Wildlife: general interest Books

Book SynopsisThere are five races of tiger on our planet and all but one live in tropical regions: the Siberian Tiger Panthera tigris altaica is the exception. Mysterious and elusive, and with only 350 remaining in the wild, the Siberian tiger remains a complete enigma. One man has set out to change this.Sooyong Park has spent twenty years tracking and observing these elusive tigers. Each year he spends six months braving sub-zero temperatures, buried in grave-like underground bunkers, fearlessly immersing himself in the lives of Siberian tigers. As he watches the brutal, day-to-day struggle to survive the harsh landscape, threatened by poachers and the disappearance of the pristine habitat, Park becomes emotionally and spiritually attached to these beautiful and deadly predators. No one has ever been this close: as he comes face-to-face with one tiger, Bloody Mary, her fierce determination to protect her cubs nearly results in his own bloody demise.Poignant, poetic and fiercely compassionate, The Trade ReviewPraise for The Great Soul of Siberia: ‘If you read one nature book this year, make it this one.’ Mark Cocker, Spectator ‘Wonderful … deserves to become a classic of wildlife literature.’ The Times ‘A wonderful evocation of the land and the habits of the desperately endangered Siberian tiger.’ Independent ‘The year's best wildlife book could already have arrived’ Wanderlust ‘Subtly intense … Park has a deep sense of oneness with the world around him. His close engagement with the forest ecology is the most extraordinary element of this remarkable book.’ New Statesman ‘It’s a masterpiece. One of the most moving outdoor texts I’ve read in years. This is a book about love – one exceptional human being’s love for the wild, beautiful and persecuted creatures to which his life is dedicated. It also comprehends a fortitude and hardihood so far beyond the everyday I was left shaking my head in astonished admiration.’ The Great Outdoors ‘Sooyong’s magical prose led me into little-known and breathtakingly beautiful forests, exposed me to the bitter cold of long winter months, and revealed the secret life of that most mysterious of cats, the Siberian tiger.’ Jane Goodall ‘A triumph of nature writing; an original and authentic voice from the wilderness.’ Jonathan and Angela Scott ‘The book is a love letter … To read it is to hear the voice of a remarkable man.’ Daily Telegraph ‘Spellbinding … Park’s book burns an indelible memory.’ Country Life

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Book Synopsis''In the gloom it came along the branches towards me, its round, hypnotic eyes blazing, its spoon-like ears turning to and fro independently like radar dishes . . . it was Lewis Carroll''s Jabberwocky come to life . . . one of the most incredible creatures I had ever been privileged to meet.''The fourth largest island in the world, Madagascar is home to woodlice the size of golf balls, moths the size of Regency fans and the Aye-Aye, a type of lemur held by local superstion to be an omen of death. But when Gerald Durrell visited the island, the destruction of the forests meant that the Aye-Aye and many other creatures were in danger of extinction.Told with his unique sense of humour and inimitable charm, Gerald Durrell''s The Aye Aye and I is the final adventure from one of Britain''s best loved conservationists.Trade ReviewA renegade who was right . . . He was truly a man before his time -- Sir David AttenboroughIf animals, birds and insects could speak, they would possibly award Mr Gerald Durrell one of their first Nobel prizes * Times Literary Supplement *Durrell has an uncanny knack of discovering human as well as animal eccentricities * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisEach year the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is seen by millions through a global tour and international media coverage. Portfolio 29 displays the full collection of 100 images awarded in the 2018 competition. Selected by an international jury for their artistic merit and originality from more than 40,000 entries, they represent the work of almost 100 nationalities. Displaying different styles, techniques, and ways of seeing, the collection is both a showcase for photographers who specialize in documenting the natural world and a celebration of nature.

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Book SynopsisStuarts’ Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern, Central and East African Wildlife provides detailed coverage of tracks, droppings, bird pellets, nests and shelters, and feeding signs, not only for mammals, but also for birds, reptiles, insects and other invertebrates. First published in 1994, it has since been comprehensively revised and greatly expanded, making it the standard reference on the subject in the region. This new edition – featuring additional updates, a revised title and a new cover – retains the unique approach to identification that made the earlier editions so useful and popular: multiple full-colour photographs of all tracks and signs; detailed descriptions, track sketches and measurements; photographs of animal species to supplement the tracks and signs; advice on where to look for tracks and signs and how to interpret them. Navigation is by means of a set of keys showing the shape and size of the tracks and signs, allowing readers to navigate quickly to the animal or group of species responsible for the track in question. Keys on the inside covers help readers access information even faster. Sales points: Authoritative, highly detailed guide to a popular subject; new cover and title matches distinctive branding of authors’ other books; full-colour photographs throughout; expert authors with extensive field experience.

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Book Synopsis815 species of amphibian have been described on the African continent – 788 frogs, 23 caecilians and four salamanders. Field Guide to the Frogs & other Amphibians of Africa is the first guide ever to cover all these species. The book features a brief introduction with tips for handling and identifying amphibians. A useful illustrated guide to each family group serves as a first step towards species ID. Species accounts describe physical features, distribution, habitat, biology, advertisement calls and conservation status, and are supported by colour photographs and up-to-date distribution maps. Field Guide to the Frogs & Other Amphibians of Africa will prove invaluable to nature lovers, tour guides, students and scientists. Sales points: A first of its kind; facilitates identification of hundreds of species; photographic guide to amphibian groups; informative species accounts; glossary (partially illustrated) explaining all technical terms

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Book Synopsis''Wonderfully intense and honest - a poignant manual of how to grow hope against the odds.'' - Chris Packham, TV presenter and author of Fingers in the Sparkle Jar.Finding herself in a new home in Brighton, Kate Bradbury sets about transforming her decked, barren backyard into a beautiful wildlife garden. She documents the unbuttoning of the earth and the rebirth of the garden, the rewilding of a tiny urban space. On her own she unscrews, saws and hammers the decking away, she clears the builders'' rubble and rubbish beneath it, and she digs and enriches the soil, gradually planting it up with plants she knows will attract wildlife. She erects bird boxes and bee hotels, hangs feeders and grows nectar- and pollen-rich plants, and slowly brings life back to the garden.But while she's doing this Kate''s neighbours continue to pave and deck their gardens locking them away, the wildlife she tries to save is further threatened, and she feels she's fighting an uphill battle. Is Trade ReviewShines a light on the simple brilliance of life. -- Chris PackhamA moving, unpretentious account of starting again. -- Patrick Barkham * Guardian, Books of the Year *A truly inspiring account of transformation, The Bumblebee Flies Anyway made me simultaneously want to read on to the final page, and rush out to my garden. -- Melissa Harrison * author of All Among the Barley *Bradbury makes a passionate plea for us all to follow her example - to ditch the decking and fill our own outside spaces, however small, with plants. -- Jane Shilling * Daily Mail *Reading this book made me itch to get out into my own garden and peer under piles of dead leaves to look for beetles. A moving tribute to the space Kate Bradbury creates and her skill as a gardener. -- Alys Fowler * The Garden *A glorious thing that is part autobiography, part gardening book and part fierce invective against the sterilisation of our urban landscapes when they are an increasingly important haven for wildlife. * Amateur Gardening *Quirky, passionate and endearing, an inspiring account of bringing a tiny garden back to life. -- Dave Goulson, author of A Sting in the Tale and Bee QuestA beautiful story of a garden brought back from the dead. -- Eleanor Morton * Countryman *A very personal story of love, loss and rebirth. -- Fionnuala Fallon * Irish Times *It made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me mourn the loss of our green spaces but have hope for the wild places that remain. There is no louder, fresher voice for the value of urban wildlife. -- Jules Howard * zoologist and author of Sex on Earth *Bradbury 'unbuttons the earth' and lets the bumblebees, foxgloves and sparrows return at their own pace. A rallying cry for the wildlife garden. -- Louise Gray * author of The Ethical Carnivore *This is an important and timely book. I defy anyone who reads it not to want to do more to help their local wildlife. -- Brigit Strawbridge, wildlife gardener and bee campaignerA gorgeous - and informative - read. -- Penny McCormick * The Gloss *A wonderful and moving book about how a slice of nature at the backdoor offers refuge not only to the city wildlife but to the garden too. -- Alys Fowler * author of Hidden Nature and The Edible Garden *This is a beautiful, heartfelt book of hopeful wildlife gardening in the face of declining habitats and life's tendency to trip us up when we least need it. * Amateur Gardening *Table of ContentsPrologue: A garden Part One: The Bones, A Skeleton Autumn Winter Spring Summer Autumn Winter Spring Part Two: A Phoenix Spring Summer Species list Author acknowledgements If you want to learn more... Index

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Book SynopsisBeavers are widely recognised as a keystone species which play a pivotal role in riparian ecology. Their tree felling and dam building behaviours coupled with a suite of other activities create a wealth of living opportunities that are exploited by a range of other species. Numerous scientific studies demonstrate that beaver-generated living environments that are much richer in terms of both biodiversity and biomass than wetland environments from which they are absent. Emerging contemporary studies indicate clearly that the landscapes they create can afford sustainable, cost-effective remedies for water retention, flood alleviation, silt and chemical capture. Beaver activities, especially in highly modified environments, may be challenging to certain land use activities and landowners. Many trialled and tested methods to mitigate against these impacts, including a wide range of non-lethal management techniques, are regularly implemented across Europe and North America. Many of these techniques will be new to people, especially in areas where beavers are newly re-establishing. This handbook serves to discuss both the benefits and challenges in living with this species, and collates the wide range of techniques that can be implemented to mitigate any negative impacts. The authors of this handbook are all beaver experts and together they have a broad range of scientific knowledge and practical experience regarding the ecology, captive husbandry, veterinary science, pathology, reintroduction and management of beavers in both continental Europe and Britain.Trade ReviewThe authors of this handbook include many of the most significant names in beaver conservation in Europe, drawing on a wide range of experiences and perspectives, which gives this book great depth and insight.... For me, working on the River Otter Beaver Trial here in Devon, this book is already providing a quick reference guide which I’m finding easy to use and full of valuable information. It is well organised and referenced and will become vital for those managing land which beavers recolonise in the decades ahead. -- Mark Elliott * ECOS *... I recommend Eurasian Beaver Handbook for land managers, policy writers, and landowners interested in managing European landscapes that include, or may potentially include, beavers. ... Although this book focuses on the European beaver, practitioners in North America also could benefit from reading this book to compare management styles, tools, and techniques. -- Jimmy D. Taylor, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Wildlife Research Center * Journal of Wildlife Management *Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. The history of beavers in Britain 3. Beaver biology and ecology 4. Legislation 5. Effects of beavers 6. Managing beaver impacts 7. Survey and monitoring 8. Learning to live with beavers Appendices References Index

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Book SynopsisFrom world-renowned biologist Frans de Waal, a groundbreaking work which challenges everything we think we know about animal intelligence. 'A remarkable book by a remarkable scientist' Edward O Wilson author of The Social Conquest of Earth What separates your mind from the mind of an animal? Maybe you think it's your ability to design tools, your sense of self, or your grasp of past and future - all traits that have helped us define ourselves as the pre-eminent species on Earth. But in recent decades, claims of human superiority have been eroded by a revolution in the study of animal cognition. Take the way octopuses use coconut shells as tools, or how elephants can classify humans by age, gender, and language. Take Ayumu, the young male chimpanzee at Kyoto University who demonstrates his species' exceptional photographic memory. Based on research on animals including crows, dolphins, parrots, sheep, wasps, bats, whales, chimpanzees and bonobos, Frans de Waal reveals the scope and depth of animal intelligence, explaining how we have grossly underestimated non-human brains. With astonishing stories of animal cognition, Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? challenges everything you thought you knew about animal - and human - intelligence. 'A lively, punchy and rigorous review of 20 years of academic studies of animals' mental lives, written by one of the most prominent thinkers in the field... an important corrective to human exceptionalism' Sunday TimesTrade ReviewA lively, punchy and rigorous review of 20 years of academic studies of animals' mental lives, written by one of the most prominent thinkers in the field... It is the half-century-long failure of science and empathy that motivates de Waal's fascinating book... De Waal demolishes the pedestal on which we have placed humanity... [it is] an important corrective to human exceptionalism -- James McConachie * Sunday Times *If you are at all interested in what it is to be an animal, human or otherwise, you should read this book -- Matthew Cobb * Guardian *Compellingly recounted by De Waal, who has a long and distinguished career in animal psychology... This book makes plan [that] we can see plenty of ourselves in our animal cousins too -- Raphael Hogarth * The Times *So, are we 'smart enough to know how smart animals are'? The question will occur to you many times as you read Frans de Waal's remarkable distillations of science in this astonishingly broad-spectrum book. I guarantee one thing: readers come away a lot smarter. As this book shows, we are here on Planet Earth with plenty of intelligent company -- Carl Safina, author * Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel *Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? will completely change your perceptions of the abilities of animals. It is... a fascinating journey of discovery -- Temple Grandin, author * Animals in Translation *This is a remarkable book by a remarkable scientist. Drawing on a growing body of research including his own, de Waal shows that animals, from elephants and chimpanzees to the lowly invertebrates, are not only smarter than we thought, but also engaged in forms of thought we have only begun to understand -- Edward O. Wilson, University Professor Emeritus, Harvard UniversityA thoughtful, balanced argument... written simply enough for nonspecialists but with enough detail to engage academics who want a concise review of the field outside their own areas of expertise. The take-home message may be not only whether humans are smart enough to evaluate nonhuman intelligence, but also whether we are humble and open-minded enough to accept that humans may sometimes not be superior to the nonhumans with whom we share the world -- Irene Pepperberg, author * Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence—and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process *Frans de Waal's groundbreaking research has long challenged scientists, philosophers, and theologians to rethink the place of humans in the natural world, showing that we aren't the only species with strategic 'political' behavior, elements of empathy, a sense of justice, and high intelligence. Here he covers not only primates, but a much wider range of species, showing his unique ability to translate the latest findings into sparkling, accessible, provocative books for the thinking public -- Robert Sapolsky, author * Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers *Engaging and provocative... de Waal illuminates the latest ideas and thinking about animal minds and emotions... He challenges us to accept the ultimate findings of this research: Our mental skills are the product of evolution, and all animals from spiders to octopuses to ravens and apes are thinkers in their own ways. And he asks us perhaps the most daunting question of all: Are we really smart enough to understand the minds of other animals? -- Virginia Morell, author * Animal Wise: How We Know Animals Think and Feel *You can't help but get a sense that de Waal has placed another nail in the coffin of behaviorism. In animal after animal, de Waal shows the depths of their intelligence and triumphantly affirms that, yes, we are smart enough to see it, and the clues have been there all along -- Gregory Berns, author * How Dogs Love Us *Frans de Waal brilliantly demonstrates through scientific evidence, inspiring stories, and common sense that we must fully appreciate the continuous evolutionary process that led to intelligence - understanding situations, reasoning, learning, emotional and empathic knowledge, communication, planning, creativity, and problem solving - and to other amazing cognitive skills that allow various species to best survive, each in their own way. A must for those who aspire to transcend the biases of both anthropocentrism and anthropodenial -- Matthieu Ricard, author * Altruism: The Power of Compassion to Change Yourself and the World *A thoroughly engaging, remarkably informative and deeply insightful book * Publishers Weekly *de Waal is persuasive in arguing that the difference between the cognition of the human and those of other animals is one of degree, not of kind, and the clarity of his writing makes for a highly readable book ... After this edifying book, a trip to the zoo may never be the same * Kirkus *This is what science writing should be, and so rarely is: confident but humble; rigorous but suffused with wonder. De Waal writes with the simplicity that comes only with profound understanding. he's a true scientist - free of the reductionist fundamentalism that suffocates so much modern science. The book is an exhilarating but genial journey through evolutionary aeons, across the species barrier, and into the surprisingly companionable worlds of non-human races -- Charles Foster, author of Being the BeastWhen a judge says that a young criminal behaved like an animal he means it as an insult. If he read Frans de Waal's splendid new book he would discover that in reality it as a compliment -- Desmond MorrisDe Waal draws on his own experience and a vast array of scientific papers to support his ideas. His book is rich and digressive... It is certainly a significant contribution to the debate. -- Philip Hoare * New Statesman *Engrossing and remarkable -- Brett Westwood * BBC Wildlife Magazine *Terrific... [de Waal] is a brilliant writer -- Doug Johnstone * Big Issue *[This] guide to animal intelligence will help us adjust our human-centricity a little bit... De Waal sets out not only to explore the topic of animal intelligence [...] but also to investigate why we are so very resistant to accepting the fact that other species share some of our mental traits. In the process, he explores the history of such biases, as well as the research that has challenged them... Are We Smart Enough? is like the lunchtime lecture you might go to... story-driven and personable, so you feel the narrator is there with you, affably offering insights that expand your understanding -- Adrian Barnett * Literary Review *Admirable... [de Waal] offers intimate knowledge of the history of the field together with a vision of its prospects. He skilfully weaves together intellectual history, anecdote[s] about leading figures, accounts of empirical discoveries, philosophical critique and the occasional well-aimed and perfectly weighted slap. Combining wisdom, lightly-worn expertise and an undiminished capacity for wonder, de Waal is not afraid to let a shard of temper show now and again... His reflections over a long an distinguished career will both enlighten the general reader and discomfort those who deserve, in their presuppositions, to be much less comfortable... a remarkable book -- Ian Ground * TLS *

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Book SynopsisA charming addition to Rizzoli’s carefully curated program of bringing classic books back into print. This beautifully packaged facsimile of Edith Holden’s original diary is filled with a naturalist’s masterful paintings and delightful observations chronicling the English countryside throughout 1906. As one of the few true records of the time in print, the handwritten thoughts and paintings contained in The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady transport readers to a more refined, romantic, and simpler time. Capitalizing on the current Downton Abbey–inspired appetite for Edwardian-era ephemera, fashions, and society, this reproduction brings readers back to a time in which propriety, civility, and an appreciation for the natural world reigned. This souvenir of a bygone era serves not only as a calming touchstone, but a reminder that as long as we choose to see it, we are still surrounded by beauty and grace.

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Book SynopsisThis is the most memorable and surprising collection of wildlife imagery of the year – a gallery of work by more than 70 photographers from 30 countries – all 100 pictures awarded in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

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Book SynopsisHow does a mudskipper fish manage to “walk” on land? Why is the Hoatzin also known as ‘The Stinkbird’? And once the female Pipa toad has laid her eggs, where does she put them? The answers? The mudskipper can “walk” using its pectoral fins, the Hoatzin has a unique digestive system which gives the bird a manure-like odour, and the female Pipa Toad embeds its eggs on its back where they develop to adult stage. Illustrated throughout with outstanding colour photographs, Strange Animals presents the most unusual aspects of 100 of the most unusual species. The selection spans a broad spectrum of wildlife, from the tallest land living mammal, the giraffe, to the light, laughing chorus of Australian kookaburra birds, from the intelligence of the Bottlenose dolphin to octopuses that change colour when they dream to the slow pace of the three-toed sloth. Arranged geographically, the photographs are accompanied by fascinating captions, which explain the quirky characteristics of each entry. Including egg-laying mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, cannibalistic insects and other invertebrates, Strange Animals is a compelling introduction to some of nature’s most curious beasts.Table of ContentsIntroduction Asia Tokay Gharial Japanese Macaque Mudskipper Proboscis Monkey Honeybadger Siamese Fighting Fish Tarsier Mekong ray Saiga Golden snub-nosed monkey Colugo Sturgeon Baikal seal Sloth bear Racoon dog Komodo dragon Slow loris Giant hornet Leaf insect Malayan tapir Africa Aardvark Madagascar chameleon (Brookesia) Giraffe Hoopoe Marabou stork Naked Mole Rat Fat tailed gecko Gaboon viper Tree pangolin Giraffe weevil Aye aye Lungfish Tomato frog Aardvark Okapi Springhare Gerenuk Spotted hyena Hammerhead bat Rain frog, Breviceps fuscus Armadillo girdled lizard Mandrill Australia Duck-billed Platypus Red Kangaroo Emu Koala Laughing Kookaburra Echidna Sugarglider Kakapo Tuatara Archerfish Wombat Tasmanian devil Frilled lizard Thorny devil Funnel web spider Peacock spider Turtle frog Frogmouth Dingo Honeypot ant Witchetty grub Weta Kea Kiwi North America American Bullfrog Beaver Red wolf Ghost bear Alligator gar Thorn bug Wolverine Peccary Star nosed mole Alligator snapping turtle Hellbender Ajolote Blue-footed booby Manatee Monarch butterfly Stinkpot (musk turtle) Rainbow snake Virginia opossum Gila monster Coati American White Pelican Central and South America Giant Otter Vampire bat Hoatzin Emperor Tamarin Pipa Pygmy Marmoset Red Howler Monkey Southern Tamandua Three-toed Sloth South American horned frogs Elephant beetle Axolotl Jaguarundi Capybara Pink fairy armadillo Piranha Marine iguana Pink river dolphin Roseate spoonbill Red lipped batfish Spectacled bear Vicuna Europe Iberian ribbed newt Cuckoo Death’s Head Hawkmoth Great Diving beetle Wels catfish Wisent (European bison) Slow worm Puffin Badger Common chameleon Alpine ibex Beluga sturgeon Oceans Narwhal Angler Fish Cleaner Wrasse Sea dragon Megamouth shark Dumbo octopus Blobfish Giant isopod barreleye fish Kiwa Sea spider Sea anemone Parrot fish Nudibranch Hagfish Mantis shrimp Christmas tree worm Stargazer Wobbegong Gulper eel Oarfish Coral Hammerhead shark

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Book Synopsis''The future of all life on this earth depends on our willingness to take action now'' David AttenboroughThe official companion to the ground-breaking Netflix original series.With a foreword by Sir David Attenborough, breathtakingly beautiful still photography, specially commissioned maps and graphics, and compelling text expanding on the remarkable TV stories and giving the reader a depth of information that is impossible on screen, this companion book presents a whole new view of the place we call home.Featuring some of the world''s rarest creatures and previously unseen parts of the Earth from deep oceans to remote forests to ice caps, Our Planet takes nature-lovers deep into the science of our natural world.Revealing the most amazing sights on Earth in unprecedented ways, alongside stories of the ways humans are affecting the world''s ecosystems, from the wildebeest migrations in Africa to thTrade ReviewAstonishing book...full of beautiful photographs * Radio Times *Featuring some of the world's rarest creatures and previously unseen parts of the Earth - Our Planet travels deep into the science of our natural world. Revealing the most amazing sights, alongside stories of the way humans are affecting the world's ecosystems - this book is part of a vital global conversation about protecting and preserving the planet. * Compass Magazine *A treat on your coffee table and a fine companion to any binge watch of the series * Wanderlust *Breathtaking photographs * Radio Times *Revealing the most amazing sights on Earth, alongside stories of the way humans are affecting the world's ecosystems, this book places itself at the forefront of a global conversation as we work together to protect and preserve the planet. * Catholic Times *

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Book Synopsis'Kindness and co-operation have played a crucial role in raising humans to the top of the evolutionary tree ... We have thrived on the milk of human kindness.' Observer BY THE AUTHOR OF ARE WE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW HOW SMART ANIMALS ARE? 'There is a widely-held assumption that humans are hard-wired for relentless and ruthless competition ... Frans de Waal sees nature differently - as a biological legacy in which empathy, not mere self-interest, is shared by humans, bonobos and animals.' Ben Macintyre, The Times Empathy holds us together. That we are hardwired to be altruistic is the result of thousands of years of evolutionary biology which has kept society from slipping into anarchy. But we are not alone: primates, elephants, even rodents are empathetic creatures too. Social behaviours such as the herding instinct, bonding rituals, expressions of consolation and even conflict resolution demonstrate that animals are designed to feel for each other. From chimpanzees caring for mates that have been wounded by leopards, elephants reassuring youngsters in distress and dolphins preventing sick companions from drowning, with a wealth of anecdotes, scientific observations, wry humour and incisive intelligence, The Age of Empathy is essential reading for all who believe in the power of our connections to each other.Trade ReviewHis writing and science are infectiously good -- Adam Rutherford * Guardian *There is a widely held assumption that humans are hard-wired for relentless and ruthless competition... Frans de Waal sees nature differently - as a biological legacy in which empathy, not mere self interest, is shared by humans, bonobos and animals -- Ben Macintyre * The Times *A pioneer in primate studies, Frans de Waal sees our better side in chimps, especially our capacity for empathy * Wall Street Journal *Freshly topical ... a corrective to the idea that all animals - human and otherwise - are selfish and unfeeling to the core * Economist *Warm, engaging and empathetic ... the more we learn about nature, the more richly we're able to imagine a better society * Independent *

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Book SynopsisThe most memorable images taken from 55 years of the acclaimed Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

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Book SynopsisThis new edition of Bradt's Sri Lankan Wildlife has been fully updated to reflect all the most recent developments relevant to visitors to this beguiling island who come to watch wildlife. Whale watching, now a major part of Sri Lanka's wildlife experience, is covered, and so too is the improved visitor access to some of the national parks. With a general increase in visitors over the past decade, more entrance gates have been opened to popular national parks and access improved to others. Sri Lanka is home to elephants, leopards, bears and water buffalo and boasts one of the highest species densities of marine mammals in the world, with populations of blue whales and sperm whales off the coast proving a compelling draw. Sri Lanka is one of the few destinations in the world where you can be out at sea whale watching in the morning, then spend the afternoon in a national park watching leopards and elephants or visiting a rainforest. A balanced, all-round natural history guide, ideal field guide and armchair read, Bradt's Sri Lankan Wildlife is illustrated with colour photographs of species and includes maps charting animal habitats to aid identification. It is an ideal companion for general wildlife travellers and wildlife enthusiasts who want some background reading on the island's natural history, and is written in an accessible, easy-to-read style by an expert who visits Sri Lanka at least once a year.Trade Review'Bradt Travel Guides simply have the best wildlife coverage of any of the popular guide books.' BBC Wildlife 'Sri Lankan Wildlife provides a very good overview.' WanderlustTable of ContentsContents Introduction Sri Lanka: a biodiversity jewel, How to use this book, The Sri Lankan environment Habitats and Reserves Habitats, National parks and reserves Mammals Asian elephant, Ungulates, Carnivores, Primates, Squirrels, Bats, Other mammals Birds Birds of town and garden, Birds of the rainforest, Birds of the highlands, Birds of the dry lowlands, Birds of the wetlands, Birds of the coast, Endemic birds Reptiles and Amphibians Lizards, Snakes, Crocodiles, Turtles, terrapins and tortoises, Amphibians Invertebrates Lower invertebrates, Arthropods, Butterflies, Dragonflies and damselflies The Underwater World Freshwater fish, Marine life, Under the sea, Marine mammals Getting About Independent travel, Tours, Suggested itinerary, Photography tips Further Information Books, Societies, Finding out more Index Features Where to watch primates in Sri Lanka Watching nocturnal wildlife Snake bites Nesting sea turtles in Sri Lanka

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Book Synopsis A highly diverting celebration of television’s favourite naturalist, packed with games, trivia and Attenborough-inspired activities. Attenborough. Just saying the name makes everyone feel better. Words like 'dependable', 'inspiring' and 'soothing' cascade like the rains returning to the sun-parched savanna. And according to a recent poll, he's the most trustworthy person alive, above Michelle Obama and The Queen. As the saga of Boaty, McBoatface showed (the research ship was finally called RRS Sir David Attenborough), British people love silliness. And this book is a celebration of our two favourite things: Attenborough and silliness. You'll find games like Guess the animal from David's description, the David Attenborough drinking game, Create your own Attenborough coat of arms, Spot the fake species, Attenbingo, come up with a new animal print design for David's patented blue shirt in Patternborough, and if you find yourself in times of trouble, seek solace with the What would Attenborough do? self-help guide. Everything you've ever wanted to know about the great man – from fun facts and remarkable quotes, plus ludicrous games – lies within the sustainably forested habitat of these pages. It's the perfect present for, well, anyone, really.

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Book SynopsisA New York Times bestseller: "A passionate and convincing case for the sophistication of nonhuman minds." —Alison Gopnik, The AtlanticTrade Review"The book is not only full of information and thought-provoking, it’s also a lot of fun to read." -- Nancy Szokan - Washington Post"Astonishing…has the makings of a classic—and is one fascinating read." -- People"Walks us through research revealing what a wide range of animal species are actually capable of…[I]t all deals a pretty fierce wallop to our sense of specialness." -- Jon Mooallem - New York Times Book Review"A thoughtful and easy read, packed with information stemming from detailed empirical research, and one of de Waal’s most comparative works that goes well beyond the world of nonhuman primates with whom he’s most familiar." -- Marc Bekoff - Psychology Today"A beautifully written and delightfully conceived popular science book, written by an eminent researcher who has dedicated his career to making the general public aware of just how smart animals are." -- Nicola Clayton - Science"If you are at all interested in what it is to be an animal, human or otherwise, you should read this book." -- The Guardian"This is a remarkable book by a remarkable scientist. Drawing on a growing body of research including his own, de Waal shows that animals, from elephants and chimpanzees to the lowly invertebrates, are not only smarter than we thought, but also engaged in forms of thought we have only begun to understand." -- Edward O. Wilson, University Professor Emeritus, Harvard University"Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? will completely change your perceptions of the abilities of animals. This book takes the reader on a fascinating journey of discovery into the world of animal problem-solving." -- Temple Grandin, author of Animals in Translation and Animals Make Us Human"So, are we ‘smart enough to know how smart animals are’? The question will occur to you many times as you read Frans de Waal’s remarkable distillations of science in this astonishingly broad-spectrum book. I guarantee one thing: readers come away a lot smarter. As this book shows, we are here on Planet Earth with plenty of intelligent company." -- Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel

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Book SynopsisReaders adore James Herriot''s tales of his life as a Yorkshire animal doctor in All Creatures Great and Small and All Things Bright and Beautiful.Now here''s a third delightful volume of memoirs rich with Herriot''s own brand of humor, insight, and wisdom, and the basis for the PBS Masterpiece drama.In the midst of World War II, James is training for the Royal Air Force, while going home to Yorkshire whenever possible to see his very pregnant wife, Helen. Musing on past adventures through the dales, visiting with old friends, and introducing scores of new and amusing charactersanimal and human alikeHerriot enthralls with his uncanny ability to spin a most engaging and heartfelt yarn. Millions of readers have delighted in the wonderful storytelling and everyday miracles of James Herriot in the over thirty years since his delightful animal stories were first introduced to the world.

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for THE WAINWRIGHT BOOK PRIZE 2017Can Britain make room for wildlife? Stephen Moss believes it can. The newspaper headlines tell us that Britain's wildlife is in trouble. It's not just rare creatures that are vanishing, hares and hedgehogs, skylarks and water voles, even the humble house sparrow, are in freefall. But there is also good news. Otters have returned to the River Tyne; there are now beavers on the River Otter; and peregrines have taken up residence in the heart of London. Stephen Moss travels the length and breadth of the UK, from the remote archipelago of St Kilda to our inner cities, to witness at first-hand how our wild creatures are faring and ask how we can bring back Britain's wildlife.Trade ReviewRich with examples of what can be done to help Britain’s wildlife thrive. -- Matt Ridley * The Times *Well-written, lively, lovingly detailed book. -- Charlotte Heathcote * Daily Express *A must-read for nature lovers. * Choice Magazine *A thoroughly good book and a very readable one… Well-researched and well-argued ammunition for our cause. -- Rob Hume * Birdwatch *A must-have. * Country Living *

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Book SynopsisThe Burren is one of those rare and magical places where geology, glacial history, botany, zoology and millennia of cultural history have converged to create a unique landscape of extraordinary natural history interest. It is without equal to any other area in Ireland or Britain.To the unsuspecting tourist, much of the landscape of the Burren looks bleak, rocky, and inhospitable for any sort of farming. Yet the Burren is an agricultural landscape that has been continuously farmed since the first settlers began clearing the forest cover in the Neolithic period. Today there are several hundred farms within the Burren area. Most of these families live and work there and the farmers are crucial for the Burren's future as an area of unique landscape and ecological interest.The area attracts any naturalist with an eye for beauty, but it is the intricacies of the species' ecology, their links to the soil or to a particular insect that is really fascinating. It is a veritable paradise for natuTrade ReviewPraise for David Cabot: ‘A comprehensive addition to Collins’ iconic New Naturalist series. Lavishly illustrated … this book should provide great inspiration.’ Birdwatch ‘Informative and beautifully illustrated throughout’ IBIS ‘The authors and publishers deserve our gratitude for a product that is not only thorough, comprehensive, and a joy to read, but lavishly illustrated with carefully chosen colour photographs and sketches […] The book is very well written and beautifully illustrated […] a delight to add to the bookshelf.’ Journal of Field Ornithology ‘Ireland is a monumental, near-definitive natural history of this country … a valuable, scientifically-based, professionally-indexed and accessible study …’ The Irish Times ‘An outstanding reference work as well as a compendium of fascinating detail. It deserves an honoured place on the library shelves of every home and school.’ Sunday Independent Dublin

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Book SynopsisThe authorised biography of the great naturalist and conservationist Gerald Durrell, who died aged seventy in January 1995 in Jersey, where he founded the zoo he'd dreamed of as a small boy and pioneered the captive breeding of animals for conservation.Gerald Durrell was a world-famous naturalist and popular author who wrote, in all, some thirty-seven immensely readable yarns, including the bestselling My Family and Other Animals'. His other books include Birds, Beasts and Relatives', The Bafut Beagles' and A Zoo in My Luggage'.Above all, he paved the way in print for the popular presentation of the natural world on television and presented twelve series himself the early ones, of his own expeditions. Sir David Attenborough has said: He was responsible for changing people's attitudes to zoology and changing their agenda. He showed them small animals could be as interesting as apes and elephantsHe was a pioneer with a marvellous sense of humour.'His brother was the famous writer Lawren

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Book SynopsisThis text chronicles millions of years of evolution, linking extinct larger feline species with those still living, including lions, tigers, cougars, and cheetahs. It explains how living species and fossil remains make possible the reconstruction of the cat's social and predatory behaviour.Trade ReviewWhether your interest is scientific or you merely wonder what a giant cat whose teeth inspired the name 'he who brings devastation'looked like, this book is not to be missed. -- Luke Hunter BioScience A well-written, informative, and beautifully illustrated guide to the large cats, both extinct and extant. -- Blaire Van Valkenburgh The Quarterly Review of Biology A very interesting book-a cross between popular natural history and a coffee table volume. -- F. S. Szalay Choice Beautifully illustrated... Clearly, this work has been a labour of love for both author and illustrator. -- Douglas Palmer New Scientist Anton's illustrations, refreshingly 'based directly on the skeletal evidence available and... not merely slightly altered versions of living cats with the addition of large fangs,'are perhaps the finest ever published. They are intertwined with Turner's cogent text in an eloquent demonstration of the interplay between art and science, paleontology and zoology, predator and prey, ecology and behavior, and anatomy and geography. -- Dawn A. Adams Science

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times bestseller.A delightfully quirky compendium of the Animal Kingdom's more unfortunate truths, with over 150 hand-drawn illustrations to make you laugh and cry. Have you ever wondered how expensive a jar of honey would be if a minimum wage for bees applied, or whether a dog cares what's on television when they sit next to you? Once you enter Brooke Barker's world, you'll never see animals in the same way again. This melancholy menagerie pairs the sweet and sad facts of animal life with their hilarious thoughts and reactions. Sneakily informative, and beautifully illustrated, Sad Animal Facts by Brooke Barker is the perfect book for animal lovers (and haters) everywhere.

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Book SynopsisThis practical pocket field guide, published in association with the Wildlife Trusts, includes more than 180 wild flower species from Britain and the near Continent.Each species account contains accurate artworks that show details of the flowers, leaves and growth habit of the plant. A concise written account outlines further essential information, such as size, description, habitat, flowering time and distribution to help you identify wild flowers.The easy-to-follow layouts and illustrations artworks aid quick and precise identification, and make this book an indispensable reference in the field as well as at home. It is compact enough to fit in the pocket, yet packed with essential information for the nature enthusiast.Table of ContentsIntroduction Life Cycle of Flowering Plants Leaf Types Flower Forms and Types Adapting To Their Environment Wild Flowers Mistletoes Hops Nettles Knotweeds Goosefoots Pinks Buttercups Poppies Fumitories Cabbages Sundews Stonecrops Saxifrages Roses Peas Wood sorrels Crane’s-bills Flaxes Spurges Milkworts Mallows St John’s-worts Violets Loosestrifes Willowherbs Ivies Carrots Primroses Heathers Sea-lavenders Gentians Bedstraws Bindweeds Borages Dead-nettles Nightshades Figworts Broomrapes Moschatels Valerians Butterworts Plantains Honeysuckles Teasels Bellflowers Daisies Lilies Irises Arums Orchids Water-lilies Water-plantains

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Book SynopsisRSPB Spotlight: Ladybirds is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photos, and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist.Brightly coloured and pleasingly pattered, ladybirds are among some of our most beloved and familiar invertebrates. Their role in helping to protect our crops by devouring huge numbers of pests has firmly established these tiny, flying beetles as the gardeners'' friend.Spotlight Ladybird focuses on the 26 species that are resident in the UK, from the widespread but unusual Orange Ladybird to the rare - and aptly named - Scarce 7-spot Ladybird. Ladybird expert, Richard Comont considers the conservation challenges facing these iconic species, whose populations are now at risk thanks to the threat posed by one of their own, the invasive alien Harlequin Ladybird. And he covers all aspects of ladybirds'' biology, from tiny larvae emerging from their oval eggs to large aggregations that converge at specific sites around theTable of ContentsMeet the Ladybirds Ladybirds Across Time and Space The Ladybird Year Feeding and Foraging Ladybirds in the Landscape Natural Ladybird Enemies Cultural Connections Watching Ladybirds Looking After Ladybirds Glossary Further Reading and Resources Ladybird Species in Britain Acknowledgements Image Credits Index

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Book SynopsisThe Arctic Guide presents the traveler and naturalist with a portable, authoritative guide to the flora and fauna of earth's northernmost region. Featuring superb color illustrations, this one-of-a-kind book covers the complete spectrum of wildlife--more than 800 species of plants, fishes, butterflies, birds, and mammals--that inhabit the Arctic'sTrade Review"This book takes my breath away and it may leave you gasping with glee, too. Ms. Chester begins with a lively crash course in boreal geography and ecology, then begins her heroic march through nearly all of taxonomy... The Arctic Guide takes the reader on a tour de force of nearly everything that's interesting in the circumboreal world."--Ed Kanze, Bedford (NY) Record-Review "Do you plan a visit to Alaska? If you do, you could do no better preparing for your natural history observations than by reading Sharon Chester's The Arctic Guide: Wildlife of the Far North."--Gerry Rising, Buffalo Spree "This is a phenomenal book. It covers the species you'd expect--birds and marine mammals--in depth. But it also includes fish, flies, even flora. It's the only book a naturalist requires for a field trip to the Arctic."--Matt Miller, Cool Green Science blog "This handy tome not only covers this vast region's fauna, but also touches upon climate, flora, atmospheric phenomena, landforms and oceanography... The illustrations are simply sublime... As a longtime Arctic guide, I recommend Chester's wholeheartedly... Browse it and daydream or stuff it into your river drybag or backpack if you head north this summer."--Michael Engelhard, Alaska Dispatch NewsTable of ContentsAcknowledgments 2 About This Book 3 Geographic Coordinates 4 Glossary 5 Arktos 10 Defining the Arctic 11 Map of the Arctic 12 Mammals 25 Birds 127 Fishes 373 Lizards and Frogs 399 Flies, Bees, and Butterflies 401 Flora 425 Bibliography 535 Indexes 537

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Book SynopsisFor 50 years, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has championed honest and ethical wildlife photography, while pushing the boundaries of artistic freedom, technical skill and narrative excellence. This powerful collection of pictures features all the winning photographs from the 2015 competition.

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Book SynopsisIn 1788, nearly 1,500 people on 11 sailing ships came ashore at Port Jackson in Australia, and those who sailed in them were the community who established the first European colony in Australia. The Art of the First Fleet is a captivating collection of watercolours, washes, ink and pencil drawings created during this historic time.

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Book SynopsisRSPB ID Spotlight Dragonflies and Damselflies is a reliable fold-out chart that presents illustrations of 42 of our most widespread and familiar Odonata by renowned artist Richard Lewington.Watching dragonflies dart among the plants on a riverbank or at the edge of your pond is one of the joys of summer. But do you know a Southern Damselfly from a Variable Damselfly? Or can you tell the difference between a Scarce Chaser and a Keeled Skimmer? Dragonflies and damselflies known collectively as Odonata are some of our most fascinating insects. Although they only live for a short time, they have many behaviours that are easy to observe, including captivating aerial skills that they utilise to hunt in mid-air.The species are grouped by family and helpfully labelled to assist with identification, while artworks are shown side by side for quick comparison and easy reference at home or in the field. The reverse of the chart provides information on the habitats, behaviour, life Table of ContentsIntroducing the UK’s Dragonflies and Damselflies Habitat Distribution and Migration General Behaviour, Life Cycle and Diet Conservation Spotlight ID with Artwork

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Book SynopsisThis powerful collection features the 100 winning images from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 competition.

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Book SynopsisPresented in a beautiful quarter-bound hardback format and aimed at a general audience, this engaging book presents a selection of remarkable trees in the care of the National Trust. Throughout human history, trees have occupied a role that is central to our existence providing timber to build our homes, fuel to heat them, fruit to sustain us, shelter from a downpour and shade on a sunny day. Vital to our wellbeing, they impress us with their size, enchant us with their ever-changing colours and have provided inspiration for artists down the centuries. This celebration of trees at National Trust places presents a carefully chosen selection of 50 fascinating examples. Alongside named' witnesses to history, such as the Tolpuddle Martyrs' Sycamore and Sir Isaac Newton's Apple Tree at Woolsthorpe Manor, are fine examples of their type that deserve to be better known, such as the Douglas Firs at Cragside and the Black Mulberry at Chastleton House. Each featured tree is accompaniedTable of ContentsIntroduction 50 GREAT TREES Glossary of terms Gazetteer of National Trust Places Index Acknowledgements Picture credits

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Book Synopsis

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