos." Elsewhere, Kershenbaum discusses how gibbon couples bond by rehearsing complex vocal duets, and how male hyraxes (rabbit-like mammals) signal their strength by "singing," hoping to intimidate other males who may pose competition for mates. The captivating science highlights the complexity of animal calls, and Kershenbaum takes pains not to overstate the findings, stressing that humans are likely the only species capable of understanding grammar. Animal lovers will want to give this a spin. Photos.
