There are many wonderful creatures on earth - and even more incredible ways to describe them. With more collective nouns for animal groups than anyone else in the world, from a Business of Ferrets to a Wobble of Ostriches (not forgetting, of course, an Implausibility of Gnus) Alon Shulman's A Mess of Iguanas, A Whoop of Gorillas will tell you what to call a group of zebras, chickens, parrots, spiders, tigers or penguins the next time you encounter one - and will even let you know the difference between a school and a shoal of fish. Not to mention why groups of swans are known as a lamentation, a bank and a wedge. It will also tell you the most outlandish, strange yet completely accurate animal facts you can imagine. For example, did you know . . . that polar bears are invisible to infra-red because they have transparent fur? Or that a pregnant goldfish is known as a Twit? Or that a hippopotamus can't swim? Or that ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand? Filled with everything you could ever want to know about the creatures that inhabit our world, this brilliant compendium of animal curiosities is perfect for pub quizzers, language buffs, wannabe know-it-alls and any readers aged, well . . . 8 to 80. This 2009 Particular Books Hardback is in near mint condition. Dj, review copy sticker pasted on first page. ISBN: 9781846142550 SKU: 1438187 Note: Any image shown is from a stock photo and is not the actual book.
