Elephant Sense and Sensibility by Michael Garstang
TITLE: Elephant Sense and Sensibility: Behavior and Cognition
AUTHOR: Michael Garstang
DATE PUBLISHED: 2015
FORMAT: Paperback
ISBN-13: 9780128022177
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DESCRIPTION:
"Elephant Sense and Sensibility is a comprehensive treatment of the full range of elephant behavior. Beginning with chapters on evolution and the elephant's brain, this book is an integrated presentation of the elephant's capacity for memory, morality, emotion, empathy, altruism, language, intelligence, learning and teaching. Grounded primarily in scientific research, the book also draws upon anecdotal and visual evidence showing elephants thinking, acting, feeling and behaving in ways that we, as humans, recognize. This complete treatment of elephant behavior supported by the extensive literature, along with anecdotal and photographic material, provides an overview not available in any other text.
Covers a variety of aspects that relate to behavior, ranging from brain function and sensory input to communication, learning, and intelligence.
Features a comprehensive treatment of elephant behavior supported by the extensive literature, anecdotal information, and striking photographic material, providing an overview not available in any other text.
Features an interdisciplinary approach to behavior, with vital information included and integrated from several key disciplines."
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REVIEW:
This is a perfectly understandable, short, semi-academic text about elephants, especially in terms of elephant behaviour and brain function, communtion, learning and intelligence. So there is no ink dedicated to interviews, fashion commentary or author travel experiences! The book is interesting and informative, covering what is known (and unknown) about elephant behavior and cognition in a direct manner without side tangents. The book deals mostly with the African elephant, but Asian elephants make an appearance where relevant. There are also numerous colour photographs of elephants, as well as the occassional sketch, illustrating particular aspects of the text. I did, however, find the chapter on elephant evolution to be rather skimpy - more information would have been wonderful. This book provides the reader with a better understanding and appreciation of these majestic animals and also emphasizes how much like us elephants really are.
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OTHER BOOKS:
The Secret Elephants: The Rediscovery of the World's Most Southerly Elephants by Gareth Patterson
The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony along with Graham Spence.
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OTHER INTERSTING GOODIES
Live Science Reference - Elephants
Baby African elephant Youtube Video
Man halts charging wild elephant
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