Author Description

The result of twenty-five years of research, this highly original book explores the problem of unpredictable or protean behavior as it is commonly observed in wildlife. How can randomness be of advantage to an animal? The authors describe, classify, and analyze a variety of animal behaviors, showing that apparent randomness is, upon closer scrutiny, only unpredictable enough to confuse the animal's enemies. Thus, seemingly erratic behavior is truly to an advantage. The authors establish the concept of "systematic unpredictability", and discuss evolutionary aspects of the phenomenon and its wider implications--beyond simple escape movements of prey and "crazy dances" of predators. This fascinating book will bring new insights into many aspects of behavioral science, natural history, biology, and psychology.