The unexpected truth about animals : stoned sloths, lovelorn hippos and other wild tales

'Endlessly fascinating.' - Bill Bryson 'Well-informed and downright funny' - Richard DawkinsFeatured on BBC Radio's 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage and on BBC Radio 6 with Cerys MatthewsHistory is full of strange animal stories, invented by the brightest and most influential, from Aristotle to Disney, and they reveal as much about us and the things we believe as they do about the animals they misrepresent. We once thought that eels were born from sand, that swallows migrated to the moon, and that bears gave birth to formless lumps that were licked into shape by their mothers. In The Unlikely Truth About Animals, zoologist Lucy Cooke unravels many such myths, revealing the fascinating - and often hilarious - facts she's uncovered while chasing hyenas, spying on penguins and stalking drunk moose. You'll discover why sloths risk their lives to poo, why storks were persecuted for their supposed political preferences and the mystery of the beaver's balls. Open your mind to some extraordinary theories posited along the creative path of scientific progress - just don't expect all of them to be true! Shortlisted for the 2018 Royal Society Investment Science Book Prize 'Endlessly fascinating.' - Bill Bryson 'Eye-opening, informative and very funny!' - Chris Packham 'Well-informed and downright funny' - Richard Dawkins History is full of strange animal stories invented by the brightest and most influential, from Aristotle to Disney. But when it comes to understanding animals, we've got a long way to go. Whether we're watching a viral video of romping baby pandas or looking at a picture of penguins 'holding hands', we often project our own values – innocence, abstinence, hard work – onto animals. So you've probably never considered that moose get drunk and that penguins are notorious cheats. In The Unexpected Truth About Animals Zoologist Lucy unravels many such myths – that eels are born from sand, that swallows hibernate under water, and that bears gave birth to formless lumps that are licked into shape by their mothers – to show that the stories we create reveal as much about us as they do about the animals. Astonishing, illuminating and laugh-out-loud funny. History Is Full Of Strange Animal Stories, Invented By The Brightest And Most Influential, From Aristotle To Disney, And They Reveal As Much About Us And The Things We Believe As They Do About The Animals They Misrepresent. We Once Thought That Eels Were Born From Sand, That Swallows Hibernated Under Water, And That Bears Gave Birth To Formless Lumps That Were Licked Into Shape By Their Mothers. In The Unexpected Truth About Animals, Zoologist Lucy Cooke Unravels Many Such Myths, Revealing The Fascinating -- And Often Hilarious -- Facts She's Uncovered While Chasing Hyenas, Spying On Penguins And Stalking Drunk Moose. You'll Learn Why Sloths Risk Their Lives To Poo, How Bats Joined The Allies In The Second World War, And The Mystery Of The Beaver's Balls. And You'll Discover That Even The Most Outlandish Theories May Have Some Truth In Them After All. Lucy Cooke. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. 'Endlessly fascinating.' - Bill Bryson 'Eye-opening, informative and very funny!' - Chris Packham 'Well-informed and downright funny' - Richard Dawkins Featured on BBC Radio's 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage and on BBC Radio 6 with Cerys Matthews History is full of strange animal stories invented by the brightest and most influential, from Aristotle to Disney. But when it comes to understanding animals, we've got a long way to go. Whether we're watching a viral video of romping baby pandas or looking at a picture of penguins 'holding hands', we often project our own values – innocence, abstinence, hard work – onto animals. So you've probably never considered that moose get drunk and that penguins are notorious cheats. In The Unexpected Truth About Animals Zoologist Lucy unravels many such myths – that eels are born from sand, that swallows hibernate under water, and that bears... **'Endlessly fascinating.' - __Bill Bryson__ 'Eye-opening, informative and very funny!' - __Chris Packham__** **'Well-informed and downright funny' - __Richard Dawkins__** History is full of strange animal stories invented by the brightest and most influential, from Aristotle to Disney. But when it comes to understanding animals, we've got a long way to go. In __The Unexpected Truth About Animals__ Zoologist Lucy unravels many such myths – that eels are born from sand, that swallows hibernate under water, and that bears...