Animal Earth

Animal Earth is a tour of the tens of millions of animal species which scientists speculate inhabit Earth, illuminating their bizarre appearances and hidden lives What most think of as the animal kingdom – from elephants to amphibians – ?in fact accounts for only a tiny portion.
This bewildering range of animal species are all offshoots from a relatively small number of lineages, sharing a common body plan and evolutionary history. Animal Earth not only provides a summary of each, but reflects the latest research on the evolutionary relationships between species – a topic that has been debated for decades, not least because new species are being discovered all the time; some lesser-known lineages continue to defy classification.

Given our technological achievements, we are in a uniqely privileged position to protect animal diversity. As the book makes clear, each species is an integral component of the ecosystem we live in, and we protect animal diversity not only for its own sake, but ?to maintain the systems that keep us all alive.
Ross Piper is a zoologist whose inveterate fascination with nature began as a small child. This led to several years pursuing a BS in zoology and a PhD in entomology. Today, in addition to writing, he spends as much time as possible studying animals in all their diversity.