Aesop’s Animals: The Science Behind the Fables

Zoologist Wimpenny (Ten Thousand Birds) delves into the animal behavior behind Aesop’s fables in this clever survey. Wimpenny marvels at the fact that Aesop’s stories continue to “shape our emerging knowledge about animal natures,” and here uses contemporary studies to assess the scientific basis—or lack thereof—for his fabled animals. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific creature. “The Dog and Its Shadow,” for instance, about a canine who doesn’t recognize his shadow as his own, has some truth to it: “there is no evidence that dogs or any other canid can recognise their reflected image.” “The Crow and Its Pitcher,” about a bird who saves himself from dehydration with a clever trick, is similarly backed by modern science that proves crows’ intelligence, while “The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” takes liberties (“Being an instinctive, wild carnivore isn’t the same as being an evil villain”). Wimpenny pumps life into the hard science and keeps her discussions accessible, though occasionally the profiles of scientists who study animal behavior can slow things down. Still, Wimpenny offers plenty of insight into how humans interpret the natural world. Those with fond childhood memories of Aesop’s fables will be delighted. (Nov.)