The Well-Connected Animal: Social Networks and the Wondrous Complexity of Animal Societies

“Combines accessible prose with solid science. . . . Networking, it turns out, isn’t merely a cliché for twenty-first-century social-media climbers. Many animal species—perhaps most—do it just fine without Facebook, X or cellphones. It’s noteworthy that even as loneliness in our own species has been increasingly recognized as a modern problem, network analysis among animals has revealed that deeper, stronger bonds generally result in longer lifespans. These networks cover a range of activities, including dominance interactions, vocal communication, migration, food-finding, alarm-calling, gesturing, mate selection and cultural transmission—pretty much anything that animals do, most of which have deep resonance for the lives of human beings as well. . . . Reader, I connected with this book and I think there’s a good chance you will, too." -- David Barash * Wall Street Journal * “Our understanding of animal societies expands at an ever-accelerating rate. In The Well-Connected Animal, evolutionary biologist Dugatkin demonstrates that whatever creature you are—from a giraffe to a Tasmanian devil—life is all about who you know.” -- Simon Ings * New Scientist, "20 Non-Fiction and Popular Science Books to Look Forward to in 2024" * "In the past twenty years social network analysis has revolutionized our understanding of animal societies. By studying the flow of information within animal groups, animal behaviorists have shown that sophisticated social networks 'permeate the natural world. Historian of science Dugatkin reveals the network dynamics behind giraffes’ nurseries and vampire bats’ reciprocal blood sharing, as well as the dedication necessary to collect these data. Although it may require researchers to paint numbers on honeybees, social networking theory confirms that complex social dynamics are not just for humans." * Scientific American * "Picture this: a world where relationships mean the difference between life and death, where the company you keep determines whether you’ll survive the night or find food for the day. This isn’t the latest human drama—it’s the hidden reality of the animal kingdom. From bats sharing blood to keep one another alive, to birds teaming up to steal a quick meal, animals have been forging social networks long before the first human logged onto social media." * The Not Old - Better Show with Paul Vogelzang * "This fascinating, easy-to-read work describes the how, what, and why of animal behavior, much of which is remarkably similar to humans. A must-purchase, this book presents what is easily the most intriguing, thorough explanation of animal behavior ever produced." * Library Journal (starred review) * "An engaging exploration of the interconnectedness of the animal world. Our belief in human exceptionalism has long included the dogma that we are the only animals that create complex social networks—but we are wrong. In this compelling book, evolutionary biologist Dugatkin notes that while the study of complex non-human social networks is a fairly young discipline, new research is occurring at a rapid pace. . . . This book makes a fitting companion to Ed Yong’s An Immense World. An entertaining tour of what we learn as we eavesdrop on the non-human conversations all around us." * Kirkus Reviews * "This terrific survey of how animals of different species relate to each other on individual and group levels reads like a scientific mystery as Dugatkin vividly and compellingly describes exciting breakthroughs." * Booklist * "The Well-Connected Animal by Dugatkin studies how animals share information and resources through socializing, including how great tit birds learn to break into milk bottles and how vampire bats split meals." * Publishers Weekly, Spring 2024 Adult Preview: Science * "With an extensive reference list and colour images and diagrams, The Well-Connected Animal should be a go-to text for undergraduates and budding behaviourists who want to make a difference in changing attitudes toward the non-human animal." * The Biologist * "Do you really think that guppies in a fish tank swim around aimlessly for your entertainment? New perspectives in ethology and new technologies have trashed old homocentric dogmas. Researchers like Dugatkin show that many (probably all) animals from guppies to elephants have social networks as the rule, rather than the exception. New questions have required new instruments, and new instruments have made possible new answers. . . . Each chapter is enriched by multiple detailed field studies, evoking the habitat, the organisms’ behavior, and the impressions of the researchers. Dugatkin demonstrates that social networks are ubiquitous and the rule among species rather than the exception. They are essential to survival. Ethologists, too, form a network, each enriching the studies of other researchers and other species. Recommended." * Choice * "Despite [the] increase in social network’s usage, a popular science book capturing the simple beauty and endless complexity with inspiring and clear prose has yet to arrive—until Dugatkin’s The Well-Connected Animal that is. Through a narrative embedded in some of the most inspiring projects and animals in the field, the author walks readers though the promise and peril of animal social networks. . . . This book is an engaging and immersive global tour of the people, projects, and animals that comprise this exciting field exploring the drivers, consequences, and evolution of the social associations, connections, and relationships that underpin the lives of animals."   * Quarterly Review of Biology * “One of the most talented biologists of our time lends fascinating insight into the most important part of our existence. By exploring the origins of our social connections, Dugatkin uncovers a world of cooperation, communication, and bonding in the animal kingdom that ultimately leads to ours. A beautifully written adventure into the secrets of the natural world.” -- Brian Hare, coauthor of "The Genius of Dogs" “For many years, Dugatkin has been one of my 'go-to-guys' for learning about cutting edge research in animal behavior. The Well-Connected Animal is yet another one of his extremely thoughtful books, this time outlining what we know about social networks in diverse species, how the research is conducted, and where future studies should best focus. I’m sure many will be pleasantly surprised by the flexible, intricate, and varied social networks that many nonhumans form and use in their daily lives.” -- Marc Bekoff, author of "Dogs Demystified" and "The Emotional Lives of Animals" “Long before the invention of Facebook and Twitter, animals discovered the value and peril of social networking. With engaging prose and sweeping scope, The Well-Connected Animal explores the intricate interactions that characterize animal societies and the equally compelling story of the scientists who study them.” -- Jonathan B. Losos, author of "The Cat’s Meow" and "Improbable Destinies" “Scrupulously scientific but highly accessible. . . . A stunningly provocative reflection.” -- David P. Barash * Wall Street Journal, on "Power in the Wild" * “Sparkling. . . . A parable of the lessons that can emerge from unfettered science, if we have the courage to let it unfold.” -- Marlene Zuk * New York Times Book Review, on "How to Tame a Fox (and Build a Dog)" *