Animal Signals (Animal Kingdom S.)

by Malcolm Penny (Author), Carolyn Scrace (Illustrator), M A L C O L M (Author), Penny (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  1988

  $3.64

  The Animal Kingdom series looks at particular aspects of animal behaviour or the relationship between animals and their environment. In this illustrated book, the author focuses on the ways in which animals communicate with one another by the use of signals. The opening chapter explains what signals are and how they may be visual, sound, scent or touch signals. The author describes a variety of courtship signals used by birds such as bower birds and frigate birds, mammals, invertebrates such as glow worms and grasshoppers, fish, amphibians and reptiles. Territorial signals such as scent-spraying, and signals of aggression and submission are covered in further chapters. A section on family/tribal signals considers messages between parents and offspring, especially among ringtailed lemurs, while a separate chapter is devoted to the complex sound signals used by whales and dolphins. Penny assesses the meaning of birdsong and mimicry among mynah birds and mocking birds. He concludes with an examination of how animals may signal to people and the development of sign language among chimpanzees and gorillas. Malcolm Penny has produced various wildlife documentaries for Survival Anglia TV and is author of other books in The Animal Kingdom series.