Natural History Books

Book SynopsisA truly wonderful and fun Milestones Book which will encourage you to produce memorable photos of your pooch. A Must Have!

Read more less

Book SynopsisA truly wonderful and fun Milestones Book which will encourage you to produce memorable photos of your pooch. A Must Have!

Read more less

Book SynopsisA truly wonderful and fun Milestones Book which will encourage you to produce memorable photos of your pooch. A Must Have!

Read more less

Book SynopsisA truly wonderful and fun Milestones Book which will encourage you to produce memorable photos of your pooch. A Must Have!

Read more less

Book SynopsisA truly wonderful and fun Milestones Book which will encourage you to produce memorable photos of your pooch. A Must Have!

Read more less

Book SynopsisA truly wonderful and fun Milestones Book which will encourage you to produce memorable photos of your pooch. A Must Have!

Read more less

Book SynopsisA truly wonderful and fun Milestones Book which will encourage you to produce memorable photos of your pooch. A Must Have!

Read more less

Book SynopsisA profusely illustrated history of bird keeping, with examples of aviaries both grand and more humble.Trade Review'Reading this excellent publication gives a vast range of facts to improve one's knowledge about birds, especially historical information.' -- The Parrot Society, June 2023'This is a fascinating book, Gail covers much more than I expected.' -- The Blackberry Garden

Read more less

Book SynopsisZoos are busy places filled with animals and the visitors who love them. Who are the people who keep zoos running? From vets to performers to groundskeepers, many people work together to serve the needs of a zoo. Learn about their important work in this book from the Wonderful Workplaces series. There are jobs out there for everyone, and all of them are important!

Read more less

Book SynopsisOver 720,000 Kew Gardens books sold in 15 languages!The perfect gift for anyone who enjoys nature.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis delightful colouring book includes spectacular bird illustrations based on the artwork of Audubon and other classic ornithology illustrators, presented in an attractive hardback gift edition with patterened endpapers. Whether you are a bird-lover, an artist, or both, this delightful colouring book is sure to please. It features over 70 classic full-colour ornithology illustrations from the likes of John James Audubon, John T Bowen and John Gerrard Keulemans to use as reference, placed beside black and white line drawings ready for the addition of colour. Included here are bright songbirds and majestic birds of prey, as well as favourites such as the jewel-like kingfisher and the flamboyant flamingo. Their delicate, vivid plumage makes birds ideal subject matter for developing colour technique and rendering those illustrations is guaranteed to provide hours of pleasure. An index of birds is included, helping you identify each bird and find yo

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe longest-running astronomy book of its kind in the world.

Read more less

Book SynopsisRSPB Spotlight: Eagles is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photos and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist. Eagles are among the most impressive hunters of the animal world. Their predatory prowess and flying skills have imbued them with a romance and mystique that runs deep in our culture and has elevated them to emblems of freedom and power across the globe. At the same time, however, people have long seen eagles as competitors. Reviled by farmers and gamekeepers as snatchers of livestock, many species have been driven into decline by persecution and disturbance. Two species of eagle occur in Britain - among 60 worldwide - and are the focus of this book. The regal Golden Eagle is the definitive true' eagle and occurs in wilderness areas across the northern hemisphere; the even larger White-tailed Eagle, reintroduced to the UK after historic extinction, belongs to the separate sea eagles' genus. These two spectacular birds are both verTable of ContentsMeet the Eagles Ancestors and Relatives A View to a Kill The Next Generation Threats and Enemies Eagles in Culture Understanding, Protecting and Enjoying Eagles Glossary Further Reading and Resources Acknowledgements Image Credits Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisSpotlight: Hares is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photos, and features succinct and detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist.With their wild glare, swift turn of foot and secretive nature, hares are the rabbit''s mysterious and untameable cousin. Always a thrilling wildlife spot, hares have also been associated with human culture and folklore for many centuries - their associations with spring can be traced back to the druids. Focussing on the Brown Hare and its relative the Mountain Hare, RSPB Spotlight Hares offers exciting and up-to-date information on these incredible lagomorphs, with chapters covering their biology, evolution, natural history, behaviour, including courtship rituals, and ecology. Information on some of the more charismatic species of hare found elsewhere in the world and on hares'' other relatives, the rabbits and pikas, is also provided. Author Nancy Jennings discusses in detail HaresTable of ContentsMeet the Hares Evolution and Adaptations Relatives Around the World The Lives of Hares Breeding Machines Growing Up Fast Eat or Be Eaten Conservation of Hares Humans and Hares Folklore and Art How to See Hares Glossary Acknowledgements Further Reading and Resources Image Credits Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Tomb of the Mili Mongga lives up to its magnificent billing' DAILY TELEGRAPH-A fossil expedition becomes a thrilling search for a mythical beast deep in the Indonesian forest and a fascinating look at how fossils, folklore, and biodiversity converge.A tale of exciting scientific discovery, The Tomb of the Mili Mongga tells the story of Samuel Turvey''s expeditions to the island of Sumba in eastern Indonesia. While there, he discovers an entire recently extinct mammal fauna from the island's fossil record, revealing how islands support some of the world's most remarkable biodiversity, and why many of these unique endemic species are threatened with extinction or have already been lost.But as the story unfolds, an unexpected narrative emerges Sumba's Indigenous communities tell of a mysterious wildman called the ''mili mongga'', a giant yeti-like beast that supposedly lives in the island's remote forests. Trade ReviewA thoughtful and approachable scientific travelogue stuffed with mystery, humor, and ... monsters? You'll never think about fossils in the same way again! A must read. * Beth Shapiro *Turvey's gripping adventures are a quest to understand human consciousness and explore the differences between cultural truths and scientific facts. * Richard Fortey *Part travelogue and part science, Samuel Turvey’s The Tomb of the Mili Mongga seeks out those elusive links between the present and the past, between fossils and folklore, and brings the reader along on an unexpected journey of discovery. * Steve Brusatte *Like a marvellous combination of H Rider Haggard and Gerald Durrell … Turvey brings fascinatingly diverse scholarship to bear, from theories of species extinction to joyous readings in folklore and anthropology. * Daily Telegraph *Table of ContentsPrologue: Anselm and Gaunilo Chapter One: Splendid Isolation Chapter Two: Sumba, East of Java Chapter Three: Glutton-Granny Chapter Four: Storytelling Chapter Five: Rodents of Unusual Size Chapter Six: Tulang Junkie Chapter Seven: The Wall of the Mili Mongga Chapter Eight: An Interlude with Giant Rats Chapter Nine: The Island of the Day Before Chapter Ten: They Might Be Giants Chapter Eleven: The Perfect Island – A Fairy Tale for Biologists Acknowledgements Notes Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisHave the best behaved pooch in the park with this handy guide, packed with information to take you through the practical necessities of training your dog. From house training to the more advanced stages of retrieval, bark control and heel work, this pocket sized book is the perfect introduction to doggy discipline.

Read more less

Book SynopsisDiscover over 325 species of butterfly and moth found in Britain and Northwest Europe with this new edition.From the Short-tailed Blue Butterfly to the Winter Moth, discover over 325 species of butterflies and moths with this pocket-sized guide. In-situ photographs and no nonsense notes covering both anatomy and identifying marks will help you identify them in the field quickly and accurately.Maps show you what butterflies and moths to find where so you can plan your spotting and make the most of your surroundings, whether you are on a holiday browse or serious quest. An ideal guide for all the family.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''For every dog or cat saved from an unhappy situation or uncertain future, there is a human story too. The stories in this book show how rewarding pet ownership can be.'' - Paul O''GradyBattersea Dogs and Cats Home is the oldest and most-loved animal home in the country, caring for thousands of lost, abandoned or unwanted cats and dogs every year. But while they play a vital role in saving animals, quite often these animals go on to save their new owners in surprising ways.In this book, you''ll meet: Bibi the Staffie, who helped her owner make a remarkable recovery after a stroke Kobi the Husky, who had never seen sunlight until he was rescued Minty the three-legged cat, who formed a special bond with a baby Marjorie the Bulldog, who went from being abandoned on the streets to meeting the Queen!Featuring moving but uplifting real life stories about the animals that have passed through Battersea''s doors, A Friend for LifeTrade ReviewTrue stories of love and rescue from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, where it is the pets, rather than the owners, who save and change lives . . . * from the publisher's description *

Read more less

Book SynopsisCurl up with the wonderfully cosy SUNDAY TIMES bestselling tale of the exciting adventures of Felix and Bolt!''FULL OF FUNNY AND HEART-WARMING STORIES'' Sunday Express _________ Felix, Senior Pest Controller at Huddersfield station, has been at the heart of a close-knit community since the day she arrived as a kitten. But now, having risen to fame, everyday life at the station has become rather hectic; while reporters and fans clamour for a glimpse of her, Felix and her human co-workers find themselves, and the station, in quite a whirlwind. With the job seemingly too big for one fluffy feline to handle, it seems only sensible to recruit a young apprentice to the team: enter, Bolt. Full of funny and heart-warming stories, with personal tales from Felix''s biggest fans, this is the remarkable tale of Felix and Bolt, the ultimate pest-controlling duo.AS SEEN ON THE ONE SHOW & GOOD MORNING BRITAINTrade ReviewShe's come a long way from her humble start as Huddersfield train station's mouser * Sun *Full of funny and heart-warming stories * Sunday Express *Since she arrived at Huddersfield train station as an eight-week-old kitten, Felix has become famous, attracting visitors from all over the world who come to the West Yorkshire town in the hope of catching a glimpse of her * Big Issue North *Felix the cat, is back with another book of her escapades as a station cat - and she's gained a new apprentice, Bolt * Living North *He's a feline Facebook phenomenon . . . A beautiful book which encapsulates a whole range of emotions. It is humorous and heartbreaking but, above all, it's about real life and the joy pets bring to lives * Telegraph & Argus, Book of the Week *Within these pages you'll find heartwarming stories from the ultimate pest control duo, Felix and Bolt * Living North *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA richly illustrated photographic guide to the shorebirds of the northern hemisphere, covering every species and subspecies in detail, with special emphasis on identification. Shorebirds are a very popular group of birds among birders of all standards, though their identification is often a challenge. Covering all the species of the northern hemisphere, this photographic guide provides all the information a birder will need at a glance.Lavishly illustrated with colour photography by the author, Shorebirds of the Northern Hemisphere focuses on specific and subspecific separation and on ageing to provide a complete identification resource. With this important book, it should be possible to identify every species in the region, and even to age it and assign it to a particular race.Trade Review' It is a splendid addition to any wader watcher's library ' Birdwatching (July 2009) ' Fans of tertials and split supercilia will love this technical book ' Birdwatching (July 2009) 'An excellent reference guide' Birdwatching (June 09) 'An important new source for shorebird identification.' Scottish Birds (2009) '...a useful collection of shorebird photographs from one of the world's finest bird photographers...many will find it a valuable purchase.' Sandgrouse (2009) 'This is a very attractive publication at a very reasonable price, and I highly recommend it to all wader enthusiasts.' Seabird (2009)Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Plumages and moults Shorebird behaviour Introduction to the species accounts Species accounts References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisMammals of Africa (MoA) is a series of six volumes which describes, in detail, every currently recognized species of African land mammal. This is the first time that such extensive coverage has ever been attempted, and the volumes incorporate the very latest information and detailed discussion of the morphology, distribution, biology and evolution (including reference to fossil and molecular data) of Africa''s mammals. With 1,160 species and 16 orders, Africa has the greatest diversity and abundance of mammals in the world. The reasons for this and the mechanisms behind their evolution are given special attention in the series.Each volume follows the same format, with detailed profiles of every species and higher taxa. The series includes some 660 colour illustrations by Jonathan Kingdon and his many drawings highlight details of morphology and behaviour of the species concerned. Diagrams, schematic details and line drawings of skulls and jaws are by Jonathan Kingdon and Meredit

Read more less

Book SynopsisOne of the nation's most popular presenters examines twenty marvels of the natural world from his extraordinary and pioneering experiences. How did Sir David track down a giant Earthworm? Why does he respect Rats? What was the first bribe in nature? Why do well known foods often have two names? And where can you see evidence of the earliest life on Earth? His enthusiasm is as infectious as ever, and conveys a unique fascination on topics as diverse as the Kiwi, Hummingbirds, Monsters, Butterflies, Chimps, Cuckoos, Fireflies and Elsa, the famous lioness. So listen to these stories to find out why Rats should be respected and which insects emerge from the ground only once every 17 years. Includes detailed programme notes inside the booklet.3 CDs. 3 hrs 15 mins.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBorn and raised in the South Yorkshire mining village of Hoyland Common, Richard Hines remembers heaps of coal dust, listening out for the colliery siren at the end of shifts and praying for his father's safe return. When he failed his eleven-plus it seemed all too likely that he would follow in his father''s footsteps and end up working in the pits - unlike his older brother Barry, who had passed the exam to grammar school and seemed to be heading for great things.Crushed by this, Richard spent his time in the fields and meadows beyond the slag heap. One morning, walking in the grounds of a ruined medieval manor, he came across a nest of kestrels. Instantly captivated, he sought out ancient falconry texts from the local library and pored over the strange and beautiful language there. With just these books, some ingenuity and his profound respect for the hawk's indomitable wildness, Richard learned to ''man'', or train, his kestrel, Kes, and in the process found the passion that would Trade ReviewThis is a work of enchanting honesty and tenderness; it is as gentle and inspiring to the reader as a falconer is with his hawks. Hines has a deep and lifelong passion for birds of prey, creatures of implacable wildness which have nevertheless lived and hunted with humans for millennia. Full of fascinating detail about the training of raptors, and kestrels in particular, No Way But Gentlenesse is far more than a book on falconry. Rich with history and anecdote, lit with humour and passionate social concern, it gives us new insights into the making of one of our best-loved films. It speaks of love, family, history, and education, and illuminates how an obsession can enrich and shape one’s life. Reading it was a true pleasure -- Helen MacdonaldReading Richard Hines’s book is like seeing a myth captured and brought to earth … Completely absorbing. His descriptions are so vivid you feel close enough to reach forward and touch -- Peter Carey * Sunday Times *Richard communicates his passion for falconry and for the landscape of his home town with great warmth. He played a great part in training the three kestrels who played 'Kes' -- Ken LoachIt is certainly worth having. And its plain-spoken and unflashy but eloquent account, as its title suggests, of all sorts of gentleness, first to do with the taming of meat-eating raptors, but then also related to Hine’s human kith and kin, runs deep into the literature birds and people ... Hine’s sweet title comes from a seventeenth-century falconry manual. And gentleness sweetly pushes through much of this book -- Tim Dee, Book of the Week * Guardian *A thoughtful and evocative memoir … A must for H is for Hawk fans * Sunday Express *Kes … is regularly hailed as a classic of British cinema. But the story behind it turns out to be almost as good as the film itself … If the book is, in part, an account of [Barry and Richard’s] relationship, at its heart is another, rather more touching bond – the one Richard enjoyed with his kestrels. He has certainly taken his time writing it, but this is a poignant, vividly recollected account of an angry, agonised and apparently earth-bound boy learning, in one sense at least, how to soar -- John Preston * Daily Mail *Captivating and inspiring … grounded and uplifting, accessible yet aspirational - a pleasurable bend of conflicts that demonstrates the power of nature and the good that comes from nurturing one’s passions * Publisher's Weekly *A moving memoir sheds new light on a celebrated film -- John Sutherland * The Times *The prose is as honed and svelte as the kestrels themselves, searingly honest, and sharp as a raptor’s eye. A poignant life story that will grip you from the first to the very last page, and make you well up with tears and cry with laughter -- Miriam Darlington * BBC Wildlife *Poetic, yearning -- Charlotte Heathcote * Sunday Express *A powerful evocation of northern working-class life in the Fifties and Sixties …This book is never bitter. On the contrary, it is the work of a man who understands that the important things in life require patience and that the most powerful means of persuasion is gentleness -- Mark Cocker * Mail on Sunday *No Way But Gentlenesse pulls no punches on the issues of class and entitlement – or lack of – that also made Kes so groundbreaking… As [Hines] describes so evocatively in the book, he too was earmarked in early life and by an inflexible education system to a lesser lot in life… Falconer or just plain old bird enthusiast, if you can love something that isn’t giving very much love in return, perhaps that is the greatest love… And if you can set a bird free, as Richard did for the Kestrels immortalised on film, well, even better. Letting go might even be the greatest gentlenesse -- Conor Jameson * British Birds *A delightful story of a boy, his birds, and his pursuit of knowledge in spite of society’s dictates * Kirkus *Beautifully written ... throughout Hines’ memoir there’s a sense of championing the underdog, whether it be the loving attention he paid to his kestrels as a child or the racism he found himself appalled by when he volunteered overseas in Nigeria * Yorkshire Post *The issue of class weaves through the pages … A moving story of a man and the bird he loves * BBC Countryfile *A moving and powerful tale of the redemptive powers of nature -- Stephen Moss * Guardian, 'Books of the Year' *‘Wonderful’ -- Keggie Carew * Financial Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA ravishing celebration of landscape, its iridescent beauty and its potential to comfort, awe and mesmerise. Landskipping explores the different ways in which we have, throughout the ages, responded to the land, beginning in the eighteenth century when artists first started to paint English scenery, and the Lakes, as well as Snowdon, began to attract a new kind of visitor, the landscape tourist. Meanwhile, at the same time, an entirely different band of people, the agricultural improvers, also travelled the land, looking at it in terms of its usefulness as well as its beauty. What emerges as universal then and now is a place's capacity to frame and define our experience. Moving from the rolling hills of Dorset to the peaks of the Scottish Highlands, this is an exquisite and compelling book, written by Anna Pavord with zest, passion and deep understanding.Trade ReviewRangey, deeply felt and sometimes luminous ... Like the raking light that exposes ancient lynchets at sunset, such knowledge brings out new detail in the one particular view over a gate which Pavord has loved in all seasons, and which she now evokes for us as it changes through a full year. From the vantage point of this ending, I look back and find that the mixed landscape of the whole book is cast in a very beautiful light -- Alexandra Harris * Guardian *Intensely enjoyable … Anna Pavord is a beautiful writer who feels her subject deeply and with a lifetime’s enjoyment and understanding -- Lucy Lethbridge * Observer *A lyrical defence of our landscape, its language, and its freedom from meddling by various agencies ... a real pleasure * Mail on Sunday *The whole book reads like a conversation at some fantasy dinner party where all the guests are impeccably informed, fervently opinionated, gently witty and incurably passionate about the countryside. It darts from topic to topic, century to century, painter to ploughman, mountain to meadow, like some mercurially active salmon making its way up the Dart or the Dee. Yet miraculously – or, more likely, thanks to Pavord’s beautifully descriptive but never indulgent prose – it all hangs together. You can read the whole book in less time than it takes to go up and down Ben Nevis, and feel that you have bagged not just the king of Munros but the rural delights of an entire kingdom … Landskipping, however, is not some environmental rant. Pavord still sees plenty to celebrate about the British landscape, and plenty to send a delicious shiver up the spine as well * The Times *Her eye can catch the colouring of a distant hill, the move of sun across a contour and the run of sheep into a dark cwm. She can talk to rooks in the treetops and smell flowers in a hedgerow. She was born to the countryside purple. Landskipping is a hymn to the British landscape … intensely felt and totally engaged. … She is a beautiful writer -- Simon Jenkins * Country Life *Anyone who loves the variety and idiosyncrasies of the British countryside will relish this poignant celebration * Independent *Pavord is a great excavator of roots … Pavord threads together a patchwork of history, nature writing, polemic and memoir. Always she remains attuned to the sensual character of the environment … I was suitably entranced by its many splendid views and perspectives * Sunday Telegraph *Pavord writes thoughtfully, with deep and wide-ranging knowledge, of the land and what grows on it, of art, literature and the history of taste. And she writes from the heart – the heart of a countrywoman as well as the country-lover … The fruit of genuine observation, described with straining for effect, it’s a wonderful piece of writing – one of many in this superb, heartfelt and illuminating book * Literary Review *[A] winning study of English landscape -- Lucy Scholes * BBC Countryfile *An insight into landscape’s cultural impact to highlight the ability of wide open spaces to inspire and provide * Sunday Times *An inspiring overview * Sunday Express *A glorious and comprehensive celebration of all that is best in the British landscape … there is much beauty in what remains of the British landscape. How lucky we are to have a scholar of Anna Pavord’s stature to chronicle it * Literary Review *Intriguing … Scholarly, yet written with brio, her book should be read by all those who love our unique countryside * Catholic Morning Herald *A personal meditation on the nature of our British countryside that expands progressively to encompass a far broader view -- Rachel Campbell-Johnston * The Times *A grand tour around the British Isles … Anna Pavord proves, someone who has lived in the same place for 40 years can also bring fresh eyes * Myslexia *A thoughtful and deeply personal account … Pavord’s writing is pure delight – elegant, observant and funny * Gardens Illustrated *An American reader ends up wanting to invite Pavord, obviously a very thoughtful companion, on a trip to the Alaskan wilderness or the Californian desert * New York Times *Pavord is a Barbour waistcoat, warming you up nicely in advance of the prospect while leaving you free to wave your arms in wonder -- Books of the Year * Daily Telegraph *Her love of Britain’s landscape shines though in her beautifully written Landskipping, which wanders up mountain and down dale as it explores the different ways we have responded to the countryside over the centuries … An addictive ramble of a book -- Andrew Holgate * Sunday Times, 'Books of the Year' *Anna Pavord is the grande dame of that school of British nature writing that is about beautiful things, beautifully written…Pavord’s roots are in the earth, but her cultural knowledge is sky-high -- John Lewis-Stempel * The Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisMeet Molly Polly, the diabetes alert dog whose round-the-clock job is to keep her two young owners healthy; Bailey, the Assistant Director of Seagulls, who keeps the pesky birds away from the heritage vessels at the Australian National Maritime Museum; and Daisy, the Collie mix who''s a full-time guide dog for another dog. From inspirational moments of bravery to dogs doing the jobs that no one else can, these are the life-affirming stories of the most remarkable dogs on the planet.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisOur understanding of how dogs think is littered with common misconceptions about the extent of their intellect and how they make sense of the world around them. How Dogs Think unravels the mystery of what a dog can understand and how much dogs can learn. World-renowned dog expert Stanley Coren explores the thought processes of dogs, describes how dogs solve problems, explains the depths and limits of their thinking and examines the kind of concepts which dogs can and cannot deal with. Along with practical advice for people who want to improve their dog''s learning ability and working intelligence, How Dogs Think will answer such questions as: Do dogs have a notion of time? To what extent do dogs understand what you say? How sharp are their senses? What do they see and hear? Do dogs have a sense of music, humour, empathy, guilt or love? Do they learn by observation the way that people do? How much can they remember? Do dogs have ESP or the ability to predict earthquakes, and is it true

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisNature lovers, hunters, and anyone curious about deer will find this fact-filled book both fascinating and full of surprises.Trade ReviewWith vivid color photographs and an accessible and engaging question-and-answer format, this easy-to read book is the go-to resource on deer. Nature lovers, hunters, and anyone curious about deer will find this fact-filled book both fascinating and full of surprises. Southeastern Naturalist A nice book to read. -- Robert E. Hoopes Wildlife Activist This introductory work translates scientific studies/terminology into an easy-to-read format for lay readers to gain an understanding of the Cervidae family. Choice Hunters, nature lovers, and anyone curious abot deer will enjoy reading this book. -- Evelyne Bremond-Hoslet MammaliaTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. Introducing DeerWhat are deer?What is the difference between bucks, stags, and bulls?How many kinds of deer are there?How are musk deer different from "true" deer?What are the most common species of deer?What species of deer are most rare?Why are deer important?Where do deer live?What is the current classification of deer?What characterizes the major groups of deer?When did deer evolve?What is the oldest fossil deer?2. Form and FunctionWhat are the largest and smallest living deer?What is the metabolism of deer?What is the structure and function of deer teeth?Can deer see color?Can deer swim?How fast can deer run?How high can deer jump?What are antlers?What determines antler size in an individual?Why do deer have antlers?Do all male deer have antlers?Do female deer ever have antlers?Why do female caribou usually have antlers?How do antlers differ from horns?What is the yearly cycle of antlers?When and how do antlers grow?How fast can antlers grow?Do antlers of tropical deer differ from those of temperate species?How large and heavy can antlers get?How are antlers shed?Why shed antlers and regrow them every year?Why are relatively few shed antlers found on the ground?Are antlers always symmetrical?How do antler anomalies occur?How did antlers evolve?3. Deer Coat ColorsWhat are the functions of the coat in deer?What causes the different coat colors of deer?How are hair colors determined genetically?What about patterns of coat color?Are there age-related differences in coat color?Do coat colors change in different seasons?Is there geographic variation in coat color within a given species?4. Deer BehaviorAre deer social?Do deer fight?How smary are deer?Do deer play?Do deer talk?How do deer avoid predators?5. Deer EcologyDo deer sleep in the same place each night?Do deer migrate?Which geographic regions have the most species of deer?How do deer survive in the desert or during droughts?How do deer survive the winter?Do deer have enemies?Do deer get sick?Are deer good for the environment?6. Reproduction and DevelopmentHow do deer reproduce?When do deer mate and give birth?Do deer breed only one time per year?How many fawns do deer have?Are all deer fawns full siblings?Can the sex of a deer be determined visually?Do deer care for their young?How fast do deer grow?How can you tell the age of a deer?How long do deer live?7. Foods and FeedingWhat do deer eat?How do deer find food?Are any deer scavengers?How do deer digest their food?Do deer store food?8. Deer and HumansDo deer make good pets?Should people feed deer?Do deer feel pain?What should I do if I find an injured deer?What should I do if I find a fawn?What is the best way to observe deer?How economically important are deer today?What are deer game farms and game ranches?How and where did deer farms begin?What parts of deer are used in traditional Asian medicine?9. Deer Problems (from a human viewpoint)Can deer be pests?How do I reduce deer damage?How many deer are hit by vehicles?Where are deer most often hit?What are ways to reduce deer-vehicle collisions?Do deer have diseases that are contagious?Can deer negatively affect forest regeneration and structure?How can exotic species of deer cause problems?Where have deer been introduced?Why introduce deer to different places?10. Human Problems (from a deer's viewpoint)Do people hunt and eat deer?Are any deer species endangered?What is so unusual about the endangered Père David's deer?What about other conservation efforts?Why are some species endangered while others reach pest proportions?How will deer be affected by global warming?11. Deer in Art and LiteratureWhat roles do deer play in art, religion, mythology, and popular culture?How have deer been incorporated into literature andpoetry?12. "Deerology"Who studies deer?What species are best known?What species are least known?How do scientists tell deer apart?Appendix A: Deer of the WorldAppendix B: Deer Conservation OrganizationsBibliographyIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the familiar gray squirrel of American backyards to the exotic and endangered woolly flying squirrel of Pakistan, this title provides color photographs that document rare and unusual squirrels as well as common varieties, evolution, morphology, and ecology.Trade ReviewAs a comprehensive guide, the book is quite informative, easy to use, beautifully designed, and an excellent resource for anyone interested in this family of mammals. -- Selma Glasscock The Wildlife Society Southwest Section Newsletter This thorough guide to the squirrel family profiles 285 species, including not only the tree and flying squirrels, but also chipmunks, ground squirrels (including prairie dogs), and marmots. Choice Squirrels of the World does a wonderful job at surveying this charismatic group of animals... The photographs in this book are worth the cost of the book themselves. -- Randy Lauff Canadian Field-Naturalist This is a wonderful book with hundreds of full-color photographs packed with loads of information on the 285 known living species of squirrels found all over the world. -- Sonu Chandiram Biz India Magazine The heart of this book is an account of each of the 285 species of squirrels... The photographs and color range maps give the book a striking and handsome appearance... excellent treatment of the squirrel family. -- Kenneth Armitage Quarterly Review of Biology Squirrels of the World provides an excellent guide to the present state of scientific knowledge of the Sciuridae, but also sheds light on the degree of ignorance that remains. -- Nicholas Gould International Zoo News Still think you know all you need to about the Sciuridae? What tree squirrel specializes in ant-eating, and has a distinct skull with a long snout? What bushy-tailed tree squirrel weighs only around 15 g, the size of a deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)? I'm not going to tell you. Buy the book. -- Edward J. Heske Journal of Mammology If you need a squirrel inventory, this is a good one. And it's nice to feel that this type of catalogue is still appearing in print rather than on some obscure website of doubtful reliability. The back cover 'blurb' reveals the authors' impeccable institutional affiliations. -- Pat Morrie Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society A guide to the squirrels of the world is long overdue. This one is information rich, clearly written and beautifully presented. It incorporates an extensive bibliography (well over 1,500 references), discussions about important squirrel biology topics, critical conservation information, a large array of images and a massive collection of species-dependent information. -- Clay E. Corbin African Journal of Ecology As a teacher of mammalogy, this is a valuable contribution and I expect that I will use it while preparing multiple lectures for my courses. As a squirrel devotee, I am sure this I will return to many of the species accounts to glean more information and thereby bolster my enthusiasm for these fascinating animals. -- Eileen A. Lacey Journal of Mammalian EvolutionTable of ContentsPrefaceAbbreviationsTaxonomic IntroductionPaleontologyAnatomyEcology, Behavior, and ConservationSpecies AccountsRatufinaeRatufaSciurillinaeSciurillusSciurinaeSciuriniMicrosciurusRheithrosciurusSciurusSyntheosciurusTamiasciurusPteromyiniAeretesAeromysBelomysBiswamoyopterusEoglaucomysEupetaurusGlaucomysHylopetesIomysPetaurillusPetauristaPetinomysPteromysPteromyscusTrogopterusCallosciurinaeCallosciurusDremomysExilisciurusFunambulusGlyphotesHyosciurusLariscusMenetesNannosciurusProsciurillusRhinosciurusRubrisciurusSundasciurusTamiopsXerinaeXeriniAtlantoxerusSpermophilopsisXerusProtoxeriniEpixerusFunisciurusHeliosciurusMyosciurusParaxerusProtoxerusMarmotiniAmmospermophilusCallospermophilusCynomysIctidomysMarmotaNotocitellusOtospermophilusPoliocitellusSciurotamiasSpermophilusTamiasUrocitellusXerospermophilusAppendix: Representative Skulls of Each Squirrel GenusReferencesIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe most comprehensive book ever published on North America''s native tortoises.Tortoises, those unmistakable turtles, evolved from a lineage that split off from the familiar pond turtles roughly 100 million years ago. Over time, these plant-eating land turtles spread around the world, growing to an enormous size (depending on the species) and living so long that they have become the stuff of legends. By most accounts, they are indeed the longest-lived of the turtles, with good records suggesting individuals may live as long as 180 years (anecdotal records suggest that some reach ages of 200 years or more).Providing the first comprehensive treatment of North America's tortoises, Biology and Conservation of North American Tortoises brings together leading experts to give an overview of tortoise morphology, taxonomy, systematics, paleontology, physiology, ecology, behavior, reproduction, diet, growth, health, and conservation. The contributors carefully comTrade ReviewA vital tool and reference base for researchers and conservationists, with the added bonus that there is plenty of informatin that could be applied to other species worldwide. -- Christine Tilley British Chelonia Group A valuable resource for public and academic libraries. Choice ... Valuable additions to the collections of herpetologists and conservation biologists... Comprehensive... The Quarterly Review of BiologyTable of ContentsPrefaceChapter 1. Morphology, Taxonomy, and Distribution of North American Tortoises: An Evolutionary PerspectiveChapter 2. The Fossil Record for the North American TortoisesChapter 3. Systematics of Extant North American TortoisesChapter 4. Thermoregulation and Energetics of North American TortoisesChapter 5. Reproductive Physiology of North American Tortoises Chapter 6. Embryonic Development, Hatching Success, and Temperature Dependent Sex Determination in North American Tortoises Chapter 7. Growth Patterns of North American TortoisesChapter 8. Health Issues of North American TortoisesChapter 9. Habitat Characteristics of North American TortoisesChapter 10. Water and Food Acquisition and Their Consequences for Life History and Metabolism of North American TortoisesChapter 11. Home Range and Movements of North American TortoisesChapter 12. Social Behaviors of North American TortoisesChapter 13. Nesting and Reproductive Output among North American TortoisesChapter 14. Abundance of North American TortoisesChapter 15. Population and Conservation Genetics of North American TortoisesChapter 16. Demography of North American TortoisesChapter 17. History of Human Interaction with North American TortoisesChapter 18. Threats and Conservation Needs for North American Tortoises ReferencesIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe surprising colors and fascinating lifestyles of the reptile and amphibian species in this book will mesmerize readers young and old.Trade ReviewThe breadth of herpetofauna in the area will surprise many readers: more than 8% of the world's salamanders and 11% of all turtle species live in the region. Beyond numbers, however, lie aesthetics. The surprising colors and fascinating lifestyles of the reptile and amphibian species in this book will mesmerize readers young and old. The Birdbooker Report While most field guides are organized by species, this book is more than a field guide; it places the animals in the context of their environment. The Altamont Enterprise ... - go find Al's book. It is a real gem, full of great insights and huge fun to read. Post StarTable of ContentsPrefaceIntroduction Chapter 1: Northeastern Deciduous ForestsTimber RattlesnakeEastern Red-backed SalamanderNorthern Slimy SalamanderWehrle's SalamanderYonahlossee SalamanderGreen SalamanderNorthern Coal SkinkNorthern Rough GreensnakeRing-necked SnakeNorthern Red-bellied SnakeNorthern Copperhead Chapter 2: Dry Pine WoodlandsFowler's ToadEastern Box TurtleCommon Five-lined SkinkBroad-headed SkinkEastern Fence LizardLittle Brown SkinkNorthern ScarletsnakeRed CornsnakeEastern Hog-nosed Snake Chapter 3: Northeastern GrasslandsNorthern Leopard FrogEastern WormsnakeNorthern Black RacerEastern RatsnakeEastern MilksnakeSmooth GreensnakeNorthern BrownsnakeShort-headed GartersnakeCommon GartersnakeSmooth Earthsnake Chapter 4: Wicked Big PuddlesBlue-spotted SalamanderJefferson SalamanderSpotted SalamanderMarbled SalamanderAmerican ToadGray TreefrogWood FrogSpring PeeperUpland Chorus FrogEastern Spadefoot Chapter 5: BogsFour-toed SalamanderNorthern Red SalamanderPickerel FrogWestern Chorus FrogSpotted TurtleBog TurtleEastern MassasaugaEastern Ribbonsnake Chapter 6: HeadwatersNorthern Dusky SalamanderAllegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander Northern Two-lined SalamanderEastern Long-tailed SalamanderSpring SalamanderMud SalamanderQueensnake Chapter 7: Small WatersRed-spotted NewtEastern Cricket FrogAmerican BullfrogGreen FrogMink FrogSnapping TurtlePainted TurtleBlanding's TurtleYellow-bellied SliderCommon Rainbow SnakeNorthern Watersnake Chapter 8: Big WatersEastern Hellbender Common MudpuppyEastern Spiny SoftshellWood TurtleNorthern Map TurtleNorthern Red-bellied CooterEastern Musk Turtle Chapter 9: Coastal PlainsNorthern Pinesnake Eastern Tiger SalamanderMany-lined SalamanderPine Barrens TreefrogGreen TreefrogSouthern Leopard FrogCarpenter FrogEastern Mud TurtleNorthern Diamond-backed TerrapinEastern Kingsnake Suggested ReferencesAppendicesAppendix A. Habitats utilized by species of frogsAppendix B. Habitats utilized by species of salamandersAppendix C. Habitats utilized by species of turtlesAppendix D. Habitats utilized by species of lizardsAppendix E. Habitats utilized by species of snakes Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisDisrupting the intervenor narrative in Appalachian studies. The Appalachian Mountains attracted an endless stream of visitors in the twentieth century, each bearing visions of what they would encounter. Well before large numbers of tourists took to the mountains in the latter half of the century, however, networks of missionaries, sociologists, folklorists, doctors, artists, and conservationists made Appalachia their primary site for fieldwork. In Proving Ground, Edward Slavishak studies several of these interlopers to show that the travelers' tales were the foundation of powerful forms of insider knowledge. Following four individuals and one cohort as they climbed professional ladders via the Appalachian Mountains, Slavishak argues that these visitors represented occupational and recreational groups that used Appalachia to gain precious expertise. Time spent in the mountains, in the guise of work (or play that mimicked work), distinguished travelers as master problem-solvers and traTrade ReviewProving Ground provides fertile terrain for thinking about the politics of expertise and makes important contributions to intellectual history and Appalachian studies. Slavishak has produced an eloquently written and thought-provoking book.—Sarah Mittlefehldt, Northern Michigan University, Environmental HistoryEloquently written and prodigiously researched . . . Proving Ground is an intensely interesting story of intersecting perspectives—particularly of place, environment, and culture—that gives "close attention to the messy material of human encounters with landscapes" (p. 13). This provocative book will lead regionalists to examine what made the Appalachian proving ground similar, and different, from other such terrain.—Chad Berry, Berea College, Journal of American HistoryExhaustively researched and skillfully composed . . . The most impressive features of Proving Ground are the depth of Slavishak's research into important but relatively unknown personalities and cultural trends, regional and national, and his familiarity with the history and vocabulary of each of several very different professional, aesthetic, academic, and recreational pursuits as practiced within the Appalachians.—Ricky Cox, Radford University, North Carolina Historical ReviewSituated at the crossroads of environmental history, critical regionalism, and visual studies, this masterful book synthesizes these fields to assess the approaches of several Appalachian interlopers. Slavishak's case studies of preservationists, planners, hikers, anthropologists, and photographers convincingly demonstrate that specialists proved themselves to their peers by gaining and displaying on-the-ground expertise through formidable, marginalized landscapes . . . Foremost among Slavishak's many fine attributes is his ability to contextualize and analyze . . . a skill he exhibits throughout this diligently researched and elegantly written book, which proves his own expertise in the fertile interdisciplinary ground of Appalachian studies.—Andrew Crooke, East Stroudsburg University, Journal of Southern HistorySlavishak throws light on how conceptions of place can be exported and disseminated. And by studying professionals rather than leisure travelers, Slavishak has revealed how and why a heterogeneous group of them accessed seemingly remote corners of Appalachia and sought to carry their experiences out again.—Laura J. Martin, Williams College, American Historical ReviewTable of ContentsList of IllustrationsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. Expert Vision2. Terrestrial and Human3. The Stern Grip of Circumstance4. A Priceless Asset5. William Gedney and the Look of Coal CountryConclusionNotesBibliographyIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe definitive resource for finding, identifying, and conserving Maryland's amphibians and reptiles. Naturalists, herpetologists, and ecologists alike agree that tracking herpetofauna is a challenging undertaking. Scientists are concerned about the decline of once-familiar species, but evidence has often been too anecdotal to support firm conclusions. To better understand the distribution of amphibians and reptiles in Maryland and forecast species' futures in a time of accelerated environmental threats, conducting a comprehensive statewide survey updating 1970s-era distribution maps seemed ideal. However, this endeavor was of an impossibly ambitious scope for scientists alone to tackle. Enter the Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project, comprising nearly a thousand dedicated citizen scientists who discovered and recorded the locations of herpetofauna throughout every corner of Maryland. In The Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas, Heather R. Cunningham and Nathan H. Nazdrowicz pTrade ReviewA meticulously detailed guide, with lush color photos.—Chesapeake Bay MagazineTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Acronyms and Abbreviations Part I. Introduction Overview of Amphibians and Reptiles in Maryland The Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas Project Citizen Science and Herpetological Research Goals of the Atlas Organization of the Atlas Part II. History of Herpetofaunal Distributions in Maryland. Charles A. Davis Discovery Collections and Descriptions Organizing for Discovery and the Early Amphibian and Reptile Collections Limitations and Challenges of Assessing Historical Ranges: Where Were the Rattlesnakes? Early Geographic Lists More Efforts to Organize Efforts to Update the Distributional Survey Challenges and Practices for Gathering Distributional Data Additional Institutional Efforts That Document Amphibian and Reptile Distributions Rare Species Surveys Increasing Access to Herpetofaunal Information Part III. Maryland's EnvironmentPhysiographic Provinces Habitat Types Climate Land Use Part VI. Conservation of Maryland's Herpetofauna. Lynn M. Davidson and Glenn D. Therres Legislation, Regulation, and Monitoring Programs Protected Lands Part V. Designing and Implementing the Atlas Project Coordination Survey Methodology The Volunteer Network Data Collection Data Management Part VI. Results of the Atlas Project Overall Results County-Level Results Volunteer Results Data Verification Taxonomic Results Part VII. Species Accounts Amphibians Reptiles Appendixes A. Quadrangle and Block Total Species Summary B. Quadrangle and Block Effort-Hours Summary C. County Summary D. Species Summary References Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisBrings together disparate conversations about wildlife conservation and renewable energy, suggesting ways these two critical fields can work hand in hand. Renewable energy is often termed simply green energy, but its effects on wildlife and other forms of biodiversity can be quite complex. While capturing renewable resources like wind, solar, and energy from biomass can require more land than fossil fuel production, potentially displacing wildlife habitat, renewable energy infrastructure can also create habitat and promote species health when thoughtfully implemented. The authors of Renewable Energy and Wildlife Conservation argue that in order to achieve a balanced plan for addressing these two crucially important sustainability issues, our actions at the nexus of these fields must be directed by current scientific information related to the ecological effects of renewable energy production. Synthesizing an extensive, rapidly growing base of research and insights from practitionerTrade ReviewA coming-together of noted authorities in [the energy and conservation] fields seeking a beneficial solution to both their respective purposes is heartening indeed. Given this, and all the information presented in its pages, Renewable Energy and Wildlife Conservation is a book that should be read by all who are professionally involved in both these fields as well as any others who are simply in search of a better understanding of two of the defining challenges of our age.—Johannes E. Riutta, The Well-Read NaturalistTable of ContentsList of ContributorsIntroduction. Renewable Energy and Wildlife ConservationChristopher E. Moorman, Steven M. Grodsky, and Susan P. RuppPART I BIOENERGY AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION1 Short-Rotation Woody Crops and Wildlife ConservationRachel Greene, James A. Martin, and T. Bently Wigley2 Effects of Harvesting Forest-Based Biomass on Terrestrial WildlifeJessica A. Homyack and Jake Verschuyl3 Impacts on Wildlife of Annual Crops for Biofuel ProductionClint Otto4 Second-Generation Feedstocks from Dedicated Energy Crops:Implications for Wildlife and Wildlife HabitatSusan P. Rupp and Christine A. RibicPART II WIND ENERGY AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION5 Wind Energy Effects on BirdsRegan Dohm and David Drake6 Wind Energy Effects on BatsCris D. Hein and Amanda M. Hale7 Effects of Wind Energy on Wildlife: Emerging Issues and Underrepresented TaxaNicole M. Korfanta and Victoria H. ZeroPART III SOLAR ENERGY, WATERPOWER, AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION8 Solar Energy: A Technology with Multi-Scale Opportunities to Integrate Wildlife ConservationBrian B. Boroski9 Waterpower: Hydropower and Marine Hydrokinetic EnergyHenriette I. Jager and Lindsay M. WickmanPART IV THE FUTURE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION10 Renewable Energy Policy Directives: Implications for Wildlife ConservationEdward B. Arnett11 Renewable Energy Ecology: The Next Frontier in Wildlife ScienceSteven M. Grodsky, Sarah R. Fritts, and Rebecca R. HernandezIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisUnearthing the amazing hidden stories of women who changed paleontology forever. For centuries, women have played key roles in defining and developing the field of vertebrate paleontology. Yet very little is known about these important paleontologists, and the true impacts of their contributions have remained obscure. In Rebels, Scholars, Explorers, Annalisa Berta and Susan Turner celebrate the history of women bone hunters, delving into their fascinating lives and work. At the same time, they explore how the discipline has shaped our understanding of the history of life on Earth. Berta and Turner begin by presenting readers with a review of the emergence of vertebrate paleontology as a science, emphasizing the contributions of women to research topics and employment. This is followed by brief biographical sketches and explanations of early discoveries by women around the world over the past 200 years, including those who who held roles as researchers, educators, curators, artists,Trade Review[Rebels, Scholars, Explorers] should certainly be of interest to that increasingly large audience from all backgrounds, eager to learn about women in the sciences . . . a must for any young female interested in going into the earth sciences academically and even professionally, even if that is not VP.—Deposits MagazineTable of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsOne. IntroductionHistory of vertebrate paleontology as a scienceTwo. Early Discoveries and Collection of Fossil Vertebrates, 18th to Mid-19th CenturyEarly discoveries and recognition of fossil vertebratesThree. Women in Vertebrate Paleontology, Late 19th to Early 20th CenturyTaking their place in the professional worldFour. Women in the Early Modern Years of Vertebrate Paleontology, Mid-20th Century (1940–1975)Gaining ground and the beginnings of the Society of Vertebrate PaleontologyFive. Women in Vertebrate Paleontology, Late 20th to Early 21st Century (1976 to the Present)Coming of ageSix. Artists, Preparators, Technicians, Collections Managers, and Outreach EducatorsBehind the scenes: "Invisible" but essential womenSeven. Challenges and OpportunitiesWomen in STEM, geosciences, and paleontologyAPPENDIXES1. Excerpts from Women VPs' Responses to Oral Interviews2. Excerpts from Women VPs' Responses to Written Interviews3. Excerpts from Male Mentors' Responses to Written Questions4. Examples of Taxa Named for and by WomenAbbreviationsLiterature CitedBibliographic Sources and Further ReadingIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe story of the thoroughly Victorian origins of dog breeds. For centuries, different types of dogs were bred around the world for work, sport, or companionship. But it was not until Victorian times that breeders started to produce discrete, differentiated, standardized breeds. In The Invention of the Modern Dog, Michael Worboys, Julie-Marie Strange, and Neil Pemberton explore when, where, why, and how Victorians invented the modern way of ordering and breeding dogs. Though talk of breed was common before this period in the context of livestock, the modern idea of a dog breed defined in terms of shape, size, coat, and color arose during the Victorian period in response to a burgeoning competitive dog show culture. The authors explain how breeders, exhibitors, and showmen borrowed ideas of inheritance and pure blood, as well as breeding practices of livestock, horse, poultry and other fancy breeders, and applied them to a species that was long thought about solely in terms of work andTrade ReviewCharles Darwin, Charles Dickens and P. T. Barnum walk into a pub . . . a classic comic set-up that can only lead to one punch line: The Invention of the Modern Dog. This chronicle—by science historians Michael Worboys and Neil Pemberton and historian Julie-Marie Strange—charts the confluence of biology, class, and popular entertainment that resulted in an unprecedented burst of nineteenth-century canine breeding. That tumult, they argue, stares out at us today from the eyes of our dogs.—NatureReveals how the Victorians invented the modern way of ordering and breeding man's best friend.—The Sunday PostIn The Invention of the Modern Dog, the authors show how our modern attitudes to breeds have been shaped by Victorian cultural ideals. The book makes for a fascinating read for anyone interested in the origins of today's dog breeds.—Pets MagazineWorboys, Strange and Pemberton have produced a magnificent book . . . a wonderfully lively text that traces the sources of our own obsession with doggy design and offers a gentle warning about what is at stake when we fiddle too far.—The GuardianHighly entertaining and plentifully illustrated.—Times Literary SupplementTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction Part I. 1800-1873Chapter 1. Before Breed, 1800-1860 Chapter 2. Adopting Breed, 1860-1867 Chapter 3. Showing Breed, 1867-1874 Part II. 1873-1901Chapter 4. Governing Breed Chapter 5. Improving Breed I: Experience Chapter 6. Improving Breed II: Science Chapter 7. Whither Breed Conclusion. The Present in the Past Notes Index Color plates appear following page XX

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis cutting-edge science narrative, chock-full of heartwarming case studies, is one woman's quest to learn the true meaning of dog intelligence.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less