Wildhood

The Astounding Connections Between Human and Animal Adolescents

By: Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, Kathryn Bowers

Narrated by: Robin Miles

A New York Times Editor’s Pick ** People Best Books ** Publishers Weekly Most Anticipated Books ** Chicago Tribune 28 Books You Need to Read Now **

“It blew my mind to discover that adolescent animals and humans are so similar…I loved this book!” —Temple Grandin, author of Animals Make Us Human and Animals in Translation

A “vivid…and fascinating” (Los Angeles Times) investigation of human and animal adolescence and nature’s guide to growing up from the New York Times bestselling authors of Zoobiquity.

Harvard evolutionary biologist Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and animal behaviorist Kathryn Bowers studied thousands of wild species searching for evidence of human-like adolescence in other animals. With a groundbreaking synthesis of animal behavior, human psychology, and evolutionary biology, their research uncovered something remarkable: the same four high-stakes tests shape the destiny of every adolescent on planet Earth—how to be safe, how to navigate social hierarchies, how to connect romantically, and how to live independently. Safety. Status. Sex. Self-reliance.

To bring these challenges to life, the authors analyzed GPS and radio collar data from four wild adolescent animals. Will a predator-naïve penguin become easy prey? Can a low-born hyena socialize his way to a better life? Did a young humpback choose the right mate? Will a newly independent grey wolf starve, or will he become self-reliant? The result is a game-changing perspective on anxiety, risky behavior, sexual first times, and leaving home that can help teenagers and young adults coming of age in a rapidly changing world.

As they discover that “adolescence isn’t just for humans” through “rollicking tales of young animals navigating risk, social hierarchy, and sex with all the bravura (and dopiness) of our own teenage beasts” (People), readers will learn that in fact, this volatile and vulnerable phase of life creates the basis of adult confidence, success, and even happiness. This is an invaluable guide for parents, teenagers, and anyone who cares about adolescence and the science of growing up, who will find “the similarities between animal and human teenagers uncanny, and the lessons they have to learn remarkably similar” (The New York Times Book Review).

Critic reviews

"Narrator Robin Miles adds a continuous tone of excitement to this scientific exploration of life as a teenage mammal. The authors cleverly examine what they label 'wildhood'—those curious and naïve years after childhood and before adulthood. Much like the audiobook's young subjects, Miles's voice pops with energy. She picks up the pace and adds tension when drama is called for, such as the stalking of penguins by a leopard seal, and other such scenes that show animal behavior. Whether detailing the complex hierarchy of a hyena den or comparing social media 'likes' to primate grooming habits, her narration carries each scene to its dramatic conclusion. Miles's performance makes expanding one's understanding of adolescent mammals great fun."

awesome

the author dives into how to keep children safe but letting go. I found it to be scary yet challenging.

Comments from a reader

A must read for people in their 20s and 30s who are not feeling like or had the chance to become an adult.

Fascinating and well researched, this book is a must for any parent!

I stumbled into this book and have now given it as a gift to most of my friends who, like me, are raising teenagers. It provides an invaluable and fascinating portrait of the key milestones of adolescence. By looking at these milestones across species, it provides a unique and emotionally less fraught exploration of the trials, tribulations and triumphs that await human teens. It also humanizes the adolescent challenges facing non-human teens in ways that inspire greater empathy with the animal kingdom. Great book! Beautifully read. I’m sure I’ll read it more than once!

¡Spectacular!

BNH and KB did a spectacular job of laying out and describing adolescence across species. In particular, they offer the reader insights into human Wildhood that often challenges extant conceptions and parenting/societal practices. Beautifully written. Bravo!

Preparing for adult life

I love the commonality among living creatures described here. It was a reminder and validation of a vulnerable time in life, and frames that time in a most interesting way.