The Best 7 Books About Wild Animals That Every Nature Lover Should Read

Nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and curious minds alike—books about wild animals open windows into worlds most of us will never see firsthand. They bring the roar of the African savanna, the silent footsteps of a snow leopard, and the fragile beauty of rainforest ecosystems right into our hands. Are you captivated by the complex social structures of wolves, the aerial acrobatics of hummingbirds, or the biodiversity of a kelp forest? Then get ready to explore – there’s a book to match your interests. Dive into these seven wildlife books – a fantastic selection for anyone passionate about nature. Prepare to be amazed.

1. The Elephant Whisperer – Lawrence Anthony

Elephants never forget—and neither will you after reading this remarkable true story. Conservationist Lawrence Anthony took in a herd of troubled, unpredictable elephants on his South African reserve. Heartbreak, trust, and a deep bond—this is what came from their amazing friendship. Elephants are incredibly smart; research shows they know themselves, grieve their losses, and even talk to each other over long distances using low-frequency sounds. Facts are presented with the emotional punch of real life experiences in this book. This makes the facts memorable and powerful.

2. H Is for Hawk – Helen Macdonald

Not all books about wild animals are about the grand, sweeping landscapes of Africa or the mysteries of the deep. Some are deeply personal. H Is for Hawk is one such book. Helen Macdonald, devastated by the loss of her father, finds solace in training a fierce, untamed goshawk. A journey through grief, survival, and the untamed world of birds of prey, this book is as much about humans as it is about hawks. With bird populations declining—studies indicate a 29% decrease in North American bird species since 1970—Macdonald’s tale feels even more urgent.

Whenever you want to take a break or read relaxing stories, you can always do it with the FictionMe app. For example, one night novels or a selection about werewolves are exactly what you need to switch your attention and immerse yourself in new worlds. Moreover, your iPhone is always with you, which means novels are quickly accessible.

3. The Soul of an Octopus – Sy Montgomery

Octopuses are weird. They have three hearts, blue blood, and the ability to squeeze through spaces the size of a coin. But they’re also astonishingly intelligent—capable of problem-solving, recognizing humans, and even forming what some researchers call “personalities.” In The Soul of an Octopus, Sy Montgomery dives deep into the world of these alien-like sea creatures, blending science, storytelling, and philosophy. With marine biodiversity under increasing threat (an estimated 50% of coral reefs have already been lost), books like this remind us of the urgent need to understand and protect the oceans.

4. Never Cry Wolf – Farley Mowat

Once upon a time, wolves were the villains of the wild—ruthless killers, farmers’s, cold-blooded nightmare predators. Like their fictional cousins ​​werewolves, about which you can read dozens of novels (go now), the story with wolves is not so simple. But what if everything we thought we knew about them was wrong? In this classic, Farley Mowat is sent to the Arctic to investigate claims that wolves are slaughtering caribou herds. What he finds instead is a misunderstood, intelligent, and surprisingly playful species. This book, first published in 1963, played a pivotal role in shifting public perception of wolves, and it’s still as eye-opening today.

5. Gorillas in the Mist – Dian Fossey

Few wildlife books have had such an impact on conservation as this one. Because of Dian Fossey’s work with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, the world saw primates differently, and this helped save them. Living amongst them, she studied their ways and battled poachers relentlessly; a dangerous job, but she was fearless. Tragically, Fossey was murdered in 1985, likely as a result of her anti-poaching activism, but her legacy lives on. Thanks to conservation, the mountain gorilla population is thriving—a count of over 1,000 proves it.

Also read: How to Watch Wildlife Documentaries

6. Mind of the Raven – Bernd Heinrich

Ravens. Tricksters, thieves, problem-solvers. Some viewed them as portents of the future; others saw them as enigmatic symbols; still others believed them to be messages from a higher power. Their meaning varied widely. But what goes on inside the mind of a raven? Years of research into raven intelligence, social systems, and adaptability have been undertaken by biologist Bernd Heinrich—a man clearly obsessed with these birds. He wasn’t wrong; research shows the same thing. Imagine a bird that can strategize, mimic your voice, and even get back at you if you’ve upset it. That’s a raven for you! Their intelligence is quite remarkable. Birds are brilliant, and this book proves it. Prepare to have your mind blown!

7. The Hidden Life of Trees – Peter Wohlleben

Wait—trees? Wildlife discussions: Do they actually factor in? No problem; that works for me. From the tiniest insect to the largest mammal, forest life thrives. Think about the amazing underground connections between trees—it’s a whole secret world! All these animals rely on the forest to survive. Trees aren’t just standing around. Wohlleben’s book shows they’re social creatures! They chat, they cooperate, and they nurture their babies. With deforestation still rampant—over 15 billion trees are cut down every year—this book is a wake-up call for all nature lovers.

Why These Books Matter

Wild animals are disappearing. The IUCN Red List classifies over 42,000 species as threatened with extinction. That’s 42,000 too many. Books like these do more than tell stories—they inspire action, educate readers, and open eyes to the incredible creatures that share our planet. Whether you love wolves, elephants, ravens, or even octopuses, there’s a book here that will change the way you see the world.

So pick one, dive in, and let the wild world take you somewhere unexpected.