Outsider Animals: How the Creatures at the Margins of Our Lives Have the Most to Teach Us

by Marlene Zuk, David J. Tuss (Illustrator)

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Animals, Science, Audiobook, Biology, Ecology

312 pages, Hardcover

Published March 17, 2026

About the author

Marlene Zuk is an American evolutionary biologist and behavioral ecologist. She worked as professor of biology at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) until she transferred to the University of Minnesota in 2012. Her studies involve sexual selection and parasites.

Reviews

[Petra X on the Silk Road to Samarkand]

"Since 2019 the European Gull Screeching Championship has been held annually in Belgium. In case the title doesn't sufficiently explain the goal, the website advises entrants to "Screech and behave as a seagull Do it well, because you have only one chance." In the UK, seagulls have a very bad name.They steal chips, crisps, sandwiches anything from people actually eating them, but in Belgium they are celebrated!"

The author describes cockroaches quite lovingly, talking of how some species, like the horrible wood-eating cockroach are monogamous, can have live births rather than eggs, and 'husband' and 'wife' raise their offspring together. So long as they stay outside, ok, but come inside and I have no mercy. I no longer scream for my husband as he's ex, or my partner as he has MS and is too slow or my son, who lives on another island, but I'm very brave and deal with them myself.

Still thinking of more to write for this review.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cover read. I love raccoons and I was instantly intruiged by the cover. Of course the the blurb as well as the title made me interested as well. Enjoyed the book as it gove information about various "harder to love animals" and talked in them in a more positive light (as well mention the more negative one). Personally I doubt I will love seagulls anytime soon as they go in attack mode where I live as the babies wobble around on the ground. (Babies are very cute tough). I dont have any experience of wild city rats and all I've seen are happy cozy pet rats. So I love rats.

What I took away from a book it matters a lot of what kind of experience you've had with an animal. Might be harder to find affection for an animal that scares you or cause chaos where you live.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book that I’d recommend to any animal lover. A good mix of informative and entertaining. Made me appreciate a lot of the animals more. I need to get my hands on a physical copy to see the illustrations!

[Claudia]

Years ago, Jonathan Adams and Thomas McShane explored: "The Myth of Wild Africa: Conservation Without Illusion. Later, Robert Sullivan flushed out the bestseller "Rats". Now, biologist Marlene Zuk sheds light on additional often-unwanted animals—raccoons, gulls, cockroaches, coyotes—living near humans. All present proposals to place people positively into animal conservation arguing they are not mere pests but brilliant adaptors and guides teaching us about our own evolution, cohabitation, character, and society; so we should reevaluate our tendency to unjustly villainize their existence. Many of these animals, such as raccoons, are intelligent opportunists that use their proximity to human garbage and infrastructure to survive and thrive. Species like coyotes and snakes reveal insights into co-evolution with humans, while cowbirds and mynas challenge our understanding of invasive species. Author Zuk questions what truly defines a "natural" habitat in an increasingly human-modified world, noting how humans are often responsible for bringing these "outsiders" inside. She encourages a fresh review for these creatures to gain valuable insights into human-animal relationships along with our own place in nature. For my upcoming trip to Africa, this book is packed along with my binoculars and a novel focused on Africa--gifts from my dear daughter.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! What an interesting book! Each chapter about a different animal - from adorable raccoons to, uh, not so adorable cockroaches - has so much really interesting information.

We all know how engaging raccoons are - and the author uses that fact to "get you" in the very first chapter, and then moves on to lesser animals "on the cuteness scale" so you can learn how fascinating they are too.

Such as:

Cockroaches have been studied by engineers for their speed, resilience, and maneuverability, in the development of robots.

How do Cowbirds find love? Cowbirds leave their eggs in other birds' nests, and so their babies are raised with other species of birds. Yet when it comes time to find a mate, how do they know to find another cowbird?

Rats have the ability to play and many rats enjoy having their tummy tickled. And, yes! Rats can laugh when they are tickled.

If you are an animal lover, you will love this book!

[Elizabeth G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zuk accomplishes something remarkable: transforming our reflexive disgust into genuine curiosity and even admiration. Her exploration of raccoons, rats, and cockroaches reveals not pests but evolutionary marvels adapting to the world we built without consulting them. What distinguishes this from typical nature writing is the scientific rigor combined with genuine humor; she never anthropomorphizes yet makes these creatures vividly present. The insights about coevolution, roadside pollution effects, and what pregnancy means across species challenge easy assumptions about intelligence and belonging. David Tuss's illustrations add dimension without distraction. By the final chapter, you will find yourself observing the "intruders" in your own life with new patience. A masterclass in finding wonder where we least expect it.

[Harukku · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF around the half-way point where the author was talking about the cabbage white butterflies.

I didn't know what to expect when I first picked up this book. As I listened, I realized I already knew a lot of the info the author shares about these "outsider" animals. This probably contributed to me not caring so much about this book. I was already convinced to look at animals/insects as living beings that are just trying to survive in the wild before reading this book.

This is probably a better read for someone who is curious and wants to see these "outsider" animals in a different light.

[William Drehmel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually would give it 3.5. I did enjoy it. Author writes in a breezy, personable style and is actually quite clever and funny. She talks about raccoons, myna birds, cockroaches, rats, cowbirds, gulls, coyotes and a few more. She is a professor at the U of MN in Ecology and evolution. She is often talking about possible evolutionary causes for various behaviors and that can bog things down a bit. Did open my eyes to the human factor in causing problems e.g. better, quicker garbage collection would help with rat control. Overall a pretty good book

[James Biser]

This book is a great discussion of animals that draw a large amount of attention to themselves in the public eye. Animals like the raccoon, the cockroach, and mice make people think and wonder about how they influence and are influenced by people.

[Kristyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book, I have a much clearer and greater appreciation for raccoons, gulls, rats, and even cabbage moths!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, informative, and funny read about the animals on the periphery of our lives.

[Artymesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book that questions a lot of human preconceptions in between some truly fascinating information about the involved species. Will definitely read again.

[Andrea Keeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written and read by one of my animal behavior professors from undergrad!!

[George Hamblen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read. The book is a scientific discussion around how animals are often misunderstood. It’s factual and often humorous. The question I was left with am I a moth or a butterfly person?

[Sherri Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun to read while learning at the same time.

[Corey Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read with lots of interesting bits. Inspiring for future work

[Tedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Already agreeing with the author on all points, I don't think I was the target audience. But an excellent book and helpful for finding new arguments to use when defending critters.

[Mary Buchanan · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know, I listened to this on a roadtrip while I was doing most of the driving and I did not absorb a lot of it. Probably nothing against the book.