Alan Dean Foster is a science fiction author - this however is a series of essays and observations about his real life encounters within the jungles and waters of our world. I learned valuable life lessons:
1. Never rub the chest of a cheetah just because your own cats like being rubbed on the chest.
2. Never, ever, ever, ever bother ants in the jungle. Ever. Unfortunately, if you happen across driver ants, you run. Really fast. Across their path. You're going to get bit. Also: don't fall.
3. Colorful jellyfish are evil creatures.
4. Never run from an elephant unless your guide is running from the elephant and screaming at you to run.
5. And finally, don't try to scare Foster's wife with a dead rattler. She'll just take it from you and skin the damn thing with her hands.