Best Animal Behavior & Communication

In this, his latest book, Peter Wohlleben follows the hugely successful The Hidden Life of Trees with insightful stories into the emotions, feelings, and intelligence of animals around us. ...Wohlleben’s words are bound to touch even the animal-emotion skeptic". — Washington Post , Jennifer S. Holland, author of Unlikely Friendships. "With the same charm and clarity that drew so many readers to The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben has produced another gem . I found delight on every page, thanks to the author’s rare skill at blending scientific discoveries with his own wealth of insightful personal experiences . Surprising, humbling, and filled with delight , this book shows us that animals think, feel and know in much the same way as we do—and that their lives are, to them, as precious as ours are to us."

This book is his most comprehensive guide yet to cat behavior and basic cat care, rooted in understanding cats better. He is the coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Catification: Designing a Happy and Stylish Home for Your Cat (and You!). Mikel Maria Delgado is co-owner of Feline Minds, a San Francisco Bay area based cat behavior consulting business. She is currently working on her doctorate in psychology at the University of California at Berkeley, studing animal behavior and human-animal relationships. Over the course of the year, I’ve adjusted to speaking with a translator in places like Malaysia and Indonesia, and I had just been in Bogotá and Mexico City. The more excited I get, however, the less I remember to heed the presence or the needs of my “ghost.” Some translators, the ones who pride themselves as practitioners of a linguistic art form, allow me to get an entire para­graph out of my mouth before tapping me on the shoulder or giving me that sideways glance, in order to succinctly and with equal fervor catch the audience up. That intro­duction, on this night, is firing on all cylinders; I’m feeling it for sure, as I attempt to occupy the space between cat guy and Pentecostal revivalist. Incredulous, I turn to them with equal measures of validation seek­ing and creeping dread, and say in full sideshow-barker voice, “Hey, folks, you know what mojo means, right? For the first time since I was twelve years old, holding a guitar with a broken string at a YMCA talent show, I am about to flame out before a live audience, and I couldn’t think of a single way out of it. As is the case today, but much more so back then, cats are dismissed as being inscrutable—so far outside the behavioral and experiential realm of humans that we have no anchor point to hang a relationship on. I was trying to, at the very least, take the barbed wire off the fence, so that the human and the animal could meet there safely and begin the process of deep­ening, instead of destroying, their bond. As such, I came to believe that many, if not most, of the problems that my cat clients were experiencing (with the exception of undiagnosed physi­cal issues), could be boiled down to territorial anxiety. Back to my makeshift desk: It was very late at night, and I was trying to push through that insistent, hallucinogenic moment when sleep would come whether I liked it or not. It was tail up in the backward question mark position, ears relaxed, eyes not dilated, whiskers neutral. No need to take the feline alert system to DEFCON 1 and unlock the box that had the red button in it, because there was a deep, abiding sense that all was well in the world. The hook I was searching for, the thing I wanted humans to relate to, was what it felt like to experi­ence the essence of confident ownership of territory. I thought that if guardians could recognize and massage this present state of confidence, as simplistic as it may seem, it could help them head off most of the “symptoms” they complain so bitterly about, including cases of aggression and inappropriate litterbox behaviors. As I paced around the room, trying to humanize this strut, this confident swagger, the first vocal manifestation of the physicality came out of my mouth—the gusto-filled refrain from one of my musical heroes, Muddy Waters: “I got my mojo workin’!”. The hook had come, and I was not about to let it slip away. I slapped myself on the back of my neck, something I think a friend of mine taught me in high school to keep me awake during class. I’m on that stage, asking the audience a simple question: “How many people here know what the word ‘mojo’ means?” Two, maybe three people—out of five hundred—raise their hands. so away I go, painting a picture, faithful to my teenage memories, of the opening frames of the movie: The Bee Gee’s “Stayin’ Alive” is pounding. It starts to pan up from hem to belt of flared-out and equally fabulous pants, past the silky, open-to-the-chest shirt, finally rising to reveal John Travolta, a.k.a. And we discover, from shoes to perfect hair, the definition of swagger; Muddy Waters must surely be nodding his head in vigorous affirmation from somewhere in the great blues beyond—Tony has his mojo workin’. The pizza grease dripping off his chin, the cans of paint that signify his lack of status, even the unresponsiveness of the numerous women he is catcalling along the way—none of it matters. With my hands on my knees, I look up and am met with ex­cited murmurs and head nodding, telling me that I just dodged a bullet for sure. My primary occupation through these years ac­tually has not been about solving cat issues, but about teaching you how to find, cultivate, and hold on to mojo.

In Cesar’s Way , Cesar Millan—nationally recognized dog expert and star of National Geographic Channel’s hit show Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan —helps you see the world through the eyes of your dog so you can finally eliminate problem behaviors. • What your dog really needs may not be what you’re giving him. • Why a dog’s natural pack instincts are the key to your happy relationship. • How to relate to your dog on a canine level. • There are no “problem breeds,” just problem owners. • How to choose a dog who’s right for you and your family. • The difference between discipline and punishment. • And much more! Fans of the National Geographic Channel's The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan will be grateful for Cesar's Way , an accessible guide to help new and current dog owners better understand the needs of their beloved pets. "Problem dogs" can be attributed to "problem owners," owners who don't understand and misinterpret their dog's behavior. Under no circumstances should you bring a sick dog to a dog park! A calm-submissive dog will not attract another dog's aggression--but an excited dog, a weak, timid dog, or an aggressive dog can become a fight-magnet. If your dog has poor social skills, is overly fearful or is dog aggressive, or if you have not yet established your calm-assertive leadership with your dog, find a more controlled way to introduce her to the company of other dogs, such as "play dates" with one or two other dog owners.

Sy Montgomery’s popular 2011 Orion magazine piece, “Deep Intellect,” about her friendship with a sensitive, sweet-natured octopus named Athena and the grief she felt at her death, went viral, indicating the widespread fascination with these mysterious, almost alien-like creatures. Since then Sy has practiced true immersion journalism, from New England aquarium tanks to the reefs of French Polynesia and the Gulf of Mexico, pursuing these wild, solitary shape-shifters. Octopuses have varied personalities and intelligence they show in myriad ways: endless trickery to escape enclosures and get food; jetting water playfully to bounce objects like balls; and evading caretakers by using a scoop net as a trampoline and running around the floor on eight arms. Experience a real intelligence based on a sense of touch that humans can barely imagine.” (Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation). "Renowned author Sy Montgomery's latest gem is a must read for those who want to dissolve the human-constructed borders between "them" (other animals) and us. In this beautifully written book, she brings empathy, insight, and an enchanting sense of wonderment to the bonds we inherently share with other beings—even those seeming far different from us." Sy Montgomery faces these questions head-on in her engaging new book as she explores the world of octopuses, making friends with several and finding heartbreak when they die. " The Soul of an Octopus is one of those works that makes you hope we can save the planet if for no other reason than to preserve the wondrous beasts we are fortunate enough to share it with." "Sweet moments are at the heart of Montgomery's compassionate, wise and tender new book... Only a writer of her talent could make readers care about octopuses as individuals...

#1 New York Times bestselling author, Cesar Millan shows you how to raise the perfect dog and prevent behavior issues before they start, including: • what to expect from each stage of your puppy's development. • quick and easy housebreaking. • the essentials of proper nutrition. • the importance of vaccinating–and of not over-vaccinating. • creating perfect obedience from day one through rules, boundaries, and calm-assertive leadership. • how to avoid the most common mistakes owners make raising puppies and young dogs. • how to correct any issue before it becomes a problem. • unique exercises and play to bring out the best in every breed. “Millan’s wizardlike facility with dogs–the calm he brings to them, the confident way he handles them–is mind-blowing.” — Newsweek “[Millan] arrives amid canine chaos and leaves behind peace.” —Malcolm Gladwell, The New Yorker.

• step-by-step directions for all stages from setting up an apiary to harvesting honey; • approximately 100 illustrations featuring techniques, equipment, and bee biology; • information about how to manage new pests and diseases including Colony Collapse Disorder; • coverage of new trends and changes in beekeeping including green IPM techniques and new laws for urban beekeeping; • the most up-to-date bibliography and list of resources on the topic; and. • a new user-friendly book design that clearly highlights instructions and other important features. "The text is presented in a very readable way, and the diagrams are some of the clearest I have seen for a long time. The book outlines options for each operation within beekeeping, listing advantages and disadvantages of each alternative. "Since the publication of the first edition of the handbook in 1973, many thousands of novice and experienced beekeepers have relied on this book as the preferred single-volume guide to bee keeping. The fourth edition has been redesigned, revised and expanded to incorporate the latest findings on Colony Collapse Disorder, green integrated pest management techniques, overwintering protocols and ways to control bee mites .

“Beautifully written, A Wolf Called Romeo is a thoughtful and moving story about one of nature’s most evocative animals.” —Patricia McConnell, author of The Other End of the Leash “Jans is a perfect narrator for this story. For six years, this friendly wolf graced the Juneau wilderness, accompanying people on hikes and interacting with their dogs.

For conservationists and lovers of animals, nature, and especially dogs, this National Geographic book shares the surprising understanding of wild wolves gained over six years the authors spent living intimately with them. — Apogee Photo Magazine "A richly layered work that speaks to the intricate and controversial relationship between wolves and humans." “A richly layered work that speaks to the intricate and controversial relationship between wolves and humans.” --Oregon Live.

Accessibly written by expert Tim Halliday and containing the most up-to-date information, The Book of Frogs will captivate both veteran researchers and amateur herpetologists. As frogs increasingly make headlines for their troubling worldwide decline, the importance of these fascinating creatures to their ecosystems remains underappreciated. From poisonous frogs to tiny toenail-sized frogs, whistlers, “explosive breeders,” endangered frogs, and recently discovered frogs, author and one of the world’s leading frog experts Tim Halliday covers an exhaustive gamut of frog species from around the planet. ( Boing Boing ). "A huge, beautiful compendium of 600 frogs from around the world, from the famed poison-arrow variety on up to the intriguingly named plaintive rain frog. It’s a stunning cavalcade, ranging from dull and knobby toads to tree frogs of almost translucent beauty….It’s a joyous experience to savor the unbridled strangeness, the bursting profusion in The Book of Frogs .”. The Book of Frogs does a splendid job of showing the diversity of frogs and toads." ( Ecology ). "Halliday has compiled an extensive compendium of frogs, and presents a wide array of fascinating facts in rich prose....The real selling point is the full-color photos, showing the actual size of each frog. ( Conservation Biology ). "This book will be a wonderful source of basic information for any young person who has become fascinated with frogs, or anyone unfamiliar with frogs who has a desire to learn more about their diversity and biology."

World-renowned primatologist, conservationist, and humanitarian Dr. Jane Goodall’s account of her life among the wild chimpanzees of Gombe is one of the most enthralling stories of animal behavior ever written. Today Dr. Goodall spends much of her time lecturing, sharing her message of hope for the future, and encouraging young people to make a difference in their world.

“Undoubtedly the finest guide to North American birds.”—Guy McCaskie, Birding The publication of The Sibley Guide to Birds, First Edition quickly established David Allen Sibley as the author and illustrator of the nation’s supreme and most comprehensive guide to birds. The Sibley Guide to Birds, second edition, brings the genius of David Allen Sibley to the world once again in a thoroughly updated and expanded volume that every birder must own. Sibley has contributed art and articles to Smithsonian, Science, The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, Birding, and North American Birds, and he wrote and illustrated a syndicated column for The New York Times.

Because of their manageable size, easy-to-meet care requirements, and outgoing personalities, these active lizards are perfect for beginning keepers and experts alike. He was the editor of Reptile and Amphibian Hobbyist magazine and currently edits reptile, amphibian, and bird books at TFH Publications.

The most comprehensive field guide available to the reptiles and amphibians of North America--a must-have for any enthusiast's day pack or home library--from the go-to reference source for over 18 million nature lovers. "Reptiles & Amphibians, an exciting new Explore Your World(TM) handbook, incorporates the Discovery Channel's unique authoritative approach and acclaimed visuals to answer these and other questions in a captivating blend of information and entertainment. , Practical advice on how to responsibly study reptiles and amphibians in the wild or care for them as pets.