Sensory Exotica: A World beyond Human Experience

by Howard C. Hughes

An entertaining guide to the exotic sensory abilities of the Earth's nonhuman creatures. Certain insects and animals such as bees, birds, bats, fish, and dolphins possess senses that lie far beyond the realm of human experience. Examples include echolocation, internal navigation systems, and systems based on bioelectricity. In this book Howard C. Hughes tells the story of these "exotic" senses. He tells not only what has been discovered but how it was discovered—including historical misinterpretations of animal perception that we now view with amusement. The book is divided into four biosonar, biological compasses, electroperception, and chemical communication. Although it is filled with fascinating descriptions of animal sensitivities—the sonar system of a bat, for example, rivals that of the most sophisticated human-made devices—the author's goal is to explain the anatomical and physiological principles that underlie them. Knowledge of these mechanisms has practical applications in areas as diverse as marine navigation, the biomedical sciences, and nontoxic pest control. It can also help us to obtain a deeper understanding of more familiar sensory systems and the brain in general. Written in an entertaining, accessible style, the book recounts a tale of wonder that continues today—for who knows what sensory marvels still await discovery or what kind of creatures will provide the insights?

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Biology, Nature

360 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 1999

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I have to confess up front that I took a class with the author, Howard Hughes, which solely revolved around this book.)

That said, this book provides a wonderful introduction to sensory perception, using extreme cases in the wild to illustrate many of the fundamental sensory processes that occur in humans, as well as those which are completely foreign to us humans.

While it's possible to wrap our heads around the idea of echolocation, as used by bats and dolphins, with it's basis in listening to sound waves, it's almost impossible to imagine the navigational abilities of bees or magnetosensitive fish. Hughes provides wonderful examples of all of these unique abilities, as well as detailed descriptions of the actual neural basis for each of the senses.

Anyone fascinated by the human senses, or by the unique senses that separate many animals from humans, will find this book interesting. It is scientifically rigorous without being boring or dry.

As a final point, because I have insider information, I feel the need to defend Hughes from some of the comments I have seen about the book on other sites. Several reviewers have questioned some of the illustrations in the book. Many of the schematic drawings of anatomy were drawn by Hughes' 13 year old daughter. They are detailed and accurate. A precious other few were drawn by his 10 year old daughter. I commend him for involving the whole family on a small budget project which clearly took considerable time and devotion.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While likely outdated by this point (it was written and published in the 90s) Hughes makes the information p acceptable. Happy this was my textbook for class

[TC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neuroethology= behavior + how the nervous system functions. Fascinating look at how nervous systems are constructed in various species and how this impacts information processing and ultimately actions/behavior. The power of this book lies in how lessons learned about eels, owls, and dolphins can teach us more about the function of the the human brain/behavior.

[Amanda Devine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Taking a class with the author right now, this book is our text.

[DJ]

review of sensory systems foreign to humans

[Rachelminji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly my favorite text from my neuroscience coursework. Accessible to the layperson (though perhaps too dry in tone compared to pop science?), yet not skimpy on the scientific details.