Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior (3 Vol. Set) [Hardcover]

Marc Bekoff (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313327459 | ISBN-13: 978-0313327452 | Publication Date: December 30, 2004

What is it like to be a dog, or a chimpanzee, or an ant? How do animals communicate? Why do they play? Can animals feel emotions like empathy and grief? These and many other questions are answered in the Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior, the most authoritative, comprehensive, and accessible resource on the scientific study of animal behavior. Contributors consist of an international group of well-respected animal behavior scholars and authorities from many different disciplines, including biology, psychology, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, veterinary medicine, and religious studies. Entries examine a broad array of different species and behavior patterns, using techniques that range from molecular approaches to the study of behavior to analyses of individuals, populations, species, and ecosystems. Informed by the best and most recent scholarship, entries are written with the lay public in mind, and all material is explained in understandable, jargon-free language. This user-friendly resource will appeal to students and scholars of animal behavior, animal advocates, and anyone with a love for animals.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

As a child, editor Bekoff wondered, "What is it like to be a dog or a cat or a mouse or an ant?" The Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior will be of interest to anyone who has ever been curious about the world of animals. The essays, written by scholars and researchers at a level appropriate for the general reader, cover all aspects of animal behavior and range in length from about 300 to 7,000 words. Alphabetically arranged major sections, such as Antipredatory behavior, Learning, Reproductive behavior, and Social organization, are organized into subtopics, examples of which include Animal consciousness, Audience effect in whales, Orangutan culture, Tool use and manufacture by birds, and Veterinary ethics and behavior. In addition, there are lengthy stand-alone essays (Bats; Cephalopods; Washburn, Margaret Floy) as well as short, more focused sidebars.

The entries are liberally sprinkled with fascinating facts that should appeal to the layperson. For example, we learn that the coyote population responds in inverse proportion to human efforts to control it, and telepathy has been documented in animals, including a dog that could sense the arrival of his human companion. Entries are accompanied by cross-references and lists of further readings, most of which are scholarly. Black-and-white photographs and illustrations supplement the text, and eight pages of color photographs are included in the center of each volume. Appendixes include a listing of "Organizations and Related Web Sites" and "Suggested Resources in the Study of Animal Behavior." Detailed cross-references to related essays appear at the end of each essay. A 26-page index provides subject access to the contents. A useful "Guide to Related Contents" groups entries by type of animal, type of behavior, animal-behavior careers, and other topics.

The Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior provides current, authoritative, comprehensive, original articles on animal behavior. The well-written, user-friendly essays are a pleasure to read. Recommended for public and academic libraries. Nancy Cannon
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"[I]f you lend this book to anyone with a strong interest in the behaviour of animals you are certain to have a great deal of difficulty in getting it back... The contributors are a very distinguished array of mostly American professors of biology and realetd disciplines. Their articles are meaty enough to justify me warmly recommending this encyclopedia to libraries catering for university courses in biology, ethology and psychology..."-Reference Reviews

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1274 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood (December 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313327459
• ISBN-13: 978-0313327452
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.4 x 4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #601,023 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #99 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Veterinary

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get wild with this encyclopedia set!, March 19, 2005

By 

Ark Lady (Diana L Guerrero) "ArkLady" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior (3 Vol. Set) (Hardcover)

Released earlier this year, the Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior had to be a daunting task to put together. The three volumes provide an introductory overview on various behavior topics. I don't envy the editor (Marc Bekoff) who bravely tackled the task.

Anyone interested in animal related topics will find this three volume set useful. The up-to-date information contains contributions from many experts in a variety of fields. Entries include submissions from disciplines such as entomology, psychology, biology, veterinary medicine, behavior and others.

One major difference is that it includes dialog regarding animal emotions, awareness, consciousness and empathy. These have been taboo topics in the past.

The other nice aspect of this work is the wide range of material it introduces. Regular behavior topics such as social organization, behavior patterns, animals as individuals and species, domestic and wild animals, and other related subjects such as careers are included.

The book is user friendly with reasonably sized articles, short sidebars and provocative essays.