The animal world is immensely diverse, and our understanding of it has been greatly enhanced by analysis of DNA and the study of evolution and development ('evo-devo'). In this Very Short Introduction Peter Holland presents a modern tour of the animal kingdom. Beginning with the definition of animals (not obvious in biological terms), he takes the reader through the high-level groupings of animals (phyla) and new views on their evolutionary relationships based on molecular data, together with an overview of the biology of each group of animals. The phylogenetic view is central to zoology today and the volume will be of great value to all students of the life sciences, as well as providing a concise summary for the interested general reader. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1862.

New York Times bestseller • An artfully playful collection of unexpected and remarkable facts about animals, illustrated by Swedish artist Maja Säfström. Did you know that an octopus has three hearts? Or that ostriches can't walk backward? Or that a group of owls is called a parliament, or that they have three eyelids? Sea otters hold hands in their sleep, bees never sleep, and penguins laugh when they're tickled! This charming compendium contains over 100 pages of fascinating facts about the animal kingdom illustrated with whimsical detail.

From anglerfish to zebras, discover 500 awesome animal facts for kids ages 9 to 12. From frogs to foxes, scorpions and sharks, The Fascinating Animal Book for Kids has it all! This animal encyclopedia includes 500 amazing facts about animals that offer hours of engaging learning every boy and girl will love. Alongside full-color pictures on every page, find weird and wonderful details about Magnificent Mammals, Creepy Crawlies, Amazing Amphibians, Feathered Friends, and more. Great as a bedtime read or during the day, this standout among animal books for kids is ideal for any boy or girl who is wild about animals! Go beyond other animal books for kids with fantastic facts like: Today's golden hamsters are all descendants of a single hamster family that lived in Syria around 1930. Ant mimicking spiders pretend to be ants by raising two of their eight legs to look like ant antennae allowing them to eat the ants. A glass lizard looks like a snake, but it is actually a lizard with an extra-long tail—and no legs. When you're looking for a kid's book for ages 9-12, this is the perfect choice to learn about animals—and have a whole bunch of fun!