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Why Elephants Cry: How Observing Unusual Animal Behaviours Can Predict the Weather (and other Environmental Phenomena)

Hancock, John

Authors

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John Hancock John.Hancock@uwe.ac.uk
Professor in Cell Signalling



Abstract

Why Elephants Cry is a fascinating frolic through the literature and evidence surrounding the use of unusual behavior of animals to measure and predict the environment. The role of animals, from the smallest ant to the biggest elephant, as predictors of environmental changes is framed around the climate crisis, which highlights the increasingly important part that animals will have to play in the future.

Renowned biologist Professor John T. Hancock collects anecdotal stories and myths along with scientific evidence, demonstrating that observation of animals can be of tangible use. He looks at the measurement of the air temperature using ants, crickets and snakes, and goes on to assess the evidence that the observation of a wide range of animals can predict the weather or the imminent eruption of volcanoes and earthquakes. Evidence of animals being able to predict lunar and solar events, such as lunar cycles and the Northern Lights, is also considered.

This is the only time that all this literature has been brought together in one place, a fascinating reference for anybody interested in animals and the environment. The book is also an ideal supplementary textbook for students studying animal behaviour.

Citation

Hancock, J. (2023). Why Elephants Cry: How Observing Unusual Animal Behaviours Can Predict the Weather (and other Environmental Phenomena). Taylor & Francis (Routledge)

Book Type Authored Book
Online Publication Date May 29, 2023
Publication Date May 29, 2023
Deposit Date May 30, 2023
Publisher Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
Edition 1st
ISBN 9781032381794
Keywords Elephants; Animal Behaviours; Weather; Environmental Phenomena
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10827790
Publisher URL https://www.routledge.com/Why-Elephants-Cry-How-Observing-Unusual-Animal-Behaviours-Can-Predict-the/Hancock/p/book/9781032381763