Analyzes the incredible sensory capabilities of thirteen animals, including the cheetah, orb-weaving spider, and harlequin mantis shrimp, that hold the key to better understanding how humans make sense of the world around them.

"Originally published in Great Britain in 2021 by Picador"--back of title page.

The peacock mantis shrimp and our sense of color -- The spookfish and our dark vision -- The great gray owl and our sense of hearing -- The star-nosed mole and our sense of touch -- The common vampire bat and our senses of pleasure and pain -- The Goliath catfish and our sense of taste -- The bloodhound and our sense of smell -- The giant peacock of the night and our sense of desire -- The cheetah and our sense of balance -- The trashline orbweaver and our sense of time -- The Bar-tailed godwit and our sense of direction -- The common octopus and our sense of body -- The duck-billed platypus: an afterword.