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Why Is That Spider Dancing : The Amazing Arachnids of Aotearoa
What are arachnids? How do spiders differ from harvestmen, pseudoscorpions, mites and ticks? What makes the arachnid species that are unique to Aotearoa so special? How are webs made? How do they hunt prey, eat and defend themselves? Where do they live? Which are venomous? Which can you find in your house? What makes some arachnids the stuff of nightmares?
In this fun-filled, fact-rich, and highly illustrated book, award-winning science writer Simon Pollard and Te Papa spider expert Phil Sirvid share the magic, secrets, mysteries and marvels of Aotearoa New Zealand's abundance of eight-legged beasties, from microscopic mites to spiders as large as your hand. They also profile some of the men and women who have helped build our knowledge in this area.
In this fun-filled, fact-rich, and highly illustrated book, award-winning science writer Simon Pollard and Te Papa spider expert Phil Sirvid share the magic, secrets, mysteries and marvels of Aotearoa New Zealand's abundance of eight-legged beasties, from microscopic mites to spiders as large as your hand. They also profile some of the men and women who have helped build our knowledge in this area.
112 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2021
1 person want to read
About the author
Simon Pollard
23 booksPro-Vice-Chancellor and member of the University Executive, Simon leads Cranfield University’s international partnership activities and the School of Water, Energy and Environment. With significant strategic experience, his career spans senior appointments in academia, consulting and government. An environmental engineer and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Simon’s research on risk governance has been funded by the US Water Research Foundation, EPSRC, NERC, BBSRC and Defra.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 24, 2024
An excellent children's book on spiders. Simon Pollard has a spider named after him, one of the 2,000 or so in New Zealand. About 800 of them are yet unnamed, so you're in with a chance if that is your dream.
Actually, two people are credited with writing the book, Phil Sirvid, a spider expert from Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum, is the other.
We get strange insights into spider world-who thought of spiders as being the original bungee jumpers?
Or realized that some spiders are capable of eating a year's food in a single sitting? Apparently the legs are drafted as internal stomach socks to help absorb all of the extra.
In case you were wondering why some spiders dance: It's a male thing. Demonstrating to the female he has the moves to hunt and dodge predators.
Beautifully illustrated and interestingly written, it's an excellent introduction to spiders.
Actually, two people are credited with writing the book, Phil Sirvid, a spider expert from Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum, is the other.
We get strange insights into spider world-who thought of spiders as being the original bungee jumpers?
Or realized that some spiders are capable of eating a year's food in a single sitting? Apparently the legs are drafted as internal stomach socks to help absorb all of the extra.
In case you were wondering why some spiders dance: It's a male thing. Demonstrating to the female he has the moves to hunt and dodge predators.
Beautifully illustrated and interestingly written, it's an excellent introduction to spiders.
September 27, 2021
Very comprehensive! Excellent photos, good descriptions, and I liked the jokes.
January 30, 2022
Fascinating and perfectly balanced for the target audience.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews