Beastly behaviors : a zoo lover's companion : what makes whales whistle, cranes dance, pandas turn somersaults, and crocodiles roar : a watcher's guide to how animals act and why
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references (p. 345-354) and index.

Beastly Behaviors is a book for animal lovers everywhere - a lively, illustrated armchair "field guide" to the behavior and body language of the world's most watchable zoo animals, arranged just the way exhibits are set up at the zoo: Animals of the African jungles, plains, and waterways; Asian forests; the warm oceans; North America; the Poles. In the friendly tone of a knowledgeable zookeeper, Janine Benyus answers questions about specific animals (like "Why does the gorilla beat its chest?") as well as questions that could apply to many animals (like "How does each mother know her own young?"). Drawing from the extensive research of animal behaviorists, she tells why and how these watchable critters scratch, rub, preen, bathe, stretch and yawn, eat and play, confront each other and court their mates, give birth to young and keep them fed - behaviors that are observable at your local zoo. Beastly Behaviors can be used in any zoo or wild animal park, on safari, on camping trips, on hikes, or even at home while watching wildlife shows on TV. But most of all, it's for browsing before and after - or instead of - a visit to the zoo. Above all, Beastly Behaviors is engaging; like Kipling's The Elephant's Child it is for all those who want to know where the elephant got its trunk, but require a more reliable answer than a "Just-So" story. A book for all ages