A quirky collection of Earth's most compelling animals who give
mythical creatures a run for their money
The Modern Bestiary: A Curated Collection of Wondrous Wildlife mirrors
the medieval tradition of an encyclopedia of incredible beasts, only
this charming book with ornamental illustrations features 100 real
animals who are stranger than fiction. Organized by the elements Earth,
Water, and Air, the book introduces both unfamiliar creatures, like
deep-sea harp sponges who catch prey in their barbs and digest them
whole, as well as ones that have made headlines, such as cicadas who
emerge from the ground in noisy broods every thirteen or seventeen
years. Step right up and meet these delightful, unbelievable, and
deliciously horrific animals, including:
The endearing:
same-sex albatross mothers who raise chicks together
tarantulas who keep frogs as pets
zebra finches who sing to their eggs to warn them of hot weather
The ruthless:
flukes who manipulate their host into getting eaten by a final host
horned lizards who squirt blood through their eyes to distract predators
southern grasshopper mice who harness scorpion venom as a painkiller
And the just plain weird:
antechinuses who mate themselves to death
pearlfish who live, fight, and mate in sea cucumber butts
immortal jellyfish who reverse their aging process when stressed
Funny, entertaining, and illuminating, The Modern Bestiary is a book
for anyone who wants to become more familiar with the natural world and
all its astounding creatures.
