From The New Atlantis, Caitrin Nicol plumbs the depths of elephant emotion and intelligence; Noemie Emery considers the pleasures and problems of horseracing; and Diana Schaub examines dogs’ unique relationship to their masters. Scott Huler on an interview with a zebrafish: Forget rats, mice, and guinea pigs — here's the ultimate research subject, and it's prepared to reveal everything about itself. The introduction to Odd Couples: Extraordinary Differences between the Sexes in the Animal Kingdom by Daphne J. Fairbairn. Modern meadow makes leather and meat without killing animals. Shock and Awww: What is most likely to make people go vegetarian? Tracing the roots of human morality in animals: Bob Holmes reviews The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates by Frans de Waal and How Animals Grieve by Barbara J. King. Forget woolly mammoths — the business of copying cats is quietly making headway. Jason G. Goldman reviews Animal Wise: The Thoughts and Emotions of Our Fellow Creatures by Virginia Morell. Must cats die so birds can live? Jessica Pressler goes inside an animal-lover civil war. Bach vs. Snoop Dogg: What music do dogs prefer? J.F. Sargent on 5 ways you didn't realize you're making your pet hate you.
