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Book SynopsisAnyone who owns a gecko, has seen them in the wild, or has wondered about them will appreciate this gem of a book.Trade ReviewThis book is recommended if you are considering getting a gecko for a pet or if you just want to know more about the ecology and behavior of the 1,400 or so living species of these peculiar lizards. -- Whit Gibbons Aiken Standard [This book] successfully broadens our outlook and appreciation of these fascinating creatures. -- Aliza Gecko Time Anyone who owns a gecko, has seen them in the wild, or has wondered about them will appreciate this gem of a book. Northeastern Naturalist All you ever wanted to know about geckos is here in a nice, readable format. -- Robert E. Hoopes Wildlife Activist Geckos may very well be the most recognizable lizards, and their diversity is astounding across their near-global distribution. Geckos: The Animal Answer Guide therefore provides a general audience with a much-needed encyclopedia where they can get an answer to nearly any question they may have about gecko biology. There is no authority better suited than Aaron Bauer to compile a gecko book at any academic level, and he does a shining example here of making his astounding knowledge of geckos accessible to general readers. -- Matthew K. Fujita Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. Introducing GeckosWhat are geckos?Where does the name "gecko" come from?Why are geckos important?Why should people care about geckos?Where do geckos live?What is the difference between geckos and other lizards?How many kinds of geckos are there?What is the current classification of geckos?What characterizes the major groups of geckos?When did geckos evolve?What is the oldest fossil gecko?Where have fossil geckos been found?What did extinct geckos look like?2. Form and FunctionWhat are the largest and smallest living geckos?When are geckos active?Do geckos sleep?Why do geckos have big eyes?Can geckos see color?Do geckos have eyelids?Why do geckos lick their eyes?What are the bulges on the necks of some geckos?Are some geckos limbless?How do geckos climb?How fast can geckos run?Can geckos run upside down?What are flying geckos?How strong is a gecko's grip?Can geckos hang on when they are dead?Can geckos swim?Can all geckos lose and regrow their tails?Why do geckos shed their skin?At what temperatures are geckos most active?3. Gecko ColorsWhat colors are geckos?What causes the different skin colors of geckos?What color are a gecko's eyes?Is there a reason for specific patterns on a gecko's skin?Are male and female geckos colored differently?Do a gecko's colors change as it grows?Can geckos change color?Is there much geographic variation in a single gecko species?4. Gecko BehaviorAre geckos social?Do geckos fight?Do geckos bite?How smart are geckos?Do geckos play?How do geckos communicate?How do geckos make noise?Do geckos have good hearing?How do geckos avoid or escape predators5. Gecko EcologyWhere do geckos sleep?Which geographic regions have the most species of geckos?Do geckos burrow?How do geckos survive in the desert?How do geckos survive the winter?Do geckos bask?What animals eat geckos?Do geckos get sick?How can you tell that a gecko is sick?6. Reproduction and DevelopmentHow do geckos reproduce?How can you tell the sex of a gecko?Do all geckos lay eggs?How long do gecko eggs take to hatch?Where do geckos lay their eggs?Why do geckos lay hard-shelled eggs?Do geckos only lay eggs once a year?How many babies do geckos have?How is the sex of a baby gecko determined?Are some gecko species all female?Do geckos care for their young?How fast do geckos grow?How long do geckos live?7. Foods and FeedingWhat do geckos eat?How many teeth do geckos have?Do geckos chew their food?Why do geckos' eyes sink in when they bite?How do geckos find food?Can geckos taste?Are any geckos cannibals?Can geckos store energy from food?Do geckos drink?8. Geckos and HumansDo geckos make good pets?How do you take care of a pet gecko?Are geckos venomous?Do geckos feel pain?How can I see geckos in the wild?Do people eat geckos?Are parts of geckos used as medicine?Can gecko-style adhesion be useful to humans?9. Gecko Problems (from a human viewpoint)Are geckos pests?Do geckos have diseases and are they contagious?How do I keep geckos away from my house?10. Human Problems (from a gecko's viewpoint)Are any geckos endangered?What is the rarest gecko?Have any geckos become extinct because of humans?Are geckos protected by law?Will geckos be affected by global warming?What are the greatest threats to geckos?11. Geckos in Stories and LiteratureWhat roles do geckos play in religion and mythology?What roles do geckos play in native cultures?What roles do geckos play in popular culture?What roles have geckos played in poetry and other literature?12. "Geckology"Who studies geckos?Which species are best known?Which species are least known?How do scientists tell geckos apart?Appendix A: Geckos of the WorldAppendix B: Organizations and Publications Devoted (in Part) to the Study of GeckosBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisIndispensable for every home, library, and office, The Knowledge Book distills thousands of years of humankind’s most significant ideas and achievements— explains how they are linked and why they are important—and packs everything into a single, irresistibly readable volume. The richly illustrated pages burst with essential facts from all major fields of knowledge: science, technology, philosophy, art, religion, economics, and more.Loaded with cross-referencing, fact boxes, and other helpful features, the book is topically organized into five sections: Earth and Space; Mathematics and the Sciences; Politics and Economics; Religion, Philosophy, and Psychology; and the Arts. An introductory spread opens each section, summarizing its biggest ideas and discoveries. Time lines and fact boxes place events in the context of history, while sidebars add interesting details on processes, inventions, and artistic techniques. Famous personalities are introduced in hiTrade Review"...in its exuberance, design and coverage, more like a well-designed website than a traditional reference...feels remarkably complete."—Kirkus

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Book SynopsisA guidebook for a general audience describing approximately 126 species of mammals native to Colorado. Each mammal is described within a Species Account, including common and scientific name, physical description, size, habitat, distribution, field notes, legal status, and photographs. Includes sidebars highlighting interesting information about mammal biology, life history, and behavior. The book includes a glossary, index, and checklists.Trade Review"Colorado naturalist Young has published several books on Colorado and regional wildlife. She has written this well-organized field guide to the state's mammals for 'casual naturalists, outdoor recreationists, families, Colorado vacationers, and anyone desiring a general overview.' Quick identification is a major virtue, facilitated by pages color coded by family. Designed for heavy use, the volume offers descriptions of all 129 species known to have inhabited the state, including three (bison, grizzly bear, and gray wolf) no longer found in the wild. All entries include the following sections: 'Field ID,' 'Size,' 'Habitat,' 'Distribution,' 'Field Notes,' and 'Legal Status.' Color photos, limited to one per species, have been chosen less for photographic merit than for illustrating key differentiation factors. Many, however, add genuine photo interest and appeal. Range maps are provided for each species, and numerous sidebars give additional life histories. Appendixes add further value: a list of two bats and a flying squirrel rarely confirmed in the state; suggestions on observation ethics; where to see Colorado mammals; a checklist of species and dental formulas for each; and tips for identifying mammal skulls found in the field. A glossary supports the text. A solid bet for state and regional libraries. Summing Up: Recommended." --CHOICE

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Book SynopsisAn inspiring collection of over 200 favorite quotations about the Old West.

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Book SynopsisA keepsake for a memorable trip to Washington, DC, featuring stunning photography of the Smithsonian Institution.The Smithsonian Institution's 19 museums and National Zoo are one of the premiere tourist destinations in the United States. In Smithsonian Institution: A Photographic Tour, we invite you to relive a recent visit or make plans for a future one. Whether recalling a favorite museum or viewing the bounty of the Smithsonian for the first time, armchair tourists will delight in this visual tribute to the most visited museum complex in the world.

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Book SynopsisCapturing the same charm and whimsy she brought to Seattle Walk Report, Instagram darling Susanna Ryan takes things a step further, revealing the forgotten history behind the people, places, and things that shaped Seattle.Cartoonist and creator of Seattle Walk Report, Susanna Ryan strolls on with a quirky new illustrated guide celebrating Seattle's historical treasures and outdoor wonders. In Secret Seattle, Ryan explores the weird and wonderful hidden history behind some of the city's most overlooked places, architecture, and infrastructure, from coal chutes in Capitol Hill, to the last remainder of Seattle's original Chinatown in Pioneer Square, to the best places in town to find century-old sidewalks. Discover pocket parks, beautiful boulevards, and great public gardens while learning offbeat facts that will make you see the Emerald City in a whole new way. Perfect for both the local history buff who never leaves a favorite armchair to a walking enthusiast looking for offbeat and off-the-beaten-path scavenger hunts.Trade ReviewPacific Northwest Booksellers Association Bestselling Book"Secret Seattle represents a fresh surge of inspiration into the surprisingly large body of Seattle historical literature. . . By focusing less on the big, bolded names of prominent men in Seattle history books and focusing more on the civic infrastructure and pedestrian delights of street-level Seattle, Ryan is rewriting Seattle’s history from the ground up — and she’s inviting everyone to take to the streets and do the same."—Seattle Times"At its core, Ryan’s work foments a relationship between residents and the city. She makes even the most minute details seem new and exciting."—Seattle Magazine, Most Influential People of 2021"[O]ne of the most interesting local history books to be published in the Pacific Northwest in years."—KIRO Radio"Ryan's book reminds us that to know a city you have to get out and walk around. . . Ryan's work is so charming and engaging that she's already made herself one of those delightful details of city life by virtue of her ability to see the unseen and draw it engagingly. If a city is in its details, you'll find much of it in her books."—Crosscut

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