The Raptor and the Lamb: Predators and Prey in the Living World [Hardcover]

Christopher McGowan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1997

Based on an up-close examination of fossils, a study of predator-prey relationships explores the vast interdependent chain of existence that has existed throughout natural history. 10,000 first printing."

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Most animals are either eaten or eat other animals," writes zoologist Christopher McGowan. "Plants, too, are often consumed by animals. Consequently the chances of being devoured, or of eating some other organism in order to survive, are exceedingly high." McGowan looks at several kinds of predator-prey relationships, examining such creatures as the supposedly rapacious crocodile (a surprisingly light eater, when all the facts are in), the big cats (whose prey usually outweighs them but cannot compete with a lion's or tiger's explosive force), and a host of snakes, spiders, and insects. Packed with facts, The Raptor and the Lamb makes a fine--if sometimes gruesome--introduction to biology.

From Library Journal

All animals must eat to survive, and all animals and plants must avoid being eaten. The structural, physiological, behavioral, and chemical adaptations that have evolved to capture or to avoid becoming prey are many and fascinating. In his latest book, McGowan, a zoology professor at University of Toronto and the curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Royal Ontario Museum, examines a variety of these adaptations. Descriptions of typical predator-prey encounters on land, in the sea, in the air, and under the microscope provide the framework for the biological explanations. The descriptions are sometimes graphic, but such is the nature of the subject. As in his previous books (e.g., Diatoms to Dinosaurs, LJ 9/15/94), McGowan displays his considerable talents for explaining complex scientific concepts to a lay audience. Highly recommended for general, school, and academic libraries.?Bruce D. Neville, Univ. of New Mexico Lib., Albuquerque
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Co; 1st edition (August 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805042989
• ISBN-13: 978-0805042986
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,774,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Just okay, November 20, 2000

By 

Carrie Laben (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Raptor and the Lamb: Predators and Prey in the Living World (Hardcover)

The relationship between predator and prey is hard to explain without lapsing into inapplicable morality and/or sentimentality. This 'popular science' type book shows valient effort, but doesn't entirely manage to avoid the traps.

It does have good points, to be sure. It is approachable for the non-scientist, both in language and in concept. It does attempt to show some balance by presenting plants as victims of herbivores, as well as herbivores as victims of carnivores. It elucidates the various theories of the evolutionary backgrounds of predator-prey adaptations pretty clearly.

However, in an attempt to be gripping, the book delves into shameless anthropomorphism and value-laden language, especially in the narrative portions. Despite the fact (clearly stated in the explanatory portions of the book) that even a good predator on a good day succeeds in less than fifty percent of hunting attempts, a predator is 'shown' missing a prey animal only once (and even then the predator goes on to catch a different animal.) As a result, the 'story' parts of the book create a misapprehension that the more 'scientific' sections include an obligatory protest against - namely, that the predator is a killing machine with an almost moral quality, engaged in a daily slaughter of the innocents. Even the title plays into this misapprehension: No raptor is shown eating a lamb in the course of the book - indeed few raptors are even capable of preying on lambs - and no lambs are shown being eaten by any other predators either; but in our language the rapicious raptor and the innocent, fluffy lamb create a much greater emotional impact than, say, the shark and the seal or the lion and the wildebeast.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good survey, though with limited theme, April 22, 2006

By 

Jack Bennetto (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Raptor and the Lamb: Predators and Prey in the Living World (Hardcover)

Overall, is a good survey of a huge subject: the tactics used by predators and prey in nature. It's comprehensive, accessible, and insightful. There are areas where I would have liked more exploration, but that's inevitable with a broad subject. The focus is mostly on predators, touching on nearly all major groups. Prey are discussed more in response, though a few sections deal with them specifically (e.g. plants).

The book is organized based on the type of animal rather than the strategies used. Although this is a logical approach, he does little to tie the book together with broader theories. The few cases where he does (for example, his occasional mention of pursuit vs. ambush predators) are notable for their rarity.

One caveat is that the author appears to misunderstand evolution. In the most egregious example he argues against the arms-race model:

"Nor is it necessarily an advantage for one of antagonists to respond to improvements in the other. Suppose a prey species evolved some improvement in its defensive strategies, perhaps better acceleration or more alertness to potential dangers. If the predator did not coevolve some corresponding improvement in its hunting techniques, it would catch fewer prey. The number of prey would therefore increase, but this could improve the predator's chance of catching them, so, it the long term, its hunting success might not suffer."

It's bad enough that a professor of zoology would assume species selection, but he seems unaware that he is saying anything controversial. Fortunately, such references are few, and they detract little from the book.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Science for the non-scientist, November 15, 2000

By 

"scooterinmaine" (Bath, ME United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Raptor and the Lamb: Predators and Prey in the Living World (Hardcover)

This is the best and I stress best book you can possibly get for someone that you believe or know enjoys biology or natural studies. However, it goes beyond that, this book is perfect for the person who likes cats and dogs and wants to know their specific differences and how they act in the wild. His writing style is very interesting and informative (not dumbed down but not highly scientific). A very excellent book for a plane ride or just a relaxing read (meanwhile you may learn something). Highly recommended. Hopefully some of his out-of-print books will be reprinted.