Buchkritik - "Der Elefant, der sich sein Kopfkissen bastelte" v. Walter A.Sontag
Summary
Susanne Billig reviews zoologist Walter A. Sonntag’s new book, which argues that animals possess distinct personalities and complex cognitive abilities rather than acting solely on instinct. The discussion highlights surprising examples, such as elephants building pillows, pigeons distinguishing art styles, and crows recognizing individuals. While the book is praised for its vast collection of behavioral observations, the reviewer notes its lack of a strong narrative arc and insufficient ethical critique regarding animal captivity.
Topics discussed
Introduction to Walter A. Sonntag's book on animal intelligence
The elephant pillow anecdote and individual animal habits
Book structure: from simple to complex cognitive abilities
Critique of the book's narrative style and pacing
Surprising abilities: pigeons distinguishing art styles
Octopus recognition and elephant trunk intelligence
Researching subjective animal perception and crow neurons
Ethical concerns about invasive experiments and zoos
The need for stronger ethical discussion in the book
More examples: fish memory, blue tit personalities, apes
Conclusion: triumph of individuality and book details
Sign-off and where to find the review
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