Exeter researcher writes book for Attenborough series

A University of Exeter scientist has written a book to accompany a new Sir David Attenborough TV series.

Life in Colour, by Professor Martin Stevens, is now available – while the series of the same name begins on BBC One tomorrow (Sunday) at 7pm.

The book and series provide a dazzling exploration of how colour works in the natural world.

"Working on a book to accompany a new Attenborough TV series has been really exciting," said Professor Stevens, of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall.

"The book was also a wonderful opportunity to tell many of the wonderful and intriguing stories of how colour is used in nature."

Professor Stevens' research focuses on how animals use colouration for defence against predators, especially in marine creatures, birds and insects, and human impacts on this.

The book examines the many ways different animals use colour, how colour is produced, and how different animals see colour – with stunning images throughout.

Speaking about the new TV series, Sir David Attenborough said: "The natural world is awash with colour, but we are only seeing half the story.

"If we could see things as animals do, our world would become unimaginably brighter.

"Now, thanks to new science and technology, we can at last open our eyes."

The book is available for purchase online at: https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/1086450/martin-stevens.html