wildlife on the planet furaha: a speculative biology guide to alien life forms

Author: Gert van Dijk
Format: Paperback
Publication date: 1 February 2026
160 pages

On the planet Furaha, Gert van Dijk creates a biosphere on a new world along with its solar system. Evolution on Furaha found solutions to life's problems that remained unused on Earth. There are in-depth accounts of habitats where marshland mixotrophs use bioluminescence to catch animals, where four-sided radial cloakfishes swim in tropical waters and where tetrapters flitter through the air, using radial flight.

With over 180 stunning illustrations, this is a book that all fans of science fiction, biology and science will enjoy, and that will inspire artists to think beyond the limitations of our own planet.

'Major works on speculative biology are rare but Furaha is a welcome addition to the genre and gives a well-considered account of life on another planet, along with stunning illustrations. This is a must-read book, which I heartily recommend.' - Dougal Dixon, the father of speculative zoology

Gert van Dijk is a retired professor of neurology, with over 300 scientific papers to his name. He is well known in circles of speculative biology and here combines his life-long interests in science, biology, writing, science fiction, programming and painting.