Hidden Wonders: New Species and Rediscoveries in an Age of Extinction

In an age of extinction, the natural world is still full of astonishing surprises.

We may think we know our planet, but scientists are discovering extraordinary new animals at a remarkable pace. From the darkest depths of the ocean to remote rainforests and isolated mountain peaks, creatures once unknown to science are emerging into the light—while others, long believed extinct, are making unexpected returns.

In Hidden Wonders, acclaimed natural-history author David Alderton takes readers on a fascinating journey through some of the most remarkable zoological discoveries of the twenty-first century. Encounter the colossal squid, a deep-sea giant armed with rotating hooks; the mysterious kipunji, a monkey whose discovery revealed an entirely new genus; brilliantly colored reptiles, unusual amphibians, and astonishing fish; and elusive animals that have seemingly returned from the dead.

Featuring beautiful illustrations by Akara Heart, this captivating exploration reveals how advances in DNA analysis, underwater technology, and scientific exploration are transforming our understanding of the animal kingdom. Along the way, Alderton introduces the dedicated researchers whose discoveries are rewriting the natural-history books and illuminating the extraordinary diversity of life on Earth.

Yet these discoveries carry an urgent warning. Many newly identified species are already threatened with extinction, and some may disappear before we have a chance to understand them. At once a celebration of nature's endless capacity to surprise and a powerful reminder of what we stand to lose, Hidden Wonders invites readers to rediscover the thrill of exploration—and marvel at the countless mysteries still waiting to be uncovered.