Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
The great apes, like humans, can recognize themselves in mirrors. They communicate by sound and gesture, form bands along what can only be called political lines, and sometimes engage in what is very clearly organized warfare. (Less frequently, too, they practice cannibalism.) In Chimpanzee Politics Frans de Waal, a longtime student of simian behavior, analyzes the behavior of a captive tribe of chimpanzees, comparing its actions with those of ape societies in the wild. What he finds is often not pleasant: chimps seem capable of astonishing deviousness and savagery, which has obvious implications for the behavior their human cousins sometimes exhibit. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"An excellent book... Just as fresh and thought-provoking in 2008 as it was in 1983." -- Laelaps
Review
"Even more enlightening than Machiavelli's The Prince, this book describes power takeovers and social organizations in a chimpanzee colony... I'll never look at academic or corporate politics the same way." -- Jim Collins, Inc., reviewing a previous edition or volume
"Newt Gingrich has been an avid follower of de Waal's work for years. He has even placed de Waal's Chimpanzee Politics on his recommended reading list, along with better known texts such as the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Federalist Papers. What secrets has Gingrich gleaned from our simian cousins? In short, how to win power by forming tactical coalitions and mounting fierce psychological attacks on those blocking the way... It's a strategy Gingrich aped in his assault on former Speaker Jim Wright." -- Business Week, reviewing a previous edition or volume
"Schmoozing. Scheming. Consensus building. You won't glean these management techniques from any business text. But you can't run your company without them. Take it from the apes... The author demonstrates that chimps are, in the broadest sense, political." -- Business Month, reviewing a previous edition or volume
"The best book ever written on the social life of apes in captivity... The author has that special empathetic insight into the mind of the chimpanzee which is shared by few but can somehow be recognized by many." -- Human Ethology Newsletter, reviewing a previous edition or volume
"Precise but eminently readable and indeed exciting... This excellent book achieves the dual goal which eludes so many writers about animal behavior -- it will both fascinate the nonspecialist and be seen as an important contribution to science." -- Times Literary Supplement, reviewing a previous edition or volume
"When I first read this book, I was in Dar es Salaam with Jane Goodall. I had just returned from observing chimpanzees for two weeks at Gombe. After the real-life experience, I expected a book about chimpanzee behavior -- and at a zoo, at that -- to make rather dull reading. But I was in for a surprise. De Waal's Chimpanzee Politics is as much fun as a tree full of wild chimps." -- American Journal of Primatology, reviewing a previous edition or volume
Product Description
The first edition of Frans de Waal's Chimpanzee Politics was acclaimed not only by primatologists for its scientific achievement but also by politicians, business leaders, and social psychologists for its remarkable insights into the most basic human needs and behaviors. Twenty-five years later, this book is considered a classic. Featuring a new preface that includes recent insights from the author, this anniversary edition is a detailed and thoroughly engrossing account of rivalries and coalitions -- actions governed by intelligence rather than instinct. As we watch the chimpanzees of Arnhem behave in ways we recognize from Machiavelli (and from the nightly news), de Waal reminds us again that the roots of politics are older than humanity.
Language Notes
Text: English, Dutch (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Frans de Waal is the C. H. Candler Professor of Primate Behavior at Emory University in Atlanta and the director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center. His books include The Ape and the Sushi Master; Peacemaking among Primates; and Our Inner Ape.
Showing posts with label Zoology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zoology. Show all posts
Friday, June 26, 2009
A Zoo in My Luggage
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Fans of Gerald Durrell’s timeless classic My Family and Other Animals will love this hilarious tale, which finds him as an adult still charmed by his beloved animals. A Zoo in My Luggage begins with an account of Durrell’s third trip to the British Cameroons in West Africa, during which he and his wife capture animals to start their own zoo. Returning to England with a few additions to their family—Cholmondeley the chimpanzee, Bug-eye the bush baby, and others—they have nowhere to put them as they haven’t yet secured a place for their zoo. Durrell’s account of how he manages his menagerie in all sorts of places throughout England while finding a permanent home for the animals provides as much adventure as capturing them. For animal lovers of all ages, A Zoo in My Luggage is the romping true story of the boy who grew up to make a Noah’s Ark of his own.
About the Author
Gerald Durrell (1925–1995) is the author of My Family and Other Animals; Birds, Beasts, and Relatives; The Whispering Lands; and more than twenty- five nature books.
Product Description
Fans of Gerald Durrell’s timeless classic My Family and Other Animals will love this hilarious tale, which finds him as an adult still charmed by his beloved animals. A Zoo in My Luggage begins with an account of Durrell’s third trip to the British Cameroons in West Africa, during which he and his wife capture animals to start their own zoo. Returning to England with a few additions to their family—Cholmondeley the chimpanzee, Bug-eye the bush baby, and others—they have nowhere to put them as they haven’t yet secured a place for their zoo. Durrell’s account of how he manages his menagerie in all sorts of places throughout England while finding a permanent home for the animals provides as much adventure as capturing them. For animal lovers of all ages, A Zoo in My Luggage is the romping true story of the boy who grew up to make a Noah’s Ark of his own.
About the Author
Gerald Durrell (1925–1995) is the author of My Family and Other Animals; Birds, Beasts, and Relatives; The Whispering Lands; and more than twenty- five nature books.
The Elephant's Secret Sense: The Hidden Life of the Wild Herds of Africa
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Naturalist O'Connell's memoir of her 14 years researching the complexities of elephant behavior is a successful combination of science and soulfulness, explaining her groundbreaking theory of how elephants use seismic communication; she also sympathetically illuminates current social and ecological conditions in Africa. O'Connell's original goal in 1992 was to spend a year driving from South Africa to Kenya, but then she was hired for a three-year study of elephants in an area of northeastern Namibia, "where violent death is as much a part of the landscape as the capricious nature of rain." Fascinated by the "particular way that elephants seemed to be listening with their feet," she soon realized that the elephants were communicating with sound waves "that travel within the surface of the ground as opposed to the air." Her efforts over the next decade to prove this "unexpected and controversial" hypothesis took her "to the bayous of Texas, the Nevada desert, southern India, northern Zimbabwe, the Oakland Zoo, and then back to the scrub desert" of Namibia. Her account is studded with sympathetic insights and well-turned phrases, such as her delight when "100 tons of pachyderm pass by, almost tiptoeing, heads bobbing in their Groucho Marx gait." (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
The largest land animal is the African elephant, a creature so vast that it is impossible to ignore. And yet, what do we really know about elephants? Field biologist O'Connell was in Namibia working on nonlethal methods for deterring elephants from raiding local people's crops. One night she was observing a young elephant sneaking past her house and inadvertently dropped her book. The startled elephant ran off literally on her tiptoes. On another location, while observing elephants at a waterhole, the author saw the matriarch suddenly turn, flatten her ears, and lift one leg off the ground. Several other females then faced the same direction, and soon another elephant appeared. Could elephants feel vibrations through the ground, literally "listening" with their feet? In a riveting account of scientific discovery both in the field and in the laboratory, O'Connell tells of how she and her colleagues studied seismic communication in elephants. O'Connell's love for her research subjects and her quest for understanding them is integral to her story, making for an addictive narrative. Nancy Bent
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
"I was transported by the author's superbly sensuous descriptions of her years spent studying the animals. . . . Conjure[s] a high-class nature documentary film in prose."-Steven Poole, Guardian (Steven Poole Guardian )
"A ride as rough and astonishing as the roads of the African floodplain."-Joan Keener, Entertainment Weekly (Joan Keener Entertainment Weekly )
"A successful combination of science and soulfulness, explaining her groundbreaking theory of how elephants use seismic communication. . . . [O'Connell's] account is studded with sympathetic insights and well-turned phrases."-Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly )
"This fascinating book reads like a fast-paced detective story of a scientific discovery and adventure set in contemporary Africa. . . . By the end, [O'Connell] takes her rightful place among the leading biographers of the African elephant."-Iain Douglas-Hamilton, author of Among the Elephants (Ian Douglas-Hamilton )
"Our author sleeps in blinds, pores through elephant dung, darts and collars elephant matriarchs, puts zoo elephants on force plates to send vibrations to their feet, even cuts up a frozen elephant to search for vibration-sensitive cells in its toes and heels. . . . A compelling memoir of how a small but fascinating biological discovery is made, from a momentary observation to a fully presented theory."-Anthony Doerr, Boston Globe (Anthony Doerr Boston Globe )
Product Description
While observing a family of elephants in the wild, Caitlin O’Connell noticed a peculiar listening behavior—the matriarch lifted her foot and scanned the horizon, causing the other elephants to follow suit, as if they could “hear” the ground. The Elephant’s Secret Sense is O’Connell’s account of her groundbreaking research into seismic listening and communication, chronicling the extraordinary social lives of elephants over the course of fourteen years in the Namibian wilderness.
This compelling odyssey of scientific discovery is also a frank account of fieldwork in a poverty-stricken, war-ravaged country. In her attempts to study an elephant community, O’Connell encounters corrupt government bureaucrats, deadly lions and rhinos, poachers, farmers fighting for arable land, and profoundly ineffective approaches to wildlife conservation. The Elephant’s Secret Sense is ultimately a story of intellectual courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
“I was transported by the author’s superbly sensuous descriptions of her years spent studying the animals. . . . Conjures a high-class nature documentary film in prose.”—Steven Poole, Guardian
“A ride as rough and astonishing as the roads of the African floodplain.”—Joan Keener, Entertainment Weekly
“A successful combination of science and soulfulness, explaining her groundbreaking theory of how elephants use seismic communication. . . . O’Connell’s account is studded with sympathetic insights and well-turned phrases.”—Publishers Weekly
“This fascinating book reads like a fast-paced detective story of a scientific discovery and adventure set in contemporary Africa. . . . By the end, O’Connell takes her rightful place among the leading biographers of the African elephant.”—Iain Douglas-Hamilton, author of Among the Elephants
About the Author
Caitlin O’Connell is an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head, and Neck Surgery at Stanford University. Her discoveries have been published in various periodicals, including Science, Science News, Natural History, National Geographic, the Economist, and Discover.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
1
LISTENING THROUGH LIMBS
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
-- RALPH WALDO EMERSON
I always hate to leave Etosha, but it was early August and the winds were picking up. It was time to pack up the site and head north. Sitting in the back of my truck, I looked through my binoculars at the scrubby horizon dappled with giraffe necks, trying to work up the energy to get my equipment organized when I heard a thick, leathery, swishing sound right next to me. I looked up to see 100 tons of pachyderm pass by, almost tiptoeing, heads bobbing in their Nordic Track-style gait. It was Broken Ear and her family, a group of twenty elephants, headed purposefully toward the water.
I noted when Broken Ear arrived and watched as her family assembled around the water. Being the matriarch, Broken Ear occupied the outflow of the artesian well, which was controlled in the dry season to sustain the large number of animals that depended on it to get through this difficult period. The dominant elephant always got the best water.
Broken Ear took a few long draws, rolling up her trunk and placing the water far back in her mouth, head tipped up. A few splashes escaped back into the pool. The howling gusts of wind had stopped, so I could hear the intermittent trickling of water escaping thirsty mouths. They were returning to the waterhole after their visit had been cut short the day before by the arrival of another family group led by a very intolerant matriarch that I called Collar.
Once the little ones had had their fill, they started to play. Young elephants are just as mischievous as lion cubs, always testing their boundaries with adults and jockeying for rank with siblings and other relatives. They stood at the pan's edge, knee-high in water, and tipped over onto their sides to make as much contact with the mud as possible. Then they began to wallow, swatting at each other with their wet-noodle trunks. Their mouths were turned up in what seemed to me like smiles as they wailed and cavorted in the water. The mothers merely looked on and continued drinking.
Reluctant to break camp, I savored the moment. I jealously guarded my visits to this splendid waterhole that the Owambo people called Mushara, after a tree common to this sandy forested habitat, or sandveld, a large terminalia with papery magenta pods (Terminalia prunoides). Mushara is located in the eastern corner of Etosha National Park, Namibia, one of a few waterholes restricted to the public, with the added benefit of having a protected cement lookout, which provided me with a great vantage for my elephant studies. I had a few other favorite waterholes where I would sleep, either in the back of my truck or in a hide. But I had developed a special bond with Mushara because of its remoteness and the number of elephants visiting on a daily basis. As much as I enjoyed the isolation, I was conscious of its potentially negative effect on my preception of reality. I was looking forward to being clean again, having not been able to shower for more than a week, but I was also dragging my feet about leaving the tranquility.
I was not looking forward to returning to my life in the north of the country, the Caprivi, where, despite its remote location, an exhausted community game guard might knock at my door at any minute, having bicycled 12 miles in the heat to assuage the anger of his fellow villagers to report another incident of a crop-raiding elephant. I would miss the elephants of Mushara, which were more isolated from the threats of war and civilization, and head to a place where they were different animals altogether. Many elephants in the Caprivi were still reeling from a war-torn past, exposed to land mines, automatic weapons, and poaching, partly to feed the hungry Angolan soldiers for the last twenty years. And at Mushara, I, too, could be a different person.
I first came to Etosha National Park in 1992, contracted by the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism to study elephant movements, demography, ecology, behavior, and interactions with humans. My partner, Tim, and I were stationed in the Caprivi region of Namibia. This "day job" allowed us to spend our winters in Etosha, where Tim would analyze the movement data he collected from nine elephants fitted with satellite and radio collars while I would have the luxury of focusing solely on elephant communication and behavior. I hoped to use that research to help farmers in the Caprivi to prevent elephants from raiding their crops, which sometimes amounted to a whole year's worth of food consumed in one fell swoop.
It was during these off-seasons of my initial three-year contract that I was able to spend countless hours by myself watching elephants at Mushara waterhole. I spent most of my time in the hide, a 10-foot-square cement bunker 33 feet from the water, with about 7 feet of its height buried in the ground and a pillbox slit facing the waterhole. It afforded a splendid view of elephants at close range but was very limited in terms of an overall picture of the negotiations made around the perimeter as to which herd was going to enter the clearing and when. But it allowed me to be closer to the action, and it was safe from lions or even a curious bull wanting to investigate the back of the truck. Once inside, however, I was committed for the night. It was me and my empty peanut butter jar, a makeshift but highly valued chamber pot in the bush.
I stayed in the dank bunker for as long as physically possible, usually about a week at a time. The isolation allowed me to reflect on the elephants' natural rhythms and to notice many behavioral patterns that had never been previously documented. These patterns formed the basis of my thinking for the next fifteen years of my career as a scientist. Eventually, once I learned to slow my own sense of time, adapting it to the deliberate, meditative pace of an elephant, I started to understand the patterns I had been observing.
Occasionally, Broken Ear would turn herself in a particular direction and freeze, sometimes with ears flat against her head and sometimes with ears held out, looking like a satellite dish, scanning the horizon. As she scanned, she seemed to cue the other adults to follow her lead. When she alerted the others to pay attention, they all oriented in the same direction, froze again, sometimes with ears flat, leaning forward, one front foot propped up on the toenails. Other times, they extended their ears, sometimes keeping toenail contact with the ground, sometimes lifting one front foot completely off the ground, swinging it front to back. It's not surprising that the matriarch would be wary at the waterhole and that she would be using her ears to try to detect any unusual sound, but what were these elephants doing with their feet?
I scanned the horizon and saw a large bull heading in on the southwest elephant trail, about a half mile away, ears fanning as he lumbered along. The vigilant cows shifted positions, several of them facing in the direction of the incoming bull. But their ears were not outstretched in a listening position. Could they have sensed his approach through the ground?
I became very familiar with this particular way that elephants seemed to be listening with their feet. My curiosity grew as I watched an elephant assume a position with its ears flat against its head, occasionally accompanied by leaning, with a foot lift or toenail contact. It was known that these animals used their ears like a parabola, scanning back and forth while remaining still to listen to low-frequency sounds from other distant elephants, but I had never read any studies describing an elephant's ears positioned flat against its head while freezing and listening.
Other scientists had thought that the leaning behavior was a resting position and foot swinging an act of indecisiveness. This is probably the case some of the time, but there were also some times where it appeared as if the elephants were actually using their feet to sense something in the ground. After seeing these behaviors, I would notice the arrival of a new herd or a lone bull or an approaching vehicle. When more than one elephant engaged in this freezing/leaning/shifting at the same time, it seemed as if the whole herd were using their feet to detect a signal.
I knew about the process of listening through limbs, which is found elsewhere in the natural world. Before signing on with the Namibian government, I had studied this phenomenon -- known scientifically as seismic communication -- in insects. In a sense, I was only going from the very small to the very large, having spent endless hours in a small soundproof chamber recording the seismic love songs of a unique group of Hawaiian planthoppers. It may be hard to understand my fascination, but I observed some extraordinary behaviors occurring on a little koa twig rigged to a gramophone stylus -- behaviors that seemed very similar to those of these elephants.
When I would play the female planthopper's seismic call through the twig, the male would immediately press its weight down and would sometimes even lift up a leg or two, then inch forward, responding with its own seismic call, then freeze again, "listening" and perhaps attempting to locate the dummy female. I never could have imagined it sitting in that booth, but these little planthoppers and their extraordinary songs handed me a hypothesis for elephants that was so unexpected and controversial, I found myself occupied with the challenge of proving it over the course of the next decade.
Since many other species are known to transmit their vocalizations either through the ground or some surface such as a plant, it was not a completely ridiculous proposition that elephants might do the same. Many scholars have described how insects and other arthropods communicate by striking the ground or by coupling their vocalizations with a substrate. Other more complex animals such a... --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Naturalist O'Connell's memoir of her 14 years researching the complexities of elephant behavior is a successful combination of science and soulfulness, explaining her groundbreaking theory of how elephants use seismic communication; she also sympathetically illuminates current social and ecological conditions in Africa. O'Connell's original goal in 1992 was to spend a year driving from South Africa to Kenya, but then she was hired for a three-year study of elephants in an area of northeastern Namibia, "where violent death is as much a part of the landscape as the capricious nature of rain." Fascinated by the "particular way that elephants seemed to be listening with their feet," she soon realized that the elephants were communicating with sound waves "that travel within the surface of the ground as opposed to the air." Her efforts over the next decade to prove this "unexpected and controversial" hypothesis took her "to the bayous of Texas, the Nevada desert, southern India, northern Zimbabwe, the Oakland Zoo, and then back to the scrub desert" of Namibia. Her account is studded with sympathetic insights and well-turned phrases, such as her delight when "100 tons of pachyderm pass by, almost tiptoeing, heads bobbing in their Groucho Marx gait." (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
The largest land animal is the African elephant, a creature so vast that it is impossible to ignore. And yet, what do we really know about elephants? Field biologist O'Connell was in Namibia working on nonlethal methods for deterring elephants from raiding local people's crops. One night she was observing a young elephant sneaking past her house and inadvertently dropped her book. The startled elephant ran off literally on her tiptoes. On another location, while observing elephants at a waterhole, the author saw the matriarch suddenly turn, flatten her ears, and lift one leg off the ground. Several other females then faced the same direction, and soon another elephant appeared. Could elephants feel vibrations through the ground, literally "listening" with their feet? In a riveting account of scientific discovery both in the field and in the laboratory, O'Connell tells of how she and her colleagues studied seismic communication in elephants. O'Connell's love for her research subjects and her quest for understanding them is integral to her story, making for an addictive narrative. Nancy Bent
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
"I was transported by the author's superbly sensuous descriptions of her years spent studying the animals. . . . Conjure[s] a high-class nature documentary film in prose."-Steven Poole, Guardian (Steven Poole Guardian )
"A ride as rough and astonishing as the roads of the African floodplain."-Joan Keener, Entertainment Weekly (Joan Keener Entertainment Weekly )
"A successful combination of science and soulfulness, explaining her groundbreaking theory of how elephants use seismic communication. . . . [O'Connell's] account is studded with sympathetic insights and well-turned phrases."-Publishers Weekly (Publishers Weekly )
"This fascinating book reads like a fast-paced detective story of a scientific discovery and adventure set in contemporary Africa. . . . By the end, [O'Connell] takes her rightful place among the leading biographers of the African elephant."-Iain Douglas-Hamilton, author of Among the Elephants (Ian Douglas-Hamilton )
"Our author sleeps in blinds, pores through elephant dung, darts and collars elephant matriarchs, puts zoo elephants on force plates to send vibrations to their feet, even cuts up a frozen elephant to search for vibration-sensitive cells in its toes and heels. . . . A compelling memoir of how a small but fascinating biological discovery is made, from a momentary observation to a fully presented theory."-Anthony Doerr, Boston Globe (Anthony Doerr Boston Globe )
Product Description
While observing a family of elephants in the wild, Caitlin O’Connell noticed a peculiar listening behavior—the matriarch lifted her foot and scanned the horizon, causing the other elephants to follow suit, as if they could “hear” the ground. The Elephant’s Secret Sense is O’Connell’s account of her groundbreaking research into seismic listening and communication, chronicling the extraordinary social lives of elephants over the course of fourteen years in the Namibian wilderness.
This compelling odyssey of scientific discovery is also a frank account of fieldwork in a poverty-stricken, war-ravaged country. In her attempts to study an elephant community, O’Connell encounters corrupt government bureaucrats, deadly lions and rhinos, poachers, farmers fighting for arable land, and profoundly ineffective approaches to wildlife conservation. The Elephant’s Secret Sense is ultimately a story of intellectual courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
“I was transported by the author’s superbly sensuous descriptions of her years spent studying the animals. . . . Conjures a high-class nature documentary film in prose.”—Steven Poole, Guardian
“A ride as rough and astonishing as the roads of the African floodplain.”—Joan Keener, Entertainment Weekly
“A successful combination of science and soulfulness, explaining her groundbreaking theory of how elephants use seismic communication. . . . O’Connell’s account is studded with sympathetic insights and well-turned phrases.”—Publishers Weekly
“This fascinating book reads like a fast-paced detective story of a scientific discovery and adventure set in contemporary Africa. . . . By the end, O’Connell takes her rightful place among the leading biographers of the African elephant.”—Iain Douglas-Hamilton, author of Among the Elephants
About the Author
Caitlin O’Connell is an assistant professor in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head, and Neck Surgery at Stanford University. Her discoveries have been published in various periodicals, including Science, Science News, Natural History, National Geographic, the Economist, and Discover.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
1
LISTENING THROUGH LIMBS
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
-- RALPH WALDO EMERSON
I always hate to leave Etosha, but it was early August and the winds were picking up. It was time to pack up the site and head north. Sitting in the back of my truck, I looked through my binoculars at the scrubby horizon dappled with giraffe necks, trying to work up the energy to get my equipment organized when I heard a thick, leathery, swishing sound right next to me. I looked up to see 100 tons of pachyderm pass by, almost tiptoeing, heads bobbing in their Nordic Track-style gait. It was Broken Ear and her family, a group of twenty elephants, headed purposefully toward the water.
I noted when Broken Ear arrived and watched as her family assembled around the water. Being the matriarch, Broken Ear occupied the outflow of the artesian well, which was controlled in the dry season to sustain the large number of animals that depended on it to get through this difficult period. The dominant elephant always got the best water.
Broken Ear took a few long draws, rolling up her trunk and placing the water far back in her mouth, head tipped up. A few splashes escaped back into the pool. The howling gusts of wind had stopped, so I could hear the intermittent trickling of water escaping thirsty mouths. They were returning to the waterhole after their visit had been cut short the day before by the arrival of another family group led by a very intolerant matriarch that I called Collar.
Once the little ones had had their fill, they started to play. Young elephants are just as mischievous as lion cubs, always testing their boundaries with adults and jockeying for rank with siblings and other relatives. They stood at the pan's edge, knee-high in water, and tipped over onto their sides to make as much contact with the mud as possible. Then they began to wallow, swatting at each other with their wet-noodle trunks. Their mouths were turned up in what seemed to me like smiles as they wailed and cavorted in the water. The mothers merely looked on and continued drinking.
Reluctant to break camp, I savored the moment. I jealously guarded my visits to this splendid waterhole that the Owambo people called Mushara, after a tree common to this sandy forested habitat, or sandveld, a large terminalia with papery magenta pods (Terminalia prunoides). Mushara is located in the eastern corner of Etosha National Park, Namibia, one of a few waterholes restricted to the public, with the added benefit of having a protected cement lookout, which provided me with a great vantage for my elephant studies. I had a few other favorite waterholes where I would sleep, either in the back of my truck or in a hide. But I had developed a special bond with Mushara because of its remoteness and the number of elephants visiting on a daily basis. As much as I enjoyed the isolation, I was conscious of its potentially negative effect on my preception of reality. I was looking forward to being clean again, having not been able to shower for more than a week, but I was also dragging my feet about leaving the tranquility.
I was not looking forward to returning to my life in the north of the country, the Caprivi, where, despite its remote location, an exhausted community game guard might knock at my door at any minute, having bicycled 12 miles in the heat to assuage the anger of his fellow villagers to report another incident of a crop-raiding elephant. I would miss the elephants of Mushara, which were more isolated from the threats of war and civilization, and head to a place where they were different animals altogether. Many elephants in the Caprivi were still reeling from a war-torn past, exposed to land mines, automatic weapons, and poaching, partly to feed the hungry Angolan soldiers for the last twenty years. And at Mushara, I, too, could be a different person.
I first came to Etosha National Park in 1992, contracted by the Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism to study elephant movements, demography, ecology, behavior, and interactions with humans. My partner, Tim, and I were stationed in the Caprivi region of Namibia. This "day job" allowed us to spend our winters in Etosha, where Tim would analyze the movement data he collected from nine elephants fitted with satellite and radio collars while I would have the luxury of focusing solely on elephant communication and behavior. I hoped to use that research to help farmers in the Caprivi to prevent elephants from raiding their crops, which sometimes amounted to a whole year's worth of food consumed in one fell swoop.
It was during these off-seasons of my initial three-year contract that I was able to spend countless hours by myself watching elephants at Mushara waterhole. I spent most of my time in the hide, a 10-foot-square cement bunker 33 feet from the water, with about 7 feet of its height buried in the ground and a pillbox slit facing the waterhole. It afforded a splendid view of elephants at close range but was very limited in terms of an overall picture of the negotiations made around the perimeter as to which herd was going to enter the clearing and when. But it allowed me to be closer to the action, and it was safe from lions or even a curious bull wanting to investigate the back of the truck. Once inside, however, I was committed for the night. It was me and my empty peanut butter jar, a makeshift but highly valued chamber pot in the bush.
I stayed in the dank bunker for as long as physically possible, usually about a week at a time. The isolation allowed me to reflect on the elephants' natural rhythms and to notice many behavioral patterns that had never been previously documented. These patterns formed the basis of my thinking for the next fifteen years of my career as a scientist. Eventually, once I learned to slow my own sense of time, adapting it to the deliberate, meditative pace of an elephant, I started to understand the patterns I had been observing.
Occasionally, Broken Ear would turn herself in a particular direction and freeze, sometimes with ears flat against her head and sometimes with ears held out, looking like a satellite dish, scanning the horizon. As she scanned, she seemed to cue the other adults to follow her lead. When she alerted the others to pay attention, they all oriented in the same direction, froze again, sometimes with ears flat, leaning forward, one front foot propped up on the toenails. Other times, they extended their ears, sometimes keeping toenail contact with the ground, sometimes lifting one front foot completely off the ground, swinging it front to back. It's not surprising that the matriarch would be wary at the waterhole and that she would be using her ears to try to detect any unusual sound, but what were these elephants doing with their feet?
I scanned the horizon and saw a large bull heading in on the southwest elephant trail, about a half mile away, ears fanning as he lumbered along. The vigilant cows shifted positions, several of them facing in the direction of the incoming bull. But their ears were not outstretched in a listening position. Could they have sensed his approach through the ground?
I became very familiar with this particular way that elephants seemed to be listening with their feet. My curiosity grew as I watched an elephant assume a position with its ears flat against its head, occasionally accompanied by leaning, with a foot lift or toenail contact. It was known that these animals used their ears like a parabola, scanning back and forth while remaining still to listen to low-frequency sounds from other distant elephants, but I had never read any studies describing an elephant's ears positioned flat against its head while freezing and listening.
Other scientists had thought that the leaning behavior was a resting position and foot swinging an act of indecisiveness. This is probably the case some of the time, but there were also some times where it appeared as if the elephants were actually using their feet to sense something in the ground. After seeing these behaviors, I would notice the arrival of a new herd or a lone bull or an approaching vehicle. When more than one elephant engaged in this freezing/leaning/shifting at the same time, it seemed as if the whole herd were using their feet to detect a signal.
I knew about the process of listening through limbs, which is found elsewhere in the natural world. Before signing on with the Namibian government, I had studied this phenomenon -- known scientifically as seismic communication -- in insects. In a sense, I was only going from the very small to the very large, having spent endless hours in a small soundproof chamber recording the seismic love songs of a unique group of Hawaiian planthoppers. It may be hard to understand my fascination, but I observed some extraordinary behaviors occurring on a little koa twig rigged to a gramophone stylus -- behaviors that seemed very similar to those of these elephants.
When I would play the female planthopper's seismic call through the twig, the male would immediately press its weight down and would sometimes even lift up a leg or two, then inch forward, responding with its own seismic call, then freeze again, "listening" and perhaps attempting to locate the dummy female. I never could have imagined it sitting in that booth, but these little planthoppers and their extraordinary songs handed me a hypothesis for elephants that was so unexpected and controversial, I found myself occupied with the challenge of proving it over the course of the next decade.
Since many other species are known to transmit their vocalizations either through the ground or some surface such as a plant, it was not a completely ridiculous proposition that elephants might do the same. Many scholars have described how insects and other arthropods communicate by striking the ground or by coupling their vocalizations with a substrate. Other more complex animals such a... --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World (National Audubon Society Field Guide Series.)
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Among the most celebrated creatures on earth are the 120 species of water-dwelling mammals catalogued in this handsome and informative field guide, the latest in the National Audubon Society's family of nature publications. Photographs, drawings and paintings combine with maps, charts and essays to provide not only data but also insight into the behavior of these highly evolved and specialized animals. The book is sensibly arranged and easy to navigate, whether the reader is in an easy chair or on the open water. The introduction provides a general guide to marine mammals: their habitat, behavior, reproduction, diet and conservation status. The individual articles are packed with facts about each species and the best ways to find and identify them in the wild. The book is organized according to the four classifications of marine mammals: cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises); pinnipeds (seals and walrus); sirenians (dugongs, manatees); and polar bears and otters. The charts on each species specify size, weight and longevity. The maps show the reach of each type of animal while helping the reader to visualize its range and habitat. The articles also describe ways of identifying similar species whose ranges overlap. Among this guide's best features are the appendixes, which break down the species by region and offer a chart of species morphology and an illustrated glossary. This book is ideal for students and amateur animal watchers. Color illus. and paintings, maps.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Adult/High School-Just about everything one could hope for in a guide can be found in this info-packed yet extremely user-friendly tome. Introductory pages cover the basics and more. The section "Watching Marine Mammals," which includes advice on what to bring along, proper etiquette, and what to do if a stranded animal is encountered, is particularly engrossing. Every group has its own overview with an illustrated spread showing relative sizes among species within it. Each species entry opens with a beautifully rendered color illustration accompanied by a brief list of key features to look for when trying to identify the animal. A neat little map indicates the mammal's range and is paired with a box containing vital statistics such as size, weight, and life span. A liberal dose of superb, high-quality action color photographs shows the creatures in their natural surroundings. Appendixes include a map that shows marine mammals by world region and a "Marine Mammal Morphology" with three line drawings indicating generic parts. While this book has obvious value as a research tool, students are sure to linger over the pages. An attractive presentation with satisfying content.
Sheila Shoup, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
This new guide is the most comprehensive and up-to-date of the available marine mammal guides. Most other field guides, such as William Burt and Richard Grossenheider's A Field Guide to Mammals: North America North of Mexico. (Peterson Field Guides, 1998. 3rd ed.), Simon & Schuster's Guide to Mammals (1983), Golden Guide to Whales and other Marine Mammals (1990), or National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals (1980. o.p.), are either old or incomplete, as they cover mammals generally and cannot provide sufficient depth. This new guide has not only the standard features, including color plates, habitat range maps, and basic breeding, habitat, and range information, but also the latest and most comprehensive information about the animals. The essays are written by expert marine scientists, including Phillip J. Clapman, James A. Powell, Reeves and Brent S. Stewart. Furthermore, in contrast to most Audubon guides, the photos accompany the description of the animal rather than being relegated to a separate section of the book- which makes the book easier to use in the field. Highly recommended for all collections. - Mary J. Nickum, Lakewood, CO.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"This wonderful synthesis of paintings, photographs, and text is a fitting tribute to all the majestic mammals that once left the world's waters, evolved on land, and then returned to the sea."
-Carl Zimmer, author of At the Water's Edge and Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea
"This comprehensive and beautifully illustrated work allows a much deeper appreciation of these incredible creatures."
?Carl Safina, Ph.D., author of "Song for the Blue Ocean" and "Eye of the Albatross" -- Review
Review
"This wonderful synthesis of paintings, photographs, and text is a fitting tribute to all the majestic mammals that once left the world's waters, evolved on land, and then returned to the sea."
-Carl Zimmer, author of At the Water's Edge and Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea
"This comprehensive and beautifully illustrated work allows a much deeper appreciation of these incredible creatures."
–Carl Safina, Ph.D., author of "Song for the Blue Ocean" and "Eye of the Albatross"
Product Description
The National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World describes in fascinating detail all 120 species of the world's whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions, manatees, Marine and Sea Otters, and the Polar Bear. Written by a team of experts and featuring more than 320 illustrations, 418 photographs, and 123 maps, this new guide offers more authoritative, up-to-date, and accessible information than any book previously published on the subject.
Organized by the four major groups of marine mammals--marine fissipeds, pinnipeds, cetaceans, and sirenians--the species descriptions include:
Full-color paintings, some depicting males and females, juveniles, subspecies, or special features. Color photographs showing appearance in the wild and illustrating typical behaviors. Life history data, including length and weight at various life stages, and life span. Range and habitat text and a full-color range map based on the most current information. Facts about social organization, surface behaviors, swimming, and diving. Information on mating behavior, breeding, and the rearing of young. Details about food items and foraging techniques. Estimates of population in the wild, plus current and historic threats.
A general introduction outlines the evolution and taxonomy of marine mammals, distribution, migration, watching guidelines, identification techniques, organizations and laws that protect marine mammals, and more.
Introductions to groups include comparative size illustrations, discussion of behaviors particular to the group, and other unique features.
A useful illustrated glossary of terms and an index of species names complete the guide.
Exquisitely detailed illustrations, stunning photographs, and clearly written text combine to make this an indispensible reference source for marine mammal watchers and anyone interested in the natural world.
From the Inside Flap
The National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World describes in fascinating detail all 120 species of the world's whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions, manatees, Marine and Sea Otters, and the Polar Bear. Written by a team of experts and featuring more than 320 illustrations, 418 photographs, and 123 maps, this new guide offers more authoritative, up-to-date, and accessible information than any book previously published on the subject.
Organized by the four major groups of marine mammals?marine fissipeds, pinnipeds, cetaceans, and sirenians?the species descriptions include:
Full-color paintings, some depicting males and females, juveniles, subspecies, or special features. Color photographs showing appearance in the wild and illustrating typical behaviors. Life history data, including length and weight at various life stages, and life span. Range and habitat text and a full-color range map based on the most current information. Facts about social organization, surface behaviors, swimming, and diving. Information on mating behavior, breeding, and the rearing of young. Details about food items and foraging techniques. Estimates of population in the wild, plus current and historic threats.
A general introduction outlines the evolution and taxonomy of marine mammals, distribution, migration, watching guidelines, identification techniques, organizations and laws that protect marine mammals, and more.
Introductions to groups include comparative size illustrations, discussion of behaviors particular to the group, and other unique features.
A useful illustrated glossary of terms and an index of species names complete the guide.
Exquisitely detailed illustrations, stunning photographs, and clearly written text combine to make this an indispensible reference source for marine mammal watchers and anyone interested in the natural world.
From the Back Cover
"This wonderful synthesis of paintings, photographs, and text is a fitting tribute to all the majestic mammals that once left the world's waters, evolved on land, and then returned to the sea."
-Carl Zimmer, author of At the Water's Edge and Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea
"This comprehensive and beautifully illustrated work allows a much deeper appreciation of these incredible creatures."
–Carl Safina, Ph.D., author of "Song for the Blue Ocean" and "Eye of the Albatross"
About the Author
Pieter A. Folkens (illustrator) is widely acknowledged as one of the finest illustrators of marine mammals in the world. He has contributed to many books, including The Sierra Club Handbook of Seals and Sirenians and The Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals (Academic Press). He has also designed cetaceans for motion pictures and television, including the films Star Trek IV, Flipper, and Free Willy. He is a founding board member of the Alaska Whale Foundation, a non-profit marine mammal research and conservation organization, and spends his summers in Alaska studying the feeding ecology of Killer and Humpback Whales. Folkens lives in Benicia, California.
Randall R. Reeves (Sperm Whales, Beaked Whales, River Dolphins, Beluga and Narwhal, Ocean Dolphins, Porpoises, Glossary) has been involved in marine mammal work for over 25 years, ranging from field studies in the Arctic, the North Atlantic, and the Indus and Amazon Rivers, to archival research on the history of whaling. He co-authored The Sierra Club Handbook of Whales and Dolphins and The Sierra Club Handbook of Seals and Sirenians and edited Conservation and Management of Marine Mammals (Smithsonian). Reeves holds a Ph.D. from McGill University, Canada. Since 1997, he has served as chairman of the Cetacean Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Reeves lives in Hudson, Quebec.
Phillip J. Clapham (Introduction, Baleen Whales) is a leading expert on large whales. He has conducted research on a variety of whale species around the world and has written or contributed to several books, including Humpback Whales (Voyageur Press), Whales of the World (Voyageur Press), and The Complete Book of North American Mammals (Smithsonian). Clapham earned a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. He is a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and lives and works in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, where he directs a research program on large whales.
Brent S. Stewart (Polar Bear and Otters, Pinnipeds) has been studying and writing about marine mammals since the late 1970s. He has published many articles on marine mammals and contributed to several books, including The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals and The Sierra Club Handbook of Seals and Sirenians. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. Stewart is a Senior Research Biologist at Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute in San Diego, California, and Marine Science and Foreign Affairs Officer with the State Department in Washington, D.C.
James A. Powell (Sirenians) is recognized as an international expert on manatees. For the past thirty years he has conducted field research on sirenians around the world from Florida to the West Indies and Belize, and has spent ten years in remote areas of western Africa studying the West African Manatee. He earned a Ph.D. in Zoology from Cambridge University, England. He is co-chair of the Sirenia Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Powell is the Director for Aquatic Programs for the Wildlife Trust in Sarasota, Florida.
From Publishers Weekly
Among the most celebrated creatures on earth are the 120 species of water-dwelling mammals catalogued in this handsome and informative field guide, the latest in the National Audubon Society's family of nature publications. Photographs, drawings and paintings combine with maps, charts and essays to provide not only data but also insight into the behavior of these highly evolved and specialized animals. The book is sensibly arranged and easy to navigate, whether the reader is in an easy chair or on the open water. The introduction provides a general guide to marine mammals: their habitat, behavior, reproduction, diet and conservation status. The individual articles are packed with facts about each species and the best ways to find and identify them in the wild. The book is organized according to the four classifications of marine mammals: cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises); pinnipeds (seals and walrus); sirenians (dugongs, manatees); and polar bears and otters. The charts on each species specify size, weight and longevity. The maps show the reach of each type of animal while helping the reader to visualize its range and habitat. The articles also describe ways of identifying similar species whose ranges overlap. Among this guide's best features are the appendixes, which break down the species by region and offer a chart of species morphology and an illustrated glossary. This book is ideal for students and amateur animal watchers. Color illus. and paintings, maps.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Adult/High School-Just about everything one could hope for in a guide can be found in this info-packed yet extremely user-friendly tome. Introductory pages cover the basics and more. The section "Watching Marine Mammals," which includes advice on what to bring along, proper etiquette, and what to do if a stranded animal is encountered, is particularly engrossing. Every group has its own overview with an illustrated spread showing relative sizes among species within it. Each species entry opens with a beautifully rendered color illustration accompanied by a brief list of key features to look for when trying to identify the animal. A neat little map indicates the mammal's range and is paired with a box containing vital statistics such as size, weight, and life span. A liberal dose of superb, high-quality action color photographs shows the creatures in their natural surroundings. Appendixes include a map that shows marine mammals by world region and a "Marine Mammal Morphology" with three line drawings indicating generic parts. While this book has obvious value as a research tool, students are sure to linger over the pages. An attractive presentation with satisfying content.
Sheila Shoup, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
This new guide is the most comprehensive and up-to-date of the available marine mammal guides. Most other field guides, such as William Burt and Richard Grossenheider's A Field Guide to Mammals: North America North of Mexico. (Peterson Field Guides, 1998. 3rd ed.), Simon & Schuster's Guide to Mammals (1983), Golden Guide to Whales and other Marine Mammals (1990), or National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals (1980. o.p.), are either old or incomplete, as they cover mammals generally and cannot provide sufficient depth. This new guide has not only the standard features, including color plates, habitat range maps, and basic breeding, habitat, and range information, but also the latest and most comprehensive information about the animals. The essays are written by expert marine scientists, including Phillip J. Clapman, James A. Powell, Reeves and Brent S. Stewart. Furthermore, in contrast to most Audubon guides, the photos accompany the description of the animal rather than being relegated to a separate section of the book- which makes the book easier to use in the field. Highly recommended for all collections. - Mary J. Nickum, Lakewood, CO.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"This wonderful synthesis of paintings, photographs, and text is a fitting tribute to all the majestic mammals that once left the world's waters, evolved on land, and then returned to the sea."
-Carl Zimmer, author of At the Water's Edge and Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea
"This comprehensive and beautifully illustrated work allows a much deeper appreciation of these incredible creatures."
?Carl Safina, Ph.D., author of "Song for the Blue Ocean" and "Eye of the Albatross" -- Review
Review
"This wonderful synthesis of paintings, photographs, and text is a fitting tribute to all the majestic mammals that once left the world's waters, evolved on land, and then returned to the sea."
-Carl Zimmer, author of At the Water's Edge and Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea
"This comprehensive and beautifully illustrated work allows a much deeper appreciation of these incredible creatures."
–Carl Safina, Ph.D., author of "Song for the Blue Ocean" and "Eye of the Albatross"
Product Description
The National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World describes in fascinating detail all 120 species of the world's whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions, manatees, Marine and Sea Otters, and the Polar Bear. Written by a team of experts and featuring more than 320 illustrations, 418 photographs, and 123 maps, this new guide offers more authoritative, up-to-date, and accessible information than any book previously published on the subject.
Organized by the four major groups of marine mammals--marine fissipeds, pinnipeds, cetaceans, and sirenians--the species descriptions include:
Full-color paintings, some depicting males and females, juveniles, subspecies, or special features. Color photographs showing appearance in the wild and illustrating typical behaviors. Life history data, including length and weight at various life stages, and life span. Range and habitat text and a full-color range map based on the most current information. Facts about social organization, surface behaviors, swimming, and diving. Information on mating behavior, breeding, and the rearing of young. Details about food items and foraging techniques. Estimates of population in the wild, plus current and historic threats.
A general introduction outlines the evolution and taxonomy of marine mammals, distribution, migration, watching guidelines, identification techniques, organizations and laws that protect marine mammals, and more.
Introductions to groups include comparative size illustrations, discussion of behaviors particular to the group, and other unique features.
A useful illustrated glossary of terms and an index of species names complete the guide.
Exquisitely detailed illustrations, stunning photographs, and clearly written text combine to make this an indispensible reference source for marine mammal watchers and anyone interested in the natural world.
From the Inside Flap
The National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World describes in fascinating detail all 120 species of the world's whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions, manatees, Marine and Sea Otters, and the Polar Bear. Written by a team of experts and featuring more than 320 illustrations, 418 photographs, and 123 maps, this new guide offers more authoritative, up-to-date, and accessible information than any book previously published on the subject.
Organized by the four major groups of marine mammals?marine fissipeds, pinnipeds, cetaceans, and sirenians?the species descriptions include:
Full-color paintings, some depicting males and females, juveniles, subspecies, or special features. Color photographs showing appearance in the wild and illustrating typical behaviors. Life history data, including length and weight at various life stages, and life span. Range and habitat text and a full-color range map based on the most current information. Facts about social organization, surface behaviors, swimming, and diving. Information on mating behavior, breeding, and the rearing of young. Details about food items and foraging techniques. Estimates of population in the wild, plus current and historic threats.
A general introduction outlines the evolution and taxonomy of marine mammals, distribution, migration, watching guidelines, identification techniques, organizations and laws that protect marine mammals, and more.
Introductions to groups include comparative size illustrations, discussion of behaviors particular to the group, and other unique features.
A useful illustrated glossary of terms and an index of species names complete the guide.
Exquisitely detailed illustrations, stunning photographs, and clearly written text combine to make this an indispensible reference source for marine mammal watchers and anyone interested in the natural world.
From the Back Cover
"This wonderful synthesis of paintings, photographs, and text is a fitting tribute to all the majestic mammals that once left the world's waters, evolved on land, and then returned to the sea."
-Carl Zimmer, author of At the Water's Edge and Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea
"This comprehensive and beautifully illustrated work allows a much deeper appreciation of these incredible creatures."
–Carl Safina, Ph.D., author of "Song for the Blue Ocean" and "Eye of the Albatross"
About the Author
Pieter A. Folkens (illustrator) is widely acknowledged as one of the finest illustrators of marine mammals in the world. He has contributed to many books, including The Sierra Club Handbook of Seals and Sirenians and The Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals (Academic Press). He has also designed cetaceans for motion pictures and television, including the films Star Trek IV, Flipper, and Free Willy. He is a founding board member of the Alaska Whale Foundation, a non-profit marine mammal research and conservation organization, and spends his summers in Alaska studying the feeding ecology of Killer and Humpback Whales. Folkens lives in Benicia, California.
Randall R. Reeves (Sperm Whales, Beaked Whales, River Dolphins, Beluga and Narwhal, Ocean Dolphins, Porpoises, Glossary) has been involved in marine mammal work for over 25 years, ranging from field studies in the Arctic, the North Atlantic, and the Indus and Amazon Rivers, to archival research on the history of whaling. He co-authored The Sierra Club Handbook of Whales and Dolphins and The Sierra Club Handbook of Seals and Sirenians and edited Conservation and Management of Marine Mammals (Smithsonian). Reeves holds a Ph.D. from McGill University, Canada. Since 1997, he has served as chairman of the Cetacean Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Reeves lives in Hudson, Quebec.
Phillip J. Clapham (Introduction, Baleen Whales) is a leading expert on large whales. He has conducted research on a variety of whale species around the world and has written or contributed to several books, including Humpback Whales (Voyageur Press), Whales of the World (Voyageur Press), and The Complete Book of North American Mammals (Smithsonian). Clapham earned a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. He is a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and lives and works in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, where he directs a research program on large whales.
Brent S. Stewart (Polar Bear and Otters, Pinnipeds) has been studying and writing about marine mammals since the late 1970s. He has published many articles on marine mammals and contributed to several books, including The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals and The Sierra Club Handbook of Seals and Sirenians. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. Stewart is a Senior Research Biologist at Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute in San Diego, California, and Marine Science and Foreign Affairs Officer with the State Department in Washington, D.C.
James A. Powell (Sirenians) is recognized as an international expert on manatees. For the past thirty years he has conducted field research on sirenians around the world from Florida to the West Indies and Belize, and has spent ten years in remote areas of western Africa studying the West African Manatee. He earned a Ph.D. in Zoology from Cambridge University, England. He is co-chair of the Sirenia Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Powell is the Director for Aquatic Programs for the Wildlife Trust in Sarasota, Florida.
The Burgess Animal Book for Children (Dover Science Books for Children)
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Abundantly illustrated, simply written classic by a master storyteller acquaints youngsters with the habits and characteristics of four-footed animals.
Porcupines, field mice, squirrels, coyotes, and other creatures take on appealing personalities in informative, entertaining tales about the inhabitants of the Green Forest and beyond. 73 illustrations.
Product Description
Abundantly illustrated, simply written classic by a master storyteller acquaints youngsters with the habits and characteristics of four-footed animals.
Porcupines, field mice, squirrels, coyotes, and other creatures take on appealing personalities in informative, entertaining tales about the inhabitants of the Green Forest and beyond. 73 illustrations.
Animal Physiology: Adaptation and Environment
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Schmidt-Nielsen's elegant writing style actually talks to the reader, often anticipating questions....Therefore, as a textbook in elementary biology or physiology, this book should be a high level choice." Stewart Wolf, M.D., Integrative Physiological and Behavioral Science
Product Description
In this revised, updated, two-color edition of the acclaimed text Animal Physiology, Knut Schmidt-Nielsen introduces and develops the fundamental principles of animal physiology according to major environmental features--oxygen, food and energy, temperature, and water. The book is structured the same as the previous edition, but every chapter has been updated to take into account recent developments, with numerous new references and figures. New and expanded features include: extensive modifications to the chapter on Movement, Muscle and Biomechanics; new material on respiratory pigments; feeding and digestion in shrimp and hoatzin; plant defense compounds; diving in seals; high temperature tolerance; the patch clamp method for ion channel research; the pineal gland and melatonin. Two-color throughout for clear description and illustration of fundamental principles.
Book Description
How do animals work? In the new edition of this acclaimed classic text, Knut Schmidt-Nielsen gives a clear overview of the principles of animal physiology for all undergraduate and beginning graduate courses. Filled with numerous examples and figures, the text is written in an accessible and stimulating style. The new edition retains the basic structure, but includes up to date references and figures, with much new material on movement and muscles, temperature regulation, nerves and hormones.'... a really excellent book.' Nature'... a delight to read...a superb text.' American Scientist
Review
"Schmidt-Nielsen's elegant writing style actually talks to the reader, often anticipating questions....Therefore, as a textbook in elementary biology or physiology, this book should be a high level choice." Stewart Wolf, M.D., Integrative Physiological and Behavioral Science
Product Description
In this revised, updated, two-color edition of the acclaimed text Animal Physiology, Knut Schmidt-Nielsen introduces and develops the fundamental principles of animal physiology according to major environmental features--oxygen, food and energy, temperature, and water. The book is structured the same as the previous edition, but every chapter has been updated to take into account recent developments, with numerous new references and figures. New and expanded features include: extensive modifications to the chapter on Movement, Muscle and Biomechanics; new material on respiratory pigments; feeding and digestion in shrimp and hoatzin; plant defense compounds; diving in seals; high temperature tolerance; the patch clamp method for ion channel research; the pineal gland and melatonin. Two-color throughout for clear description and illustration of fundamental principles.
Book Description
How do animals work? In the new edition of this acclaimed classic text, Knut Schmidt-Nielsen gives a clear overview of the principles of animal physiology for all undergraduate and beginning graduate courses. Filled with numerous examples and figures, the text is written in an accessible and stimulating style. The new edition retains the basic structure, but includes up to date references and figures, with much new material on movement and muscles, temperature regulation, nerves and hormones.'... a really excellent book.' Nature'... a delight to read...a superb text.' American Scientist
Where in the Wild?: Camouflaged Creatures Concealed... and Revealed [ILLUSTRATED]
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Ten creatures await, camouflaged in artful, full-page photographs, while playful poems offer clues about each animal's identity and whereabouts. Think you've spotted one? Lift one of ten gatefolds to find out. A full page of fascinating information accompanies each animal so readers can learn how nature's camouflage serves hunter and hunted alike. Why do fawns have spots during their first year of life? How did killdeer birds get their name? What makes a crab spider so good at ambushing its prey?
From the Publisher
Naturalist notes provided on each species.
About the Author
DAVID SCHWARTZ is the author of 50 children's books, including G is for Googol and Q is for Quark. He is a frequent guest speaker at schools in the US and abroad. He lives with his wife--and co-author--YAEL SCHY in Oakland, California. Photographer DWIGHT KUHN's award-winning nature photographs have appeared in 125 children's books. He lives in Dexter, Maine.
Product Description
Ten creatures await, camouflaged in artful, full-page photographs, while playful poems offer clues about each animal's identity and whereabouts. Think you've spotted one? Lift one of ten gatefolds to find out. A full page of fascinating information accompanies each animal so readers can learn how nature's camouflage serves hunter and hunted alike. Why do fawns have spots during their first year of life? How did killdeer birds get their name? What makes a crab spider so good at ambushing its prey?
From the Publisher
Naturalist notes provided on each species.
About the Author
DAVID SCHWARTZ is the author of 50 children's books, including G is for Googol and Q is for Quark. He is a frequent guest speaker at schools in the US and abroad. He lives with his wife--and co-author--YAEL SCHY in Oakland, California. Photographer DWIGHT KUHN's award-winning nature photographs have appeared in 125 children's books. He lives in Dexter, Maine.
Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Jeff Meldrum's book 'Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science' brings a much needed level of scientific analysis to the Sasquatch - or Bigfoot - debate. Does Sasquatch exist? There are countless people - especially indigenous people - in different parts of America who claim to have seen such a creature. And in many parts of the world I meet those who, in a matter-of-fact way, tell me of their encounters with large, bipedal, tail-less hominids. I think I have read every article and every book about these creatures, and while most scientists are not satisfied with existing evidence, I have an open mind."
--Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE UN Messenger of Peace & Founder - the Jane Goodall Institute
"Jeff Meldrum is a scientist, an expert in human locomotor adaptations. In Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science he examines all evidence critically, not to force a conclusion, but to establish a baseline of facts upon which further research can depend. His science is not submerged by opinion and dogmatic assumption. With objectivity and insight he analyzes evidence from tracks, skin ridges on the soles of feet, film footage, and DNA, and he compares it to that on primates and various other species. He disentangles fact from anecdote, supposition, and wishful thinking, and concludes that the search for yeti and sasquatch is a valid scientific endeavor. By offering a critical scrutiny, Sasquatch does more for this field of investigation than all the past arguments and polemics of contesting experts." --Dr. George Schaller, Vice-President of the Wildlife Conservation
"Jeff Meldrum''s book Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science brings a much needed level of scientific analysis to the Sasquatch-or Bigfoot-debate." (Dr. Jane Goodall )
"Sasquatch does more for this field of investigation than all the past arguments and polemics of contesting experts." (Dr. George Schaller, Vice-President of the Wildlife Conservation )
Product Description
In this landmark work on a subject too often dismissed as paranormal or disreputable, Jeffrey Meldrum gives us the first book on sasquatch to be written by a scientist with impeccable academic credentials, an objective look at the facts in a field mined with hoaxes and sensationalism. Meldrum reports on the work of a team of experts from a wide variety of fields who were assembled to examine the evidence for a large, yet undiscovered, North American primate. He reviews the long history of this mystery--which long predates the "bigfoot" flap of the late fifties--and explains all the scientific pros and cons in a clear and accessible style, amplified by over 150 illustrations. Anyone who has pondered the mysteries of human evolution will be fascinated and eager to join Dr. Meldrum in drawing their own conclusion.
About the Author
DR. JEFFREY MELDRUM is an Associate Professor of Anatomy and Anthropology at Idaho State University.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Introduction
Doug Hajicek, nature film producer, took a break with his cameraman, and wandered near the shoreline of Selma Lake, nearly 1000 miles north of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. In the Arctic to film giant lake trout, they had flown into this remote location by floatplane. Along the isolated beach they encountered a crisp 17-inch footprint. The print was exceptionally clear and detailed, and except for its enormous proportions, clearly human-like in form, with distinct toes and a broad rounded heel. Some 40 inches further ahead was another similar footprint, followed by another, and so on trailing alternately into the distance. This resembled no bear track. Besides, a polar bear hind paw measures only between 10 and 14 inches long. The hind paw of an Alaskan brown bear may reach a full 16 inches in length, but their range is generally restricted to the Pacific coastline. Grizzlies do range farther to the east but their foot is only about 10 inches long. Could it be an out-of-the-way Alaskan Brown, or an over-sized grizzly, fishing for giant salmon? Hajicek weighed that possibility but he was familiar with bear sign from extensive documentary film-making with Lynn Rogers, the “man who walks with bears,” and he knew that a bear track consists of a distinctive alternating pattern of hind and forepaw prints. The narrow interdigital pad of the fore paw is much abbreviated compared to the hind paw, to which is added an extended distinctly tapering heel pad. Whatever animal had left these tracks was walking upright, on hind feet only, and had struck off from the lakeshore in an apparently determined course with an impressive stride. Judging from the freshness of the tracks, it may even have been the filmcrew's arrival by floatplane that sent it on its way.
Hajicek’s curiosity was piqued and together with his companion, they followed the advancing line of footprints. For over a mile they traced the creature’s enormous strides, before deciding that they didn’t actually want to catch up to whatever behemoth had left the immense tracks clearly and deeply impressed in the frosty tundra soil. The men remained mystified over what could have been responsible for these prodigious footprints. They returned to the lake thinking that they could readily follow the tracks from the air over the relatively treeless landscape and perhaps overtake the trackmaker. But the pilot of the floatplane refused to talk about the tracks and rebuffed their suggestions to pursue them, and so they gave up on the idea.
Hajicek was unfamiliar with Sasquatch and therefore had no real concept of a giant upright ape upon which to hang the enigma of the footprints. The obvious and unavoidable fact that some unusual animal had made this impressive trackway continued to dog him, and his thoughts frequently returned to the scene of the discovery. The suggestion that someone might have intentionally hoaxed them at that precise spot beside a 70-mile long lake in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, accessible only by floatplane, seemed absolutely nonsensical. Hajicek thought about it a great deal and eventually, with the advent of the Internet, encountered the website of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), and discovered that he was not alone in his experience. In fact, a surprising number of other people had discovered large inexplicable footprints in the wilds of North America. He also learned that the BFRO was compiling an electronic database of reports of sightings and footprints submitted by witnesses from all walks of life. A network of field investigators responded to and documented these reports, where possible, by interviewing witnesses and collecting corroborative evidence, or determining alternative explanations. Hajicek began to educate himself about the accumulated information concerning the history and nature of this hypothetical and strangely elusive primate. He was surprised and irritated that the public at large, and particularly the media, ignored the extensive evidence for the existence of this otherwise legendary animal. Being a filmmaker by profession, he thought what better project than to produce an informed documentary that dealt objectively with the data and explored the question of Sasquatch with an open mind. The folks at the Discovery Channel concurred and so the concept of Sasquacth: Legend Meets Science was conceived.
The format of the documentary was a noticeable departure from the established formula for “monster” media. Instead of trotting out a series of sensational eyewitness accounts with interviews and dramatic recreations, then “balancing” them with retorts by armchair skeptics and willfully ignorant scientific experts, Hajicek opted to let the data stand on their own. He would present the accumulated evidence on its own merits and enlist the expertise of scientists willing to evaluate it objectively and to pursue their analysis wherever it might lead them with out prejudice. Several of these recruited scientists were previously unconcerned with the matter of sasquatch, but nevertheless, in the spirit of exploration, were quite willing to ply their skills to evaluate the evidence laid before them. Others harbored a longstanding interest in the subject, but had rarely spoken openly of it for fear of ridicule and a concern for their reputed credibility. A few of the scientists, like Dr. Bindernagel, Dr. Fahrenbach, and me, had already crossed paths with the evidence and were actively engaged in ongoing research into the matter, in spite of its unpopularity within mainstream science, and even our own institutional colleagues.
The Internet has provided a novel and readily accessible forum for the exchange of ideas and information. Like Hajicek, other witnesses frequently submit reports of their encounters with sasquatch to the many sites on the Internet concerned with the topic. The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization was one of an overwhelming number of websites that one is confronted with when searching the Internet for information relating to sasquatch or bigfoot. It was the one that captured Hajicek’s attention and subsequently cooperate during the development of the documentary concept. Many of the pioneering scientists Hajicek would work with were associated at one time or another with the BFRO. For a time the BFRO took the lead among a new generation of amateur and professional investigators. There were a number of organizations of various stripe, but the BFRO boldly touted the distinction of being “the only scientific organization probing the Bigfoot/Sasquatch mystery.” A rather grandious assertion perhaps, but, in so far as efforts were made by its investigators to adhere to the principles and methods of scientific research during the collection, handling, and evaluation of objective evidence, that standard was applied with varying success. Like any community, the BFRO was not without its volatile personalities, egos, strong wills, deep-seated opinions, conflicting agendas, and other controversies. However, in spite of intermittent lapses, there has been a degree of cooperation, collegiality, and professionalism among its individual membership.
Matthew Moneymaker, the founder and driving force behind the organization, recruited and sometimes rode rough shod over a line-up of amateur curators and investigators with varied skills and backgrounds. Affiliated with their ranks have been a number of credentialed scientists -- primatologists, anthropologists, archaeologists, wildlife biologists, geologists, and engineers, which pursue a professional interest in the matter. Some of the most dedicated field researchers, however, have little, or no formal training in the sciences, but often possess a vast experience in the outdoors and keen powers of observation and discernment. The self-described aim of the BFRO is as follows:
The mission of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) is multifaceted, but the organization essentially seeks to resolve the mystery surrounding the Bigfoot phenomenon, that is, to derive conclusive documentation of the species' existence. This goal is pursued through the proactive collection of empirical data and physical evidence from the field and by means of activities designed to promote an awareness and understanding of the nature and origin of the evidence.
The BFRO, the oldest and largest organization of its kind, is directed by a virtual community of scientists, journalists, and specialists from diverse backgrounds. The researchers who compose the BFRO are engaged in projects, including field and laboratory investigations, designed to address various aspects of the bigfoot phenomenon. As a result of the education and experience of its members and the quality of their efforts, the BFRO is widely considered as the most credible and respected investigative network involved in the study of this subject.
When compelling evidence is collected by or submitted to the BFRO, it is presented to scientific and forensic specialists for evaluation. The BFRO organizes and reports observations and data and publishes research material. Through this process, the BFRO steadily improves the size and scope of its collective expertise.
Those in the organization anticipate that this emphasis on cooperation and professionalism is not only the most realistic approach to resolving the mystery, but that it furthers the BFRO's long term goal: determining how these rare and elusive animals can and should be protected and studied after their existence is generally acknowledged by governmental agencies and the scientific community.
Admittedly, this is not a wholly “scientific” posture, i.e. “to derive conclusive documentation of the species’ existence.” The strictly scientific stance would be to seek to resolve the question of the existence of sasquatch either way, without any appearance of a “pro-Bigfoot” bias. To its credit, the BFRO investigators are routinely c...
Review
"Jeff Meldrum's book 'Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science' brings a much needed level of scientific analysis to the Sasquatch - or Bigfoot - debate. Does Sasquatch exist? There are countless people - especially indigenous people - in different parts of America who claim to have seen such a creature. And in many parts of the world I meet those who, in a matter-of-fact way, tell me of their encounters with large, bipedal, tail-less hominids. I think I have read every article and every book about these creatures, and while most scientists are not satisfied with existing evidence, I have an open mind."
--Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE UN Messenger of Peace & Founder - the Jane Goodall Institute
"Jeff Meldrum is a scientist, an expert in human locomotor adaptations. In Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science he examines all evidence critically, not to force a conclusion, but to establish a baseline of facts upon which further research can depend. His science is not submerged by opinion and dogmatic assumption. With objectivity and insight he analyzes evidence from tracks, skin ridges on the soles of feet, film footage, and DNA, and he compares it to that on primates and various other species. He disentangles fact from anecdote, supposition, and wishful thinking, and concludes that the search for yeti and sasquatch is a valid scientific endeavor. By offering a critical scrutiny, Sasquatch does more for this field of investigation than all the past arguments and polemics of contesting experts." --Dr. George Schaller, Vice-President of the Wildlife Conservation
"Jeff Meldrum''s book Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science brings a much needed level of scientific analysis to the Sasquatch-or Bigfoot-debate." (Dr. Jane Goodall )
"Sasquatch does more for this field of investigation than all the past arguments and polemics of contesting experts." (Dr. George Schaller, Vice-President of the Wildlife Conservation )
Product Description
In this landmark work on a subject too often dismissed as paranormal or disreputable, Jeffrey Meldrum gives us the first book on sasquatch to be written by a scientist with impeccable academic credentials, an objective look at the facts in a field mined with hoaxes and sensationalism. Meldrum reports on the work of a team of experts from a wide variety of fields who were assembled to examine the evidence for a large, yet undiscovered, North American primate. He reviews the long history of this mystery--which long predates the "bigfoot" flap of the late fifties--and explains all the scientific pros and cons in a clear and accessible style, amplified by over 150 illustrations. Anyone who has pondered the mysteries of human evolution will be fascinated and eager to join Dr. Meldrum in drawing their own conclusion.
About the Author
DR. JEFFREY MELDRUM is an Associate Professor of Anatomy and Anthropology at Idaho State University.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Introduction
Doug Hajicek, nature film producer, took a break with his cameraman, and wandered near the shoreline of Selma Lake, nearly 1000 miles north of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. In the Arctic to film giant lake trout, they had flown into this remote location by floatplane. Along the isolated beach they encountered a crisp 17-inch footprint. The print was exceptionally clear and detailed, and except for its enormous proportions, clearly human-like in form, with distinct toes and a broad rounded heel. Some 40 inches further ahead was another similar footprint, followed by another, and so on trailing alternately into the distance. This resembled no bear track. Besides, a polar bear hind paw measures only between 10 and 14 inches long. The hind paw of an Alaskan brown bear may reach a full 16 inches in length, but their range is generally restricted to the Pacific coastline. Grizzlies do range farther to the east but their foot is only about 10 inches long. Could it be an out-of-the-way Alaskan Brown, or an over-sized grizzly, fishing for giant salmon? Hajicek weighed that possibility but he was familiar with bear sign from extensive documentary film-making with Lynn Rogers, the “man who walks with bears,” and he knew that a bear track consists of a distinctive alternating pattern of hind and forepaw prints. The narrow interdigital pad of the fore paw is much abbreviated compared to the hind paw, to which is added an extended distinctly tapering heel pad. Whatever animal had left these tracks was walking upright, on hind feet only, and had struck off from the lakeshore in an apparently determined course with an impressive stride. Judging from the freshness of the tracks, it may even have been the filmcrew's arrival by floatplane that sent it on its way.
Hajicek’s curiosity was piqued and together with his companion, they followed the advancing line of footprints. For over a mile they traced the creature’s enormous strides, before deciding that they didn’t actually want to catch up to whatever behemoth had left the immense tracks clearly and deeply impressed in the frosty tundra soil. The men remained mystified over what could have been responsible for these prodigious footprints. They returned to the lake thinking that they could readily follow the tracks from the air over the relatively treeless landscape and perhaps overtake the trackmaker. But the pilot of the floatplane refused to talk about the tracks and rebuffed their suggestions to pursue them, and so they gave up on the idea.
Hajicek was unfamiliar with Sasquatch and therefore had no real concept of a giant upright ape upon which to hang the enigma of the footprints. The obvious and unavoidable fact that some unusual animal had made this impressive trackway continued to dog him, and his thoughts frequently returned to the scene of the discovery. The suggestion that someone might have intentionally hoaxed them at that precise spot beside a 70-mile long lake in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, accessible only by floatplane, seemed absolutely nonsensical. Hajicek thought about it a great deal and eventually, with the advent of the Internet, encountered the website of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), and discovered that he was not alone in his experience. In fact, a surprising number of other people had discovered large inexplicable footprints in the wilds of North America. He also learned that the BFRO was compiling an electronic database of reports of sightings and footprints submitted by witnesses from all walks of life. A network of field investigators responded to and documented these reports, where possible, by interviewing witnesses and collecting corroborative evidence, or determining alternative explanations. Hajicek began to educate himself about the accumulated information concerning the history and nature of this hypothetical and strangely elusive primate. He was surprised and irritated that the public at large, and particularly the media, ignored the extensive evidence for the existence of this otherwise legendary animal. Being a filmmaker by profession, he thought what better project than to produce an informed documentary that dealt objectively with the data and explored the question of Sasquatch with an open mind. The folks at the Discovery Channel concurred and so the concept of Sasquacth: Legend Meets Science was conceived.
The format of the documentary was a noticeable departure from the established formula for “monster” media. Instead of trotting out a series of sensational eyewitness accounts with interviews and dramatic recreations, then “balancing” them with retorts by armchair skeptics and willfully ignorant scientific experts, Hajicek opted to let the data stand on their own. He would present the accumulated evidence on its own merits and enlist the expertise of scientists willing to evaluate it objectively and to pursue their analysis wherever it might lead them with out prejudice. Several of these recruited scientists were previously unconcerned with the matter of sasquatch, but nevertheless, in the spirit of exploration, were quite willing to ply their skills to evaluate the evidence laid before them. Others harbored a longstanding interest in the subject, but had rarely spoken openly of it for fear of ridicule and a concern for their reputed credibility. A few of the scientists, like Dr. Bindernagel, Dr. Fahrenbach, and me, had already crossed paths with the evidence and were actively engaged in ongoing research into the matter, in spite of its unpopularity within mainstream science, and even our own institutional colleagues.
The Internet has provided a novel and readily accessible forum for the exchange of ideas and information. Like Hajicek, other witnesses frequently submit reports of their encounters with sasquatch to the many sites on the Internet concerned with the topic. The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization was one of an overwhelming number of websites that one is confronted with when searching the Internet for information relating to sasquatch or bigfoot. It was the one that captured Hajicek’s attention and subsequently cooperate during the development of the documentary concept. Many of the pioneering scientists Hajicek would work with were associated at one time or another with the BFRO. For a time the BFRO took the lead among a new generation of amateur and professional investigators. There were a number of organizations of various stripe, but the BFRO boldly touted the distinction of being “the only scientific organization probing the Bigfoot/Sasquatch mystery.” A rather grandious assertion perhaps, but, in so far as efforts were made by its investigators to adhere to the principles and methods of scientific research during the collection, handling, and evaluation of objective evidence, that standard was applied with varying success. Like any community, the BFRO was not without its volatile personalities, egos, strong wills, deep-seated opinions, conflicting agendas, and other controversies. However, in spite of intermittent lapses, there has been a degree of cooperation, collegiality, and professionalism among its individual membership.
Matthew Moneymaker, the founder and driving force behind the organization, recruited and sometimes rode rough shod over a line-up of amateur curators and investigators with varied skills and backgrounds. Affiliated with their ranks have been a number of credentialed scientists -- primatologists, anthropologists, archaeologists, wildlife biologists, geologists, and engineers, which pursue a professional interest in the matter. Some of the most dedicated field researchers, however, have little, or no formal training in the sciences, but often possess a vast experience in the outdoors and keen powers of observation and discernment. The self-described aim of the BFRO is as follows:
The mission of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) is multifaceted, but the organization essentially seeks to resolve the mystery surrounding the Bigfoot phenomenon, that is, to derive conclusive documentation of the species' existence. This goal is pursued through the proactive collection of empirical data and physical evidence from the field and by means of activities designed to promote an awareness and understanding of the nature and origin of the evidence.
The BFRO, the oldest and largest organization of its kind, is directed by a virtual community of scientists, journalists, and specialists from diverse backgrounds. The researchers who compose the BFRO are engaged in projects, including field and laboratory investigations, designed to address various aspects of the bigfoot phenomenon. As a result of the education and experience of its members and the quality of their efforts, the BFRO is widely considered as the most credible and respected investigative network involved in the study of this subject.
When compelling evidence is collected by or submitted to the BFRO, it is presented to scientific and forensic specialists for evaluation. The BFRO organizes and reports observations and data and publishes research material. Through this process, the BFRO steadily improves the size and scope of its collective expertise.
Those in the organization anticipate that this emphasis on cooperation and professionalism is not only the most realistic approach to resolving the mystery, but that it furthers the BFRO's long term goal: determining how these rare and elusive animals can and should be protected and studied after their existence is generally acknowledged by governmental agencies and the scientific community.
Admittedly, this is not a wholly “scientific” posture, i.e. “to derive conclusive documentation of the species’ existence.” The strictly scientific stance would be to seek to resolve the question of the existence of sasquatch either way, without any appearance of a “pro-Bigfoot” bias. To its credit, the BFRO investigators are routinely c...
Ornithology
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Ornithology is the classic text for the undergraduate ornithology course, long admired for its biological/evolutionary approach to bird science. The new edition—the first revision in 10 years—maintains the scope and expertise that made the book so popular while incorporating a tremendous amount of new research and updating its exquisite program of drawings and photographs
About the Author
FRANK B. GILL, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Product Description
Ornithology is the classic text for the undergraduate ornithology course, long admired for its biological/evolutionary approach to bird science. The new edition—the first revision in 10 years—maintains the scope and expertise that made the book so popular while incorporating a tremendous amount of new research and updating its exquisite program of drawings and photographs
About the Author
FRANK B. GILL, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
The Wauchula Woods Accord: Toward a New Understanding of Animals
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Ornithology is the classic text for the undergraduate ornithology course, long admired for its biological/evolutionary approach to bird science. The new edition—the first revision in 10 years—maintains the scope and expertise that made the book so popular while incorporating a tremendous amount of new research and updating its exquisite program of drawings and photographs
About the Author
FRANK B. GILL, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Product Description
Ornithology is the classic text for the undergraduate ornithology course, long admired for its biological/evolutionary approach to bird science. The new edition—the first revision in 10 years—maintains the scope and expertise that made the book so popular while incorporating a tremendous amount of new research and updating its exquisite program of drawings and photographs
About the Author
FRANK B. GILL, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Caddisflies: A Guide to Eastern Species for Anglers and Other Naturalists
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Snakes of the Southeast aims to educate about nature of snakes. People either like snakes or fear them." -- Athens Banner-Herald, Athens, GA, May 6, 2005
"Snakes of the Southeast is the most comprehensive educational guide to the snakes of this region." -- Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta, GA, April 26, 2005
"A treasure to anyone having an interest in becoming a herpetologist, and any child having an inclination for learning more." -- Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society March 2006
"An eye-catching new nature guidebook melding good descriptive writing, a dapper design and strikingly crisp photographs." -- Augusta Chronicle, Augusta, GA November 20, 2005
"An informative book for the general public aimed at educating those with a limited knowledge of snakes...easy to read." -- Southeastern Naturalist, 2005
"Clearly written, well designed, and fun to use...will promote a better understanding of...this fascinating group of animals." -- The Center for North American Herpetology, September 2005
"Each account is illustrated with excellent color photos, range maps and a wealth of facts." -- Wildlife Activist Summer 2005
"Really fascinating." -- Weekly Reader August 2005
"There aren't many places where you can find all 52 species of snakes known to inhabit the Southeast." -- Augusta Chronicle, Augusta, GA February 6, 2005
"This comprehensive guide to snakes...includes general topics such as snake conservation and the biology, diversity and life cycles of snakes." -- UGA Research Magazine, Athens, GA, Fall 2005
"Snakes of the Southeast aims to educate about nature of snakes. People either like snakes or fear them." -- Athens Banner-Herald, Athens, GA, May 6, 2005
"Snakes of the Southeast is the most comprehensive educational guide to the snakes of this region." -- Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta, GA, April 26, 2005
"A treasure to anyone having an interest in becoming a herpetologist, and any child having an inclination for learning more." -- Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society March 2006
"An eye-catching new nature guidebook melding good descriptive writing, a dapper design and strikingly crisp photographs." -- Augusta Chronicle, Augusta, GA November 20, 2005
"An informative book for the general public aimed at educating those with a limited knowledge of snakes...easy to read." -- Southeastern Naturalist, 2005
"Clearly written, well designed, and fun to use...will promote a better understanding of...this fascinating group of animals." -- The Center for North American Herpetology, September 2005
"Each account is illustrated with excellent color photos, range maps and a wealth of facts." -- Wildlife Activist Summer 2005
"Really fascinating." -- Weekly Reader August 2005
"There aren't many places where you can find all 52 species of snakes known to inhabit the Southeast." -- Augusta Chronicle, Augusta, GA February 6, 2005
"This comprehensive guide to snakes...includes general topics such as snake conservation and the biology, diversity and life cycles of snakes." --UGA Research Magazine, Athens, GA, Fall 2005
[An] exquisite book...on the herpetofauna of the southeastern United States.... [H]igh-quality, clearly written, with an attractive layout.... [H]as solid introductory information, detailed species descriptions, excellent range maps and color photographs, line drawings showing defining features, and a strong conservation message. There is an explanation as to how to use the species accounts which will be of value to the lay reader. --Herpetological Review, Fall 2008
Product Description
Fifty-two kinds of snakes can be found in the Southeast, almost half of all species native to North America. Filled with more than 300 color photographs and written by two of the region's most renowned herpetologists, this is the most comprehensive educational guide to the snakes of the Southeast. At the heart of the guide are its heavily illustrated, fact-filled descriptions of each species and its habitat. Also included is a wealth of general information about the importance of snake conservation and the biology, diversity, and life cycles of snakes. Useful information about the interactions of humans and snakes is also covered: species that are likely to be found near houses, snakes as pets, what to do in case of a snake bite, and more. Clearly written, cleanly designed, and fun to use, the guide will promote a better understanding of the habitat needs of, and environmental challenges to, this fascinating group of animals.
From the Publisher
Winner of the 2005 National Outdoor Book Award, Nature Guidebook Category
About the Author
Whit Gibbons, an ecologist at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, has written over a dozen popular and scientific books and booklets on the reptiles and amphibians of the United States. Mike Dorcas, a biologist at Davidson College, is author of A Guide to the Snakes of North Carolina. Gibbons and Dorcas are coauthors of North American Watersnakes.
Review
"Snakes of the Southeast aims to educate about nature of snakes. People either like snakes or fear them." -- Athens Banner-Herald, Athens, GA, May 6, 2005
"Snakes of the Southeast is the most comprehensive educational guide to the snakes of this region." -- Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta, GA, April 26, 2005
"A treasure to anyone having an interest in becoming a herpetologist, and any child having an inclination for learning more." -- Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society March 2006
"An eye-catching new nature guidebook melding good descriptive writing, a dapper design and strikingly crisp photographs." -- Augusta Chronicle, Augusta, GA November 20, 2005
"An informative book for the general public aimed at educating those with a limited knowledge of snakes...easy to read." -- Southeastern Naturalist, 2005
"Clearly written, well designed, and fun to use...will promote a better understanding of...this fascinating group of animals." -- The Center for North American Herpetology, September 2005
"Each account is illustrated with excellent color photos, range maps and a wealth of facts." -- Wildlife Activist Summer 2005
"Really fascinating." -- Weekly Reader August 2005
"There aren't many places where you can find all 52 species of snakes known to inhabit the Southeast." -- Augusta Chronicle, Augusta, GA February 6, 2005
"This comprehensive guide to snakes...includes general topics such as snake conservation and the biology, diversity and life cycles of snakes." -- UGA Research Magazine, Athens, GA, Fall 2005
"Snakes of the Southeast aims to educate about nature of snakes. People either like snakes or fear them." -- Athens Banner-Herald, Athens, GA, May 6, 2005
"Snakes of the Southeast is the most comprehensive educational guide to the snakes of this region." -- Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta, GA, April 26, 2005
"A treasure to anyone having an interest in becoming a herpetologist, and any child having an inclination for learning more." -- Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society March 2006
"An eye-catching new nature guidebook melding good descriptive writing, a dapper design and strikingly crisp photographs." -- Augusta Chronicle, Augusta, GA November 20, 2005
"An informative book for the general public aimed at educating those with a limited knowledge of snakes...easy to read." -- Southeastern Naturalist, 2005
"Clearly written, well designed, and fun to use...will promote a better understanding of...this fascinating group of animals." -- The Center for North American Herpetology, September 2005
"Each account is illustrated with excellent color photos, range maps and a wealth of facts." -- Wildlife Activist Summer 2005
"Really fascinating." -- Weekly Reader August 2005
"There aren't many places where you can find all 52 species of snakes known to inhabit the Southeast." -- Augusta Chronicle, Augusta, GA February 6, 2005
"This comprehensive guide to snakes...includes general topics such as snake conservation and the biology, diversity and life cycles of snakes." --UGA Research Magazine, Athens, GA, Fall 2005
[An] exquisite book...on the herpetofauna of the southeastern United States.... [H]igh-quality, clearly written, with an attractive layout.... [H]as solid introductory information, detailed species descriptions, excellent range maps and color photographs, line drawings showing defining features, and a strong conservation message. There is an explanation as to how to use the species accounts which will be of value to the lay reader. --Herpetological Review, Fall 2008
Product Description
Fifty-two kinds of snakes can be found in the Southeast, almost half of all species native to North America. Filled with more than 300 color photographs and written by two of the region's most renowned herpetologists, this is the most comprehensive educational guide to the snakes of the Southeast. At the heart of the guide are its heavily illustrated, fact-filled descriptions of each species and its habitat. Also included is a wealth of general information about the importance of snake conservation and the biology, diversity, and life cycles of snakes. Useful information about the interactions of humans and snakes is also covered: species that are likely to be found near houses, snakes as pets, what to do in case of a snake bite, and more. Clearly written, cleanly designed, and fun to use, the guide will promote a better understanding of the habitat needs of, and environmental challenges to, this fascinating group of animals.
From the Publisher
Winner of the 2005 National Outdoor Book Award, Nature Guidebook Category
About the Author
Whit Gibbons, an ecologist at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, has written over a dozen popular and scientific books and booklets on the reptiles and amphibians of the United States. Mike Dorcas, a biologist at Davidson College, is author of A Guide to the Snakes of North Carolina. Gibbons and Dorcas are coauthors of North American Watersnakes.
National Geographic Prehistoric Mammals
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 5-10 - Except for stars such as saber-toothed tigers and woolly mammoths, prehistoric mammals get short shrift when compared to dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and toothy marine reptiles. Therefore it is refreshing to see a colorful compendium of these neglected beasts, ranging in size from the rather insignificant representatives from the Age of Dinosaurs to the ponderous Indricotherium of the Asian Oligocene. Dramatic full-color pictures (many encompassing entire spreads) and captions enhance the brief, informative text. Divided by orders and species, each two- to four-page section contains a time line, fact file, global distribution map (where possible), representative beasts, and those nifty illustrations. A ghostly shadow of a six-foot modern human is offered for scale purposes (for a small creature like Eomaia, for example, only the foot is shown). Primates are included, among them Australapithecenes, Homo erectus, and Homo sapiens. For lovers of the BBC production Walking with Prehistoric Beasts, it's a treasure trove. For students, it's an important source of information. - Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Gr. 4-6. Deinotherium, Gomphotherium, Arsinoitherium. Budding paleontologists who take joy in tackling such scientific tongue twisters will glue themselves to the polysyllabic commentary accompanying this extensive gallery of extinct mammals. Working carefully from the latest fossil evidence, veteran science illustrator Anton has created finely detailed portraits of more than 100 vanished creatures, from early whales and tiny proto-shrews to Neanderthals. Most of these he poses sedately against simplified natural settings, sometimes adding images of fossil skulls or other remnants for comparison. Along with the picture of the animal comes a distribution map, a time line, a human silhouette or other indicator to establish scale, and a fact box. As there is some repetition in the text, and, after several introductory spreads, the 20 animal groupings are not arranged in discernible order, this survey is better designed for browsing than systematic reading, quick reference, or efficient research. However, as an informative, eye-catching link between resources on modern animals and the ever-popular dinosaurs, it's sure to be a draw. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 5-10 - Except for stars such as saber-toothed tigers and woolly mammoths, prehistoric mammals get short shrift when compared to dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and toothy marine reptiles. Therefore it is refreshing to see a colorful compendium of these neglected beasts, ranging in size from the rather insignificant representatives from the Age of Dinosaurs to the ponderous Indricotherium of the Asian Oligocene. Dramatic full-color pictures (many encompassing entire spreads) and captions enhance the brief, informative text. Divided by orders and species, each two- to four-page section contains a time line, fact file, global distribution map (where possible), representative beasts, and those nifty illustrations. A ghostly shadow of a six-foot modern human is offered for scale purposes (for a small creature like Eomaia, for example, only the foot is shown). Primates are included, among them Australapithecenes, Homo erectus, and Homo sapiens. For lovers of the BBC production Walking with Prehistoric Beasts, it's a treasure trove. For students, it's an important source of information. - Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Gr. 4-6. Deinotherium, Gomphotherium, Arsinoitherium. Budding paleontologists who take joy in tackling such scientific tongue twisters will glue themselves to the polysyllabic commentary accompanying this extensive gallery of extinct mammals. Working carefully from the latest fossil evidence, veteran science illustrator Anton has created finely detailed portraits of more than 100 vanished creatures, from early whales and tiny proto-shrews to Neanderthals. Most of these he poses sedately against simplified natural settings, sometimes adding images of fossil skulls or other remnants for comparison. Along with the picture of the animal comes a distribution map, a time line, a human silhouette or other indicator to establish scale, and a fact box. As there is some repetition in the text, and, after several introductory spreads, the 20 animal groupings are not arranged in discernible order, this survey is better designed for browsing than systematic reading, quick reference, or efficient research. However, as an informative, eye-catching link between resources on modern animals and the ever-popular dinosaurs, it's sure to be a draw. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Caddisflies: A Guide to Eastern Species for Anglers and Other Naturalists
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
"As caddis are the king of flying insects for Eastern fly-fishers, Thomas Ames's book shouts 'Long live the king!' This is an amazingly complete reference on one of the bugs fly fishers most commonly imitate with flies."--Joe Healy, Fly Rod & Reel
"The sections on stream ecology and fishing techniques are the best since Gary LaFontaine's landmark book and alone are worth the price of admission. The photographs and descriptions make identifying a caddisfly to the genus level as easy as using a standard field guide to the birds. Ames's writing is just plain enjoyable to read, with crisp, clean prose and lots of the details that make for great natural history writing. I can't wait for the next caddis hatch so I can try out all the new stuff I've learned!"--Tom Rosenbauer, Orvis Rod & Tackle
"This book is inspiring: it will inspire you to look more closely at your own caddis, wherever in the world you might fish for trout. And it will inspire you to tie some new patterns to match caddis and to get out there on water, where it all starts and ends, and put what Tom has taught you to use against the trout."--Dave Hughes, author of Nymphs for Streams and Stillwaters
* Stunning and detailed photographs of a wide range of caddisflies
* Caddisfly hatches and how to identify them
This book offers valuable tips on how to fish the hatch. Also fly patterns for caddisfly pupae, larvae, nymph, and adults. In the first major work on caddisflies in three decades, it presents the most complete pictorial survey of Trichoptera published to date. Author, angler and photographer Thomas Ames Jr. traveled from the southern Appalachian highlands to the Canadian Maritimes to collect, study, and photograph more than 100 species in 55 genera and 20 families of the caddisflies that fly fishers are most likely to encounter on the lakes and streams of the eastern United States. Based on thoughtful analysis, sound science, and many hours on the water collecting live insects and testing artificial flies, Caddisflies takes the myth and the mystery out of matching the hatch. Learn how you can use the ways in which these amazing insects have adapted to a wide range of aquatic habitats to predict which flies to choose. And learn how to present your flies when fish are feeding on caddisflies. Detailed descriptions and vivid photographs help identify the caddisflies on your favorite trout waters. This all-inclusive book includes advice on tackle and technique and a comprehensive catalog of 80 pattern recipes.
About the Author
Thomas Ames Jr. is a commercial photographer who lives, works, and fishes in northern New England. He is the author of the Hatch Guide for New England Streams and Fishbugs.
Product Description
"As caddis are the king of flying insects for Eastern fly-fishers, Thomas Ames's book shouts 'Long live the king!' This is an amazingly complete reference on one of the bugs fly fishers most commonly imitate with flies."--Joe Healy, Fly Rod & Reel
"The sections on stream ecology and fishing techniques are the best since Gary LaFontaine's landmark book and alone are worth the price of admission. The photographs and descriptions make identifying a caddisfly to the genus level as easy as using a standard field guide to the birds. Ames's writing is just plain enjoyable to read, with crisp, clean prose and lots of the details that make for great natural history writing. I can't wait for the next caddis hatch so I can try out all the new stuff I've learned!"--Tom Rosenbauer, Orvis Rod & Tackle
"This book is inspiring: it will inspire you to look more closely at your own caddis, wherever in the world you might fish for trout. And it will inspire you to tie some new patterns to match caddis and to get out there on water, where it all starts and ends, and put what Tom has taught you to use against the trout."--Dave Hughes, author of Nymphs for Streams and Stillwaters
* Stunning and detailed photographs of a wide range of caddisflies
* Caddisfly hatches and how to identify them
This book offers valuable tips on how to fish the hatch. Also fly patterns for caddisfly pupae, larvae, nymph, and adults. In the first major work on caddisflies in three decades, it presents the most complete pictorial survey of Trichoptera published to date. Author, angler and photographer Thomas Ames Jr. traveled from the southern Appalachian highlands to the Canadian Maritimes to collect, study, and photograph more than 100 species in 55 genera and 20 families of the caddisflies that fly fishers are most likely to encounter on the lakes and streams of the eastern United States. Based on thoughtful analysis, sound science, and many hours on the water collecting live insects and testing artificial flies, Caddisflies takes the myth and the mystery out of matching the hatch. Learn how you can use the ways in which these amazing insects have adapted to a wide range of aquatic habitats to predict which flies to choose. And learn how to present your flies when fish are feeding on caddisflies. Detailed descriptions and vivid photographs help identify the caddisflies on your favorite trout waters. This all-inclusive book includes advice on tackle and technique and a comprehensive catalog of 80 pattern recipes.
About the Author
Thomas Ames Jr. is a commercial photographer who lives, works, and fishes in northern New England. He is the author of the Hatch Guide for New England Streams and Fishbugs.
Herpetology, Third Edition: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
Fully revised - and completely re-illustrated edition of the renowned text
Product Description
This third edition, now fully revised and updated by two of Dr. Zug's colleagues, provides herpetology students and amateur reptile and amphibian keepers with the latest taxonomy and species developments from around the world. Herpetology is a rapidly evolving field , which has contributed to new discoveries in many conceptual areas of biology. The authors build on this progress by updating all chapters with new literature, graphics, and discussionsmany of which have changed our thinking.
With a new emphasis placed on conservation issues,Herpetology continues to broaden the global coverage from earlier editions, recognising the burgeoning reptile and amphibian research programs and the plight of many species in all countries and all biomes.
New information on the remarkable advances in behavioral, physiological, and phylo-geographical data provide students with the current research they need to advance their education and better prepare their future in herpetology.
* The latest taxonomy data
* End-of-chapter discussions for classroom use
* 90% new photographs, now all in full color for an enhanced visual representation
* Most recent information on the exciting and developing herpetological communities in Australia, Europe, Asia, South and North Americas
* New emphasis on conservation issues surrounding herpetology
Book Description
Fully revised - and completely re-illustrated edition of the renowned text
Product Description
This third edition, now fully revised and updated by two of Dr. Zug's colleagues, provides herpetology students and amateur reptile and amphibian keepers with the latest taxonomy and species developments from around the world. Herpetology is a rapidly evolving field , which has contributed to new discoveries in many conceptual areas of biology. The authors build on this progress by updating all chapters with new literature, graphics, and discussionsmany of which have changed our thinking.
With a new emphasis placed on conservation issues,Herpetology continues to broaden the global coverage from earlier editions, recognising the burgeoning reptile and amphibian research programs and the plight of many species in all countries and all biomes.
New information on the remarkable advances in behavioral, physiological, and phylo-geographical data provide students with the current research they need to advance their education and better prepare their future in herpetology.
* The latest taxonomy data
* End-of-chapter discussions for classroom use
* 90% new photographs, now all in full color for an enhanced visual representation
* Most recent information on the exciting and developing herpetological communities in Australia, Europe, Asia, South and North Americas
* New emphasis on conservation issues surrounding herpetology
Peterson First Guide to Caterpillars of North America
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Here is the first and only guide to a subject of great interest to gardeners, small children, and lepidopterists: caterpillars, the immature form of butterflies and moths. This guide describes 120 common species of these fuzzy creatures. All the caterpillars, their adult forms and many of their host plants are illustrated.
About the Author
Roger Tory Peterson, one of the world"s greatest naturalists, received every major award for ornithology, natural science, and conservation, as well as numerous honorary degrees, medals, and citations, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Peterson Identification System has been called the greatest invention since binoculars, and the Peterson Field Guides® are credited with helping to set the stage for the environmental movement.
Amy Bartlett Wright is a contributor for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt titles including: "Peterson Flash Guides - Butterflies".
Product Description
Here is the first and only guide to a subject of great interest to gardeners, small children, and lepidopterists: caterpillars, the immature form of butterflies and moths. This guide describes 120 common species of these fuzzy creatures. All the caterpillars, their adult forms and many of their host plants are illustrated.
About the Author
Roger Tory Peterson, one of the world"s greatest naturalists, received every major award for ornithology, natural science, and conservation, as well as numerous honorary degrees, medals, and citations, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Peterson Identification System has been called the greatest invention since binoculars, and the Peterson Field Guides® are credited with helping to set the stage for the environmental movement.
Amy Bartlett Wright is a contributor for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt titles including: "Peterson Flash Guides - Butterflies".
Texas Snakes: A Field Guide (Texas Natural History Guides)
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
From the legendary, fear-inspiring western diamond-backed rattlesnake to the tiny, harmless plains blind snake, Texas has a greater diversity of snake species than any other state in the country. This fully illustrated field guide to Texas snakes, written by two of the state's most respected herpetologists, gives you the most current and complete information to identify and understand all 110 species and subspecies.
Texas Snakes: A Field Guide has all the resources you need to identify snakes in the wild and in your yard:
* 110 full-color, close-up photos that show every snake, as well as 39 detailed line drawings
* 110 range maps
* Up-to-date species accounts that describe each snake's appearance, look-alikes, size, and habitat
* A checklist of all Texas snakes and a key to the species
* Reliable information on poisonous snakes and preventing and treating snakebites
* Concise guides to snake conservation, classification, and identification
Drawn from the authors' monumental, definitive Texas Snakes: Identification, Distribution, and Natural History, this field guide is your must-have source for identifying any snake you see in Texas.
About the Author
JAMES R. DIXON is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University.
THE LATE JOHN E. WERLER served as General Curator and General Manager of the Houston Zoological Gardens for thirty-six years.
Product Description
From the legendary, fear-inspiring western diamond-backed rattlesnake to the tiny, harmless plains blind snake, Texas has a greater diversity of snake species than any other state in the country. This fully illustrated field guide to Texas snakes, written by two of the state's most respected herpetologists, gives you the most current and complete information to identify and understand all 110 species and subspecies.
Texas Snakes: A Field Guide has all the resources you need to identify snakes in the wild and in your yard:
* 110 full-color, close-up photos that show every snake, as well as 39 detailed line drawings
* 110 range maps
* Up-to-date species accounts that describe each snake's appearance, look-alikes, size, and habitat
* A checklist of all Texas snakes and a key to the species
* Reliable information on poisonous snakes and preventing and treating snakebites
* Concise guides to snake conservation, classification, and identification
Drawn from the authors' monumental, definitive Texas Snakes: Identification, Distribution, and Natural History, this field guide is your must-have source for identifying any snake you see in Texas.
About the Author
JAMES R. DIXON is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University.
THE LATE JOHN E. WERLER served as General Curator and General Manager of the Houston Zoological Gardens for thirty-six years.
Animal Diversity
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
A top choice among students and instructors alike, Animal Diversity continues to earn the appreciation of both science majors and non-majors alike. The book uses the theme of evolution to develop a broad-scale view of animal diversity—students focus not only the organisms themselves, but also the processes that produce evolutionary diversity. The book is unique in its comprehensive survey of zoological diversity and its emphasis on evolutionary, systematic and ecological principles, all in one package.
About the Author
Cleve Hickman is Professor Emeritus at Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA. He received his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of British Columbia, did research in animal physiology for eight years, and taught zoology for over 30 years. He's made over 20 trips to the Galapagos Islands for research and as an instructor for student field trips
Larry Roberts is currently teaching parasitology and marine biology at the University of Miami. He received his Ph.D. in Parasitology from Johns Hopkins University and is a coauthor of Foundations of Parasitology, 5/e. Past teaching affiliations include University of Massachusetts, Texas Tech University, and Florida International University. Dr. Roberts has authored numerous research articles and a title of related interest: Underwater World of Sport Diving.
Allan Larson is an Associate Professor at Washington University, St. Louis, MO. He received his Ph.D. in Genetics at the University of California, Berkeley. His fields of specialization include Evolutionary Biology, Molecular Population Genetics and Systematics, and Amphibian Systematics. He's taught courses in general biology, evolution, and population biology.
Product Description
A top choice among students and instructors alike, Animal Diversity continues to earn the appreciation of both science majors and non-majors alike. The book uses the theme of evolution to develop a broad-scale view of animal diversity—students focus not only the organisms themselves, but also the processes that produce evolutionary diversity. The book is unique in its comprehensive survey of zoological diversity and its emphasis on evolutionary, systematic and ecological principles, all in one package.
About the Author
Cleve Hickman is Professor Emeritus at Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA. He received his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of British Columbia, did research in animal physiology for eight years, and taught zoology for over 30 years. He's made over 20 trips to the Galapagos Islands for research and as an instructor for student field trips
Larry Roberts is currently teaching parasitology and marine biology at the University of Miami. He received his Ph.D. in Parasitology from Johns Hopkins University and is a coauthor of Foundations of Parasitology, 5/e. Past teaching affiliations include University of Massachusetts, Texas Tech University, and Florida International University. Dr. Roberts has authored numerous research articles and a title of related interest: Underwater World of Sport Diving.
Allan Larson is an Associate Professor at Washington University, St. Louis, MO. He received his Ph.D. in Genetics at the University of California, Berkeley. His fields of specialization include Evolutionary Biology, Molecular Population Genetics and Systematics, and Amphibian Systematics. He's taught courses in general biology, evolution, and population biology.
The Little Duck (Pictureback(R))
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Full-color photographs. Humorous factual account of a year in a duck's life.
From the Inside Flap
Full-color photographs. Humorous factual account of a year in a duck's life.
Product Description
Full-color photographs. Humorous factual account of a year in a duck's life.
From the Inside Flap
Full-color photographs. Humorous factual account of a year in a duck's life.
Texas Bug Book: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Editorial Reviews
Review
Praise for Texas Bug Book: "Definitive ... This book is a must-have for any organic library!" Texas Organic News "Overall this [book] is probably the best of its kind. Given the excellent photography and affordability, it is definitely worth the purchase." Whole Earth "Texas Bug Book, unlike many of the characters it describes, is a keeper--highly recommended as a perfect companion volume to set beside your native plant books." Native Plant Society of Texas News "If you plan on ever stepping outside, or staying inside, or going to bed, Texas Bug Book is a wealth of information you can't possibly live without." Austin American-Statesman "This book is recommended essentially to all humans above the age of three. It conveys a wonderful message about our ecology and hope for living within our environment." Choice
Product Description
Praise for Texas Bug Book:
"Definitive ...This book is a must-have for any organic library!"
—Texas Organic News
"Overall this [book] is probably the best of its kind. Given the excellent photography and affordability, it is definitely worth the purchase."
—Whole Earth
"Texas Bug Book, unlike many of the characters it describes, is a keeper—highly recommended as a perfect companion volume to set beside your native plant books."
—Native Plant Society of Texas News
"If you plan on ever stepping outside, or staying inside, or going to bed, Texas Bug Book is a wealth of information you can't possibly live without."
—Austin American-Statesman
"This book is recommended essentially to all humans above the age of three. It conveys a wonderful message about our ecology and hope for living within our environment."
—Choice
Texas Bug Book is your complete guide for identifying and organically controlling all of the most common Texas insects. Drawing on years of practical experience and research, organic gardening experts Howard Garrett and Malcolm Beck give detailed instructions on how to identify, understand the life cycle of, and control or protect Texas insects, mites, snails, slugs, nematodes, and other critters. They also include striking color photos and black-and-white drawings to help you identify each bug. Garrett and Beck highlight the many useful roles that bugs play in nature and offer proven organic remedies for infestations of pest insects.
About the Author
HOWARD GARRETT is a landscape architect, certified arborist, horticulturist, and organic practitioner in Dallas. He promotes his organic gardening program, The Natural Way, through his WBAP-820 AM radio show, weekly column in the Dallas Morning News, monthly Dirt magazine, natural organic Web site www.dirtdoctor.com, and regional and national speaking engagements.
MALCOLM BECK, of San Antonio, is the founder of Garden-Ville Fertilizer Company. Winner of the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence in 1997, he writes and speaks extensively on organic growing practices.
Review
Praise for Texas Bug Book: "Definitive ... This book is a must-have for any organic library!" Texas Organic News "Overall this [book] is probably the best of its kind. Given the excellent photography and affordability, it is definitely worth the purchase." Whole Earth "Texas Bug Book, unlike many of the characters it describes, is a keeper--highly recommended as a perfect companion volume to set beside your native plant books." Native Plant Society of Texas News "If you plan on ever stepping outside, or staying inside, or going to bed, Texas Bug Book is a wealth of information you can't possibly live without." Austin American-Statesman "This book is recommended essentially to all humans above the age of three. It conveys a wonderful message about our ecology and hope for living within our environment." Choice
Product Description
Praise for Texas Bug Book:
"Definitive ...This book is a must-have for any organic library!"
—Texas Organic News
"Overall this [book] is probably the best of its kind. Given the excellent photography and affordability, it is definitely worth the purchase."
—Whole Earth
"Texas Bug Book, unlike many of the characters it describes, is a keeper—highly recommended as a perfect companion volume to set beside your native plant books."
—Native Plant Society of Texas News
"If you plan on ever stepping outside, or staying inside, or going to bed, Texas Bug Book is a wealth of information you can't possibly live without."
—Austin American-Statesman
"This book is recommended essentially to all humans above the age of three. It conveys a wonderful message about our ecology and hope for living within our environment."
—Choice
Texas Bug Book is your complete guide for identifying and organically controlling all of the most common Texas insects. Drawing on years of practical experience and research, organic gardening experts Howard Garrett and Malcolm Beck give detailed instructions on how to identify, understand the life cycle of, and control or protect Texas insects, mites, snails, slugs, nematodes, and other critters. They also include striking color photos and black-and-white drawings to help you identify each bug. Garrett and Beck highlight the many useful roles that bugs play in nature and offer proven organic remedies for infestations of pest insects.
About the Author
HOWARD GARRETT is a landscape architect, certified arborist, horticulturist, and organic practitioner in Dallas. He promotes his organic gardening program, The Natural Way, through his WBAP-820 AM radio show, weekly column in the Dallas Morning News, monthly Dirt magazine, natural organic Web site www.dirtdoctor.com, and regional and national speaking engagements.
MALCOLM BECK, of San Antonio, is the founder of Garden-Ville Fertilizer Company. Winner of the Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence in 1997, he writes and speaks extensively on organic growing practices.
Reader's Digest North American Wildlife
Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Detailed, specially drawn full-color illustrations of 230 species of mammals, 300 reptiles, and 200 amphibians in natural, realistic settings. At-a-glance identification capsules pinpoint behavior patterns, field characteristics, coloring, habitat, and more.
his text refers to the Paperback edition.
Product Description
Detailed, specially drawn full-color illustrations of 230 species of mammals, 300 reptiles, and 200 amphibians in natural, realistic settings. At-a-glance identification capsules pinpoint behavior patterns, field characteristics, coloring, habitat, and more.
his text refers to the Paperback edition.
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