An Immense World cover art

An Immense World

How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us

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An Immense World

By: Ed Yong
Narrated by: Ed Yong
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Humans have three or four colour-detecting cones in their retinas. Mantis shrimp have 16. In fact, their eyes seem to have more in common with satellite technology than with biological vision as we currently understand it. They have evolved to track movement with an acuity no other species can match by processing raw information; they may not 'see', in the human sense, at all.

Marine molluscs called chitons have eyes that are made of stone. Scorpions appear to see with their entire bodies. It isn't only vision that differs from species to species—some animals also have senses we lack entirely. Knifefish navigate by electrical charge.

An Immense World will take us on an insider's tour of the natural world by describing the biology, physics and chemistry animals use to perceive it. We may lack some of their senses, but our own super-sense lies in our ability to understand theirs. And in the face of the largest extinction event since the meteor that killed the dinosaurs, our only hope of saving other species is bound up with our ability to see what they see, and feel what they feel.

©2022 Ed Yong (P)2022 Penguin Audio Animals Biological Sciences Biology Ecology Nature & Ecology Outdoors & Nature Science Inspiring Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant  
Thought provoking journey through other creatures Umvelt, The “way they sense their world” perfectly read by the author whose obvious excitement and awe of other species
Senses is infectious. I loved this book and I think you will too.

A new Classic

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Very easy to listen to well narrated a fascinating collection of what science knows and does not know about the sensory perceptions of other species

Fascinating

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This book reads like a collection of facts or curiosities. But each of them is absolutely fascinating and can change the way you think about everything that's around, and how other senses may perceive it.

Wonderful exploration...

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This book is amazingly well researched, and read with great clarity and passion by the author. Couldn't get enough of it and listened to it very quickly. So many fascinating insights that expanded my view of the world. Just brilliant!

One of my fav audiobooks ever!

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Fascinating deep dive into how other animals senses can vary so wildly from our own as humans.

I particularly found the chapter on scent (predominantly with regard to dogs, as I have three of my own), and visual senses and colour spectrums (as an artist) incredibly enlightening.

Super Interesting

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Loved learning more about the sensory experience of all these animals, some stuff I didn't even know. the narration was soothing and pleasant to listen to, but every time this chap said "towards" I was reminded just how oddly he pronounces the word. Still, worth that for the interest factor alone.

Fascinating Book, Okay Narrator

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An amazing book tye has made me see and think about the world differently. Highly recommend. Does need some concentration as it’s rich with information.

An amazing book that really expanded my world

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This audiobook is by far the absolute best, most insightful, eye opening, life changing book. there isn't a word thst can explain how this book influenced me and my thinking. Everything and everyone is beautiful. We must be the positive change.

I've heard many audiobooks. This one is by far

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The author does an excellent job of describing the sensory worlds of other animals. It’s the closest answer yet to ‘what is it like to be a bat’

A glimpse into other worlds

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A brilliant account about how varied and fantastical all kinds of creatures interpretations of there surroundings are, through their senses (umwelt).
A good reminder again about just how beautifully complex the world we live in is.
Thank you Mr Yong.

He’s done it again

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