Wildlife: mammals: general interest Books

Book SynopsisThe Hedgehog Book is the latest in the compact, accessible Nature Books series, exploring our relationship with some of Britain''s best-loved wild creatures.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOver the course of a year, Miriam Darlington travelled around Britain in search of wild otters; from her home in Devon to the wilds of Scotland; to Cumbria, Wales, Northumberland, Cornwall, Somerset and the River Lea; to her childhood home near the Ouse, the source of her watery obsession. Otter Country follows Darlington's search through different landscapes, seasons, weather and light, as she tracks one of Britain's most elusive animals. During her journey, she meets otter experts, representatives of the Environment Agency, conservationists, ecologists, walkers, Henry Williamson's family, Gavin Maxwell's heir; zoo keepers, fishermen, scientists, hunters and poets. Above all she learns how to track and be around otters, and that the stillness required to actually see this shy animal can bring many unasked-for wonders. Written in mesmerising prose, Otter Country establishes Darlington as a prominent voice in the new generation of British nature writers.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs they live underground moles are beneath the notice of most people except when they torment us with their molehills. Most of us see a mole as simply something to be destroyed, and never get to know the astonishing animal that lives under our feet. And yet moles are mighty and beautiful, mysterious and independent, resilient and industrious.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWinner of the Whitley Award for Best Natural History Book 2022A compelling, funny, first-hand account of Australia''s wonderfully unique mammals and how our perceptions impact their future. Think of a platypus: they lay eggs (that hatch into so-called platypups), they produce milk without nipples and venom without fangs and they can detect electricity. Or a wombat: their teeth never stop growing, they poo cubes and they defend themselves with reinforced rears. Platypuses, possums, wombats, echidnas, devils, kangaroos, quolls, dibblers, dunnarts, kowaris: Australia has some truly astonishing mammals with incredible, unfamiliar features. But how does the world regard these creatures? And what does that mean for their conservation?In Platypus Matters, naturalist Jack Ashby shares his love for these often-misunderstood animals. Informed by his own experiences meeting living marsupials and egg-laying mammals on fieldwork in Tasmania and mainland Australia, as well as his work with thousandsTrade Review‘Charming, informative … a marvellous read’ Tim Flannery, New York Review of Books ‘Ashby reveals marvellous creatures, and the mysteries and myths surrounding them’ BBC Wildlife magazine ‘Ashby’s spirited tour of the Australian bestiary is a revelation to readers unfamiliar with the intricacies of platypus biology, and unacquainted with nabarleks, dunnarts and other indigenous Australian fauna.’ Natural History ‘Building on his considerable scientific knowledge and decades of field experience, Ashby immerses readers in all things platypus … A must-read for any mammal nerd or Aussie wildlife enthusiast.’ Nature Conservancy's Cool Green Science ‘An engaging natural (and enraging colonial) history’ Washington Independent Review of Books ‘From platypuses and possums, through wombats, echidnas, devils and kangaroos, to quolls, dibblers, dunnarts and kowaris, Ashby knows them all; and he guides his readers on a tour of their lives, their evolutionary stories and the challenges they face in the modern world.’ The Well-read Naturalist ‘Fascinating … This is wonderfully dorky stuff … A persistently, defiantly upbeat book, downright infused with Ashby’s scientific exuberance’ Open Letters Review ‘Keen to overturn the warped, colonial perception that monotremes (e.g. platypuses and echidnas) and marsupials are more primitive than other mammal species, the zoologist author who runs Cambridge's Natural History Museum takes us on a tour of the fauna of Australia in all their glory …Engaging and entertaining’ Bookseller ‘This is a compelling, funny, firsthand account of our wonderfully unique mammals and how our perceptions of them impact their future.’ Australian Geographic ‘Ashby has an infectious enthusiasm for Aussie marsupials and monotremes’ West Australian ‘Written in a lively, conversational style and drawing on decades of fieldwork, this is a beguiling portrait of our unique fauna.’ Sydney Morning Herald

Read more less

Book SynopsisSome mornings are Claire mornings. Allyn, we know just how you feel...A funny book of llama illustrations by artist Kristin Llamas (her real name) with personality-rich portraits of named llamas, penned in a realistic and humorous black-and-white style.Amusing, endearingly modern quips and names lend personality to each llama drawing.• Finely detailed black and white illustrations of llamas• An adorable collection of super-relatable llama portraits• A sweet gift book that allows you to find a llama with your nameFans of Llamanoes, Have a Little Pun, and Llive, Llaugh, Llove Llike a Llama will love this book. • Llama fans• Animal lovers • Anyone who appreciates modern humor

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe only truly semi-aquatic member of the weasel family, otters were once a common sight in UK rivers and lakes, but now less so. Through informative chapters ranging from the physiological and environmental to the otter''s inclusion in myth, legend, art and literature, The Otter Book is an ideal guide to its subject for all nature lovers.

Read more less

Book Synopsis"Meshing deft scientific text with Tuttle’s sumptuous images, it’s a superb introduction to the baroque morphologies and flying prowess of these beguiling beasts."- NatureBats: An Illustrated Guide to All Species looks in detail at the more than 1,300 species known today. Nocturnal, fast-flying and secretive, they are endlessly fascinating, yet extremely difficult to observe and catalogue. The diversity of bats is both rich and underestimated and the threats they face from humans are very real. This guide illuminates the world of bats and reveals their true nature as intelligent, social and deeply misunderstood creatures.This extravagantly illustrated handbook features the work of famed nature photographer Merlin D. Tuttle and in-depth profiles of 288 bats, from the Large Flying Fox, which has a wingspan of more than five feet, to the Bumblebee Bat, contender for the world’s smallest mammal. Bats includes close-up images of these animals’ delicate and intricate forms and faces, each shaped by evolution to meet the demands of an extraordinarily specialized life, and a thorough introduction which explores their natural history and unique adaptations to life on the wing. If you like this you might also be interested in Owls by Marianne Taylor . . .Table of ContentsForeword 6 Introduction 8Bat Research 10 What is a Bat? 12 Evolution 16 Diversity 19 Biology 22 Behavior 30 Ecology 44 Bats & People 48 About this Book 57 Yangochiroptera accounts 58 Myzopodidae • Emballonuridae • Nycteridae • Furipteridae • Mormoopidae • Mystacinidae • Natalidae • Noctilionidae • Phyllostomidae • Thyropteridae • Cistugidae • Miniopteridae • Molossidae • Vespertilionidae Yinpterochiroptera accounts 298 Pteropodidae • Craseonycteridae • Hipposideridae • Megadermatidae • Rhinolophidae • Rhinonycteridae • Rhinopomatidae Index of Scientific Names 388 Index of Common Names 397 Acknowledgments & Biographies 400

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPractical and portable, this is the ultimate field guide to the world''s cetaceans.This outstanding new field guide to whales, dolphins and porpoises is the most comprehensive, authoritative and up-to-date guide to these popular mammals. With more than 500 accurate and detailed illustrations complete with detailed annotations pointing out the most significant field marks this new field guide covers all 93 species and every subspecies in the world.Many of the world''s most respected whale biologists have collaborated on the concise text, which is packed with helpful identification tips from cetacean expert, Mark Carwardine. Mark''s informative text is accompanied by up-to-date distribution maps for each species. Beautifully designed, to ensure critical information is quickly accessible, this is an indispensable resource that every whale-watcher will want to carry out to sea.Table of ContentsHow to use this book The challenges of identification Cetacean topography Quick ID guides Right and bowhead whales Pygmy right whale Grey whale Rorquals Sperm whales Narwhal and beluga Beaked whales Blackfish Shorter-beaked oceanic dolphins Longer-beaked oceanic dolphins River dolphins Porpoises Caring for whales, dolphins and porpoises Glossary Species checklist Sources and resources Artists' biographies Image credits Acknowledgements Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisA cheeky celebration of boobies! Nancy Vo's latest creation is fresh and funny, while serving up just the right amount of fact.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA fully updated second edition of this user-friendly field guide to the mammals of Borneo, covering Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan. The book gives descriptions of all 247 land mammals and 30 marine species. These are superbly illustrated in 141 colour plates. Each plate is accompanied by species descriptions covering taxonomy, size, range, distribution, habits and status. Distribution is shown by detailed thumbnail maps. There are 7 habitat plates, 12 regional maps, fast-find graphic indexes and a full overview of vegetation, climate and ecology.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisRSPB Spotlight: Bats is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photographs and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalistThanks to their speed, size and nocturnal habitats, bats are among the most interesting, and least understood, mammals that frequent our homes and gardens. From their ability to make sounds that are above the range of human hearing, to their reliance on echolocation to navigate objects and find prey, their unique behaviour means that bats are seldom seen or heard. With nearly 1,400 species worldwide, bats make up around 25 per cent of all mammal species. Spotlight Bats features all 17 species that live and breed in the British Isles, as well as an array of the most fascinating bats from around the world, including some of the more charismatic species such as vampire bats and fishing bats. Nancy Jennings uses up-to-date research to provide insights intothe lives of these elusive mammals, covering the biology, diveTable of ContentsMeet the Bats Evolution and Adaptations Bats of the British Isles Identifying Bats Bats Around the World Lifestyle and Behaviour Food for Bats and Bats as Food Bats in Culture Bats and People Glossary Further Reading and Resources Acknowledgements Image Credits Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe definitive guide to the bats of Britain and Europe.This concise and definitive guide presents all 45 bat species that regularly occur in Europe (of which 17 are known to breed in the British Isles). The extensive introduction details the remarkable biology of bats and explores the latest findings in bat evolution, behaviour and echolocation.This is followed by in-depth species accounts covering life history, conservation status and identification, including echolocation characteristics, and complemented by accurate distribution maps, with the book illustrated throughout with superb colour photography.- Allows identification of families, genera and where possible species of all European bats- Illustrated throughout with almost 700 colour photographs- Packed with information on bat behaviour, ecology and conservationSuitable for beginners, students, professionals or conservationists alike, Bats of Britain and Europe is the authoritative field guide for bat watchers an Trade ReviewThe information presented is largely accessible to anyone with an interest in bat biology, conservation and natural history. * National Speleological Society *The information presented is largely accessible to anyone with an interest in bat biology, conservation and natural history. * CHOICE magazine *Table of ContentsBats - the mystery begins Bat roosts Tracking bats Detecting bats Identification of bats The bat species Introduction to the species accounts Fruit bats Pteropodidae Horseshoe bats Rhinolophidae Vesper or plain-nosed bats Vespertilionidae Bent-winged bats Miniopteridae Free-tailed bats Molossidae Glossary Bibliography The genera of European bats

Read more less

Book SynopsisA moving and adventure-filled tale of one woman’s quest for the truth about endangered Asian elephants and their evolving relationship with humans. Delving deep into an intricate web of unlikely heroes, power struggles, and living legends, Elephants in the Hourglass takes readers on an extraordinary journey of discovery. In her extraordinary narrative debut, Kim Frank blends personal narrative, vivid descriptions, and meticulous research as she illuminates the ways we seek to survive on our rapidly changing planet. Like Jane Goodall or Dian Fossey before her, Kim is a female adventurer who found her life completely changed as she was drawn deeper and deeper into the plight of a remarkable animal. For Kim, once she learned about the unique plight of the elephants in North India, she was unable to rest until she had learned more. This was a world totally unknown to her. Up until that point, she was an ordinary middle-class mom. After a fraugh

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom a modest beginning in the form of a little shrew-like, nocturnal, insect eating ancestor that lived 200 million years ago, mammals evolved into the huge variety of different kinds of animals we see today. Many species are still small, and follow the lifestyle of the ancestor, but others have adapted to become large grazers and browsers, like the antelopes, cattle, rhinos, and elephants, or the lions, hyaenas, and wolves that prey upon them. Yet others evolved to be specialist termite eaters able to dig into the hardest mounds, or tunnel creating burrowers, and a few took to the skies as gliders and the bats. Many live partly in the water, such as otters, beavers, and hippos, while whales and dugongs remain permanently in the seas, incapable of ever emerging onto land.In this Very Short Introduction T. S. Kemp explains how it is a tenfold increase in metabolic rate - endothermy or warm-bloodedness - that lies behind the high levels of activity, and the relatively huge brain associated with complex, adaptable behaviour that epitomizes mammals. He describes the remarkable fossil record, revealing how and when the mammals gained their characteristics, and the tortuous course of their subsequent evolution, during which many bizarre forms such as sabre-toothed cats, and 30-tonne, 6-m high browsers arose and disappeared. Describing the wonderful adaptations that mammals evolved to suit their varied modes of life, he also looks at those of the mainly arboreal primates that culminated ultimately in Homo sapiens.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewMammals: A Very Short Introduction is part of a series of very short introductions published by Oxford University Press. These are gateway books, designed to draw readers into a topic and invite them to dive deeper if the topic is of interest. In this regard, Tom Kemp has done our profession a great service. We should all have a short stack of these books available to hand out to undergraduates we hope to recruit to the study of mammalogy ... In short, this very short introduction to mammals is a welcome addition to the ... series. * Christopher J Yahnke, Mammology *Tom Kemp is the world's senior authority on the origin and evolution of mammals, and an excellent writer to boot. I very much recommend this concise book as an apt introduction to the palaeobiology of our own peculiar branch on the Tree of Life * Dr Robert Asher, Curator of Vertebrates, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge *Table of ContentsREFERENCES; FURTHER READING; INDEX

Read more less

Book SynopsisA DAILY MAIL BOOK OF THE WEEK: 'particularly enjoyable''Somehow laugh-out-loud funny - passionate, warm and full of fascinating insights into the eccentric world of the field naturalist.' - Isabella Tree, author of WildingWater voles are small, brownish, bewhiskered and charming. Made famous by 'Ratty' in The Wind in the Willows, once they were a ubiquitous part of our waterways. They were a totem of our rivers. Now, however, they are nearly gone. This is their story, and the story of a conservationist with a wild hope: that he could bring them back.Tom Moorhouse spent eleven years beside rivers, fens, canals, lakes and streams, researching British wildlife. Quite a lot of it tried to bite him. He studied four main species - two native and endangered, two invasive and endangering - beginning with water voles. He wanted to solve their conservation problems. He wanted to put things right.This book is about whether it worked, and what he learnt - and about what those lessons mean, not just for water voles but for all the world's wildlife. It is a book for anyone who has watched ripples spread on lazy waters, and wondered what moves beneath. Or who has waited in quiet hope for a rustle in the reeds, the munch of a stem, or the patter of unseen paws.Praise for Tom Moorhouse:'The pages of this book are shot through with quicksilver light reflected from wet fur - not a lament for our rivers but a chorus of hope for their future.' - Raynor Winn, author of The Salt Path'Beautiful and important. Tom's book is extraordinary in its gentle curiosity and sympathy for his subjects. I love this book.' - Sir Tim Smit KBE, Executive Vice-Chairman and Co-founder of the Eden Project'Terrific. Lightly but beautifully written. Very moving. Water voles are adorable little beasts. They are also tough, randy and stroppy, as Tom Moorhouse makes clear in this wry, amusing account of the often bloody, painful and frustrating business of conservation fieldwork. 'I hold stubbornly to optimism,' he declares, and his Elegy for a River demands that we do the same.' - Christopher Somerville, walking correspondent for The Times and author of The January Man

Read more less

Book SynopsisOtters in this country are a conservation success story. When Paul Chanin first started studying otters their numbers were so low that they had disappeared entirely from most of England. Over the last forty years they have recovered until, in 2011, otters finally returned to Kent, and are once more present in every English county.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe crazy story of how Soviet scientists in Siberia in the 1950s embarked on a project to turn foxes into dogs through selective breeding—and managed it within mere generations.Trade Review"If you read only two biology books this year, this is one of those two that you simply must read."--Grrl Scientist "Forbes " "Dugatkin and Trut have collaborated to produce a well-written and engaging account of one the most influential biological studies ever: the fox farm experiment. Over sixty years ago, a Russian geneticist dared to start an experiment to see if foxes could be domesticated and what variables contributed to the changes domestication brought. The courage involved in starting such an experiment in the USSR of the 1950s was remarkable; the dedication and curiosity that have kept it going ever since have led to stunning new insights on the mechanisms of domestication. Every biologist should read this book!"--Pat Shipman, author of The Invaders: How Humans and Their Dogs Drove Neanderthals to Extinction "An excellent book. The writing is clear and makes for fascinating popular science. This book will attract a wide audience, and I know of none other with such a dramatic combination of good science and social history."--Aubrey Manning, coauthor of An Introduction to Animal Behaviour "Over the course of decades, Russian scientists transformed wild foxes into friendly pets. They used no science-fiction genetic engineering. They simply guided evolution. This landmark experiment tells us some profound things about domestication, behavior, and ourselves. Finally, someone has written a book-length account of the experience--and a fascinating one at that."--Carl Zimmer, author of Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea "In the first book on the famous 'Siberian fox study, ' this extraordinary chronicle recounts one of the world's most important animal studies. It has not only provided stunning insights into how domestication works and how fast it can happen. It also helps us understand the origins of our deepest non-human bonds--our friendships with our dogs--and where and how they came into being."--Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel "Profound insights into how dogs evolved from wolves come from a remarkable, multidecade experiment on foxes that was carried out under the supervision of the Russian geneticist Dmitri Belyaev from the 1950s onward. Because much of the research was published in Russian, How to Tame a Fox, which is cowritten by Lyudmila Trut--a central figure in the project over many decades--will be widely welcomed for the extraordinary detail it contains." --Tim Flannery "New York Review of Books "

Read more less

A moving account of one man's race to save a herd of elephants – with unforgettable characters and exotic wildlife, The Elephant Whisperer is an enthralling book that will appeal to animal lovers and adventurous souls everywhere.When South African conservationist Lawrence Anthony was asked to accept a herd of 'rogue' elephants on his Thula Thula game reserve in Zululand, his common sense told him to refuse. But he was the herd's last chance of survival – dangerous and unpredictable, they would be killed if Anthony wouldn't take them in.As Anthony risked his life to create a bond with the troubled elephants and persuade them to stay on his reserve, he came to realize what a special family they were, from the wise matriarch Nana, who guided the herd, to her warrior sister Frankie, always ready to see off any threat, and their children who fought so hard to survive.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Canids of the World is a timely resource and a fascinating survey of wolves and their canine relatives."---Nancy Jo Tubbs, International Wolf"This is the best encyclopedia any reader or writer can hope for. I look forward to returning to it over the coming years." * Pennsylvania Literary Journal *

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIdentifying wildlife in Britain and Ireland is quick and easy with this complete practical field guide to the animals, plants, and fungi of the British Isles.The pocket-sized format means Pocket Nature Wildlife of Britain and Ireland is perfectly portable and ideal for slipping into your rucksack while rambling, or popping into the glove compartment for trips further afield. Packed with in-situ photography and text written by wildlife experts, this indispensable book covers everything from trees, wild flowers, and fungi to wild animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects.The key features of this beautiful book to British and Irish wildlife includes: - Close-up photography shows key details and highlights distinguishing features, making it easy to identify species.- Each entry includes at-a-glance facts for quick reference.- Simple graphics provide information on scale and silhouette shape to aid quick identification.-Distribution maps provide a quick and easy guide to the best areas to spot each speciesThis nature book is organized into groups that are easily understood and recognized by the complete novice. Coverage is comprehensive, with more than 1,000 species included. Each entry comprises a prominent photo of the subject for identification, supporting photos that show important details or variations, and a data panel to summarize key facts consistently. A simple text profile picks out the most useful details to aid accurate identification and provides interesting background information. Maps show you where you can expect to find a species, so you can plan your spotting and make the most of your surroundings, whether you are on a holiday browse or serious quest.From the Hummingbird Hawk-moth to the False Deathcap fungus, Pocket Nature Wildlife of Britain and Ireland is the ideal family guide to wildlife in the British Isles.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisJoy Adamson was a pioneer in the field of conservation. With her husband George, senior game warden in a huge area of the northern frontier province of Kenya, she established one of the world's first wild animal appeals. Now the Elsa Conservation Trust, it operates an education, training and wildlife retreat centre at the Adamsons' former home of Elsamere, on the shores of Lake Naivasha.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe astonishing, true account of one man''s quest to immerse himself in nature and live with wild deer for seven years.''Haunting, remarkable and ultimately very moving'' Sunday Times''A story of extraordinary power and tenderness'' Charles Foster''A startling portrait of an animal that is both familiar to us and yet shockingly misunderstood'' GuardianGeoffroy Delorme never felt he fitted into the human world. He would often disappear into the woods, drawn to the rhythms of animal life and away from the rules of a society he did not understand. One night, an encounter with a deer changed his life: from then on, he knew he wanted to live among them. In Deer Man, Delorme describes becoming a creature of the forest, working to blend in with the deer and witnessing their births and deaths, loves and battles, ostracism and friendship. In his seventh year in the forest, Delorme meets a woman walking through the trees. He knows he can stay in the forest and die with his friends - or he can leave, and speak their truth to a human world that desperately needs to hear it.Trade ReviewA story of extraordinary power and tenderness, showing that intimate relationship with the wild world and the wild self is both possible and vital. Delorme is the best possible guide through the tangle of the woods and the tangle of the psyche. Deer Man will change you. It has the distinctive scent of an enduring classic. -- Charles Foster, author of Being a Beast and Being a Human'An extraordinary, unique story about how one man connected to the natural world in the 21st century * Northern Life *Haunting, remarkable and ultimately very moving * Sunday Times *A startling portrait of an animal that is both familiar to us and yet shockingly misunderstood... it is a delightful, moving read - and a quietly revolutionary one. -- Melanie Challenger * Guardian *Some deeply eccentric books have crossed my path in my time, but this one probably takes the biscuit . . . This is a lyrical, rather lovely book by a talented writer. -- Marcus Berkmann * Daily Mail *Deer Man conveys an intense sympathy for the animals and has passages of real beauty... It also has the special evocativeness of tales of time in the wild that take place close to ordinary life -- Peter Godfrey-Smith * Times Literary Supplement *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFor most of us, the story of mammal evolution starts after the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs, but over the last 20 years scientists have uncovered new fossils and used new technologies that have upended this story. In Beasts Before Us, palaeontologist Elsa Panciroli charts the emergence of the mammal lineage, Synapsida, beginning at their murky split from the reptiles in the Carboniferous period, over three hundred million years ago. They made the world theirs long before the rise of dinosaurs. Travelling forward into the Permian and then Triassic periods, we learn how our ancient mammal ancestors evolved from large hairy beasts with accelerating metabolisms to exploit miniaturisation, which was key to unlocking the traits that define mammals as we now know them. Elsa criss-crosses the globe to explore the sites where discoveries are being made and meet the people who make them. In Scotland, she traverses the desert dunes of prehistoric Moray, where quarry workers unearthTrade ReviewSmart, passionate and seditious * The New York Times Book Review *A pioneering study … If you thought it all began with the extinction of the non-bird dinosaurs … think again. * Nature *Under Ms. Panciroli’s adroit tutelage, the Carboniferous and Permian (pre-dinosaur) periods are brought to life … she regularly enlivens this surprisingly readable book with quick and often humorous observations. * The Wall Street Journal *Fascinating ... filled with as many weird and wonderful creatures as any reptilian tale ... there's much here to intrigue. * Geographical *Provides a fascinating and uplifting look at the resilience of life on this planet, through the lens of how mammals came to be. * Writer's Voice *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: Isle of Mists and Lagoons 2: A Thoroughly Modern Platypus 3: Like a Hole in the Head 4: The First Age of Mammals 5: Hot-blooded Hunters 6: A Total Disaster 7: Milk Tooth 8: Digital Bones 9: Chinese Revelations 10: Time of Revolt 11: The Journey Home Epilogue: Triumph of the Little Guy Acknowledgements Notes Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe New York Times Editors' ChoiceNPR Science Friday Book Club SelectionAn intimate and revelatory dive into the world of the beaver-the wonderfully weird rodent that has surprisingly shaped American history and may save its ecological future.From award-winning writer Leila Philip, BEAVERLAND is a masterful work of narrative science writing, a book that highlights, though history and contemporary storytelling, how this weird rodent plays an oversized role in American history and its future. She follows fur trappers who lead her through waist high water, fur traders and fur auctioneers, as well as wildlife managers, PETA activists, Native American environmental vigilantes, scientists, engineers, and the colourful group of activists known as beaver believers.Beginning with the early trans-Atlantic trade in North America, Leila Philip traces the beaver's profound influence on our nation's early economy and feverish western expansion, its first corporations and multi-millionaires. In her pursuit of this weird and wonderful animal, she introduces us to people whose lives are devoted to the beaver, including a Harvard scientist from the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, who uses drones to create 3-dimensional images of beaver dams; and an environmental restoration consultant in the Chesapeake whose nickname is the "beaver whisperer".What emerges is a poignant personal narrative, a startling portrait of the secretive world of the contemporary fur trade, and an engrossing ecological and historical investigation of these heroic animals who, once trapped to the point of extinction, have returned to the landscape as one of the greatest conservation stories of the 20th century. Beautifully written and impeccably researched, BEAVERLAND reveals the profound ways in which one odd creature and the trade surrounding it has shaped history, culture, and our environment.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFirst published in 1986, "Smithers' Mammals" is an authoritative and popular guide to the mammals of Southern Africa. This revised and updated edition incorporates the latest information brought to light by molecular genetics, while remaining accessible to the layperson and handy in the field. Each entry includes an in-depth species description; notes on habitat, behaviour, diet and conservation status; accurate illustrations and spoor drawings; and, a distribution map. The book also details the whales, dolphins and seals seen along our coast. This highly regarded field guide will appeal to general readers and wildlife enthusiasts, as well as to specialists in the field of mammals.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA captivating, life-affirming memoir of a life in nature that celebrates finding wonder in our world. 'A wonderful book... It has taught me a lot. I feel great love for it' MAX PORTERAt the age of sixteen, Marc Hamer left home with only a rucksack and started walking. By day, he observed the animals and birds. By night, he slept under hedges, in woodlands and on riverbanks. It was the beginning of a life in nature.Years later, now working as a gardener and mole-catcher in the Welsh countryside, Marc tells of the experiences that have shaped him and of the wonders that he encounters each day. He considers, too, the fascinating ways of the mole and the myths that surround this curious creature.This beautiful, meditative book explores what nature can teach us about ourselves and our search for contentment. It is a celebration of living peacefully and finding joy in the world around us.'It is rare to encounter such respect and understanding of nature' Rosamund Young, author of The Secret Life of Cows** Longlisted for The Wainwright Prize 2019 **(Published in hardback as How to Catch a Mole)Trade ReviewIn lyrical prose, Hamer revealed a curious kinship with moles - creatures who, like him, often work alone. Like Laurie Lee, Hamer is an elegist, attracted to what's beautiful precisely because it's poised to pass away. * Washington Post *From the first few words I knew I had encountered loving honesty and no one needs more than that. It is rare to encounter such respect and understanding of nature for herself. -- Rosamund Young, author of The Secret Life of CowsHow To Catch A Mole is a beguiling mixture: part autobiography, part handbook, part travel book, part philosophical treatise. I’m happy to report that it succeeds on each level -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *Not only a compelling meditation on the 'little gentleman in black velvet'…but also a fascinating, lyrical account of the loneliness and beauty of life on the margins, a memoir of vagrancy * Times Literary Supplement *This is a wonderful book about our relationship with the earth, with other animals and with our own troubled humanity. It has taught me a lot. I feel great love for it. -- Max Porter

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis family-friendly game is packed with cheeky monkeys and other mischievous primates from all around the world for hours of bingo fun. It features such firm favourites as the ring-tailed lemur and the chimpanzee, one of our closest living relatives, as well as more unusual creatures like the mustachioed emperor tamarin and the tiny, carnivorous western tarsier, whose eyes are as big as its brain and whose head can rotate 180° in either direction. Boasting 64 weird, wonderful and beautiful species, Monkey Bingo is filled with fun facts and glorious illustrations that are guaranteed to delight monkey lovers and novices alike. Mark each species off on your card as it’s called and be the first to shout BINGO!

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe first species to be domesticated, dogs have been selectively bred over thousands of years. Today they’re man’s best friend – but while many are pets, many, too, are working animals: for the police, for the blind, as guard dogs, as sheepdogs, pulling sleds and as therapy animals. Arranged in chapters covering physical characteristics, senses, lifecycle, communication, behaviour and working dogs, Dogs is a hugely informative visual celebration. From huskies to German shepherds, from collies to Chihuahuas, Shih Tzu to Jack Russell Terriers, Labradors to Bullmastiffs to Dachshunds, the book includes a huge range of breeds. With fascinating captions on every page, even dog lovers will learn something new. Dogs is a brilliant examination in 150 outstanding colour photographs.Table of ContentsContents include Introduction PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Size, skeleton, skull, Coat, tail SENSES Not only do a dog’s senses include vision, hearing, sense of smell, sense of taste and touch, but also sensitivity to the Earth’s magnetic field. LIFECYCLE Reproduction, puppies, reaching maturity COMMUNICATION Visual communication includes mouth shape and head position, licking and sniffing, ear and tail positioning, eye gaze, facial expression, and body posture. Dog vocalizations, or auditory communication, can include barks, growls, howls, whines and whimpers, screams, pants and sighs. Dogs also communicate via gustatory communication, utilizing scent and pheromones. BEHAVIOUR Sociability, grooming, feeding, hunting fighting, playing WORKING DOGS Sled dogs, police, law enforcement, sniffer dogs, sheepdogs, hounds, gun dogs, performing dogs, guide dogs, therapy dogs BREEDS FEATURED INCLUDE: Clumber Spaniel English Springer Spaniel Sussex Spaniel Cocker Spaniel Italian spinone Standard poodle Norwegian Elkhound Bloodhound Basenji Pharaoh Hound Irish Wolfhound Basset Hound English Foxhound Afghan Hound Greyhound Otterhound Ibizan Hound Airedale Terrier Bull Terrier Cesky Terrier Lakeland terrier Norfolk terrier Scottish terrier Yorkshire Terrier Chihuahua Italian Greyhound Maltese Papillon Pekingese Shih Tzu Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Shar-Pei Bulldog Dalmatian Lhasa Apso Japanese spitz Boston Terrier Bernese Mountain Dog German Boxer Briard Bullmastiff Doberman (Pinscher) Japanese Akita Bearded Collie Border Collie Smooth Collie Komondor Hungarian Puli Hungarian Kuvasz Leonberger Alaskan Malamute Mastiff Neapolitan Mastiff Australian Shepherd Dog Belgian Shepherd Dog Newfoundland German Pinscher Pembroke Welsh corgi

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the Azteca to the Appaloosa, Choctaw to the Palomina, Brumbys in Australia to the Mongolian, from rare breeds such as the Polish Konik to the semi-feral Pyrenean Pottok, Horses celebrates a wide variety of breeds from all around the world. Ranging from dressage to police horses, from racing horses to rodeo and polo, the book looks at the anatomy and lifecycle of foals and yearlings, colts and fillies, stallions, mares and geldings around the globe. It includes draft horses and warmbloods, light horses and thoroughbreds, gaited horses, ponies and breeds that have become feral. Each photograph is accompanied by a caption with fascinating information about the characteristics of each breed. Illustrated with 200 outstanding colour photographs, Horses is an exquisitely produced work packed with lively information about this beloved animal.Table of ContentsIntroduction Types of Horses Horse Anatomy Working Horses Young Horses Wild & Feral Horses Breeds featured include: Akhal-Teke American Quarter American Saddlebred Andalusian Appaloosa Arabian Ardennes Azteca Balikun Basque Mountain Belgian (Brabant) Boerperd Brandenburger Brumby Camarillo White Camargue Campolina Canadian Pacer Caspian Choctaw Cleveland Bay Dutch Draft Friesian Haflinger Irish Draft Jeju Kazakh Knabstrup Konik Lipizzaner Mallorquin Marwari Mérens Mongolian Morgans Mountain Pleasure Mustang Nez Perce Nokota Norwegian Fjord Orlov Trotter Palomino Pampa Paso Fino Persano Pottok Przewalski’s – the only remaining true wild horse subspecies Quarter Horse Rocky Mountain Horse Russian Don Schleswig Coldblood Shetland Pony Shire Horse Soviet Heavy Draft Swedish Ardennes Taishū Tennessee Walking Thoroughbred Trait du Nord

Read more less

Book SynopsisTigers is an outstanding collection of photographs showing these fearsome yet magnificent animals in action. Tigers are the largest big cats in the world and because of this, many cultures consider the tiger to be a symbol of strength, courage and dignity. They are featured in ancient mythology and folklore and continue to be depicted in modern films and literature. You’ll discover how tigers are adapted for hunting: A tiger’s paws and claws are one of its greatest weapons during the hunt. Strong, and powerful enough to kill prey with a swipe, the bones in their paws also have cord-like ligaments to buffer them from the impact of hitting prey at a full run. You’ll also learn many other fascinating facts, such as how each tiger is unique – did you know that no two tigers have the same pattern of stripes? Or that you can tell a tiger’s age by its nose? Young tigers have a pink nose which gradually darkens, turning orange, then a blackish-brown as it reaches maturity. With full captions explaining how these incredible animals hunt and feed, rear their young and survive in the wild, Tigers is a brilliant examination in 150 outstanding colour photographs of this beautiful animal.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Tiger Species All of today’s tigers are believed to be descended from a common ancestor who lived around 72,000–108,000 years ago. Tigers are the world’s biggest wild cat and the Siberian tiger is the biggest of them all. This chapter features Siberian, Sumatran, Bengal, Indochinese, South China and Malayan. Physical traits of different species, how they compare and contrast. Close-up images of their coats/stripes/teeth. 2. Habitat Adaptable and tenacious, these iconic creatures are equally at home in evergreen forests, mangrove swamps, rocky mountains, snowy highlands, coniferous woodlands and grasslands. Like all animals they thrive where the threats are low and the food, water and shelter are plentiful. This chapter focuses on how they adapt to their environment and how they are under threat from habitat loss. 3. Hunting Tigers are apex predators. They sit at the top of their food chain, and rarely compete for resources with other animals. Yet they’re far more than just powerful killers. This chapter focuses on how and what they eat. 4. Tiger Cubs Cubs are playful and adventurous by nature but, in the wild, there are threats everywhere. There’s also the very real risks posed by male tigers, who may kill cubs in order to bring the female into oestrus, so that she’s ready to mate with him. Only around half of all young tigers reach adulthood and, for the tigress, the work of keeping them safe starts immediately.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAmong the most popular and endearing of Britain's wild creatures, otters inhabit not only the full length of the British and Irish coasts but also many river systems and lochs. Formerly hunted almost to extinction, they are one of conservation's great success stories. In The Secret Life of the Otter, Andy Howard opens their lives to us with a perfect combination of words and images: how they hunt, the beauty of their movement, fierce battles over territory, and how they raise their young. From the Scottish Highlands to Vancouver Island, Andy's stunning photography will amaze and enlighten.Trade Review'In this glittering collection of intimate portraits, Andy Howard brings us closer to the lives of wild otters than any casual observer could ever hope for.' Sir John Lister-Kaye OBE‘This is a cracker of a book with some stunning photos. It really is the next best thing to seeing these wonderful animals in the wild.’ Iolo WilliamsMarvellous.

Read more less

Book SynopsisContaining information about their life physiology, their behaviours, their place in literature, art and myth and legend, this book is a must-have for all British nature lovers. The Badger Book is an ideal guide to its subject, beautifully illustrated throughout with previously unpublished photography and artwork.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat One Pride Can Teach Us About Survival, Fear, and Family#1 New Release in Biology of Cats, Lions & TigersDiscover the true survival story of how K’wasi the lion cub overcame unimaginable odds, was saved and nurtured by his adopted mother and family, fathered his own son Atlas, and grew into a magnificent star of Lion Country Safari.Documented by Ron Magill. K’wasi’s story is told by world renowned wildlife expert, photographer, and Zoo Miami’s “Goodwill Ambassador”, Ron Magill who documented and photographed every stage of K’wasi’s remarkable roller coaster life.A survival story of grit and resilience. The story of K’wasi the lion cub is one of heartbreak, adoption, fear, and family. He was born to his mother Asha at Zoo Miami in late 2013 and gained nationwide attention as an incredibly cute lion cub. In March 2014, he was orphaned when his mother Asha tragically died. K’wasi’s remarkable journey takes him from the untimely death of his mother to redefining what it means to be in a pride, and most importantly, what it means to have a family.Animals have feelings too. Society has only recently accepted the incredible emotional intelligence of dogs, pigs, and chimpanzees. But through K’wasi’s remarkable story, Ron Magill details how evolved the animal kingdom truly is—lions in particular. Funny, engaging, touching, and thrilling, The Pride of a Lion teaches us about family, resilience, and the meaning of life.In Ron Magill’s book find pictures captured during the many challenges K’wasi faced and overcame: As a young cub When his father and uncle fought over Asha his mother Being supplemented with milk because his mother did not produce enough When Jabare attacked and could have ended K’wasi’s life, until Kashifa his adopted mother saved him If you are a fan of The Lion King, or have read The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life, The Soul of an Octopus, or The Good Good Pig, you will love Ron Magill’s The Pride of a Lion. Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1 - A Miracle Chapter 2 - Only SonChapter 3 - A Mother and her SisterChapter 4 - K'Wasi's Last DayChapter 5 - ProtectionChapter 6 - Adoption Chapter 7 - Sibling Rivalries Chapter 8 - Not My FamilyChapter 9 - Facing DeathChapter 10 - The Perfect Mother and the Perfect SisterChapter 11 - Pride of a LionAfterword

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Wonderful' Yorkshire Times 'Not just a celebration of these enigmatic creatures, but also a timely alarm bell about their shrinking numbers' The Lady 'Just about every hedgehog fact you could wish to know' Northern Echo Hedgehogs, with their quiet determination and bristling, bumbling ways, are one of the most enduring symbols of the countryside and town gardens. The Hedgehog Handbook explores different facets of this enigmatic and much-admired mammal – from its eating and sleeping habits to its literary heritage and how we can help preserve this icon of rural life. Packed with inspirational quotes, entertaining facts, folklore and literary references, it's the perfect gift for anyone with a penchant for prickles.Trade ReviewWonderful... A responsible perspective on animal conservation is underwritten by presentation of the shocking facts' * Yorkshire Times *Just about every hedgehog fact you could wish to know * Northern Echo *Not just a celebration of these enigmatic creatures, but also a timely alarm bell about their shrinking numbers * The Lady *One of our favourite books of the year * Yorkshire Post *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn essential guide to assist those surveying for water voles, whether as a professional ecological consultant, a researcher or simply an interested amateur. This book provides detailed descriptions of all the habitats used by water voles, including ideal habitats as well as less typical places, with annotated photos to help the surveyor home in on just the right areas to look. It also contains a comprehensive photographic reference guide to assist in the correct identification of water vole field signs, and explains how to distinguish them from those of similar species. Tips on where and how to search for field signs are also provided, along with guidance on how best to record survey data.Trade ReviewThe book is very much my type of book and it will make a great reference addition to my office bookshelf. All too often in my opinion, photographs get a back seat in ecology related literature... nothing beats a book that the field based individual such as me can relate to. -- Simon Booth, photographer and professional ecologistTable of ContentsAcknowledgements 1. Introduction A bit of background Personal experience Legal protection in the UK Competence 2. Habitat Where do you find water voles? What does ‘ideal’ habitat for water voles look like? Habitat requirements Dry areas for burrows or above-ground nests Herbaceous vegetation as food and cover Water How to assess likely value of habitat Water voles in terrestrial habitat 3. What does a water vole look like? 4. Looking for field signs Different field signs When to search Where to search How to search Other factors to consider Health, safety and biosecurity 5. Droppings and latrines Characteristics of water vole droppings Latrines How many droppings constitute a latrine? What can latrines tell us? Terrestrial, or fossorial, water voles Rat droppings Field vole and bank vole droppings DNA analysis 6. Feeding remains 7. Burrows Characteristics of ‘active’ water vole burrows Burrows of similar species Detailed examination of burrows 8. Nests 9. Other field signs Footprints Runs through the vegetation 10. Other species Droppings Footprints 11. Recording the information What information needs to be recorded? How to record the information What happens next? Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisA fascinating insight into the badger’s world. Badger biology, life in the sett, rescue & rehabilitation, consultancy, badgers & farming, and badger-watching with George Pearce – an expert on badgers. George has surveyed over 700 sites, visited 1,500 setts, been consulted as an expert in 120 animal cruelty cases and rehabilitated more than 100 badgers. Brought up on a farm, he earned his living as a farmer for 45 years. Today, he is a badger consultant and one of the foremost experts on the British mammal he admires the most. For many years, the RSPCA, police, veterinary surgeons and conservation groups all over the country have relied on George Pearce’s knowledge and his instinctive feel for animal behaviour. Now you can share in his experience and enthusiasm for badgers from his 70 years of badger watching and his vast professional wildlife experience.Trade ReviewPearce reveals a remarkable depth of knowledge about these mammals. As well as discussing badger ecology, he offers advice on many topics not covered by other authors, such as how to conduct surveys and build artificial setts. His down-to-earth manner owes more to the style of the ecological pioneer John Seymour than to the 'father' of badger biology, Ernest Neal. -- David Dixon * BBC Wildlife Magazine *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. A lifetime’s experience Marooned: a bundle of badgers 2 .Badger biology Scented signposts; What’s on the menu?; Follow the tracks; Clues in the latrines; Spoilheaps: mountains of information 3. The world of the sett Secret world of the sett; Tunnels: DIY larders Reproduction Head over heels – but it gave me a clue 4. Badgers in the family Badgers – every one a character; Hiya, captivating Hiya; Bodger, the one and only Bodger 5. Badger rescue Road victim with a sad secret; Road victims: what you should do; A badger in a sack and the owl that wheezed; Help them, but don’t hang on to them 6. Badger consultancy Ducks’ legs and raindrops; Makeway, makeway; Have they read the book?; Some of the things I am asked to do; You name it, they’ll dig there; Sett closures and artificial setts; Tackling the big jobs 7. Badgers and farming Too much muscle; “Killed a hundred, he’ as”; Carry on farming!; Bovine tuberculosis (bTB); Badgers and bTB 8. Badger-watching Sett-watching tips; Sit quietly!; The weather; Feeding badgers ; Seeing in the dark; Hides 9. Final thoughts Useful contacts Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis ground-breaking volume covers 42 species of terrestrial mammal – from the red deer to the pygmy shrew, from the pine marten to the hedgehog. The subject is introduced for the first time as a single overarching field of study, including guidance on survey methods, analysis of sound recordings and appropriate software. The book covers species in Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Containing over 300 figures in total, each species is considered in detail, with specific spectrogram examples. Furthermore, the book allows the reader access to a downloadable sound library containing more than 250 recordings. The authors have extensive experience and expertise in bioacoustics, including in the sound identification of mammals. They are also heavily involved in creating tools that use machine-learning algorithms to recognise mammal species from their calls. A real ear-opener, this will be the essential handbook for many years to come, serving ecological consultants, academics, conservationists, hobbyists and serious mammal recorders alike.Table of ContentsForeword Preface Acknowledgements About the Authors Preamble About the Sound Library 1. Introduction & Context 2. Survey Equipment & Field Techniques 3. Analysis of Acoustic Recordings 4. Overview of the Species Group-specific Chapters 5. Even-toed Ungulates – Deer & Wild Boar 6. Carnivores (Including Mustelids) 7. Lagomorphs – Hares & Rabbits 8. Rodents – Squirrels & Beavers 9. Rodents – Rats, Mice, Voles & Dormice 10. Insectivores – Hedgehogs, Moles & Shrews Appendix I – Glossary Appendix II – Case Studies References Index

Read more less

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 *

Read more less