Invisible Nature

Explore the hidden forces of sight, sound, touch, and smell that lie beyond human senses but which animals use in amazing ways.

There are sounds no human ear can hear, scents no-one can smell, colours our eyes cannot detect, and waves of radiation that pass right through us without our noticing. Yet, these are known and utilised by many different animal species. They present both dangers and uses, and are vital to all life on Earth. This fascinating unseen and secret world is revealed in Catherine Barr's latest book, Invisible Nature.

Fourteen colourful spreads display the impact on human and animal life of microwaves; ultraviolet and infrared light; electromagnetic waves; ultrasound and infrasound; and scents and smells beyond human detection. Understanding these hidden forces enables us to use them in many ways. But many animals also use them. They help cats to catch mice, elephants to find mates, and vampire bats to find victims. Ants 'talk' by exchanging smells. Indeed, without Invisible Nature, life on Earth would not exist at all.