This pioneering work investigates why endothermy, or "warm-bloodedness", evolved in birds and mammals, despite its enormous energetic costs. Arguing that single-cause hypotheses to explain the origins of endothermy have stalled research since the 197...

Thinking of buying or adopting a new dog, where do you start? Firstly you need to know what pet will suit you and your family. This guide gives you step by step advice on where to find a good breeder, what to expect from your vet, puppy proofing your...

There's nothing quite like a relationship with an aged pet – a dog or cat who has been at our side for years, forming an ineffable bond. Pampered pets, however, are a rarity among animals who have been domesticated. Farm animals, for example, are usu...

See what it's like to stare a butterfly in the eyes. Lavishly illustrated and scientifically rigorous, this dazzling volume provides a comprehensive visual guide to the butterflies of North America. David Lee Myers's stunning photography captures the...

This essential guidebook presents the most abundantly illustrated and fascinating account of the natural history of Cape Cod, its nearby islands, Block Island, the western coast of Rhode Island, and southeastern Long Island ever published. Exploring...

This natural history takes readers on a thousand-year journey as it explores the Hawaiian Islands' beautiful birds and a variety of topics including extinction, evolution, survival, conservationists and their work, and, most significantly, the concep...

How is it that fish can climb waterfalls, snakes glide, and cheetahs run so fast? Natural and sexual selection has driven the evolution of diverse and amazing athletic abilities throughout the animal kingdom. Integrative biologist Simon Lailvaux draw...

Leaves are all around us – in backyards, cascading from window boxes, even emerging from small cracks in city sidewalks given the slightest glint of sunlight. Perhaps because they are everywhere, it's easy to overlook the humble leaf, but a close loo...

Individuals are things that everybody knows – or thinks they do. Yet even scholars who practice or analyze the biological sciences often cannot agree on what an individual is and why. One reason for this disagreement is that the many important biolog...