Masterful Adaptations

The heroes of this book — some of the most amazing creations of nature, possessing truly incredible abilities.

Biologist Kenneth Catania explains why the star-nosed mole has strange appendages around its nose, how the tentacled snake, resorting to cunning, lures fish right into its mouth, how the electric eel «remotely controls» other animals, how emerald wasps zombify cockroaches, and reveals the mystery of the «worm spell» that lures earthworms out of the soil. 

Filled with numerous astonishing facts, this book is an exciting journey into the world of grand designs of Mother Nature, where so much remains unsolved.

Why does the star-nosed mole look like an alien? How does a tentacled snake lure fish right into its mouth? Why does a wasp turn a cockroach into a zombie? Can a worm be lured by sounds? Professor of Biology Kenneth Catania invites you on an exciting journey through the world of evolution, incredible animal adaptations, and scientific discoveries. At the intersection of biology and scientific detective work, he tells about creatures whose superpowers challenge our understanding of living nature. With inexhaustible humor, personal experience, and a passion for science, Catania explores the cunning of tentacled snakes, the «shock strike» strategy of electric eels, the behaviors of zombifying emerald wasps, and much more. Each chapter features photographs of rare animals, QR codes with unique video experiments, and unexpected twists, just like in a good adventure novel. This book is not only about bizarre creatures but also about science itself as a full-fledged adventure, full of discoveries, mistakes, and insights. It will inspire schoolchildren, students, scientists, and all nature lovers — and make them look at the world around them with wonder.