Bison

Description

In Bison renowned zoologist Desmond Morris explores the animal's evolution and habitat, from their first evidence in fossil records 2 million years ago to today.He reveals the different sides to its personality - bison are extremely unpredictable and, while they normally appear lazy and calm, can attack at any moment - and describes the important differences between the European wisent and American bison, the only two species now surviving. The book also discusses depictions of the bison in art, from early painting to contemporary metal sculpture. This vibrantly illustrated book will appeal to anyone curious about the natural and cultural history of this iconic creature.

Desmond Morris is a world-renowned zoologist and the author of many best-selling books on human and animal behaviour. He isthe author of Leopard (2013), Monkey (2013) and Owl (2009) in Reaktion's Animal series.

"This small book offers a very comprehensive coverage of bison biology, from the days when humans hunted them with spears 4000 years ago to present-day conservation efforts and commercial exploitation. Like other books in this series, this one has plenty of illustrations (sixty-eight of them in color) and reviews the history of bison as emblems, in postage stamps, and as food and from a biological viewpoint. Their ecology, evolution, colonization of New and Old Worlds, behavior, predators, it's all there--even a list of bison-related films."--Barbara King "Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society" "An informative, sometimes amazing book about bison worldwide and their often tragic encounters with humans." --Barbara King "lection" "In Bison, Desmond Morris traces the past and present of this massive animal who resembles 'the front half of a mountain gorilla and the rear half of a racehorse.' . . . His excellent chapters on bison in art, and bison social and natural history, are heightened by the photographs--including a bison male showing the flared-nose flehmen response to a female's 'sexual fragrance'--for which this Animal series from Reaktion is renowned. Morris's evident compassion for the sustained suffering of this majestic animal is welcome."---Barbara King "Times Literary Supplement"