Are animals trying to communicate with us, and can we learn to listen?

It begins with a hummingbird dive-bombing Amelia Thomas over her morning coffee, and a pair of piglets determined to escape. From there, she starts to question the behaviour of the animals around her- her cat, her dogs, a pheasant family in the woods, her ‘difficult’ big red horse, and even the earwigs in the dark, damp corners of her farm. Are these everyday encounters examples of animal communication with humans, and is it possible to understand what animals are trying to say?

With the persistence of a journalist, the empathy of an animal lover, and a deeply curious mind, Amelia sets out to explore this question. In What Sheep Think About the Weather, she investigates the science of how animals communicate, meeting an extraordinary range of experts, from anthrozoologists and wildlife trackers to AI researchers and even pet psychics. Along the way, she encounters chimpanzee communication studies, the intelligence of octopuses, and new insights into how animals interact with humans and their environment.

Blending wit, engaging storytelling, and surprising scientific discovery, this book offers a fresh perspective on understanding animal behaviour and communication. What Sheep Think About the Weather is ultimately a thoughtful and compelling invitation to listen more closely, not only to the animals in our lives, but to the wider natural world around us.