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The Buck That Buries It’s Poo
Is a zebra black with white stripes or white with black stripes? And why do flamingos stand on one leg while bats hang upside down? Did you know that a chameleon’s tongue can shoot out at five times the acceleration of a fighter jet?
In The Buck That Buries its Poo, naturalist Quinton Coetzee answers these and many other intriguing wildlife questions. He also dispels countless myths and elucidates some of the legends that surround - creatures in the South African bush we thought we knew all about. For example, bats do not get tangled in people’s hair (because they are far too adept at flying) and elephants are not afraid of mice (but they do fear bees!).
Other tall tales you might hear around the campfire are that lions roll in animal dung, entrails or carcasses to disguise their scent, and that rhinos have a predilection for stamping out fires. What is true, though, is that hyenas are more closely related to cats than to dogs. This handy guide is based on Coetzee’s own research and that of others, and his experience gleaned over decades living close to nature and wildlife. It seeks to unravel the mysteries of nature in Africa – from mammals and birds to arthropods and plants – with fascinating information and fun trivia. It is a book that will enlighten and entertain.
Zebras are black with white stripes!
In The Buck That Buries its Poo, naturalist Quinton Coetzee answers these and many other intriguing wildlife questions. He also dispels countless myths and elucidates some of the legends that surround - creatures in the South African bush we thought we knew all about. For example, bats do not get tangled in people’s hair (because they are far too adept at flying) and elephants are not afraid of mice (but they do fear bees!).
Other tall tales you might hear around the campfire are that lions roll in animal dung, entrails or carcasses to disguise their scent, and that rhinos have a predilection for stamping out fires. What is true, though, is that hyenas are more closely related to cats than to dogs. This handy guide is based on Coetzee’s own research and that of others, and his experience gleaned over decades living close to nature and wildlife. It seeks to unravel the mysteries of nature in Africa – from mammals and birds to arthropods and plants – with fascinating information and fun trivia. It is a book that will enlighten and entertain.
Zebras are black with white stripes!
234 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published January 1, 2023
6 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 19, 2024
Came across this title whilst on holiday in Namibia.
Only managed to read it after we returned back to the UK, which was a real shame as many of the preconceptions and many of the myth-held-beliefs we have whilst on Safari and of the Wild African animals and plant kingdom we seek to observe, are thoughtfully demystified and clearly explained by the author in this book.
A very easy read, very clearly laid out by chapters for different species groups and a great companion if you are thinking of a natural world adventure in Southern Africa and perhaps are a little trepadacious, even slightly fearful of what you think you may encounter.
Whilst it attempts to be rational and logical the author often explains that we also often do not know why exactly nature does this or that, which only adds to his sense of enthusiasm, his own awe and wonderment, hopefully, and utterly contagious to anyone who is his reader.
Only managed to read it after we returned back to the UK, which was a real shame as many of the preconceptions and many of the myth-held-beliefs we have whilst on Safari and of the Wild African animals and plant kingdom we seek to observe, are thoughtfully demystified and clearly explained by the author in this book.
A very easy read, very clearly laid out by chapters for different species groups and a great companion if you are thinking of a natural world adventure in Southern Africa and perhaps are a little trepadacious, even slightly fearful of what you think you may encounter.
Whilst it attempts to be rational and logical the author often explains that we also often do not know why exactly nature does this or that, which only adds to his sense of enthusiasm, his own awe and wonderment, hopefully, and utterly contagious to anyone who is his reader.
March 20, 2024
Like a field guide but more extensive.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews