Nonfiction Animal Behavior

Why do birds have regional accents? Can horses learn maths? What do animals without eyes see? Questions such as these have fascinated scientists and animal lovers alike long before ethology – the study of animal behaviour – became recognised as a science in the 1970s. Now, as issues of conservation and welfare dominate the field, an understanding of how and why animals act the way they do has become even more critical. In Animal Behaviour, John A. Byers explains the mechanisms and motivations behind a range of animal movements.

It all started when a rat ran over a family member's foot and Dr. Anne E. Beall began a journey into the world of feral cats. Beall had experienced rat problems for a long time. Then a neighbor told her about a program called Cats at Work, where one could get feral cats that would take care of the rat problem. In Community Cats, she tells how she entered the world of feral cats when she signed up for the Chicago Cats at Work program with Tree House Humane Society. Tree House practices TNVR (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return), and they trapped, neutered, vaccinated, and relocated a feral cat ...

Dogs have masters; cats have staff. That old saying reflects the conventional wisdom about our favorite pets. Cats are described as independent and aloof. But that stereotype clashes with the reality of untold cat companions, who know that their felines can be just as affectionate, devoted, and trainable as any dog. Like Henry who rescued lost cats. Or Basil, a licensed therapist who comforts hospital patients and staff, hospice-care residents, and trauma victims. Or Belle, who repaid being rescued from a sewer in Costa Rica by becoming a devoted nurse during his caretaker's lengthy illness...

Cats have lived with humans for thousands of years, yet some of their behaviors are so puzzling. Why do cats rub up against objects? Why do they knead their paws into your lap? Why do they sit in high places, and why do they jump into cardboard boxes or open drawers? Get ready to demystify the most mysterious cat behaviors and gain a deeper understanding of our feline friends.

Like humans, dolphins learn through play, observation, and experimentation. Some learned behaviors are fun things to pass the time. In different parts of the world, dolphins have learned some fascinating hunting techniques that help them survive. Whether these learned behaviors are taught from generation to generation or learned by observation, those dolphins have unique hunting skills found only in those areas.

Have you ever wondered how birds know when to fly south for the winter? This introduction to bird behavior explores how and why woodpeckers peck, how pelicans fly without flapping their wings, why birds sing, and more.

Al igual que los humanos, los delfines aprenden jugando, observando y experimentando. Algunos comportamientos aprendidos son cosas divertidas para pasar el tiempo. En diferentes partes del mundo los delfines han aprendido algunas técnicas de caza fascinantes. Sin importar si el comportamiento aprendido es enseñado de generación en generación o aprendido mediante la observación, esos delfines tienen habilidades de caza únicas que solo pueden encontrarse en esas zonas.

We often consider dogs to be our enduring sidekicks, but the truth is domestic pigs have played a role in our lives for nearly as long. Pigs are highly social and smart. They like to play. They’re inventive, crafty and belligerent - and incredibly single-minded. Ultimately, we have far more in common with these creatures than we like to admit. Here is a charming ode to one of the most common yet surprisingly intelligent animals populating our landscapes.

How does a robin know when to feed her chicks? Who teaches young otters how to swim? Join Ms. McLean's class on a field trip to the zoo to find out! They're keeping track of patterns in animal behavior by observing different species and recording what they see. Learn to watch for the behavior patterns of wildlife in your backyard!