Jacksonville Public Library

Humanimal, how Homo sapiens became nature's most paradoxical creature : a new evolutionary history, Adam Rutherford ; illustrations by Alice Roberts

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 219-230) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Humanimal

bibliography

1089916209

Adam Rutherford ; illustrations by Alice Roberts

how Homo sapiens became nature's most paradoxical creature : a new evolutionary history

Adam Rutherford explores the profound paradox of the "human animal." Looking for answers across the animal kingdom, he finds that many things once considered exclusively human are not: In Australia, raptors have been observed starting fires to scatter prey; in Zambia, a chimp named Julie even started a "fashion" of wearing grass in one ear. We aren't the only species that communicates, makes tools, or has sex for reasons other than procreation. But we have developed a culture far more complex than any other we've observed. Why has that happened, and what does it say about us? Humanimal is a new evolutionary history-a synthesis of the latest research on genetics, sex, migration, and much more. It reveals what unequivocally makes us animals--and also why we are truly extraordinary. - adapted from book jacket

Part one: Humans and other animals. Tools. What it takes to be a maker. Tooled-up animals. Sponging dolphins. The birds. Fiery the angels fell. War for the planet of the apes. Farming and fashion ; Sex. The birds and the bees. Autoeroticism. Mouthing off. Whole lotta love. Homosexuality. And death shall have no dominion. Sex and violence -- Part two: The paragon of animals. Everyone is special ; Genes, bones, and minds ; 24 - 2 = 23 ; Hands and feet ; Trippingly on the tongue ; Speak now ; Symbolism in words ; Symbolism beyond words ; If only you could see what I've seen with your eyes ; Know thyself ; Je ne regrette rien ; Teach a village to fish ... ; The paragon of animals