Nature's most fearsome predators are nightmarish creatures: the black widow, recognizable by the blood-red hourglass shape on its underside; the rattlesnake; the tarantula. With an unnerving sense of delight, Gordon Grice shows that the reality of these creatures' behaviour is in fact far worse than anything we might imagine. His remarkable book is a unique combination of scientific description, tall and twisted tales, wildly funny recollections and dark philosophical reflection.