First published 2014
National Geographic journalist Jennifer Holland presents 47 documented cases of unlikely animal friendships from around the globe. Her collection spans continents from South Africa to the Arctic Circle, featuring bonds between natural enemies like cats and birds, elephants and sheep, snakes and hamsters, and gorillas and kittens. Holland traveled extensively to gather these accounts, including the story of a leopard that visits an Indian village nightly to sleep beside a calf. Each friendship defies natural instincts, as predators form bonds with their typical prey. The author provides detailed behavioral explanations for these unexpected relationships, drawing from locations as diverse as Germany, Japan, and India. These real stories reveal how animals can transcend their programmed roles to form genuine connections across species lines.
Genres: science, nature, animals, non-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, unlikely-friendships
Setting: Africa, Arctic Circle, Germany, India, Japan, South Africa
228 pages · Paperback · Salsa Books CAS