How long does it take to read Zoobiquity?

The reading time for Zoobiquity varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in a few minutes.

Nature & the Environment

Zoobiquity Book Summary - Zoobiquity Book explained in key points

Zoobiquity summary

Name: Zoobiquity
Rating: 4.5 (11 reviews)
Author: Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers

Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers

The Astonishing Connection Between Human and Animal Health

4.5 (11 ratings)

19 mins

Brief summary

"Zoobiquity" by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers explores the similarities and connections between animal and human health, revealing how studying animal biology can help us better understand and treat our own medical conditions.

Topics

Animals

Table of Contents

Zoobiquity
Summary of 11 key ideas

Audio & text in the Blinkist app

Key idea 1 of 11

What’s in it for me? Learn how much you have in common with animals.

As humans, we tend to think of ourselves as somewhat separate from the animal kingdom. On the surface, that may seem logical because our intelligence level is so much higher, but reach deeper and you’ll discover we have a great deal in common with our fellow animals. When we understand the qualities we share with animals, we understand more about ourselves.

You probably already know that we have many things in common with our closest animal relative, the ape, but our connections to the animal world extend much further than you’d imagine. In these blinks, you’ll learn just how far those connections can go. You’ll also learn about the great advances that can be made if we see more collaboration between veterinarians and physicians.

You’ll also learn

what sea otters can teach us about teenage drunk driving;
the similarities between obesity in humans and weight gain in livestock;
how water buffalos follow the same drug-addiction patterns as humans;
why ring-tailed lemurs can suffer from erectile dysfunction, just like human males; and
how joint research between doctors and veterinarians could lead to cures for cancer, for sexually transmitted diseases and for viral epidemics.

Humans and animals are so genetically similar that it makes sense for their doctors to collaborate.

Have you ever been to a zoo and found yourself taken aback by the “humanness” of the behavior of some monkeys or other animals? That closeness isn’t just a coincidence, or your imagination. It’s genetic.

Human beings and animals have many fundamental similarities, including their genes. In fact, the human genome is 98.6 percent identical to the chimpanzee's.

Biologists call the genetic similarities we share with other animals deep homology. Deep homology doesn’t just refer to species that are closely related, like wolves and dogs, or humans and chimps. It also refers to animals that are more distantly related. For example, it explains the connection between light-responsive vision in a hawk and photosensitivity in green algae.

Because of the intimate similarities between humans and animals, it’s logical that veterinary and medical researchers should collaborate. In fact, this used to be the case: two centuries ago, most physicians also tended to their town’s animals. This changed in the twentieth century, when people began to give physicians a higher social status, and they began to have more prestige and higher salaries. Unfortunately, these benefits weren’t extended to veterinarians.

The dividing line between doctors and vets still exists, although it is slowly being weakened. In 2007, for instance, the head of the American Medical Association and the head of the American Veterinary Medical Association arranged a meeting, hoping to foster collaboration between physicians and veterinarians.

If collaborative efforts like this continue, we might gain a better understanding of both human and animal biology. Our genetic similarities run deep – but how similar is our behavior, or the way diseases affect our bodies? The following blinks take a closer look at some of the astonishing similarities we share with the animals in our world.

Fainting might be a protection mechanism for both humans and animals.

Have you ever felt dizzy after standing up too quickly? Was it ever so bad that you fainted, or felt you were going to faint?

Fainting is actually quite normal for humans. In fact, one in three adults have already fainted in their lifetime. Fainting is usually caused by a temporary shortage of blood and oxygen in the brain. There are two reasons why this might happen.

Both humans and animals can suffer dangerous heart problems when under emotional strain.

You’ve probably noticed that your heartbeat changes when you experience intense emotions. In extreme cases, emotions can cause serious damage to your heart, or even death.

When a person dies because their heart unexpectedly stops beating, it’s called sudden cardiac death. Usually, it follows a specific pattern: a person’s heartbeat either quickly speeds up, or starts beating irregularly. In either case, there’s a danger that the heart might stop beating entirely, unless doctors can restore it to it’s regular rhythm.

Intestinal microbes can make both humans and animals obese.

Obesity has become an increasingly prevalent issue in modern society. But why do some people seem more susceptible to it than others?

Well, one possible explanation comes from our intestines. Our intestines contain a wide variety of different microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or worms. Collectively, these microbes are known as gut flora.

Grooming is vital for the health of animals and humans, but it can be taken too far.

You’ve probably seen a cat busily cleaning and grooming itself. Grooming is important in the lives of felines and many other animals. Cats can spend up to a third of their waking hours cleaning themselves.

Grooming is sometimes a social activity, too. Some groups of apes scratch each other’s backs and remove bugs from each other’s fur. This is not only more efficient than trying to do it alone, but also strengthens social bonds.

Both adolescent humans and animals learn and develop through risk taking and impulsive behavior.

When you think back to your teenage years, what comes to your mind? Were you sometimes impulsive, or did you take unnecessary risks?

During adolescence, risk taking is very common – for both humans and animals.

Humans and animals have the same reproductive process, and the same associated problems.

Humans and animals have a fair bit in common sexually. For one, most matings in the animal world require both a male and female, and they both are identified the same way: males contribute sperm to the mating process, and females contribute the eggs.

Long ago, sexuality was quite different for the earliest forms of life. The first single-celled organisms replicated simply by cloning themselves: they didn’t need a partner, and they didn’t share any of their genetic material. The offspring they produced were exact copies of themselves.

Treatments that battle cancer in animals might help fight the disease in humans too.

Cancer is one of the most frightening diseases that exists in our world. Everyone has heard of cancer, but what is it exactly?

Well, cancer is the result of cells mutating and clustering together. Mutations sometimes occur when old cells are replaced with new ones. Usually when cells replicate, their DNA is copied exactly, but sometimes mistakes occur. Chemicals might be left out, or arrive in the wrong place.

Research into sexually transmitted diseases of animals might indicate new treatments for humans.

Did you know that animals can also get sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?

STDs can infect a wide range of species, and can even make them sterile. Koalas, for instance, have become seriously endangered by an STD that also infects humans: chlamydia. Without proper treatment, chlamydia can lead to infertility.

Humans and animals can both become addicted to drugs.

Why do humans have emotions?

Well, emotions are important survival mechanisms. And they can be influenced by drugs, sometimes with very serious consequences.

Vets and doctors save lives and money when they compare notes.

You’ve probably heard of AIDS, SARS and ebola. These horrifying diseases share a fundamental similarity: they can infect both humans and animals.

Diseases that can move from animals to humans (and vice versa) are called zoonoses.

Want to see all full key ideas from Zoobiquity?

Key ideas in Zoobiquity

More knowledge in less time

Read or listen

Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.

Find your next read

Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.

Shortcasts ^New

We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

What is Zoobiquity about?

Zoobiquity describes the intimate similarities between humans and other animals by examining topics such as sexuality, health and psychological development. It illustrates how we, as humans, could have much to gain by increasing our understanding of the animals we share our planet with.

Zoobiquity Review

Zoobiquity (2012) by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers is a fascinating exploration of the interconnectedness between human and animal health. Here's why this book is a must-read:

The book offers eye-opening insights into the similarities between human and animal diseases, challenging our understanding of medicine and health.
Backed by extensive research and compelling case studies, it sheds light on the shared evolutionary roots of various illnesses, expanding our understanding of both human and animal health.
With its unique approach and narrative flair, the book successfully engages readers, making complex scientific concepts accessible and never ceases to intrigue.

Best quote from Zoobiquity

Seeing too much of ourselves in other animals might not be the problem ... underappreciating our own animal natures may be.

—Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers

Who should read Zoobiquity?

Anyone interested in medicine
Anyone interested in biology or zoology
Anyone interested in animals

About the Author

Barbara Natterson-Horowitz is a professor of cardiology at University of California, Los Angeles. She’s also a member of the medical advisory board of the Los Angeles Zoo. Kathryn Bowers is a writer and producer at CNN International, and she often gives lectures at UCLA on medical topics.

Categories with Zoobiquity

Nature & the Environment Health & Nutrition Science

Book summaries like Zoobiquity

Adaptive Markets

Andrew W. Lo

Financial Evolution at the Speed of Thought

20 min

4.1

The Upside of Your Dark Side

Todd Kashdan and Robert Biswas-Diener

Why Being Your Whole Self – Not Just Your “Good” Self – Drives Success and Fulfillment

An Essential Guide to Life

21 min

4.2

Millennial Money Makeover

Conor Richardson

Escape Debt, Save for Your Future, and Live the Rich Life Now

Why English Won’t – and Can’t – Sit Still (Like, Literally)

The Architecture of Belief

The Comprehensive Guide to Delay, Don't Deny® Intermittent Fasting

17 min

4.5

Buddhism – Plain and Simple

Steve Hagen

The Practice of Being Aware, Right Now, Every Day

The Rise and Fall of Long-Term Capital Management

19 min

4.2

Workstyle

Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst

A revolution for wellbeing, productivity and society

Testing Business Ideas

David J. Bland and Alexander Osterwalder

A Field Guide for Rapid Experimentation

The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment

17 min

4.5

Walmart

Natalie Berg and Bryan Roberts

Key Insights and Practical Lessons from the World's Largest Retailer

17 min

4.5

The Self-Made Billionaire Effect

John Sviokla and Mitch Cohen

How Extreme Producers Create Massive Value

14 min

4.1

Creativity, Inc.

Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace

Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration

19 min

4.3

Mastering Leadership

Robert J. Anderson and William A. Adams

An Integrated Framework for Breakthrough Performance and Extraordinary Business Results

Obsession, Fury and the Scandal Behind the World's Favorite Board Game

The Remarkable Truth of How a Small Change Can Help You Stress Less and Enjoy Life More

Marketing That Can't Be Ignored!

Austrian Investing in a Distorted World

18 min

4.3

Bedtime Biography: Vindication

Lyndall Gordon

A Life of Mary Wollstonecraft

30 min

4.7

How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big

Scott Adams

Kind of the Story of My Life

How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design

15 min

4.4

Only the Paranoid Survive

Andrew S. Grove

Transform apocalypse into opportunity

The “How To” book that gives YOU a “Check Up” from the “Neck Up” to eliminate “Stinkin Thinkin” and AVOID “Hardening of the Attitudes”

A History from Socrates to Social Media

Vengeance and Justice in Mycenae

Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character

How to free yourself from philosophical dogmas and assert your own values

25 min

4.7

The First Rule of Mastery

Michael Gervais

Stop Worrying about What People Think of You

The Life of Gordon Moore, Silicon Valley’s Quiet Revolutionary

The Creative’s Guide to Building a Business with Impact

The 15 Most Powerful Principles for Wealth, Health, and Happiness

How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life

23 min

4.4

The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership

Jim Dethmer

A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success

The Story of Ideas That Fly

How the Psychology of Sports Can Enhance your Performance in Management and Work

19 min

4.1

Yoga Nidra Made Easy

Uma Dinsmore-Tuli & Nirlipta Tuli

Deep Relaxation Practices to Improve Sleep, Relieve Stress and Boost Energy and Creativity

A Very Short Introduction

25 min

4.2

Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers

Robert M. Sapolsky

The Acclaimed Guide to Stress, Stress-Related Diseases, and Coping

25 min

4.4

Understanding and Responding to Self-Harm

Allan House

The One-Stop Guide: Practical Advice for Anybody Affected by Self-Harm

18 min

4.2

Brave Together

Chris Deaver & Ian Clawson

Lead by Design, Spark Creativity, and Shape the Future with the Power of Co-Creation

20 min

3.9

Go Beyond Talk: Connect Powerfully

The Blinkist Team

How learning to listen and be assertive can help your communication

17 min

4.6

The Science of Intelligent Achievement

Isaiah Hankel

How Smart People Focus, Create and Grow Their Way to Success

23 min

4.4

Start, Stay, or Leave

Trey Gowdy

The Art of Decision Making

How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation

19 min

4.3

How I Invest My Money

Edited by Joshua Brown and Brian Portnoy

Finance Experts Reveal How They Save, Spend, and Invest

20 min

4.0

What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars

Jim Paul

The story of a man who lost it all

17 min

4.3

People ❤️ Blinkist

Sven O.

It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

Thi Viet Quynh N.

Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

Jonathan A.

Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

Renee D.

Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.