Animal Theory

Two new interesting books about animal (and human) behavior…

The first is Amy Sutherland’s Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched: Life and Lessons at the World’s Premier School for Exotic Animal Trainers. From the publisher… The author spent a year at The Exotic Animal Training and Management Program at California’s Moorpark, which has been called “America’s teaching zoo” and the “Harvard for exotic animal trainers.” Whatever you call it, this institution of learning offers a curriculum unlike any other. Its courses provide incomparable training for animal professionals destined for jobs at zoos, aquariums, animal sanctuaries, research studios, and Hollywood. Kicked, Bitten, and Scratched shepherds readers through the school’s unique academic regimen, following students as they learn to interact with cougars, baboons, snakes, wolves, tortoises, mule deer, camels, servals, and rats. (I read an article by Sutherland in The New York Times about her book. It was hilarious, insightful and easy to read.)

The second book is The Grandest of Lives: Eye to Eye with Whales by Douglas H. Chadwick looks promising. From Publishers Weekly…
“Wildlife biologist Chadwick’s fascination with whales began when he found himself floating nose to nose with an inquisitive humpback off the coast of Maui. Since that heady experience, he has traveled the seas with whale researchers, becoming ever more enchanted with these great mammals. In this compelling book, he records what he has learned and observed of five whale species, including the humpback, described by Melville as “the most gamesome and light-hearted of all the whales”; the bottlenose, an exceptionally intelligent whale that can dive to great depths; and the orca, misnamed the “killer” whale, a very social whale that does not attack humans. As he observes the whales’ habits and listens to the sounds they use to communicate with each other, Chadwick (The Fate of the Elephant) struggles to remain objective. But this is difficult. Whales have such a complex assortment of lifestyles, cultures and social relationships, it’s hard to avoid anthropomorphizing them, especially since they seem to be as curious about humans as humans are about them. The author’s enthusiasm for these extraordinary creatures effectively draws the reader into the whales’ underwater environment and makes a powerful case for increased efforts to preserve that environment. Six b&w illus. (June) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.”