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Academic & Professional Books  Organismal to Molecular Biology  General Biology

Built by Animals The Natural History of Animal Architecture

Popular Science Out of Print
By: Mike Hansell(Author)
268 pages, colour plates, illustrations
Built by Animals
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  • Built by Animals ISBN: 9780199205578 Paperback Jan 2009 Out of Print #177286
  • Built by Animals ISBN: 9780199205561 Hardback Oct 2007 Out of Print #162416
About this book Contents Related titles

About this book

From termite mounds that in relative terms are three times as tall as a skyscraper, to the elaborate nests of social birds and the deadly traps of spiders, the constructions of the animal world can amaze and at times humble our own engineering and technology. But how do creatures with such small brains build these complex structures? What drives them to do it? Which skills are innate and which learned?

Mike Hansell looks at the extraordinary structures that animals build – whether homes, traps, or courtship displays – and reveals the biology behind their behaviour. He shows how small-brained animals achieve complex feats in a small-brained way, by repeating many simple actions and using highly evolved self-secreted materials. On the other hand, the building feats or tool use of large-brained animals, such as humans or chimps, require significantly more complex and costly behaviour.

We look at wasp's nests, leaf-cutting ants, caddisflies and amoebae, and even the extraordinary bower bird, who seduces his mate with a decorated pile of twigs, baubles, feathers and berries. Hansell explores how animal structures evolved over time, how insect societies emerge, how animals can alter their wider habitat, and even whether some animals have an aesthetic sense.

Contents

1: The builders
2: From one nest to another
3: Builders change the world
4: You don't need brains to be a builder
5: Who's in charge around here?
6: Two routes lead to trap building
7: The magic of the tool users
8: Beautiful bowers

Customer Reviews

Popular Science Out of Print
By: Mike Hansell(Author)
268 pages, colour plates, illustrations
Media reviews

"This fascinating assemblage of the worlds animal architects will fill a niche in all collections."
– Nancy Bent, Booklist

"Hansell has written a typically eloquent account of a fascinating manifestation of animal life. He seamlessly weaves scientific method and understanding into the observations of nature that so clearly have inspired him."
– Maggie Reilly, Glasgow Natural History Society

"Chatty yet profoundly learned."
The Independent

"Built by Animals is popular science at its best"
– Mark Cocker, The Guardian

"Hansell, an evolutionary biologist specialising in animal architecture, knows the answers and can tell a good story. Great stuff."
– Douglas Palmer, New Scientist

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