The world, the universe and us
CultureLab: The weird ways animals sense the world – Ed Yong on his book An Immense World
Sep 5, 2023
Author Ed Yong explores how animals perceive the world in his book 'An Immense World'. He discusses exotic animal senses, bird vision, bird auditory abilities, and the harmful effects of human activities on animals' sensory worlds.
37:34
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Quick takeaways
- Animals possess unique sensory abilities that allow them to perceive the world differently from humans, such as birds' ability to see ultraviolet colors and dogs' intricate sense of smell.
- Animals utilize exotic senses and combine different sensory modes to navigate and interact with their environment, offering a wealth of information about their surroundings.
Deep dives
The Diverse Sensory World of Animals
The podcast episode explores the fascinating world of animal senses and discusses how animals perceive their environment through various sensory modes. It introduces the concept of the 'Umbelt,' which refers to the sensory environment that animals experience and emphasizes that their perception of the world differs from humans. The episode highlights specific examples, such as birds' ability to see ultraviolet colors, dogs' intricate sense of smell, and certain animals' ability to detect and communicate through electrical fields. It emphasizes that understanding and appreciating the sensory worlds of animals can enhance our empathy, curiosity, and connection with the natural world.
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