Nature's design : exploring the mysteries of the natural world

"What's so special about grass? Why do cows have four stomachs? Where - and how - do plants survive in conditions of extreme aridity? How do animals plan complex hunting strategies? How many elephants are too many? This compelling book explores and finds answers to some of nature's most intriguing mysteries, from evolution to death, predation to communication, feeding to reproduction, adversity to that most contentious of issues - animal consciousness. Drawing on the southern African landscape for his research and examples, the author reveals the workings, both in detail and on a grand scale, of life in the natural world. Playful line drawings illustrate the clear text, to make a bumper read for the burgeoning popular science market"--Publisher's description Why do cows have four stomachs? Where – and how – do plants survive in conditions of extreme aridity? How do animals plan complex hunting strategies? How many elephants are too many? This compelling book explores and finds answers to some of nature’s most intriguing mysteries, from evolution to death, predation to communication, feeding to reproduction, adversity to that most contentious of issues – animal consciousness. Drawing on the southern African landscape for his research and examples, the author reveals the workings, both in detail and on a grand scale, of life in the natural world. Playful line drawings illustrate the clear text, to make a bumper read for the burgeoning popular science market. Cover 1 Title page 2 Dedication 3 Acknowledgements 3 Copyright 3 Contents 4 Chapter one: Emerging from the forests - the story of grass 5 Chapter two: Harvesting the resources - the mechanics of feeding 21 Chapter three: Charles Darwin, horses and finches - understanding evolution 32 Chapter four: Making a meal of it - diet and digestion 44 Chapter five: Nature red in tooth and claw - predation and survival 57 Chapter six: Webs of life and death - and the conservation of energy 76 Chapter seven: Multiplication games - sex and reproduction 82 Chapter eight: Dicing with death - monkeys, lions and AIDS 97 Chapter nine: Strategies for survival - coping with extremes 107 Chapter ten: Are you receiving me? - reading the subtext 123 Chapter eleven: What is language? - communication in the bush 144 Chapter twelve: A story of greed - the future of the African elephant 153 Chapter thirteen: Walking the walk - social dynamics 167 Chapter fourteen: Is anyone home? - animal thinking 178 Bibliography 190 Index 191 Richard,Thompson,(author);,(medical,doctor);,(New,Zealand-based);,non-fiction;,nature;,natural,world;,wildlife;,life,in,the,bush;,Africa;,southern,Africa;,Botswana;,Charles,Darwin;,evolution;,ecosystem;,predators;,prey;,animal,AIDS;,FIV;,survival;,grassland;,digestion;,reproduction;,pheromones;,sexual,dimorphism;,honeybees;,elephants;,finches;,wild,dogs;,hyaenas;,ruminants;,non-ruminants;,animal,communication;,animal,language;,animal,thinking;,animal,consciousness;,animal,behaviour Richard Thompson (author),(medical doctor),(New Zealand-based),non-fiction,nature,natural world,wildlife,life in the bush,Africa,southern Africa,Botswana,Charles Darwin,evolution,ecosystem,predators,prey,animal AIDS,FIV,survival,grassland,digestion,reproduction,pheromones,sexual dimorphism,honeybees,elephants,finches,wild dogs,hyaenas,ruminants,non-ruminants,animal communication,animal language,animal thinking,animal consciousness,animal behaviour What's so special about grass? Why do cows have four stomachs? When will lions give their last roar? How do animals plan menus - and co-ordinate hunts? Why do bees dance? How many elephants are too many?This compelling book explores and finds answers to some of Nature's most intriguing mysteries. Drawing on the African landscape, the author looks at the biology and physiology of animals and plants, and their adaptations in a world of unpredictable change. Wide-ranging chapters cover, among other topics, mass extinctions, the world's grasslands, predators and prey, FIV in lions, chemical communication and that most contentious of issues - animal consciousness. Playful line drawings illustrate the text, to make a bumper read for anyone with an interest in the workings of the natural world. What's so special about grass? Why do cows have four stomachs? When will lions give their last roar? How do animals plan menus - and co-ordinate hunts? Why do bees dance? How many elephants are too many? This compelling book explores and finds answers to some of Nature's most intriguing mysteries. Drawing on the African landscape, the author looks at the biology and physiology of animals and plants, and their adaptations in a world of unpredictable change. Wide-ranging chapters cover, among other topics, mass extinctions, the world's grasslands, predators and prey, FIV in lions, chemical communication and that most contentious of issues - animal consciousness. Playful line drawings illustrate the text, to make a bumper read for anyone with an interest in the workings of the natural world. This explores some of Nature's most intriguing mysteries. Drawing on the African landscape, the author looks at the biology and physiology of animals and plants, and their adaptations to change. Chapters cover, among other topics, mass extinctions, predators and prey, FIV in lions, communication and animal consciousness. With playful line drawings, here's a bumper read for nature enthusiasts