Extremely Gross Animals: Stinky, Slimy and Strange Animal Adaptations

Between the slime green end papers of this science book, readers will find disgusting facts about all kinds of animals whose “icky adaptations...help them survive and thrive.” Every gross term readers might think of—snot, vomit, poop, dung, mucus, and slime—is examined in all its nauseating detail and analyzed for its value to many creatures. Readers learn why these naturally occurring substances and habits revolt them before being invited to view them as fascinating. Take poop, for instance: it’s both home and dinner for the dung beetle while one spider actually disguises itself as poop for protection. Mucus seems to be a favorite tool for marine creatures, like the parrotfish that uses it as a sticky defense or like the violet sea snail that creates mucus-bubble nests. Stinky substances deter threats—but those produced by the bombardier beetle are far more lethal than our own smelly socks or farts.

A few of the examples may be familiar as they have long been used in nature documentaries: the archerfish that shoots a jet of water to knock a bug off a leaf, the vulture that uses its own poop for cooling as it evaporates, or the chameleon gecko that jettisons its own tail to escape a predator. But one strength of this book is the wealth of fresh (though not due to smell!) subjects the author has uncovered through digging deeply into research: frogs and sharks that vomit their entire stomachs to avoid inedibles, and parasitic horsehair worms. One final page—Some Gross Extras—seems to have been added as an afterthought when the examples could have been included elsewhere.

Another point of attraction is the clever use of descriptive language with just the right touch of sick humor to elicit the predictable response: eew! One might be quicker to chase a fly from one’s food after learning that their vomit creates a soupy consistency which may not all be consumed.... We all knew they might carry bacteria on their feet, right? But the new details are an extra insult, and “you might think twice about your next bite.” The subheadings used throughout are amusing too: Dung-Licious! Toad You Not to Eat That!

One more strong point: excellent color photographs that show the best up-close and personal angles to maximize grossness. Check out the giraffe with his tongue in his nose, for instance.

If you think you don’t want to get past the cover writhing with slimy worms, you may be surprised when the opposite occurs. The more you read, the more your eyebrows will rise and you’ll be thinking, “Really? That’s amazing! Who knew?” And that’s the point, according to the follow-up notes in the final pages “once you get past the ick response”. There is so much to learn, so much that might be useful to science and still so much more to arouse your curiosity.

Extremely Gross Animals: Stinky, Slimy and Strange Animal Adaptations is only a starting point for budding scientists. The “Selected Sources” list will point the reader forward to more discoveries.