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Animal Play: Evolutionary, Comparative and Ecological Perspectives

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Animal Play: Evolutionary, Comparative and Ecological Perspectives
Authors and Contributors      Edited by Marc Bekoff
Edited by John A. Byers
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:292
Dimensions(mm): Height 229,Width 152
Category/GenreAnimal behaviour
ISBN/Barcode 9780521586566
ClassificationsDewey:591.563
Audience
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations 8 Tables, unspecified; 5 Halftones, unspecified; 17 Line drawings, unspecified

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 4 June 1998
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Why do animals play? Play has been described in animals as diverse as reptiles, birds and mammals, so what benefits does it provide and how did it evolve? Careful, quantitative studies of social, locomotor and object play behavior are now beginning to answer these questions and shed light on many other aspects of both animal and human behavior. This unique interdisciplinary volume brings together the major findings about play in a wide range of species including humans. Topics about play include the evolutionary history of play, play structure, function and development, and sex and individual differences. Animal Play is destined to become the benchmark volume in this subject for many years to come, and will provide a source of inspiration and understanding for students and researchers in behavioral biology, neurobiology, psychology and anthropology.

Reviews

' ... anyone interested in play should not hesitate to read or buy this book. It puts down a definite marker for play research in the 1990s, and suggests many interesting leads for research on play through into the next millenium.' Peter K. Smith, Animal Behaviour