Cephalopod Behaviour

"A treasure trove of information on the cognitively most advanced invertebrates on earth. This new edition is the update every marine biologist and diver has been waiting for. The last few decades have given us many new findings and insights, which are all covered here. This overview of the cephalopods by two of the world's foremost experts, ranges from their phylogeny, sensory systems and physiology to behaviour, communication and ecology. It is highly readable and beautifully illustrated to boot."
– Frans de Waal, author of Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?

"Written by two of the leaders in cephalopod research, this book is even better than the first edition. It is a 'must have' not just for scientists but for everyone who is interested in these amazing animals."
– Nicola S. Clayton, FRS, University of Cambridge and Scientist in Residence, Rambert

"People find cephalopods fascinating, and rightly so as this book demonstrates. It provides a masterly synthesis of cephalopod natural history, written by two scientists who have helped to shape the field. The book is filled with stunning photographs, often taken by the authors. It will be a tremendous boon to cephalopod biologists, as well as to other scientists interested in cephalopods. It provides handy tables summarizing behaviour across species within the Cephalopoda (e.g. mating styles). This book updates the first edition, detailing recent changes in fast moving areas such as phylogeny. The authors discuss a range of current hypotheses about cephalopods (e.g. the role of ink in anti-predator behaviour) in an even-handed manner. Although this book is written with a scientific audience in mind, cephalopods admirers of all types will find this work engaging."
– Shelley Adamo, Dalhousie University, Canada

"Cephalopods are undoubtedly among the most fascinating group of animals on the planet, varying enormously in appearance, behaviour, and ecology. Hanlon and Messenger do a wonderful job of illustrating how cephalopods thrive in a diverse range of habitats, how they communicate and avoid predators, how they reproduce, and their remarkable skills, ranging from colour change to cognition. The book is a wonderful tribute to these animals – indeed, how can one fail to be excited by a unique group of animals that range from less than 10mm to over 5m, can change colour in an instant, produce flashes of their own light, and solve complex problems? This clear and enlightening book is not only for those fascinated by cephalopods, but for any student and scientist interested in how animals behave, adapt, and diversity. The book beautifully, and in detail, outlines what we can learn from studying one remarkable group of animals for understanding ecology and evolution, and how animals cope with a variety of habitats to survive and reproduce."
– Martin Stevens, University of Exeter

"An exceptionally handsome book [...] highly recommended for its aesthetics as much for its science. Working with cephalopods is a joy and a challenge. Both the joy and the challenge are brought to life in this book [...] an excellent book for behaviourists interested in cephalopods from a comparative perspective [...]"
– Animal Behaviour

"This book is a major zoological event"
–American Zoologist

"[...] an essential volume for anyone working in almost any field of cephalopod behaviour, physiology or ecology."
– Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

"This book is the first of its kind [...] It opens up what will for most readers be a new world. And about time too."
– Martin J. Wells, Trends in Ecology and Evolution

"[...] compact and easy to use [...] it succeeds well in providing a comprehensive text for students, marine biologists, and anyone interested in an up-to-date review of the behaviour of one of the most fascinating invertebrate groups."
– P. R. Boyle, Biologist

"This is an excellent book and can be highly recommended [...] It should find its way to the bookshelves of any biologist [...] For its content, visual beauty, clarity, and passion – get yourself a copy now!"
– Dr Marek Lipinski, ICES Journal of Marine Science