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The Social Lives of Animals

The Social Lives of Animals

by Ashley Ward

Basic Books ·2022 ·384 pages
Near the Top
Near the Top
I Index
52/99
Near the Top

53/99

Critics' Rating Index

Near the Top

51/99

Readers' Rating Index

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Scholars' Citation Index

66/99

Volume of Reviews

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About This Book

A rat will go out of its way to help a stranger in need. Lions have adopted the calves of their prey. Ants farm fungus in cooperatives. Why do we continue to believe that life in the animal kingdom is ruled by competition? In The Social Lives of Animals, biologist Ashley Ward takes us on a wild tour across the globe as he searches for a more accurate picture of how animals build societies. Ward drops in on a termite mating ritual (while his guides snack on the subjects), visits freelance baboon goatherds, and swims with a mixed family of whales and dolphins. Along the way, Ward shows that the social impulses we've long thought separated humans from other animals might actually be our strongest connection to them. Insightful, engaging, and often hilarious, The Social Lives of Animals demonstrates that you can learn more about animals by studying how they work together than by how they compete.


Reviews

"This is catnip for animal enthusiasts."

Publishers Weekly Read review ↗ Near the Top

"Engaging and entertaining; of interest to anyone who wants to better understand the behavior of social animals, including humans."

Rachel Owens· Library Journal Read review ↗ Near the Top

"Vampire bats 'have each other's backs', according to one of the extraordinary stories in this fascinating book ..."

Katy Guest· The Guardian Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"The juxtaposition of animal and human behavior will linger long after readers have turned the last page."

Maren Ostergard· Booklist Read review ↗ Near the Top

"Ward's book is like entering a maze, too, with surprises awaiting the reader at every turn."

Christoph Irmscher· The Wall Street Journal Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Ward has a good eye for details...and he writes vividly ..."

James McConnachie· The Times (UK) Read review ↗ Near the Top

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