Location
Main Entry - Personal Name
Title Statement Built by animals : the natural history of animal architecture
Publication, Distribution, etc. (Imprint) Oxford University Press , Oxford ; New York ; 2009 : 2009
SAB Classification Code
Physical Description x, 268 p. : col. ill. ; 20 cm.
General Note Originally published: 2007.
Bibliography, etc. Note Includes bibliographical references and index.
Subject - Topical Term
ISBN 978-0-19-920557-8 (pbk.) 978-0-19-920557-8 0-19-920557-4 (pbk.) 0-19-920557-4
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*020 $a978-0-19-920557-8 (pbk.)
*020 $a978-0-19-920557-8
*020 $a0-19-920557-4 (pbk.)
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*1001 $aHansell, Michael H. ,$c(1940- )$q(Michael Henry)
*24510$aBuilt by animals :$bthe natural history of animal architecture /$cMike Hansell
*260 $aOxford ;$aNew York ;$a2009 :$bOxford University Press ,$c2009
*300 $ax, 268 p. :$bcol. ill. ; 20 cm.
*500 $aOriginally published: 2007.
*504 $aIncludes bibliographical references and index.
*650 4$aAnimals
*650 4$aHabitations.
*650 4$aTierbau.
*650 4$aEtologi
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From termite mounds that in relative terms are three times as tall as a skyscraper, to the elaborate nests of social birds and the deadly traps of spiders, the constructions of the animal world can amaze and at times humble our own engineering and technology. But how do creatures with such small brains build these complex structures? What drives them to do it? Which skills are innate and which learned? Here, Mike Hansell looks at the extraordinary structures that animals build - whether homes, traps, or courtship displays - and reveals the biology behind their behaviour. He shows how small-brained animals achieve complex feats in a small-brained way, by repeating many simple actions and using highly evolved self-secreted materials. On the other hand, the building feats or tool use of large-brained animals, such as humans or chimps, require significantly more complex and costly behaviour. We look at wasp's nests, leaf-cutting ants, caddisflies and amoebae, and even the extraordinary bower bird, who seduces his mate with a decorated pile of twigs, baubles, feathers and berries. Hansell explores how animal structures evolved over time, how insect societies emerge, how animals can alter their wider habitat, and even whether some animals have an aesthetic sense.
List of Figures p. vi List of Plates p. vii Preface p. ix The Builders p. 1 Builders Change the World p. 26 You Don't Need Brains to be a Builder p. 58 Who's in Charge Round Here? p. 92 From One Nest to Another p. 121 Two Routes Lead to Trap Building p. 147 The Magic of the Tool Users p. 180 Beautiful Bowers? p. 216 Notes and References p. 252 Index p. 258