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Ugly Animals: We Can't All Be Pandas

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60 of the world's ugliest and most endangered animals This collection of 60 of the world’s most ugly (and endangered) animals, features rare imagery and explanatory text. The author is a high-profile biologist but also a stand-up comedian, and the text combines expert research with a light tone.

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

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Simon Watt

11 books

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5 stars
15 (30%)
4 stars
22 (44%)
3 stars
8 (16%)
2 stars
4 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
1 review
July 30, 2015
Less Barbie dolls, more blobfish please!

Must be mandatory reading for all elementary school curriculum. And while we're at it, perhaps make some stuffed uakari and axolotl to replace the ubiquitous Elsas and Anna's...
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65 reviews
June 22, 2016
The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars isn't the book's fault...I just can't look at a blob fish without seeing Ted Cruz's face :(
Profile Image for John.
Author 35 books43 followers
January 9, 2016
A delightful example of humor used to illuminate a difficult topic.
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4,113 reviews25 followers
April 15, 2026
Ugly Animals: We Can't All Be Pandas is a book that takes a look at ugly animals (rather subjective) that are also endangered.

As a result each animal gets its own section, which starts off with a colored photograph, its common name and a barely legible scientific name. From there most entries take up about two pages, sometimes three, while providing readers with behavioral and physical descriptions as well as possibly some history of the species. It is only towards the end that readers are provided more information on why this animal is listed as it is.

Given the book is British, all measurements are in metric and some light humor has been used but not enough to make this a humorous read.

All the photographs are colored but from one search on the web, they have appeared to be taken from online. Unfortunately some are so badly chosen and rather far that the reader cannot view the actual traits that may have contributed to the animal being on the list.

At the same time, the book is selling ugly off the body of a blobfish body and not the actually appearance of a blobfish in its natural environment. But at least the author also acknowledges the process instead or leaving the information incomplete for shock value as so many other authors do who use the fish.

All in all the book was informative, acknowledges what we call ugly has a purpose in these animals and brings some intriguing animals to light.
Profile Image for Mia.
22 reviews
April 13, 2020
BLOBFISH!!! I LOVE THEM!!!! I LIKE FISH!!!!! Okay but in all seriousness I read this in like, two hours and it was an incredibly entertaining two hours. I love animals, wow shocking, I know. Axolotls don't belong in here though. Nor do purple frogs. I like frogs.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews