Hidden creatures : luscious leeches, bashful botflies, and the wondrous, history-shaping world of parasites /

There is the tapeworm, which can grow 120 feet in length withinthe gut of a whale; the tsetse fly, a notorious vector of disease that can pierce the skin even of crocodiles with its needle-like mouth; and the most universal symbol of parasitic behavior: the leech. Long villainized as, well, parasiti...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Martins, Dino J. (Author)
Format: Book
Language:English
Published: New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2026.
Edition:First hardcover edition.
Subjects:
Description
Summary:There is the tapeworm, which can grow 120 feet in length withinthe gut of a whale; the tsetse fly, a notorious vector of disease that can pierce the skin even of crocodiles with its needle-like mouth; and the most universal symbol of parasitic behavior: the leech. Long villainized as, well, parasitic, these creatures are actually a vital part of every ecosystem--and Dr. Dino Martins, an award-winning entomologist and biologist from Kenya, has made it his life's mission to demystify these beguiling beings. Hidden Creatures is a journey across the world ten times over--from Martins's home in the wildsof East Africa to the rainforests of Borneo to cities and backyardsacross the globe. Along the way we encounter brilliant and eccentric experts who join Martins on his adventures to investigate not onlyparasites but their hosts, from hyraxes and hippos to, of course, humans.
Physical Description:viii, 323 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references (pages 317-323).
ISBN:9780593804667
059380466X