The Inner Life of Animals
By Peter Wohlleben
Love, Grief, and Compassion ―Surprising Observations of a Hidden World. Greystone Books, 2016.
Summary of The Inner Life of Animals book by Peter Wohlleben
An astonishing exploration of creatures both big and small, and their interactions with the world around them, including the not-so-hidden emotions which connect them to each other and to humans.
Chapters in The Inner Life of Animals book summary
What do you get from this book? Fascinating stories that demonstrate the emotional intelligence and complexity of animals
Although there is limited data to support animal emotion, the anecdotal evidence is incredibly strong
Animals frequently exhibit signs of self-awareness and intelligence, even with a missing or limited neocortex
When working in larger communities, animals demonstrate collective intelligence and altruistic behavior
It’s normal for creatures to use trickery to obtain food or fulfill their desire to mate
Many creatures cherish their mate as well as their offspring, grieving their death just as a human might
Although animals can and do love humans, they are also bred to do so
Context clues provide strong evidence for how an animal is feeling even when scientific data might be lacking
Anxiety and bravery are easily identifiable traits in a variety of animals, not just humans
Creatures are not all good or all bad, that’s a uniquely human distinction that doesn’t really exist in nature
External dangers can confuse animals and disrupt their normal routes, causing them harm
Humans and animals share many similarities between our senses of taste and smell, with a few striking differences
Though some animals have a heightened sense of changes in nature, we all share a need to sleep
Animals recognize changes to their bodies as they get older, and they will forever remain intelligent and emotional
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
Unlock all 17 chapters of The Inner Life of Animals — Get full access to this book summary and thousands more on Lobab.
The Inner Life of Animals — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read The Inner Life of Animals book
- Animal lovers
- veterinarians
- pet parents
- nature enthusiasts
- anyone interested in how animals think and feel
About the author of The Inner Life of Animals
Peter Wohlleben
Peter Wohlleben is a German-born forester, ecology writer, and animal rights advocate. As a devoted nature lover he worked as a government wood ranger before managing a municipal beech forest. He currently runs his own woodland. Wohlleben’s books, including his bestseller, The Hidden Life of Trees, have been translated into multiple languages.
Books similar to The Inner Life of Animals
Related books that explore themes found in The Inner Life of Animals
Sy Montgomery
A Surprising Exploration into the World of Consciousness. Atria Paperback, 2015.
Abigail Tucker
How House Cats Tamed Us and Took Over the World. Simon and Schuster, 2016.
Henry Mance
How to Love Animals: in a Human–Shaped World. Viking. 2021.
Carl Safina
What Animals Think and Feel. Harry Holt & Co, 2015.
Topics related to The Inner Life of Animals book
Explore topics that share themes with The Inner Life of Animals across Lobab's library
Categories The Inner Life of Animals book belongs to
Discover other book summaries in the same categories as The Inner Life of Animals
If you liked The Inner Life of Animals, you might also enjoy
Books on different topics that Lobab readers often explore alongside The Inner Life of Animals
Henry Mance
How to Love Animals: in a Human–Shaped World. Viking. 2021.
Abigail Tucker
How House Cats Tamed Us and Took Over the World. Simon and Schuster, 2016.
Douglas Abrams
A Survival Guide for Trying Times. Celadon Books, 2021.
Sy Montgomery
A Surprising Exploration into the World of Consciousness. Atria Paperback, 2015.
Aaron Dignan
What Animals Can Teach Us About Health and the Science of Healing. Alfred A Knopf, 2012.
Carl Safina
What Animals Think and Feel. Harry Holt & Co, 2015.
Scott D. Sampson
The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015.
Randall Munroe
Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014.
Richard Dawkins
The Long Reach of the Gene. Oxford University Press, 1982.
Wallace J. Nichols
The Surprising Science that Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do. Little, Brown Spark. 2014.
Can't decide where to start?
With thousands of book summaries across multiple categories and topics, there's always something new to discover. Browse the full library to find your next great read.
Your library
All-you-can-read
Categories
15 categories
Topics
120+ topics
Today's free book summary
Every day, one book summary is completely free to read. Subscribe to unlock the entire library — or just enjoy today's pick on us.
Rejection Proof
Jia Jiang
A fascinating look at rejection from every angle, from understanding and overcoming the fear of rejection to learning how to increase your chances of a yes while becoming perfectly okay with a no.
Library
All-you-can-read
Formats
Text & audio
Free daily
1 book / day
What Lobab readers are saying
Not sure if Lobab book summaries are for you? Here's what our community thinks.
“Lobab is a standout in the world of book summary apps, offering concise, insightful summaries of a wide range of books. Its user-friendly interface and well-crafted summaries allow users to quickly grasp the essence of complex works, making it an invaluable tool for those looking to learn more in less time. Whether for personal growth or professional development, Lobab is a game changer for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge efficiently. Highly recommended!”
Ramogh
Lobab Reader
“Top quality app with plenty of brilliant summaries!”
Benjamin Roche
Lobab Reader
“I found a really great book app that has made reading even more enjoyable ⭐️📚. It is super easy to use, has a lot of books to choose from, gives personalized recommendations, works well with e-readers, has an active community, and is accessible to everyone. I highly recommend it to all book enthusiasts!”
Nedal Ahmed
Lobab Reader