Wildlife Spectacle

A seasoned zoologist offers a unique take on North American wildlife

By Sofia Jeremias

October 16, 2016

Pronghorn

Hunting almost led the pronghorn to extinction, but the animal’s numbers have largely recovered—especially in places like Wyoming. They can run at almost 60 miles per hour and travel up to 300 miles each year.

Photo by Vladimir Dinets

Giant Kangaroo Rat

Critically endangered giant kangaroo rats are around 12 inches long and make their homes in the quickly disappearing grasslands of central California. 

Photo by Vladimir Dinets

Bull Muskox

This huge ungulate is one of two hoofed mammals that made it through the Pleistocene. When in danger, bull muskox herds form tight circles with their sharp horns jutting outward. 

Photo by Anastasiia Tsvietkova

Hummingbird

These fast-moving birds can cross 600 miles of ocean in just 20 hours during their yearly migration. 

Photo by Vladimir Dinets

Starling flock

The spectacular formations of the European starling have yet to be understood by the scientific community. Rather than a single bird leading the group, each individual seems to operate independently while carefully tracking the movements of up to seven birds surrounding it.

Photo by Anastasiia Tsvietkova

In his latest book, Wildlife Spectacles: Mass Migrations, Mating Rituals, and Other Fascinating Animal Behaviors (Timber Press, October 2016), zoologist Vladimir Dinets examines a broad array of living creatures, from the ancient sea lamprey to the common hummingbird. The book describes in detail the habits and habitats of animals ranging from softshell turtles to caribou.
 
After living in North America for 20 years, Dinets, a Russian immigrant, was amazed by how little the continent’s residents knew about their natural surroundings. “I found it extremely surprising that so many wonderful places were unknown, even to specialists,” Dinets said in a phone interview with Sierra. “If people don’t know about these places, they’re not going to do anything to protect them.”
 
Wildlife Spectacle includes dozens of pages of viewing tips for both advanced and amateur wildlife observers, and is filled with facts about the animals that Dinets has spent decades studying. For example, he describes whale-watching in Monterey, where he saw humpbacks defend sea lions from transient killer whales. Dinets’s decades of observations have taught him that when it comes to the world of animals, their existence isn’t just about such raw moments. “People think about nature as a constant battle for survival, but animals have their own moments of happiness,” he said. “The emotional life of animals is so different and difficult to understand.”
 
Above all else, Dinets said, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t be afraid to find out that there are no answers to these questions. This is how science works.”
 

Sofia Jeremias is a Fall 2016 editorial intern at Sierra. 

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