Zoology: Understanding the Animal World

By: Donald E. Moore, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Donald E. Moore III

As much as we love a trip to the zoo, the truth is that you can’t learn everything there is to know about animals with an occasional brief visit. But by exploring zoology and the tireless work of zoologists, you’ll find your next trip more rewarding, enriching, and satisfying.

In these 24 lectures, The Great Courses teams up with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, to take you behind the scenes of the animal world. Dr. Moore has crafted a wonderful introduction to zoology that brings you up close and personal with a breathtaking variety of animal species through the eyes of a trained zoologist.

Throughout these lectures, you’ll explore the fundamentals of zoology (including the relationship between genetics and environment), dive into the different orders of life on our planet (from the ocean depths to the highest tree tops) and investigate special subjects intriguing today’s zoologists (including animal behavior and conservation). You’ll also meet some of most incredible animals on Earth: butterflies, bears, crocodiles, tigers, giant pandas, elephants, gorillas, and more. And thanks to exclusive footage from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, you’ll be able to see these animals in action, up close and without the crowds.

It’s a wide, wild world out there. And with these engaging lectures, you’ll be better equipped to get out there and discover its animal wonders. Whether they’re in your local zoo or aquarium, a national park, or right in your own backyard.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2017 The Great Courses (P)2017 The Teaching Company, LLC

animal farming is still a political subject

I loved this book a d learned so much. My only disappointment was the last chapter when reducing the consumption of meat and dairy products wasn’t on the list while choosing a right plant for your garden was on top of the list as if no one lives in apartment …

Excellent

and for those who love learning this is a fantastic purchase where is every minute of my time and every bit of money that I spent

Get back in touch with the animal world

As a former zoo volunteer, I enjoyed catching up on the latest developments especially conservation efforts. Some of the overviews are a bit technical and the accompanying pdf is a great help. Chapter 23 is particularly relevant in light of the latest coronavirus outbreak.

Experts need to stop citing archaic beliefs

I have a hard time listening to "experts" who get things wrong within the first chapter. I may come back to this later when I'm ready to listen with a grain of salt.

More Than I Had Expected!

The Great Courses are almost always very good, sometimes even excellent. Frankly, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this one and learned from it as well. I expected a basic survey of the animal kingdom, a review of my course work and articles I often read on the subject. It did, of course, provide that, but it was so much more.

The presenter, Donald E. Moore III, is not a typical university professor, and therefore the content of these lectures were distinctive. He is a "conservation biologist," so along with the general biological information I had expected, he eagerly shared his knowledge and passion for all animals, the obscure as well has the iconic. In addition, he passionately lobbied for their preservation.

He has been the Director of the Oregon Zoo and the senior science advisor at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. He skillfully shared his wealth of experience of almost 40 years in wildlife conservation, animal welfare, and zoo management. Furthermore, each lecture was joined by at least one expert in the topic under discussion. Without exception, these men and women added interest and animation to their topics.

I was amazed at how much I learned about a subject quite familiar to me--animals. I relished each lecture. Dr. Moore has an uncanny knack for explaining complex topics in a way that includes all levels of competence. I found myself wishing that I could present this entire series to my former fifth grade classes. The kids would have been mesmerized, as I had been, in spite of my previous graduate level exposure to this subject. An instructor with that range is truly the master of his field.

I recommend this outstanding audiobook to others with a penchant for learning more about our shared natural world.

More than just lectures, there were guests!

Dr Moore included other biologist and zoolists in this lecture, and asked them about their work in a way that brought the listener in to their mission of conservation. I learned so much more about the different conservancy programs through the Smithsonian, and look forward to seeing how much further they go. If you like animals you will enjoy this series.

loved it

loved it super educational and really entertaining narrator was great n l like all the fun facts l definitely learned a bunch of things great book for everyone intrested in the animal kingdom n how it works

Great listen

I truly enjoyed the course and the narrator was informative and enjoyable to listen to.

A must-have reference!

Do you enjoy learning facts about animals? Do you like the opportunity to consider the eccentricities of common and rare species? Would you like to become aware of conservation efforts around the world? If so, then get comfy and let Dr. Don Moore illustrate the details and importance of our favorite and little-known species! I'm often inspired to pause the recording, reflect on something shared, and search online for range maps or images of an animal mentioned. I'll also revisit a chapter when I desire enriching. It is clearly a reference meant to be enjoyed time and time again, like flipping to a needed page in a field guide. Thank you for this information-rich collection of knowledge!

Informative and easy listen

It covered many species and was informative on them all as well as the efforts of the Smithsonian.