Deschutes Public Library

The modern bestiary, a curated collection of wondrous wildlife, Joanna Bagniewska ; with illustrations by Jennifer N.R. Smith

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

The modern bestiary

bibliography

1296165861

Joanna Bagniewska ; with illustrations by Jennifer N.R. Smith

a curated collection of wondrous wildlife

"A contemporary twist on medieval bestiaries, The Modern Bestiary features real wildlife that{u2019}s even more unusual and remarkable than mythic creatures. Zoologist Joanna Bagniewska introduces each animal with a penchant for humor, whether comparing the life cycle of white butterfly parasite wasps to a B-move horror plot or quipping that a marabou stork would sooner eat a baby then deliver one to your doorstep. The book introduces lesser-known animals like Caribbean reef squids who can fly out of the water at least fifty times their body length, while also exploring familiar animals through unique angles, like the nonchalance of giant panda moms who sometimes kill their young by accidentally sitting on them. Selected for abilities, anatomies, diets, defense mechanisms, and behaviors that make them stand out, this catalog of curious organisms revels in the unexpected and the magnificent. Animals are grouped by the elements Earth, Water, and Air to explore the diversity of the natural world in each habitat. Every animal entry is accompanied by a gorgeous black-and-white line illustration that captures the eye and the imagination, bringing to life extraordinary animals like horned lizards who squirt blood from their eyes, tarantulas who live with frogs like house pets, antechinuses who mate themselves to death, and immortal jellyfish who respond to stress by revering their aging process. Filled with the most quirky, ruthless, and captivating animals on Earth, The Modern Bestiary is a charming celebration of the animal kingdom."--, Inside front jacket flap