Super Natural: How Life Thrives in Impossible Places

This colorful survey from journalist Riley (A Cure for Darkness) explores the myriad ways animals, plants, and microorganisms survive, and even thrive, in environments previously assumed to be uninhabitable. The creative power of evolution is on full display as Riley describes how painted turtles overwinter in frozen ponds and slowly break down their shells to release carbonate, which acts as an antacid to protect them from deadly lactic acid buildup. Elsewhere, he outlines how some bacteria are comfortable in habitats as warm as 120 °C, while other organisms make use of “radiation around a million times more powerful than sunlight.” Riley’s examples have some far-ranging implications; from polar bears to intricate food webs in Antarctica, he notes that climate change is altering ecosystems and species’ behaviors, explaining that even places thought to be “impervious to climate change,” such as eastern Antarctica, are feeling the heat. He also describes how some animals’ adaptations offer serious potential for medical advances, pointing out that naked mole rats’ stretchy skin, ideal for life underground, may provide clues for combatting cancer, while frogs’ ability to freeze their organs could lead to methods for keeping human organs viable for longer prior to transplantation. Filled with striking stories, vivid descriptions, and meaningful science, this is a fascinating account of resilience. (Sept.)