Humorous essays poke fun at the natural world, extinct animals, pet snakes, and the noises of fish

Forty brief humorous natural history essays.

Learn more about extinction and how it affects the world around you.

In the twenty-first century, because of climate change and other human activities, many animal species have become extinct, and many others are at risk of extinction. Once they are gone, we cannot bring them back—or can we? With techniques such as cloning, scientists want to reverse extinction and return lost species to the wild. Some scientists want to create clones of recently extinct animals, while others want to make new hybrid animals. Many people are opposed to de-extinction. Some critics say that the work diverts attention from efforts to save species that are endangered. Others say that de-extinction amounts to scientists "playing God." Explore the pros and cons of de-extinction and the cutting-edge science that makes it possible.

A short description of the extinct animal along with a color drawing.

In the proud tradition of the Center for Failimological Research, an illustrated field guide to animals who’ve become extinct—for good reason—including the Bipolar Bear, Neapolitan Zebra, and Combover Eagle. Before there was Darwin, before there was man’s best friend, there were . . . Failimals. The Royal Failimal Society presents the Unchameleon, Bipolar Bear, Emo Emu, and other Darwin-defiant animals that, though fascinating, have clearly become extinct for a reason. The culmination of years of research, study, and observation across each continent and every era, Extinct for a Reason is the definitive field guide to the hows, whys, and whats of Failimals and Evolosers. With colorful illustrations and vital information on everything from mating habits to defense mechanisms, this book is a must-have for any species considering undergoing the evolutionary process. Learn how to avoid common mistakes, such as: Alienating oneself from one's peers (see: Goth Sloth) Refusing to admit one's genes are improperly sized (see: Muffintopotamus) Having dangerously high levels of charisma (see: Elvisaurus) Weeded out but still proud, the curious creatures collected within serve as a warning to ambitious animals everywhere: Evolve with Caution.

Everyone is familiar with the dodo and the wooly mammoth, but how many people have heard of the scimitar cat and the Falkland Island fox? Extinct Animals portrays over 60 remarkable animals that have been lost forever during the relatively recent geological past. Each entry provides a concise discussion of the history of the animal—how and where it lived, and how it became extinct—as well as the scientific discovery and analysis of the creature. In addition, this work examines what led to extinction—from the role of cyclical swings in the Earth's climate to the spread of humans and their activities. Many scientists believe that we are in the middle of a mass extinction right now, caused by the human undermining of the earth's complex systems that support life. Understanding what caused the extinction of animals in the past may help us understand and prevent the extinction of species in the future. Extinct Animals examines the biology and history of some of the most interesting creatures that have ever lived, including: The American Terror Bird, which probably became extinct over 1 million years ago, who were massive predators, some of which were almost 10 feet tall; the Rocky Mountain Locust, last seen in 1902, formed the most immense animal aggregations ever known, with swarms estimated to include over 10 trillion insects; the Giant Ground Sloth, which was as large as an elephant; and the Neandertals, the first Europeans, which co-existed with prehistoric Homo sapiens. Extinct Animals includes illustrations—many created for the work—that help the reader visualize the extinct creature, and each entry concludes with a list of resources for those who wish to do further research.