Wildlife: general interest Books

Book SynopsisA collection of 101 jaw-dropping stories, as told by the very people who experienced them ? first-hand accounts of sightings, scrapes and encounters in one of Africa?s greatest National Parks. It details hair-raising experiences from the Kruger Park?s roads, camps, picnic sites and walking trails, such as: An enraged elephant flips a car onto its roof; a lioness prises open a terrified couple?s car door; a fleeing impala leaps through an open car window; a hyaena snatches a baby from a tent; a tourist takes a bath in a croc-infested dam. Bedside book, travel companion, dip-into ? wherever you are, this exciting book will transport you directly into the bush.

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Book SynopsisPresents the most up-to-date information available on the medical management of all taxa of Australian native mammals.

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Book SynopsisMosquitoes are annoying (and can be deadly) but they can also be beautiful. This book provides a pictorial guide to almost 100 mosquito species and includes notes on their biology, habitats and association with disease. The book also provides information on how to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease through tips on keeping your home free of mosquitoes and reducing their bites.Trade ReviewThis 216-page book, packed full of high quality photographs, explores the biodiversity of this group of insects. It provides a pictorial guide to almost 100 mosquito species and includes notes on their biology, habitats and association with disease. The book also provides information on how to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease."Pest Magazine, February & March 2016

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Book SynopsisThis definitive guide, written by experts in the field, offers a window into a fascinating world. Notorious species such as the Redback and the Sydney Funnel-web sit alongside less well known but equally intriguing spiders such as the ant-mimics and net-casting spiders. Each is illustrated with beautiful photographs of the subjects.Trade ReviewOnce seduced by the charm of spiders, you'll find yourself entranced by their ways and amused by the authors' entertaining style." —Owen Seeman, Wildlife Australia

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Book SynopsisEloquent, practical and wise, this book by one of the world’s most important scientists—and two time Pulitzer Prize winner—should be read and studied by anyone concerned with the fate of the natural world. It makes one thing clear ... we know what we do, and we have a choice (The New York Times Book Review).E.O. Wilson assesses the precarious state of our environment, examining the mass extinctions occurring in our time and the natural treasures we are about to lose forever. Yet, rather than eschewing doomsday prophesies, he spells out a specific plan to save our world while there is still time. His vision is a hopeful one, as economically sound as it is environmentally necessary.

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Book SynopsisDescribes the major groups of marine animals, including fish, birds, mammals, and crustaceans.

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Book SynopsisDoes your dog know when you've had a bad day? Can your cat tell that the coffee pot you left on might start a fire? Could a chimpanzee be trained to program your computer? This book debunks some commonly held notions about our furry friends. It argues that it may be romantic to ascribe human qualities to critters, but it's not very realistic.Trade Review"[An] enjoyably written exploration of recent discoveries of modern animal behavior... Wynne is clearly arguing against the view of animal rights advocates such as Peter Singer and Jane Goodall who ascribe human attributes to animals. But Wynne is no reactionary--he strongly sympathizes with those who wish to improve the treatment of animals... It helps his arguments that Wynne is often as entertaining as he is erudite."--Publishers Weekly "In this critical account of selected research, Clive Wynne takes aim at over-sentimental anthropomorphism, particularly on the part of animal-rights advocates. He argues that the degree to which animals are like us cannot be the measure of how much they are worthy of our respect and protection... All this material is presented in a clear informal and entertaining way, enlivened by historical asides."--Sara J. Shettleworth, Nature "Wynne has a pleasant writing style and a knack for engaging the reader... [H]is book offers many insightful descriptions of animal behavior... He seems to take delight in animals, and possesses great knowledge about them, yet he prefers them at arm's length. The constant message is that animals are not people."--Frans B.M. de Waal, Natural History "Wynne's new book provides a timely corrective to many myths about animal minds, without detracting from the wonders of the natural world."--Nicola S. Clayton, Science "[Wynne] is a lively writer with a congenial sense of humor, an obvious passion for truly understanding the minds of animals, and a sincere desire to come to terms with what all this means for the larger philosophical and ethical questions about the place of man and animals in the world."--Stephen Budiansky, Cerebrum: The Dana Forum on Brain Science "A fun read ... packed with clever experiments, intriguing anecdotes, and a delight in the diversity of animal behavior."--Sy Montgomery, Discover "Readers will delight in this insightful, well-referenced book."--Choice "Lucid and witty... Mr. Wynne makes a compelling case against true rationality in animals, but he resists the temptation to reduce animals to mere 'machines,' as Descartes famously did; he is too seized with wonder at the marvels of animal behavior to adopt so barren a model. In the end, Mr. Wynne prefers to accept our fellow animals for what they are, as they are."--Eric Ormsby, New York Sun "An intelligent and balanced discussion of our attitudes towards other species and what (if anything) animals think... A refreshingly skeptical and pugnacious investigation."--P.D. Smith, The Guardian (UK)Table of Contents1 What Are Animals? 1 2 The Secrets of the Honeybee Machine 13 3 How Noble in Reason 46 4 What Is It Like to Be a Bat? 84 5 Talk to Me 106 6 The Pigeon That Saved a Battalion 139 7 Monkey See, Monkey Do? 162 8 Dolphins Divine 195 9 Sandwiches to Go 222 References 245 Acknowledgments 261 Index 263

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Book SynopsisMany animals, including humans, acquire valuable skills and knowledge by copying others. Scientists refer to this as social learning. It is one of the most exciting and rapidly developing areas of behavioral research and sits at the interface of many academic disciplines, including biology, experimental psychology, economics, and cognitive neurosciTrade Review"The pragmatic approach makes the book a great starting point for researchers who wish to plan a study or to look for ways to analyze data. Students will find it accessible, and the analytical tools can be used by anyone having a basic understanding of statistical methods... Hoppitt and Laland's accessible writing and the book's clear graphics support its effectiveness. We predict a long and useful life for this welcome volume."--Dorothy Fragaszy and Yonat Eshchar, Science "This excellent volume provides a thorough introduction to research and issues in this field, and also serves as a handbook of methods and techniques for studying social learning... Detailed tables and figures throughout add to the volume's usefulness. A valuable introductory resource for students and an essential handbook for investigators."--Choice "[R]eaders will find food for thought in this book especially in the ninth chapter, Modeling Social Learning and Culture, which begins by operationalizing culture and establishing parallels between biological and cultural evolution. A complete theoretical approach to social learning and culture is then introduced and the modeling methods are described. I highly recommended this chapter to researchers ... and I also encourage them to take a look at the whole textbook."--Francesc S. Beltran, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation "Social Learning provides the first compelling synthesis of the social-learning literature and is of value not only to newcomers seeking an introduction to a complex, multidisciplinary field, but also to established researchers looking for challenging views on familiar topics. A copy should not only be on the bookshelf of but also read by anyone interested in the study of social learning."--Bennett G. Galef, Quarterly Review of Biology "The field of social learning challenges animal behaviorists to define and distinguish concepts that have been colloquially applied for centuries. Hoppitt and Laland have substantially advanced this field by providing a concise but broadly readable guide for those interested in investigating questions about social learning. Researchers would be wise to recognize the many potential applications of the theoretical and empirical techniques presented therein... Rather than reading about social learning all by oneself though we suggest you and several close colleagues all buy Hoppitt and Laland's fine book, so that together you can socially learn about social learning."--Mark E. Laidre & Thomas S. Kraft, International Journal of PrimatologyTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix 1Introduction 1 What Is Social Learning? 3 Social transmission 5 Imitation 9 Innovation 9 Why Study Social Learning? 11 Summary of the Book 14 2A Brief History of Social Learning Research 16 The Evolution of Mind 17 Social Learning Mechanisms 20 Animal "Culture" 24 The Diffusion of Innovations 27 Child Development 28 Cultural Evolution 30 Conclusions 31 3Methods for Studying Social Learning in the Laboratory 33 Traditional Social Learning Studies 35 Alternative Experimental Approaches 38 Transmission chain studies 40 Diffusion studies 47 Innovation 50 The Biological Bases of Social Learning 52 Neuroendocrinological studies 53 Social learning of fear 54 Neural mechanisms of observational learning 56 Conclusions 61 4Social Learning Mechanisms 62 A Classification of Social Learning Mechanisms 63 Stimulus enhancement 65 Local enhancement 65 Observational conditioning 68 Response facilitation 69 Social facilitation 70 Imitation 70 Observational R-S learning 77 Emulation 77 Opportunity providing 78 (Inadvertent) coaching 79 Distinguishing Social Learning Mechanisms 80 Stimulus enhancement 80 Local enhancement 81 Observational conditioning 83 Response facilitation 85 Contextual imitation 87 Production imitation 89 Observational R-S learning 92 Emulation 93 Opportunity providing 94 (Inadvertent) coaching 96 A Pragmatic Approach to Characterizing Mechanisms of Social Transmission 96 Teaching 98 Summary 104 5Statistical Methods for Diffusion Data 105 Diffusion Curve Analysis 106 Network-Based Diffusion Analysis (NBDA) 108 Inclusion of individual-level variables 112 Model selection and inference 114 Modeling multiple diffusions 115 Choosing a social network 120 "Untransmitted" social effects 121 Related methods 122 Is NBDA realistic? 123 Examples 125 Spatial Spread of a Behavioral Trait 125 Wave of advance models 125 Other approaches for spatial data 127 Summary 128 6Repertoire-Based Methods for Detecting and Quantifying Social Transmission 129 The Group-Contrasts Approach 130 The Method of Exclusion 133 Basic and advanced methods of exclusion 133 Methods for assessing the genetic hypothesis 134 Methods for assessing the ecological hypothesis 143 Further problems with the method of exclusion 149 A Model-Fitting Approach 150 A matrix regression approach 150 Examples 151 A return to group comparisons 154 A Causal Modeling Framework 155 Relationship to the matrix regression approach 164 Ruling out homophily 164 Ruling out unknown ecological variables 167 Relationship to the method of exclusion 168 Conclusions 168 7Developmental Methods for Studying Social Learning 172 Observational Data 173 Describing the developmental process 173 Modeling probability of acquisition 177 Modeling time of acquisition 179 Modeling proficiency of trait performance 184 Modeling option choice 185 Limitations of observational data 188 Experimental Manipulations 188 Diffusion experiments 189 Manipulation of social experience 191 Translocation studies 193 Conclusions 195 8Social Learning Strategies 196 Why Social Learning Is Strategic 196 "When" Strategies 203 Copy when established behavior is unproductive 203 Copy when asocial learning is costly 205 Copy when uncertain 210 Copy when prior information is outdated 212 Copy when dissatisfied 213 Is copying a first or last resort? 214 "Who" Strategies 215 Frequency-dependent biases 216 Success biases 221 Kin and age biases 225 "What" Strategies 226 Random Copying 227 Statistical Methods for Detecting Social Learning Strategies 229 Meta-strategies, Best Strategies, and Hierarchical Control 232 9Modeling Social Learning and Culture 235 Introduction 235 Why model? 235 Operationalizing the culture concept 237 Parallels between biological and cultural evolution 238 Theoretical Approaches to Social Learning and Cultural Evolution 239 Population-genetic style models of cultural evolution 239 Population-genetic style models of gene-culture coevolution 241 Neutral models and random copying 246 Social foraging theory 250 Spatially explicit models 251 Reaction-diffusion models 253 Agent-based models 254 Phylogenetic models 255 Conclusions 258 10Conclusions 260 References 265 Index 301

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Book SynopsisA guide to South Georgia that depicts the birds, mammals, insects, flowering plants, and other vegetation found in this part of the world. It features 368 photographs of 180 species, including 65 species of birds, 20 species of sea mammals, nearly 60 species of insects, and more than 40 species of flowering and nonflowering plants.Trade Review"Even if you have no intention of ever traveling to South Georgia, this book is worth reading. The descriptions of the territory's birds, seals, whales, introduced mammals, invertebrates, and plants are written within the framework of the conversationist, so it is more than a field guide, it is a record of endangered wildlife and the efforts being made to protect it... I do recommend A Field Guide to the Wildlife of South Georgia as a book that is informative and enjoyable, a photographic and textual tour of a magical place filled with fantastical creatures that are far from mythic."--Donna Schulman, 10,000 Birds "A true guide to wildlife... This guide will open the eyes of even the most single-minded fan of the feathered to the richness and complexity of this most spectacular of the subantarctic islands."--Rick Wright, ABA Blog "Cruising way down south this winter? Planning a trip to South America, Antarctica or South Georgia island? Wherever you're cruising in the southern hemisphere, don't leave home without your wildlife guide. Pack A Field Guide to the Wildlife of South Georgia in your luggage, and you'll instantly be able to tell a macaroni penguin from a rockhopper penguin."--Ginger Dingus, Examiner.com "[A]n excellent guide that includes lots of really nice photographs of the island's wildlife."--FHB, Wildlife Activist "This is an excellent book and recommended for all visitors."--Keith Betton, Birding World "This guide, designed for tourists, is the only one of its kind. Brief introductions on geology, topography, climate, history, and conservation efforts lay the groundwork for an impressive photographic guide."--Choice "If I were making a trip to South Georgia, as increasing numbers of eco-tourists are doing these days, I would be sure to have in my possession a copy of this book. Further, I would expect that by trip's end it would be dog-eared and coffee-stained, strong evidence of what I believe to be its indispensable nature in such an endeavor."--David Ainley, Marine Ornithology

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Anyone lucky enough to be visiting this region of Australia should have a copy of the book."--Frederic H. Brock, Wildlife ActivistTable of Contents*Frontmatter, pg. 1*Contents, pg. 3*About this book, pg. 7*How to use this book, pg. 8*Maps of the Top End, pg. 10*Geography and geology of the Top End, pg. 12*Weather and seasons of the Top End, pg. 14*Habitats of the Top End, pg. 16*How to watch wildlife, pg. 20*Where to find wildlife, pg. 22*Birds of Wetlands and Beaches, pg. 24*Raptors: Hawks, Eagles and Falcons, pg. 80*Birds of the Forest: Mangroves and Monsoon Forests, pg. 94*Birds of Open Areas Woodlands and Grasslands, pg. 120*Mammals, pg. 196*Reptiles and Amphibians, pg. 220*Further reading, pg. 264*Acknowledgements, pg. 264*Photo credits, pg. 265*Index, pg. 267

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"I often wonder why there hasn't been any really good books dealing with the antelopes, wild cattle, sheep, gazelles and goats of the world. Well I guess I need wonder no more. With the publication of Castello's new book, I have found a resource that will be invaluable as I travel in search of wildlife... As with other Princeton guides, the layout is eye-pleasing and the text factual, informative and inclusive. Ranges, habitats, descriptions, subspecies and behaviour are covered for every species."--North Durham Nature Newsletter "This volume provides excellent introductory information about hundreds of animals; it will serve a wide range of readers seeking a basic understanding of this subject; high school students, college students, and interested adults will benefit from its content. Libraries working with these populations should consider adding this reasonably priced volume."--Mark Schumacher, American Reference Books Annual "With this title, new ground has been broken in several ways. Visually, Castello, a medical doctor, has replaced traditional artists' renderings with photos from global photographers. This is also the first field guide to reflect the revised species list, which recently doubled the number of bovid species from 143 to 279... Castello fills a void, and this book should generate wide interest in scientists, students, and general reader... This volume may inspire a new generation of conservationists and raise awareness of beautiful, endangered bovids and their perilous situations."--Choice "Bovids of the World offers a compelling and beautiful introduction to one of the world's most diverse and important families of creatures with hair... Few books have done more to remind me than Bovids of the World that I've only just scratched the surface of what the planet has to show me."--Ed Kanze, Bedford (NY) Record-Review "This is a handy reference to what I consider the coolest taxonomic family on earth: the bovids... Sit down with it and enjoy these fascinating creatures."--Matt Miller, Cool Green Science blog "I am confident that Bovids of the World is a valuable addition to any wildlife biologist's library. Those with and without close familiarity to the family Bovidae will have a handy reference for office and field use. Hats off to Jose R. Castello, an M.D. from Spain, for his knowledge and passion to highlight the bovids in such a detailed and taxonomically relevant field guide."--David M. Leslie, Jr., Journal of Wildlife ManagementTable of ContentsFOREWORD by Brent Huffman and Colin Groves 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 7 INTRODUCTION 8 TRIBE AEPYCEROTINI Impalas 24 TRIBE NEOTRAGINI Sunis, Royal Antelope, Pygmy Antelope 28 TRIBE REDUNCINI Reedbucks, Waterbucks, Rhebok 38 TRIBE ANTILOPINI Gazelles, Oribis, Steenbok, Grysbok, Dik-diks 82 TRIBE OREOTRAGINI Klipspringers 224 TRIBE CEPHALOPHINI Duikers 244 TRIBE CAPRINI Sheep, Goats, and relatives 302 TRIBE HIPPOTRAGINI Horse Antelopes 466 TRIBE ALCELAPHINI Tsessebes, Topis, Hartebeests, Wildebeests 496 TRIBE BOSELAPHINI Nilgai, Four-horned Antelope 542 TRIBE TRAGELAPHINI Spiral-horned Antelopes 546 TRIBE BOVINI Bison, Buffaloes, Cattle, Saola 596 SKULLS 650 REFERENCES 659 INDEX 660

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewJ.M. Coetzee, Winner of the 2003 Nobel Prize in Literature "[A] beautifully constructed, troubling, provacative book which resonates in the mind and heart long after you've turned the last page."--Helen Kaye, The Jerusalem Post "If Coetzee ... were an animal, he would be a fox-quick, aloof and crafty... [A]nimal rights and ethical vegetarianism are natural subjects for him. The debate about them turns on questions of suffering, something to which Coetzee's sensorium is pitched with particular keenness."--Benjamin Kunkel, The Nation "The audience of the 1997-98 Tanner Lectures at Princeton probably expected South African novelist Coetzee to deliver a pair of formal essays... Instead, he gave his listeners fiction: a philosophical narrative about an imaginary feminist novelist ... and the lectures she reads at the fictional Appleton College."--Publishers Weekly "For Coetzee fans and others interested in the links between philosophy, reason, and the rights of nonhumans."--Booklist "Fluent, challenging lectures on the ethics that shape the human-animal relationship... Coetzee takes no prisoners... [An] ethical tinderbox."--Kirkus Reviews "An accessible, thought-provoking introduction to the issues surrounding animal rights."--Adam Lively, The Sunday Telegraph "Coetzee's dense, witty hybrid is very welcome; ... [he] brings a rich array of themes into play, including the differences between animals and humans, the nature of philosophy and poetry, the purpose of a university, the role of a reason and the emotions in moral deliberation."--Ben Rogers, Financial Times "The Lives of Animals is a stimulating and worrying book. It is hard to imagine anyone coming away from it without a new perspective on our relation not only to animals but to the natural world in general, and, indeed, to ourselves."--John Banville, The Irish Times "The Lives of Animals is a moral argument within a fictional framework... But fiction has the power to disturb and inspire strong emotions, and this book, thoughtfully argued and committed, is certainly a case in point."--Maren Meinhardt, Times Literary Supplement "I found The Lives of Animals a genuinely troubling book... I imagine that Coetzee feels the force of almost all the ideas and emotions that his characters express. He is working and living at the edge of our moral sensibilities about animals."--Ian Hacking, The New York Review of Books "There is a general message that resonates throughout this novella, and one that I found quite compelling. It is that we often assess our relationships with animals based on whether they have human-like mental status, like rationality or self-consciousness, and if they don't, then we feel justified in using them as objects ... I found the book deeply disturbing ... [It] offers a passionate and compelling look at one side of the debate."--Asif A. Ghazanfar, Nature Neuroscience "A little-known but brilliant tour de force... It's the most artful, thoughtful piece of writing I've come across on the subject of animal rights."--Marni Jackson, The Globe and MailTable of ContentsINTRODUCTION Amy Gutmann 3 THE LIVES OF ANIMALS J. M. Coetzee The Philosophers and the Animals 15 The Poets and the Animals 47 REFLECTIONS Marjorie Garber 73 Peter Singer 85 Wendy Doniger 93 Barbara Smuts 107 CONTRIBUTORS 121 INDEX 123

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Book SynopsisFounded amid the urban commotion of Washington, DC, before the dawn of the twentieth century, the National Zoological Park opened to ‘preserve, teach, and conduct research about the animal world’. Entangled Encounters at the National Zoo is a study of this important cultural landmark from 1887 to 1920.Trade ReviewDeeply researched, marvelously insightful, and delightfully absorbing, Entangled Encounters at the National Zoo examines the complexities and contradictions inherent in the modern zoo. Vandersommers shows how the Smithsonian Institution’s National Zoological Park became a bustling site of wonder, entertainment, education, wildlife conservation, humane discourse, cultural advancement, civic pride, and the production and popularization of scientific and medical knowledge. At the same time, he reveals the darker side of this wildly popular and influential institution, which has embodied racist and nativist thinking, projected nationalism and imperial power, epitomized human dominion over non-humans, and been marred by the “violence of captivity” that permeates its very core. This outstanding book not only nicely captures the paradoxical, tangled layers of meaning associated with placing wildlife on public display, but also shows how zoos have come to occupy the gap between human expectations and the animals themselves." - Mark Barrow, is professor at Virginia Tech and author of Nature’s Ghosts: Confronting Extinction from the Age of Jefferson to the Age of EcologyTable of Contents Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction: At the Entrance Gate 1. Origins of a National Zoo 2. Runaway Animals 3. The Crossroads of Science and Popular Culture 4. Animal Activism and the Zoo-Networked Nation 5. Zoo Conservation and Its Discontents: Chasing Bighorn Sheep 6. The Zoonotic Nature of Tuberculosis Conclusion: The National Zoo Movement Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisExplore the beauty and diversity of the animal world through more than 300 captivating imagesTrade Review'From cave painting to 3D printing, humans have long been fascinated by the likeness of the creatures with whom we share the earth. A new book Animal showcases the great variety of these depictions through 300 artworks.' - The Wall Street Journal 'Thanks to its easy-to-read text and beautiful illustrations, this coffee table-style book will appeal to art, animal, and cultural history enthusiasts.' - Library Journal 'Stunning.' - Parents-News.co.uk 'Utterly beautiful coffee table book for animal lovers. From guinea pigs to sea dragons there are over 300 images exploring the extraordinary creatures that make up the animal kingdom. A proper present.' - Angels & Urchins 'Here is the ideal book for a nature-lover's coffee table: a brilliantly conceived and impeccably rendered showcase of over 300 images of animals extant and extinct, real and imagined, selected for their visual impact and scientific significance... The aggregated images and their fascinating text are an addictive time sink. Better keep each two-page spread open for a week before turning to the next one, so that this lovely book can brighten and inform your living space for months to come.' - Natural History Magazine 'Any volume that examines 'humankind's fascination with animals' can only hope to be a conspectus, but Animal is an unusually ambitious and thoughtful effort, handsomely produced and with an introduction by a Harvard zoologist... Images are paired cleverly, sometimes touchingly, to show how our fascination evolves... Many will be less familiar and some strikingly new... Animal captures admirably two interlocking intoxications: the thrill of ever-expanding zoological knowledge and the sheer joy of looking at animals, which look right back and into us in challenge and entreaty.' - Country Life 'Beautiful... Bridges the gap between art and science, compiling the story of humankind's relationship with animals alongside hundreds of glossy images... So what can we learn from flicking through this book when the internet can deliver us images of every insect, animal and amphibian under the sun? The answer is: a lot. It sets into context how our study, depiction and understanding of animals has changed throughout history, and indeed, how our knowledge continues to develop exponentially... [James Hanken's introductory essay is] academic in tone but highly accessible, it breaks down into digestible chunks exactly what zoology is - in short, the scientific study of animals and their biology - and offers an overview of why we have made images of animals through history, how these have changed and the future of what zoology looks like... Peppered with fascinating facts... These pages keep on giving and giving... This is a book that would make David Attenborough proud. If anyone knows him, be sure to buy him a copy for Christmas.' - Elephant.art 'A visual survey of mankind's fascination with the animals we share the planet with.' - The Herald (Scotland) 'Boasting imagery from some of the all-time greats... Animal is as stunning on the exterior as it is internally. Dust up on your zoological knowledge and bless your coffee table with [a] copy.' - Airows

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Book SynopsisSynopsis coming soon.......Trade Review“A remarkable book, both biologically absorbing and humanly rich, and one that should be read by every ecologically concerned American.” —John Fowles “Animal Kingdom Of Wolves and Men is not only the best popular account of an animal I have read in a long time, but also something new — a bridge between books of the past and those of the future, which, it is hoped, will incorporate and expand the perceptions so eloquently treated here.” —George Schaller “A splendid, beautiful book.” —Edmund Fuller, Wall Street Journal “Fascinating....His book has a wealth of observation, mythology and mysticism about wolves that adds a colorful part to the still unfinished mosaic that defines the wolf.” —Bayard Webster, New Fork Times Book Review “Eloquent....His own patient effort to understand a despised, feared and heavily mythologized beast induces a shiver, of strangeness, the sign of fresh, original work.” —Walter Clemons, Newsweek “Unusually informative and sensitive.” —Robert Kirsch, Los Angeles Times “Haunting....has something of value to say to all of us.” —Boston Globe “Brilliant...a work of intelligence, dedication and beauty, deserving the widest possible attention not only for the sake of wolves but also for the sake of men.”—Whitley Streiber, Washington PostTable of ContentsCONTENTSIntroductionI: CANIS LUPUS LINNAEUS1. Origin and Description2. Social Structure and Communication3. Hunting and TerritoryII: AND A CLOUD PASSES OVERHEAD4. Amaguk and Sacred Meat5. A Wolf in the Heart6. Wolf WarriorsIII: THE BEAST OF WASTE AND DESOLATION7. The Clamor of Justification8. Wolfing for Sport9. An American PogromIV: AND A WOLF SHALL DEVOUR THE SUN10. Out of a Medieval Mind11. The Reach of Science12. Searching for the Beast13. Images from a Childhood14. A Howling at TwilightEpilogue: On the Raising of Wolves and a New EthologyAfterword: A Reacquaintance with WolvesBibliographyIndexIllustration credits

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Book SynopsisTransform your garden into a haven for all kinds of wildlife.In a world with too much concrete and not enough greenery, every wildlife-friendly garden can make a huge difference. But what if we told you that you can make a difference to your local wildlife from the comfort of your own home? You can help to reverse the decline in bird numbers and much more by creating a haven in which they will thrive! Let author, presenter, and wildlife conservationist Dan Rouse show you how you can make your outdoor space more welcoming for a wide variety of visitors, from planting pollinator-friendly perennials to digging a pond. Learn the best ways to provide shelter, food, and water, discover the best planting choices and how they can help, then sit back and watch as your garden becomes a much-needed refuge for a huge range of species.Dive straight in to discover:- A beautiful mixture of full-color illustrations and photos of different species.

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Book SynopsisThis beautifully illustrated book takes the reader on a journey through natural history and shows the richness of animal life on our planet like you’ve never seen it before.

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Book SynopsisAn exploration of animal attachments that, in human terms, can only be called love. Take, for instance, the dog living in a wildlife sanctuary who treats an orphaned leopard cub as his litte beloved sister. Or the dalmation who mothers an abandoned newborn lamb - a lamb who just happened to be covered in spots like her adopted mama.

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Book SynopsisTake a stunning journey to the ends of the earth through the colorful, fluid motion of Photicular® technology. A phenomenon first seen in the bestsellers Safari and Ocean, Photicular technology uses sliding lenses and video imagery to display realistic living motion in the pages of a book. It’s like a movie in your hand. Penguins waddle in their irresistibly happy way. A walrus lumbers across the snowy landscape. There’s a polar bear with her lively cubs. A beluga whale, breaching. A team of sled dogs sprinting directly at the viewer. And the miracle of the Northern Lights, shimmering like a silk rainbow through the star-filled night.National Geographic writer Carol Kaufmann brings the reader along on a voyage to the North and South Poles, and writes a lively and informative essay for each image, including vital statistics for each animal, such as their size, range, habitat, and more.  

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Book SynopsisJUNGLE features exotic animals in vivid colour and vibrant motion: A tree frog blinks his big red eyes. A tiger stalks his prey. A blue leaf monkey scratches his back. A tarantula scurries across the ground. A butterfly drinks from a tropical flower. A nocturnal tarsier scans for food. A vividly patterned macaw comes in for a landing.

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Book SynopsisCelebrate the bonds of friendship and love by saying you'll be there through the good days and the trash days with this unique and playful fill-in book filled with adorable trash animals. When your recipient feels like a trash panda or maybe a pizza rat, this is the perfect book to remind them that even when they might feel like trash, they are still your treasure. Once you fill in the 46 prompts, this illustrated book full of adorable trash animals like raccoons, pigeons, possums, skunks, mice, and more becomes a personalized gift full of funny, memorable, and endearing expressions of appreciation and support that your loved one will cherish for years to come. 

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Book Synopsis With charming illustrations, clever animal facts, and a tongue-in-cheek title, Feeling Prickly? is a quirky journal sure to appeal to animal lovers, stationery enthusiasts, and fans of a good pun. Spiky friends, from hedgehogs and porcupines to blowfish and sea urchins, frolic through the pages of this adorable flexi journal. With fun facts and spot illustrations of 10 unique animals alongside lined pages for journaling, recording to-do lists, and jotting down notes, this journal is the perfect way to show off your delightfully prickly personality. This journal features: Full-color illustrated flexi binding with rounded corners throughout. Lined and blank interior pages, printed on woodfree paper. Full-color illustrations throughout. 40 animal facts.

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Book SynopsisHow a striking phenomenon people have observed for millennia became a field of scientific inquiry and revolutionized molecular biology and medical research.Trade Review"A fresh and welcome perspective on bioluminescence knowledge, especially before the Second World War, Luminous Creatures provides a window into the evolution of a fascinating aspect of natural history through recorded time." James Morin, Cornell University"Engagingly written and informative, Luminous Creatures covers the history of observations and research in connection with the phenomenon of bioluminescence through the ages, providing the reader not only with a chronology of scientific advances in the field but also with glimpses into the lives of some of the key researchers of living lights." Victor Benno Meyer-Rochow, Research Institute of Luminous Organisms, Hachijojima, Tokyo"Enlightenment is the through-line in Michel Anctil's intelligent new book on the history and science of light production in living organisms. After all, what is science, if not a journey from the darkness into the light? A probing of the mysteries of nature, through our specimens. It is exactly this sort of probing that Anctil writes about in Luminous Creatures, most radiantly. It is just as much about how real science is done. Its rich, variegated material will surely be dredged up and mined for shimmering treasures not only by future generations of scientists, but also by artists and writers, who, if they brave the science and stay with this book, may be similarly rewarded." Literary Review of Canada"Luminous Creatures provides an unparalleled holistic narrative of the development of oceanography as a scientific practice, the characters that drove the efforts, and the animals that they studied. [It] is profoundly well researched, is scientifically ac"This book is as much about the "luminaries" behind the major finds about light-producing organisms as the organisms themselves, and that in large part is why it is such a compelling read. Recommended." Choice"This work highlights how small the historiography of marine biology still is and how much space for expansion is available; Anctil is the first to tell many of these stories." Journal of the History of Biology

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Book SynopsisThis intriguing book identifies the imaginative use of wild animals in early western society and shows how attitudes to wild animals changed according to subsistence and economic needs and how wildlife helped to determine social relations among people.Trade ReviewPart of the challenge of conserving biological diversity in the 21st century, Colpitts argues, will be to grapple with old, utilitarian understandings of nature and wildlife. [Game in the Garden] is well and clearly written, a solid attempt at developing those very understandings. -- Terry Glavin * Discovery, Spring 2003 *Table of ContentsIllustrations and TablesAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1 Amerindians, Voyageurs, and the Animal Exchange in the Western Fur Trade2 The Territorial Period, Game Crisis, and the Western Domestication Movement3 From Meat to Sport Hunting4 Boosters, Wildlife, and Western Myths of Superabundance5 Pioneer Society and Fish and Game Protection ConclusionAppendix: Independent Conservation Associations in Western CanadaNotesSelected BibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisDespite the popular assumption that wildlife conservation is a recent phenomenon, it emerged over a century and a half ago in an era more closely associated with wildlife depletion than preservation. In Wildlife, Conservation, and Conflict in Quebec, Darcy Ingram explores the combination of NGOs, fish and game clubs, and state-administered leases that formed the basis of a unique system of wildlife conservation in North America. However, these early strategies were not as forward-focused as they appear. Ingram traces the emergence of a lease-based regulatory system that blended elite forms of sport and conservation. Applied first to British North America's prized salmon rivers, this system came to encompass the bulk of Quebec's hunting and fishing territories. Inspired by a longstanding belief in progress, improvement, and social order based on European as well as North American models, this system effectively privatized Quebec's fish and game resources, often to the detrimTable of ContentsContentsForeword: What You See Depends upon Where (and How) You Look / Graeme WynnIntroductionPart 1: Beginnings, 1840-801 The New Regulatory Environment2 Salmon, Sport, and the Lower St. Lawrence3 ConflictPart 2: Expansion, Consolidation, and Continuity, 1880-19144 From Public Space to Private Power5 The Evolution of Patrician Culture6 Opposition, Resistance, and the New CenturyConclusionAppendicesNotes; Bibliography; Index

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Book SynopsisDespite the popular assumption that wildlife conservation is a recent phenomenon, it emerged over a century and a half ago in an era more closely associated with wildlife depletion than preservation. In Wildlife, Conservation, and Conflict in Quebec, Darcy Ingram explores the combination of NGOs, fish and game clubs, and state-administered leases that formed the basis of a unique system of wildlife conservation in North America. However, these early strategies were not as forward-focused as they appear. Ingram traces the emergence of a lease-based regulatory system that blended elite forms of sport and conservation. Applied first to British North America's prized salmon rivers, this system came to encompass the bulk of Quebec's hunting and fishing territories. Inspired by a longstanding belief in progress, improvement, and social order based on European as well as North American models, this system effectively privatized Quebec's fish and game resources, often to the detrimTable of ContentsContentsForeword: What You See Depends upon Where (and How) You Look / Graeme WynnIntroductionPart 1: Beginnings, 1840-801 The New Regulatory Environment2 Salmon, Sport, and the Lower St. Lawrence3 ConflictPart 2: Expansion, Consolidation, and Continuity, 1880-19144 From Public Space to Private Power5 The Evolution of Patrician Culture6 Opposition, Resistance, and the New CenturyConclusionAppendicesNotes; Bibliography; Index

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive and accessible account of the history, ecology, geography, science, and conservation aspects surrounding the migration of approximately two hundred species of raptors.Trade Review"While there have been numerous academic papers on raptor migration, no one until Bildstein has attempted to synthesize the widely scattered data. His excellent and well-researched book offers a systematic overview of key migration routes and the species involved—he cites a list of 200 diurnal raptors—while surveying the hypotheses that attempt to explain the origins of bird-of-prey migration. Bildstein also provides an account of the world's top raptor-watching sites and rounds off with a consideration of conservation priorities."—Mark Cocker, Times Literary Supplement, June 22 2007"This book provides an excellent summary of what is known about how raptors prepare for and eventually undertake their movements. It summarises a great volume of scientific papers in a readable style. Eight species are selected for more detailed discussion: Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Grey-faced Buzzard, Steppe Buzzard and Amur Falcon."—Birding World,"Migrating Raptors of the World, by Keith L. Bildstein, is a stunning book, exceptional in both its inherently worldwide scope and in the depth with which it treats its subjects. Like Bildstein, I was fascinated at an early age by the hunting flights of birds of prey-then as an adult so entranced by their far-flung migrations that I followed peregrine falcons in a light plane from Texas to Canada and back to the tropics. Yet if this volume had existed to answer, as it does, most of my questions about where my falcons went, and when, and how they did so, I might never have made the journey with them. Thus for both the professional ornithologist and those who simply feel their hearts go out to every autumnal kettle of broadwings channeling south between Vera Cruz and the coastal Sierras, to the sight of a tundra peregrine sweeping over a Caribbean marsh, putting a thousand shorebirds into simultaneous flight, or to the mystery of a golden eagle soaring north—from where to where?—along the Rocky Mountains' Front Range, this book is a key to these fierce and lovely creatures' heretofore almost mystical intercontinental realm. I could not recommend it more highly."—Alan Tennant, author of On The Wing: To the Edge of the Earth With The Peregrine Falcon"Through his extensive personal knowledge and familiarity with the published literature, Keith L. Bildstein has produced a comprehensive treatment of the spectacular phenomena of raptor migration. Until recently, migration has been one of the least understood aspects of raptor biology; however, this volume provides both professional ornithologists and amateur raptor migration enthusiasts with a very readable synthesis of our current understanding of raptor migration. Bildstein presents interesting case studies of several raptor species that illustrate how the migration strategies of these magnificent birds can develop very differently. He also highlights stories and findings from twelve of the world's most important hawk-watching sites. This book should be of broad interest to bird watchers, ornithologists, and conservation ecologists, but is a must for the libraries of raptor biologists."—Michael W. Collopy, Executive Director, Academy for the Environment

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Book Synopsis"Long and sympathetic watching, radio tracking, chemical analysis are all part of this naturalist's ingenious and peaceable arsenal of inquiry into the lives of porcupines."—Scientific AmericanTrade ReviewEngaging and interesting. The reader will learn much about this fascinating mammal that is frequent in our woods but often unseen by the untrained observer. * Wildlife Activist *

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Book SynopsisThird edition of the classic field guide, with a new illustration program, published with the support of the Asa Wright Nature Centre in commemoration of more than 40 years of excellence in conservation.Trade ReviewAs in previous editions, there is a store of information within these pages and a lot of natural history data that are not to be found elsewhere.... [ffrench's] legacy is well preserved in this posthumous edition. -- Christopher J. Sharpe * Neotropical Birding #14 *"Trinidad and Tobago provides wonderful birding and this guide does the island's brilliant bird life justice.... If you are planning a trip, I can thoroughly recommend this book. If you’re not planning a trip, I thoroughly recommend it too." — Dr Rebecca Nesbit and Phil Gould, The Biologist

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Book SynopsisIn The Hopes of Snakes, Lisa Couturier celebrates the stories of forgotten, overlooked animals who have adapted nobly to city and suburban life in the Northeast. With sharp perception and deep humanity, she has found what is so remarkable in the nature we see most often and illuminated it like no one before her. The Hopes of Snakes is an eloquent and powerful debut by one of the best new writers exploring nature in the humanized landscape.

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Book SynopsisWildlife biologist Victor Van Ballenberghe gives insights into the species, their habitat, and predators.

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Book SynopsisIf, as many argue, movies and television have become Western culture's premier storytelling media, so too have they become, for most members of society, the primary source of encounters with the natural world - particularly wild animals. This work traces the genealogy of the nature film, from its origins as the "animal locomotion" studies.Trade Review"Quite brilliant... This fascinating book will interest all audiences."-ChoiceTable of ContentsPreface Introduction 1. The Problem of Images 2. A Brief History of a Neglected Tradition 3. Science and Storytelling 4. The Classic Model 5. Family Values, Social Mores, Behavioral Norms 6. Nature Designed and Composed Appendix: Chronological Highlights from the History of Wildlife and Natural History Films Notes Bibliography Index Acknowledgments

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Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOKThe remarkable story of James Howard “Billy” Williams, whose uncanny rapport with the world’s largest land animals transformed him from a carefree young man into the charismatic war hero known as Elephant BillIn 1920, Billy Williams came to colonial Burma as a “forest man” for a British teak company. Mesmerized by the intelligence and character of the great animals who hauled logs through the jungle, he became a gifted “elephant wallah.” In Elephant Company, Vicki Constantine Croke chronicles Williams’s growing love for elephants as the animals provide him lessons in courage, trust, and gratitude. Elephant Company is also a tale of war and daring. When Japanese forces invaded Burma in 1942, Williams joined the elite British Force 136 and operated behind enemy lines. His war elephants carried supplies, helped build bridg

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Book SynopsisProvides a captivating visual and narrative journey into the ecology of Florida’s animals. The intimate and artistic photographs in this book introduce readers to the wide variety of wildlife that thrives within the state.

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Book SynopsisA beguiling picture of the ups and downs of backwoods living - now in paperback!Trade Review"This is a fascinating story about the difference between the destructive forces of nature and the destructive forces of humans. It begins with a charming naivete and ends with a clear-eyed wisdom." -Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature"[Verena Conley's] Minnesota Walden is resplendent but also beset by natural and man-made plagues that continually threaten her serenity. The book's wisdom is that it reveals how she finally triumphs over her complex environment by recognizing that for the most part she doesn't have to."-Ross McElwee, director of Sherman's March and Bright Leaves"A great book to read aloud - especially in a car escaping a city." -David Black, award-winning screenwriter, journalist, novelist, and producerTable of ContentsContents AcknowledgementsPrologue: A Cabin in the WildernessPart I. Babes in the Woods Heading for the Wilderness Home Alone at the Cabin Summer Pleasures Forest Paths The Art of Ricing Winter Pleasures Of Mice and Men Round-robin with the Weasels Icy Roads Cabin Opener Tree-Planting Ceremony Bruno the Bear Blueberry Hill Raspberry Picking Devastation Part II. The War Against the BeaversThe War Begins Jim Rondeau Strange Bedfellows Tree Nailing Nature Attacks The First Trapper A New Beaver Dam The Logging Letter A Tour with the "Forest Coordinator"Amos, the Eco-Trapper Edna, the Woodswoman More Beaver Stories The First Victim A Silent Spring A New Plague Urbanization The Beavers Return Joe Ahearn Big Timber Wolves More Chaos "Nature's Ways" Back to Blueberry Hill Epilogue

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