Product Description

Illustrations by Juan Carlos Barberis * The definitive inquiry into the secret communication and behavior of animals for animal-lovers of all ages. * The behavior and body language of animals such as the Giant Panda, Gray Wolf, Nile Crocodile, Plains Zebra, African Elephant and Bald Eagle are brought to life through 200 illustrations. * Organized just the way exhibits are set up at the zoo, the text provides in-depth explanations on how to determine and interpret the social, familial, interactive and private behavior of these animals. * Janine M. Benyus, a knowledgeable zookeeper, draws from extensive research of animal behaviorists and explains why and how these creatures scratch, run, bathe, preen, stretch, yawn, play and eat, court their mates, confront one another, give birth to young and keep them fed.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1187140 in Books
• Published on: 1997-12-13
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 468 pages

From Amazon.com
Author Janine M. Benyus transforms the rather scholarly discourse of animal communication into a tome that is clear and engaging--making this the perfect book for animal lovers of all ages. Benyus, a zookeeper and an expert on animal behavior, has spent years researching and studying the body language and verbal communication of zebras, lions, bald eagles, giant pandas, and dolphins to name but a few. The early chapters of her book take the form of a simple primer--with short but fascinating information on DNA, the role of habitat in the animal kingdom, feeding, predatory behavior, and the many forms of animal communication. The author then guides us on a worldwide journey, exploring the quintessential animals of each continent with a detailed look at the behavior of each species. You'll discover, for example, that gorillas signify their superiority by growling--so it's probably best to stay away from a grumbling gorilla! Learn why giraffes like to lick each other; what a crocodile is signifying when it lifts its spout; and how a peacock defends its territory. The Secret Language and Remarkable Behavior of Animals is illustrated throughout with ornate pencil drawings by Juan Carlos Barberis, a former artist for the Museum of Natural History in New York. --Naomi Gesinger

From the Inside Flap
What makes whales whistle, cranes dance, pandas turn somersaults, and crocodiles roar - what makes any wild animal act menacing or cute, aggressive or lovable? The Secret Language & Remarkable Behavior of Animals answers all these questions and more while taking you on an amazing tour of the most interesting creatures around the world - from Africa and Asia to North America, the oceans and the poles. Perfect for animal lovers of all ages, this book interprets animals' expressive body language and in the process gives us a better understanding of the fascinating behavioral patterns of the creatures around us. Author Janine Benyus, renown animal behaviorist, writes in clear and simple terms as she explores the subtleties of communication in the wild kingdom. The direction a lion points its ears shows you if it is curious or threatened; when a gorilla hoots, it's telling its group to start moving; when a gray wolf holds it's tail straight out, its ready to attack and when a male crocodile shoots a fountain of water into the air, it's courting its mate. A complex set of instincts and learned reactions control how all animals act. By observing their body language, you can learn to predict their behavior and unlock some of the mysteries of our animal friends.

From the Back Cover
Unlock the mysteries of the fascinating world of animal behavior and body language on a guided tour of the most interesting species on the planet. Animals constantly give each other signals through a complex array of movements and facial expressions. By learning to interpret this communication, you can predict behavior and gain a greater appreciation and understanding of the creatures around us.