There are few creatures more beautiful, aloof, and fascinating than giraffes. Their social and ecological impact has been documented by many researchers. However, the inner workings of extant giraffes are less well known. That is why Graham Mitchell decided to write How Giraffes Work: a comprehensive overview of the anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry--in short, the normal functions--of a free-living, wild animal in its natural environment. A zoologist, veterinarian, and physiologist, Mitchell explains how giraffes get through their day. Additionally, he takes readers through the evolution of their physical characteristics, such as their size, shape, and coat markings. His approach integrates history with the physiology, anatomy, biochemistry, behavior, evolution, genetics, ecology, climate science, and more. Each chapter follows the discovery and utility of a different characteristic of giraffes. Illustrated with over two hundred figures and diagrams, the book explains how giraffes might have evolved and survived over many millions of years as well as how our perception of them has changed throughout history. So, how do giraffes work? The answers lie in a story filled not only with the details of their internal working but also with the labors of the extraordinary scientists who have put so many pieces of this puzzle together.

About the Author
Graham Mitchell is Emeritus Professor of Zoology and Physiology at the University of Wyoming and of Physiology at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. He has been studying the physiology of free-living species and teaching physiology and biochemistry to medical, veterinary, and science students for over 40 years.

Reviews
"Graham Mitchell is one of the world's foremost experts in giraffe biology, physiology, and anatomy. This book is full of useful information he's gained from decades of research, knowledge gathering, and analysis. Anyone interested in learning about mammal biology and giraffesDLexperts or notDLwill enjoy this book." -- Zoe Muller, Giraffe Conservation Alliance "This book blends a remarkable depth of literature together with the author's own findings from a lifetime of research on giraffes in a way that both scientists and general readers will surely appreciate. It presents clear and accessible explanations of how these intriguing animals work. Through that achievement, the book also explains how less-intriguing animals are expected to work, and so it is a mine of information for anyone interested in nature." -- Johan du Toit, Utah State University



Book Information
ISBN 9780197571194
Author Graham Mitchell
Format Hardback
Page Count 608
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 1275g
Dimensions(mm) 185mm * 260mm * 37mm