Wildlife: mammals: general interest Books

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

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Book SynopsisThe remarkable story of Grant Fowlds, a conservationist who has dedicated his life to saving the last rhinos, vividly told with the help of Graham Spence, co-author of the bestselling The Elephant Whisperer.''A terrific read . . . an outstanding book!''Gary Player and Vivienne Player''A truly heart-wrenching story, but a must-read for all who value our wild animals and their right to roam free. Grant Fowlds is a Zulu in a white skin and loves the people who hold the key to animal conservation. This is an intriguing true story that sends a clear message to the rest of the world.''Phil Liggett''Exceptionally readable - a fluid and captivating story . . . a swashbuckling tale.''Dr Dave Cooper, Rhinos Without Borders veterinarian, and Debbie Cooper of iSimangaliso Wetland Park''A rollicking true-life adventure that celebrates rhinos and people''Guy Rogers, Daily HTrade ReviewGrant Fowlds' tireless effort to educate the children of the world, conserve vast expanses of land and save the last rhinos, is truly awe inspiring. As he travels through Africa, gaining the trust of local governments and councils, we start to understand the scope of his undertakings. He reaches out to organizations around the world to aid him in his progress to expand anti-poaching projects, elephant-relocation programmes and even to assist with bringing the lesser-known, glorious gorillas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the attention of the world. But at the forefront of it all, he is doing all he can to Save the Last Rhinos. We, as a race, need to wake up and get on this train. The more we, as individuals, can do to rally support and spread the word, the better chance we have of not seeing the demise and eventual extinction, not only of rhinos, but of all endangered animals. The rehabilitation and conservation of land in Africa is a vital part of this progress, and Grant Fowlds and his team are at the forefront of this war. Read this book. You will get a sense of Africa like never before, from a true African soul. -- David S. Lee, Limbani in the blockbuster movie Black PantherGrant Fowlds' book is an excellent read. It's both sobering, and uplifting at the same time. Sobering because the sheer extent of the rhino-poaching crisis is revealed. Uplifting because Grant, and individuals like him are passionately committed to making a difference. The innovative ways in which they reach the hearts and minds of children, on both sides of the conflict, is impressive. As, too, is his work with communities and other stakeholders. -- Moira Smith, General Manager Africa & Middle East, Goway TravelExceptionally readable - a fluid and captivating story . . . a swashbuckling tale. -- Dr Dave Cooper, Rhinos Without Borders veterinarian, and Debbie Cooper of iSimangaliso Wetland ParkA rollicking true-life adventure that celebrates rhinos and people. -- Guy Rogers * Daily Herald *A terrific read . . . an outstanding book! -- Gary Player and Vivienne PlayerA truly heart-wrenching story, but a must-read for all who value our wild animals and their right to roam free. Grant Fowlds is a Zulu in a white skin and loves the people who hold the key to animal conservation. This is an intriguing story that sends a clear message to the rest of the world. -- Phil Liggett

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE 2017 ‘The best popular account of the lives of otters written so far’ Richard Shelton, Times Literary SupplementTrade Review‘He summarizes his observations by telling the detailed story of a mother and her young and the male otter with which they occasionally interact. He does so with the charm of a Kenneth Grahame but with the scientific rigour of modern behavioural science. It is the best popular account of the lives of otters written so far.’ Times Literary Supplement ‘Offers something new, and ultimately optimistic.’ New Scientist ‘Boldly imaginative and with great skill, conservationist Simon Cooper fictionalises the story of the otter family … Cooper's knowledge of otter behaviour is profound, but it's his brilliant storytelling that really brings the animals to life’ Daily Mail Praise for Simon Cooper: ‘I loved the gentle flow of this book and the insight into both a pastime and a wonderful corner of the land.’ BBC Countryfile ‘Cooper’s enthusiasm is so infectious’ Daily Mail ‘[Simon Cooper] is a renowned fly-fisher himself and, in this book, he writes as well as he casts […] delightful […] Mr Cooper is in love with chalkstreams and anyone who reads this splendid book will soon hold the same view.’ Country Life ‘We are taken on a delightful journey overflowing with passages that capture our imagination […] It is both uplifting and therapeutic’ Classic Angling

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

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Book SynopsisHumans and dolphins have a unique bond. We know that dolphins are highly intelligent, intensely sociable beings who recognize their own reflections, introduce themselves by name, form close friendships, communicate constantly, feel despondent, rescue one another (and humans), deduce, infer, throw tantrums, gossip, joke, and scheme. Many who have swum with them describe the experience as life-changing. They are heralded as magical creatures, and yet we force them into starring roles at theme parks, trade them on the black market and put them to slaughter. Voices in the Ocean is at once a celebration of these beloved animals and a devastating chronicle of the damage wrought when human and dolphin worlds meet. Through Casey’s illuminating portrayal of these beguiling creatures we encounter the best and worst of ourselves.Trade Review‘Seems to be pitching for a TV series with its show-stopping opening...A brilliantly written and passionate book...timely and urgent.’ * Guardian *‘Gripping...Casey is a joyously lyrical writer, and her descriptions of dolphin and human behaviour are mostly laugh-out-loud funny.’ * Mail on Sunday *‘Casey’s journey through the history of research into dolphin intelligence...uncovered things that had me gasping.’ * Daily Telegraph *'Casey describes the...dolphins...with sensitivity, wit and charm. But [their] enormous appeal has a sinister underbelly...Our relations with dolphins are not yet as respectful as their great intelligence deserves'. * BBC Wildlife *'Both a zoological tract and a personal study, this book from marine-life enthusiast Casey explores humanity's uneasy relationship to dolphins'. * Observer *‘An extraordinary, sometimes disturbing, journey into the world of dolphins... By turns uplifting and heartbreaking, filled with well-researched facts and personal adventures, this a vitally important book, both for the animals, and for us.’ -- Philip Hoare, author of Leviathan or, The Whale and The Sea Inside‘Voices in the Ocean is as much a beautiful, well-researched narrative about dolphins as it is a powerful and timely voice of reason urging us to connect with nature. You will be keenly recommending this to friends so that you can explore its depths together into the small hours.’ -- Maya Plass, Marine and Coastal Ecologist, Guest Presenter on BBC Spring/Autumnwatch and author of the RSPB Handbook of the Seashore‘A meticulously reported global odyssey’ * Outside magazine *‘This book puts our contradictory relationship with the natural world under the spotlight. We supposedly love and revere marine mammals, yet even today we still treat them with savage cruelty. Susan Casey uses her journalistic eye to skilfully expose the duality of our relationship with the ocean's most charismatic inhabitants. Voices in the Ocean exposes the shameful abuse we inflict on our cetacean cousins.’ -- Tim Ecott, author of Stealing Water and Neutral Buoyancy: Adventures in a Liquid World

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Book Synopsis'Wild and wonderful ... I doubt anyone will ever match Strandings for its sheer bravura, its wry insight, and its absolute, engulfing, and brilliantly enlivening whaleheadedness' PHILIP HOARE, ALBERT AND THE WHALE 'Addictive and scandalously fascinating' Caught by the River When Peter Riley was thirteen, a woman with blue hair and a comet tattoo asked him to help load the jaw of a sperm whale into the back of a Volvo 245. The encounter set Riley on a decades-long quest to make sense of what had happened. Enter the secretive world of whale scavengers. When a whale washes up on one of Britain's coasts, a fugitive community descends to claim trophies from the carcass. Some are driven by magical beliefs. Some are motivated by profit: there is a black market for everything from ambergris to whaletooth sex toys. But for others, the need goes much deeper. Join Riley on a tour of a stranded kingdom's weird outer reaches, where nothing is as it seems. Meet witches, pedlars, fetishists, conspiracy theorists and fallen aristocrats. And prepare for a final revelation, as the mystery of the comet woman tangles with the enigmatic symbol of Leviathan itself, beached on Britain's fatal shore.Trade ReviewA strange book ... you can't help being swept along on the tides of Riley's esoteric thinking ... for each of [Riley's] motley crew, whale strandings offer more than just collector's items: dead whales are key, it seems, to their understanding of who they are -- Clare Saxby * TLS *An addictive and scandalously fascinating book written from the centre of a storm of obsession. You will finish feeling spun out and tugged into the maelstrom that is Riley's whales * Caught by the River *Enchanting ... these whale strandings are therefore both an echo of a fundamental moment for our own species, and a grim premonition of where we might soon be heading * Strong Words *Strandings is a strange book; disarmingly candid and born out of such a personal preoccupation that Riley must have wondered if it could ever resonate with an external reader. And yet it does, and Riley's writing ends up getting under your skin. * Dark Mountain *A wild and wonderful whale chase, of cetaceans real and surreal and imagined, Peter Riley's beautifully written book adopts the sceptical/obsessive tone of a modern Melville (or perhaps that should be Captain Ahab) as he roams Britain from east to west, north to south, in search of usually dead and often rotting whales and the stories they leave in their wake. There's no box of dusty bones he won't stick his nose in, no dubious character on a beach he won't shake down for stolen whale teeth. Indeed, Riley's so interwoven with his subject that I doubt anyone will ever match Strandings for its sheer bravura, its wry insight, and its absolute, engulfing, and brilliantly enlivening whaleheadedness -- Philip Hoare, author * Leviathan and Albert and the Whale *With wit and a whale-lover's passion, Riley explores the cultural and emotional bonds that form between humans and our sea-dwelling, mammalian cousins - both alive and dead. Strandings is at once incisive and funny, personal and historical, gripping and moving -- Merlin Sheldrake, author * Entangled Life *Erudite, funny and sad - a glorious rollercoaster of a book whose twists and turns take us again and again to the dissolving edges between reality and mirage -- Jean Sprackland, author * These Silent Mansions *A marvellous read. Subversive, jaunty, poignant, deadly serious and relentlessly entertaining -- Charles Foster, author * Being a Human and Being a Beast *A tremendously enjoyable book, a gleefully peculiar mixture of grief and gore populated by a shadowy cast of oddballs, the only certainty the dead whales at its heart -- Jessie Greengrass, author * The High House *Reading Strandings is to be caught in a magical drift, borne ever deeper, into the atavistic, into the animal selves, still alive, inside us. I was captivated -- David Keenan, author * This Is Memorial Device *A funny, personal and poetic dive into the mystical world of whale strandings. A compelling and fascinating read -- Will Sharpe, creator of C4's * Flowers *I devoured this - it's wonderful ... As compellingly eccentric as it is deeply humane, emotionally and politically astute. One test of a memoir is that you actually want to spend time with the narrator, and Riley is so charming, outward looking and rigorously honest it's impossible to consider anyone not. Strandings is a funny and poignant exploration of a fringe I didn't know existed, but written with such engaging personality and prose style I feel as though I've met the cast myself -- Luke Kennard, poet and author * The Transition *An authentic and troubling adventure for these dark times. Here is the taste, smell, and rush of a committed documentary-novelist unpicking the mysteries of his life and the great world in which he swims. A brave, reckless and engaging performance -- Iain Sinclair, author * The Gold Machine *Just the kind of book we need now: ecologically, politically, comedically potent and with personality worthy of Melville -- Liam Williams, comedian and writer * Pls Like *

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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.

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Book SynopsisThe Deer Stalker’s Bedside Book provides an entertaining read for every deer enthusiast, whether experienced stalker, novice who would like to learn more, or indeed anyone who has an interest in these enigmatic and graceful creatures. Packed with a wealth of information – factual, practical, historical and biological – as well as anecdotes, advice, stalking tales, trivia and quotations, all backed up with personal observations and experiences, this expertly researched and authoritative book offers something for everyone. This treasury of all things deer is presented in an articulate, accessible and often humorous style, enabling the author to share his knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for the subject in an effortless and absorbing way. Above all, this is a book to enjoy, to savour and to return to, again and again!Trade ReviewThis is a really good book - informative and readable with some old and some new. I let my coffee get cold and was late for a fishing appointment - that's saying something for its quality. Well done indeed - wish I had written it.It is the kind of book that is just as much fun to dip into at random as to read through from start to finish, and Smith-Jones's fascination with all things deer shine through from every page. I defy any stalker to read this and not learn something new!A must to be read by stalker and non-stalker... While this book may have been written with the stalker in mind, it goes much further and will appeal to the general naturalist. From antlers to "A Macnab" and venison to myths, this is a must for your bookshelf.'I fully recommend this book, wherever you wish to, or are allowed, to keep it. It is one of those books on which you can contentedly graze. Whatever your involvement with deer, from zero to avid deerstalker, you’ll learn from it and you’ll enjoy it.' -- Country Squire Magazine'Smith-Jones is a well-known authority on deer and is currently Technical Adviser to the BDS. The book is beautifully illustrated with vignettes by Keith Sykes.' -- Keeping the Balance, Winter 2023Table of ContentsThe Deer Stalker's A to Z; Tales from Glen Garron; Short stories; A mixed bag of trivia; A salmagundi of deer biology and further reading.

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Book SynopsisJeremy & Amy is the first book to tell the story behind internationally famous Monkey World.Trade ReviewEnchanting and touching * Mail on Sunday *Amy is a delight. * Daily Mail *

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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.

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Book SynopsisA Naturalist's Guide to the Mammals of Southeast Asia is an easy-to-use introductory photographic guide to 129 species of mammal commonly encountered in the Southeast Asia region (covering Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam).

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Book SynopsisThe social calls of bats are an area about which relatively little is known, with more research still required to expand our understanding. However, these calls are increasingly recognised as a useful aid to identification: they appear to be species specific and are indicative of behaviour – as in territorial activity of males during the mating season. Because the gathering and interpretation of bat echolocation data are a matter of course during research, conservation and consultancy, it is a logical progression to build momentum behind the consideration of social calls in mainstream bat-related work. A better understanding of this subject could mean that non-intrusive survey methods are developed, ensuring that what is being observed is, as far as possible, purely natural behaviour. In turn this will contribute to better interpretation and more suitable mitigation, compensation and/or enhancement solutions. The book summarises what is understood so far about social calls of the bat species occurring in Britain and Ireland, and north-west Europe. This new edition has been updated and expanded throughout, now containing: foreword by the bat authority Michel Barataud, author of Acoustic Ecology of European Bats almost double the number of figures and tables as appeared in the first edition completely overhauled call library, all in full spectrum format, with new additional examples three entirely new chapters, covering bat-related acoustics, settings for social interaction, and survey guidelines The material will be useful to people carrying out bat studies, at whatever level and for whatever purpose, and will also encourage others to undertake further research. What's more, social calls are fascinating to listen to: they are, after all, produced with listeners in mind (other bats). In light of this, the book is accompanied by an extensive downloadable library of sound files which offer a unique gateway into the private life of bats. Trade ReviewThis much expanded 2nd edition provides a thorough overview of bat social calls and the current state of knowledge...I hope for continued expansions of this book in future, but in the meantime, there is plenty within this second edition to further illuminate some of the most fascinating yet often mysterious aspects of bat vocalisations. -- Philip Briggs, Bat Conservation TrustThe authors can be congratulated for their work and for opening up new insights and offering a better understanding of this complex area of research. -- Wiesław Bogdanowicz * Acta Chiropterologica *Table of ContentsForeword Preface Acknowledgements About the Authors Important Notices 1 An Overview of Bats in Britain and Ireland 2 Bat-related Acoustics: An Introduction 3 Settings for Social Interaction 4 Classification of Social Calls 5 Analysis of Social Calls 6 Considerations in Survey Design 7 Survey Guidelines (Bat Social Calls) 8 Species Groups Appendix Bibliography References Index

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Book SynopsisBack from the brink of extinction, the otter is making a come-back in Britain today. Author James Williams, a life-long enthusiast of this fascinating, enigmatic creature, dispels some of the mysteries in this beautifully-illustrated book.

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

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Book Synopsis A triumph of accessible science writing. - Lee Schofield An intriguing book. The hedgehog has found its champion. - Tristan Gooley Jaunty, scholarly, wise. - Charles Foster Any project that highlights the plight of hedgehogs is invaluable. - Tim Rice In poll after poll hedgehogs come out top as Britain''s favourite mammal. And yet their numbers are estimated to have halved in less than twenty years. Why? Who or what is responsible for the disappearance of so many thousands of hedgehogs in recent decades? Is it the car driver, the badger, the farmer, the gardener ..? Tom Moorhouse sets out to investigate the evidence, and in seeking to discover the cause of this loss and how we save the species he uncovers a story full of twists, turns and uncomfortable truths about the trade-offs that exist between humans and wildlife.And then thankfully he provides solutions. A final chapter, complete with contributiTrade ReviewFor those with an interest in endangered species, Tom Moorhouse's Ghosts in the Hedgerow: A Hedgehog Whoddunit is a caring, amiable guide to who (and what) is responsible for the worrying decline ofI this cute mammal. -- Martin Chilton * Independent *Tom Moorhouse is brilliant at weaving complex ecological ideas into an easily accessible and very entertaining form - Ghosts in the Hedgerow is a delight. -- Hugh Warwick, ecologist and author of A Prickly AffairHedgehogs have been with us for millions of years, but they seem to be getting less abundant. How do we know, and why is it happening? These are important questions, easy to ask but very difficult to answer. That's partly because the issues are complex, research scanty and hedgehogs are surprisingly difficult to study properly. Tom has written a thorough, but very readable assessment of the challenges posed by the 20th century and what we can do to help the hapless 'Hedgie'. -- Pat Morris, author, and president of the British Hedgehogs Preservation SocietyA wonderfully entertaining and intriguing book. The hedgehog has found its champion. -- Tristan Gooley, author of The Walker's Guide to Outdoor Clues and Signs and How to Read WaterJaunty, scholarly, hugely entertaining, wise, deadly serious and downright fun ... A triumph. -- Charles Foster, author of Cry of the Wild, Being a Human and A Little Brown Sea

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Book SynopsisFrom central Glasgow to rural Wiltshire, a husband-and-wife team track down Britain’s enigmatic mammalsTrade Review‘Spring has barely ticked over into summer, but I’ve already found the book that I’ll be recommending for the rest of the year.’ -- BBC Countryfile Magazine'If you care about Britain’s beautiful mammals – which of course you do – this hilarious book is a must-read. Weasely my favourite book of the year so far.' -- Dave Goulson, author of Silent Earth'Engaging, humorous and full of fascinating facts you probably never knew, Black Ops and Beaver Bombing celebrates, mourns and champions the wonderful variety of British mammals.' -- Waterstones, Best Books of 2023'You will laugh and learn in equal measure.’ * BBC Wildlife Magazine *‘Delightful… The authors’ sadness is clear, yet the text is more readable because they don’t take themselves too seriously, and scatter the text with memorable details.’ -- Irish Times‘Everything you could hope for in a book about our beleaguered native mammals. Elegiac, informative and funny; some truly magical encounters in the wild; an almost baffled indignation at our institutional and collective failures of policy and imagination; and best of all… some actual solutions.’ -- Peter Fiennes, author of Oak and Ash and Thorn'Packed full of useful information and acutely up to date… As she's one of the ablest mammalogists of our age, it's well worth listening to Fiona Mathews. I would heartily recommend this book to all.' -- Derek Gow, author of Bringing Back the Beaver‘This book is, or should be, a big wake-up call to anyone who hasn’t already realised that Britain’s native mammals are in trouble… Black Ops and Beaver Bombing provides an entertaining and informative look at some of our native mammalian species as well as the wider issues associated with species conservation in Britain. It should be required reading for anyone with a passing interest in our native wild mammals as well as for those who would like to do more to help with conservation. I particularly hope that it will be read by the politicians and other people who are in a position to make positive changes to reverse the decline of our native mammals.' -- GreenSpirit Magazine

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Book SynopsisGet to know black bears, brown bears, and polar bears like never before—through Stan Tekiela’s wildlife photography, personal anecdotes, and years of research. They are icons of our wild places. They are powerful and intimidating, yet they signify calmness, comfort, and peace. Bears are adored around the world. They are magnificent animals that capture our fascination. Enter the world of bears with award-winning author, naturalist, and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela. Crawling into black bear dens in northern Wisconsin, trekking across the Manitoba tundra in search of polar bears, traversing the Rocky Mountains in pursuit of grizzly bears, Stan spent more than 20 years traveling across the United States and Canada to observe and photograph bears. He documented every aspect of their lives: major events such as mating and hibernation (torpor), as well as everyday activities including foraging, hunting, and socializing. The result is a striking portrayal of these mammals in Bears of North America. Stan’s extraordinary photographs depict the creatures in a new, unique fashion. The coffee-table book is pleasurable to browse and easy to read. Accompany Stan on some of the greatest adventures of his life. Explore North America’s desolate areas with him, pursuing these resourceful animals. With his instinct for being in the right place at the right time, Stan utilizes rare opportunities to capture some of the most compelling images of his career. Through this book, you can share in his research and develop a new appreciation and respect for bears. Bears of North America is a must-have for lovers of wildlife and nature.Table of ContentsBears—a lifelong affair An eminent history The bear family Origins of the species Species around the world Black Bears Brown Bears Polar Bears Is it a Black Bear or a Brown Bear? Names of distinction Sizes north to south Considerations of weight Life expectancy Roaming the home range Step-for-step paths Scent marking Claw scraping Posturing to communicate Expression of aggression Congeniality Not just smart—resourceful Large skull and jaws Claws and paws Tiny tails Snouts and scents Fuzzy ears, sharp hearing Sight, near and far Strong, stout legs Gait Masters at running Standing advantage Tracks and trails Silent travelers Swimming trips Climbing trees Sleeping in trees Daybed naps Play fighting Color palette Furry coat Hollow hair Black Bear blaze White, but not albino Shedding Potluck diet Breeding time Ready to mate Unusual gestation Birthing Newborn and helpless Eyes open Mother’s milk Nursing duty Litter size Family planning A difficult beginning Mixing up cubs The miracle of hibernation Den diversity Preparing for winter Emerging in spring Cautionary measures Respecting bears Featured bears Where to spot bears in the wild About the author

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Book SynopsisOften associated with spring and Easter, fluffy bunnies and rabbits are also synonymous with undeniably cute animals. You may have read the Velveteen Rabbit as a child or seen Bambi – where rabbits are portrayed as sweet, sympathetic characters. However, wild rabbits are relatively independent and territorial creatures, making them prone to aggression when they have not been domesticated as household pets. Read Rabbits and learn about the many breeds found across the world, from the Riverine rabbit, solitary and nocturnal, one of the most endangered animals in the world, to the French Angora, docile and sociable, often bred for the long hair of its coat, known as Angora wool. Discover the miniature lop, which with its cute floppy ears and button nose, rarely weighs more than three kilograms (six pounds); learn how rabbits and hares use their large, translucent ears to regulate their body temperature; and see how the black-tailed jackrabbit can run at speeds of 65 km/h (40 mph) to dodge predators in the deserts of North America. With informative, detailed captions accompanying each image explaining the origins, habitat and behaviour of these unmistakable hunters, Rabbits is a vivid pictorial guide in 130 brilliant photographs.Table of ContentsIntroduction1: RABBIT BREEDS Holland lop Netherland dwarf rabbit Angora rabbit Mini rex Teddy dwarf Dutch rabbit Miniature lop Lionhead rabbit Harlequin rabbit French Angora Silver fox rabbit Satin rabbit White Vienna rabbit Jersey Wooly Gotland rabbit Pannon white Hyplus Mellerud rabbit2: WILD RABBITS Colombian Pygmy rabbit Cottontail rabbit European rabbit Amami rabbit Sumatran striped rabbit Riverine rabbit Volcano rabbit and zacatuche Sumatran rabbit Riverine rabbits3: JACKRABBITS, HARES & PIKAS Lagomorphs – hares and pikas Currently, we recognize 80 living species of lagomorphs, placed in 2 families containing 13 genera. Native populations are found on all continents except Australia and Antarctica; they are absent from southern South America and most islands. Humans have introduced them, however, to many areas where they were originally not part of the fauna. Pikas – alpine pika, silver pika, collared pika, Gaoligong pika, Glover’s pika, Tsing- ling pika, Himilayan pika, Forrest’s pika, Ladak pika, large-eared pika, black pika, Muli pika, American pika, steppe pika, Afghan pika Hares – hispid hare, rockhares, African harsh-furred hares, snowshoe hare, arctic hare, Japanese hare, Corsican hare, European hare, Ethiopian hare, Granada hare, broom hare, Jackrabbits – black-tailed jackrabbit, white-sided jackrabbit, Tehuantepec hare, antelope hare, Cape hare, Yunnan hare, African savannah hare, Burmese hare, scrub hare, Chinese hare4: CHARACTERISTICS & BEHAVIOUR Many rabbits are very friendly, playful and sociable animals with a need to interact and play with others. They live in family groups in the wild and therefore similar behaviour in a domestic household is beneficial. When kept as pets they need frequent, regular exercise preferable outside where they can graze on grass in a garden area.5: RABBIT YOUNG Photographs of cute fluffy baby rabbits.

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Book SynopsisBritain’s nature year, from the first flower to the last leaf With a mix of evocative writing, beautiful photographs and facts that are too good to keep to yourself, this book explores 50 magical moments that define our seasons. It’s an inspiring guide to connecting with the nature around you and seeing how it changes through the year. There’s butterflies, blossom and bluebells. There’s foxgloves, flying ants and fungi. There’s snow, seedheads and shadows. You’ll discover how many miles an hour spring moves, how spiders can heal us and how woodpeckers help to protect sensitive technology. The inspiration behind the book is partly the National Trust’s hugely successful 'Blossom Watch' campaign, launched in March 2021. Each year we are encouraged to notice and share when we first see tree blossom, emulating the Japanese tradition of 'Hanami'.

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Book SynopsisGaspard the Fox returns for a second adventure in the series in Gaspard - Best in Show, where a case of mistaken identity at the local fete means the handsomest fox in London truly has to live up to his name...

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Book SynopsisAlyson Brokaw brings the wit and science wisdom of her popular TikTok account (@alyb_batgirl) to this lively and fascinating investigation of a unique and misunderstood creature-the bat.

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Book SynopsisThis book is a fully revised and updated second edition of the only comprehensive guide to the mammals of South-east Asia, one of the world''s richest regions in terms of mammal diversity, where species new to science are still being described regularly, though there is increasing pressure on all of its wild mammal populations.From large mammals such as the elephant, big cats, dolphins and whales through bears, monkeys and badgers to bats, civets, rats and shrews, more than 550 species are described in detail, including key identification characteristics, habitat, behavior, distribution and status, accompanied by line drawings of footprints and details of anatomy, or other aspects of identification. Beautiful color plates depict nearly all species and their variations, while accompanying range maps provide up-to-date information on distribution. This field guide is essential for any naturalist or traveler visiting this special corner of Asia.Table of ContentsPreface to second edition Acknowledgements Introduction What is a mammal? Classification and naming How to identify mammals Colour plates Species accounts Finding and studying mammals Where to find mammals Conservation of mammals in South-east Asia Species Accounts Pholidota - Pangolins Insectivora - Gymnures, Moles, Shrews Scandentia - Treeshrews Dermoptera - Colugos Chiroptera - Bats Primates - Lorises, Monkeys, Gibbons Carnivora - Dogs, Bears, Red Pandas, Martens, Weasels, Badgers, Otters, Civets, Mongooses, Lisangs, Cats, Fur seals, Sealions, Seals Cetacea - Oceanic dolphins, Porpoises, Whales Sirenia - Dugong Proboscidea - Elephants Perissodactyla - Tapirs, Rhinoceroses Artidodactyla - Pigs, Mousedeer, Musk-deer, Deer, Cattle, Buffalo, Antelopes, Goats, Sheep Rodentia - Squirrels, Rats, Mice, Pygmy-dormice, Voles, Bamboo rats, Kha-nyou, Porcupines Lagomorpha - Pikes, Hares, Rabbits Glossary Selected bibliography Figure credits Index

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive guide to the calls of the 44 species of bat currently known to occur in Europe. Following on from the popular British Bat Calls by Jon Russ, this new book draws on the expertise of more than forty specialist authors to substantially update all sections, further expanding the volume to include sound analysis and species identification of all European bats. Aimed at volunteers and professional alike, topics include the basics of sound, echolocation in bats, an introduction to acoustic communication, equipment used and call analysis. For each species, detailed information is given on distribution, emergence, flight and foraging behaviour, habitat, echolocation calls – including parameters of common measurements – and social calls. Calls are described for both heterodyne and time expansion/full spectrum systems. A simple but complete echolocation guide to all species is provided for beginners, allowing them to analyse call sequences and arrive at the most likely species or group. The book also includes access to a downloadable library of over 450 calls presented as sonograms in the species sections.Trade ReviewBat Calls of Britain and Europe is a scholarly publication that will primarily be of interest and value to bat biologists who conduct acoustic-related field research. This is true regardless of whether their research is conducted in Britain, mainland Europe, or elsewhere. -- Danny A. Brass * National Speleological Society (NSS) News *Identifying species from bat calls is a complex business, and the book tackles its responsibilities to both novice and experienced bat workers with impressive thoroughness...An essential reference, and there can be hardly anyone who will not learn something new from the explanatory chapters. -- Bob Cornes * Bedfordshire Bat Group *The new bat calls ‘bible’ and an essential companion for anyone interested in acoustic diagnosis of bat calls, from ‘citizen scientists’ like me, to seasoned professional researchers. Unreservedly recommended to all. -- Steven Budd * Mammal News *The book is a real identification tool and undoubtedly an invaluable resource for anyone serious about bat identification and survey. It’s certainly a book I will be returning to time and time again. -- Stephanie Holt * Country-Side, British Naturalists’ Association magazine *This skillfully edited book by Jon Russ is a “must have” for hobbyist and professional bat researchers in Europe and provides useful and interesting information for bat workers elsewhere. …A hidden gem that makes this book even more valuable to anyone working with bat calls is the downloadable full-spectrum call library: the more than 450 fully annotated echolocation and social calls of the bats of the region make this one of the most accessible and useful bat call libraries. If you are interested in or work with bat acoustic data in Europe or Britain, I guarantee you will regularly refer to this volume and its companion call library. -- Eran Amichai * Quarterly Review of Biology *Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. The Basics of Sound: Properties, Acquiring, Representing and Describing 3. Echolocation 4. An Introduction to Acoustic Communication in Bats 5. Equipment 6. Call Analysis 7. A Basic Echolocation Guide to Species 93 8. The Bat Species References and Further Reading Index

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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!

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Book SynopsisElephants are as unique as people. They can be clever and curious or headstrong and impulsive, shy or sociable. Learn to know them as individuals as well as a species in this evocative account of years spent studying elephant behaviour in the wild.Watching a family out for a swim on a hot day, Dr Hannah Mumby notes grandmothers, mothers, sisters and children exchanging noisy greetings, a consistent stream of close-range vocalisations, intermittent touching, co-operative herding of babies and frequent stopping for snacks. A close and interconnected family. But in this family, the adults weigh several tons each and the babies wave trunks playfully at one another. This is a herd of elephants.That elephants are intelligent, sentient beings is common knowledge, but so much about their day-to-day lives and abilities remains unknown. How do they communicate with one another over seemingly impossible distances? How do males spend their lives once they have left their mothers' herds? And how muTrade Review‘Combining lyrical writing about trumpeting at sunset with a pop science sensibility, The Secret Lives of Elephants is both smart and elegant. Walking with these elephants, and with Hannah, will appeal to the Planet Earth viewer and the Robert Macfarlane reader in equal measure.’ Dan Jones, Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of The Plantagenets and The Templars. ‘The Secret Lives of Elephants is an informative and entertaining memoir, in which scientist Hannah Mumby details her experience researching elephants in Africa and Asia. She works alongside conservation giants like Iain Douglas-Hamilton while unearthing connections between elephant and human life histories – often in the midst of alarming spikes in poaching. With descriptive prose, Mumby transports readers to Kenya, Myanmar and South Africa, where she and her colleagues discover surprising facets of elephant behaviour and intelligence.’ BBC Wildlife magazine ‘A work of science and a labour of love … Mumby uninhibitedly pours herself in the book and her passion for elephants, and their conservation is refreshingly unapologetic … This softer edge that gives room to observations and anecdotes makes science accessible, while not compromising on its robustness. The author’s writing is simple and honest; and her voice eloquent and strong as she pens a fascinating insight on the most remarkable of animals: elephants.’ Mongabay-India

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Book SynopsisKnowledge of bat echolocation and social calls, and identification using ultrasonic ‘bat detectors’ and sound analysis software, has grown significantly in the last decade. In this practical guide Jon Russ and contributors (Kate Barlow, Philip Briggs & Sandie Sowler) present the latest information in a clear and concise manner. The book covers topics including the properties of sound, how bats use sound, bat detectors and recording devices, analysis software, and call analysis. For each species found in the British Isles, information is given on distribution, emergence times, flight and foraging behaviour, habitat, echolocation calls including parameters for common measurements, and social calls. Calls are described in the context of the different technologies employed to record them (heterodyne, frequency division and time expansion). Various sonograms for each species are displayed in BatSound and AnaLookW. A species echolocation guide is included.Trade ReviewIt's safe to say, that I own many books on the subject of Bats. ... I can state here and now, (with certainty) that this book surpasses the others on its overall (up-to-date) content, and execution. In conclusion, the book is very well laid-out. It's very informative, and a fantastic reference, to re-visit again and again! ...Now if only a bat expert from the US (of Jon Russ' caliber) would publish a book similar to it (for North American species)...And soon! I'd be very happy! -- Al Milano * Bat Detector Reviews *Armed with this practical little book, researchers, surveyors and amateurs can go out into the night with the benefit of the knowledge and experience built up over the years by Russ and his colleagues. -- Andrew Branson * British Wildlife *Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. Bats and sound: Properties of sound; Signal acquisition; Representing and describing sound; How bats use sound 3. Equipment: Bat detectors; Recording sound 4. Call analysis: Sound analysis software; Automatic recognition software; Using sound analysis software; Measuring call parameters; AnalookW; Common analysis problems 5. Species echolocation guide 6. Species identification Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA New Statesman Book of the Year The wolf stands at the forefront of the debate about our impact on the natural world. In one of the most celebrated successes of modern conservation, it has been reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park. What unfolds is a riveting multi-generational saga, at the centre of which is O-Six, a charismatic alpha female beloved by park rangers and amateur spotters alike. As elk numbers decline and the wolf population rises, those committed to restoring an iconic landscape clash with those fighting for a vanishing way of life; hunters stalk the park fringes and O-Six’s rivals seek to bring an end to her dominance of the stunningly beautiful Lamar Valley.Trade Review‘Deeply informed yet fast-paced and deftly structured…What ultimately makes this book so satisfying is that it is as much an account of the deep divisions within contemporary America as it is a tale about the world’s most enduring carnivore.' * New Statesman *‘Weaves together three narratives in one superb book…Blakeslee’s triumph is to tell all three stories with deep sympathy and insight.’ * New Statesman, Books of the Year *‘Blakeslee draws O-Six in novelistic…detail, using the conflicting insight and perspective of biologists, politicians, ranchers, environmentalists, lawyers, other animals, and hunters… Seeing a wolf is exceptionally rare, and this book is as close as most readers will come.’ * The New Yorker *‘Inspired by the most charismatic of animals, this is a story of dedication and determination, of conflict and passion and like all good stories it challenges your thoughts and fires up your emotions.’ -- Kate Humble‘Extraordinary…Blakeslee is a fine writer…Chilling and gripping by turns. The Wolf is a book that should be read, with care.’ * The National *‘The story of one wolf’s struggle to survive in the majestic Yellowstone National Park offers an ambitious look through the eyes of an endangered animal.’ * New York Times Book Review *‘The lives of the wolves in Yellowstone are often dramatic, but are full of touching, tender moments too, as Nate Blakeslee vividly writes in The Wolf.’ * Los Angeles Times *‘Gripping and fascinating! Wolf vs wolf, wolf vs man, man vs man.’ -- Margaret Atwood (via Twitter)‘Heartbreaking front-line coverage of our war on the wild… Blakeslee, hauntingly, gives the victims faces, families and stories. A quietly angry, aching, important book.’ -- Charles Foster, author of Being a Beast‘A compelling environmental drama of the reintroduction of wolves to the Rockies, as clear-sighted on human politics as it is on wolf politics. As wolf packs battle one another for control of precious territory, unknown to them another battle is taking place, between the wolves’ supporters and those who would eradicate them.’ -- Neil Ansell, author of Deep Country: Five Years in the Welsh Hills‘Wolves are neither gods nor demons. Real wolves are complex beings with personalities, ambitions, careers, and – thanks to us – more than their fair share of tragedy. The Wolf gives us true profiles of wolf lives lived in their actual families. And when humans get involved, the trajectory of their lives forever changes.’ -- Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel‘Blakeslee…brings the feeling of a celebrity biography to the story of the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park and its aftermath… [He] escorts readers up close to interpack conflict as well as human enemies of wolf preservation.’ * Kirkus, starred review *‘Blakeslee gives us a very different sort of biography – the saga of a single female wolf, “the most famous wolf in the world,” and her exploits in Yellowstone National Park. It’s a startlingly intimate portrait of the intricate, loving, human-like interrelationships that govern wolves in the wild, as observed in real time by a cadre of dedicated wolf-watchers – in the end, a drama of lupine love, care, and grief.’ -- Erik Larson, author of The Devil in the White City and Dead Wake‘Wild, poignant, and compelling, The Wolf is an important, beautifully wrought book about animals, about values, and about living on this earth.’ -- Susan Orlean, author of The Orchid Thief and Rin Tin Tin‘The Wolf is a transcendent tale of the American West. I loved the doggedness and depth of the reporting, the texture of the writing. There are echoes of Jack London everywhere. But above all I loved the wolf herself, a character like no other I have ever encountered.’ -- S. C. Gwynne, author of Empire of the Summer Moon and Rebel Yell‘An intimate and riveting book about America’s most iconic and embattled predator. Blakeslee moves effortlessly between the ancient drama of the wolf pack, and its modern human counterpart, the sometimes vicious, red state-blue state partisans whose battleground is the fate of the American wolf. A wonderful and welcome addition to the pantheon of nature literature.’ -- John Vaillant, author of The Tiger and The Golden Spruce

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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

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Book SynopsisWhales, dolphins and porpoises are among the world''s most mysterious and beautiful animals, and there are many opportunities to see them in the seas around Europe. This comprehensive and authoritative guide covers everything you need to know about where, when and how to watch them. Packed with useful information and top tips to help you get the most out of your trip, it includes a thorough account of whale-watching opportunities in every European country where organised whale-watching takes place, as well as detailed accounts of every cetacean species found in Europe and a fascinating introduction to their world.Whether you want to watch Blue Whales in Iceland, Bottlenose Dolphins in Wales, Narwhal in Greenland or Sperm Whales in Greece, this comprehensive guide is the ideal companion.

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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

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Book SynopsisGorillas are fascinating animals - find out all about their habitat, diet and behaviour in this photographic non-fiction book by Teresa Heapy.

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Book SynopsisA lovely little book quietly lyrical, often funny and gently persuasive' Sunday Times Succinct, clear, sophisticated. I couldn''t stop reading it' Jeff VanderMeerWe've all seen the fox.A flash of his brushy tail disappearing between the gap of a fence, a blaze of orange caught in the headlights as he scampers across the road. We've heard him too, his strange barks echoing in the city night. Perhaps we've even come face to face with him, eyes meeting for a few moments before he disappears once more into the darkness. But where is he going, and what is his world really like?In The Hidden World of the Fox, ecologist Adele Brand shines a light on one of Britain's most familiar yet enigmatic animals, showing us how the astonishing senses, intelligence and behaviour that allowed foxes to thrive in the ancient wildwood now help them survive in the concrete car parks and clattering railway lines of our cities and towns.The result of a lifelong obsession, Brand adds a wealth of firsthand experTrade Review‘Fascinating insight’ Countryfile ‘Absolutely fascinating’ Jo Good, Radio London ‘Succinct, clear, sophisticated. I couldn't stop reading it’ Jeff VanderMeer ‘A lovely little book … quietly lyrical, often funny and gently persuasive’ Sunday Times ‘The Hidden World of the Fox does something no other work about them I have read has done – it presents its readers with not only the what’s, why’s, and how’s of foxes, but also a deeply insightful, ecologically informed way to think about them … The amount of general good, for foxes and humans alike, that this relatively short book is capable of achieving in its potential to correct uncountable misunderstandings about one of the planet’s most intriguing and highly adaptable creatures cannot be overstated. For its wealth of biological information about its subject, its author’s innovative focus on encouraging the development of a more ecologically informed perspective about them, and its exquisitely succinct “le mot juste” prose, I highly recommend The Hidden World of the Fox to all readers, be they presently interested in foxes specifically, wildlife generally, or simply enthusiasts of well-written, eye-opening books.’ The Well-read Naturalist ‘A smart and accessible volume. Thanks to a mix of biology, personal history, and pop culture, Brand’s readers will be left both entertained and better informed about “this small, curious member of the dog family”’ Publisher’s Weekly ‘Provides everything you ever wanted to know about the fox’ Kirkus ‘This beautifully written work paying homage to red foxes will appeal to those interested in urban wildlife and the ever-increasing conflicts between humans and other animals’ Library Journal

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Book SynopsisTony Fitzjohn has spent over forty years re-introducing lions, leopards, rhinos and African Hunting Dogs to the wild. He is one of the world's leading field experts on the relationship between man and African wildlife. He was awarded the OBE by the Queen and the Order of the Golden Ark by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands for his services to wildlife.Trade Review'Brilliant, truly brilliant. I was hooked. It was inspiring, moving and exciting. He is the last of the swashbuckling conservationists who has selflessly devoted his life to the people and the wildlife of Africa. A true african adventure of epic proportions. It makes me want to give up everything and move to Africa'. -- Ben FogleHugely compelling and funnily written. From tragedies of the worst kind to triumphs unimaginable, he's a true pioneer making up solutions to situations as he goes along * Martin Clunes *Born Wild describes his breathless roller coaster across the African savannah with passion and humour, an inspirational tale of what one comitted individual can achieve against the odds -- Brian Jackman * Sunday Telegraph *The passages describing the lions the three men were raising and rehabilitating into the wild are odes to harmony, serentiy and understanding * Telegraph *

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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

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

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

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Book SynopsisA photographic celebration of the return of otters to our rivers and freshwater wetlands after a drastic decline. Ripples of excitement are spreading through Europe's rivers and wetlands. A generation ago, otter watching was a wildlife highlight restricted to remote coastal areas otter populations had been decimated over the previous century by pesticide poisoning and habitat disturbance. Now we are seeing the positive effect of determined conservation efforts over recent decades. As our waterways improve, otters are returning and spreading throughout their former habitats. One of the UK's leading natural history photographers, Laurie Campbell got to know otters while working in Scotland's Highlands and Islands, but he had never seen these elusive predators on his home beat. Then, in the early 1990s, he was delighted to find otters back on the Tweed and its tributaries, a river system he has lived close to for most of his life. The discovery launched him on a quest to create a phoTrade ReviewA beautiful book. * The Herald *This smartly edited hardback portrays one man’s desire to chart the revival of the otter’s fortunes, which begins on his home river, but evolves into a long-term study of this enchanting mammal. * Country Life *The images are outstanding and not only of otters, as the keen naturalist captures myriad flora and fauna when on forays. * Country Life *Anna Levin…stitches together the threads of the tale in a readable, lyrical, but not slushy way. * Country Life *[Campbell and Levin] weave a wealth of information into the stories that the pictures tell – and the result is 175 pages of pure delight. * Book of the Month, Countryside *Table of ContentsForeword, Sir John Lister-Kaye OBE 1. The Bigger Picture 2. New Road 3. Otters on the Western Shores 4. Evening 5. Return to the River 6. Glimpse 7. Spring 8. Reeds 9. Summer 10. Rain 11. Autumn 12. Ripples 13. Winter 14. Riverside 15. Otter Photography

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Book Synopsis*Levison Wood's documentary series on WALKING WITH ELEPHANTS is available to watch now on Channel 4*This book comes at a critical time. Fifty years ago, Africa was home to just over 1.3 million elephants, but by 1990 the number had halved. Meanwhile in the span of a lifetime, the human population has more than doubled. In Levison Wood's The Last Giants, he explores the rapid decline of one of the world's favourite animals. Filled with stories from his own time spent travelling with elephants in Africa, and documenting their migration in his Channel 4 series, Walking With Elephants, the book is a passionate wake-up call for this endangered species we take for granted. The Last Giants was written to inspire us all to act - to learn more and help save the species from permanent extinction.

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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.

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Book SynopsisPlay Cards and Learn to Identify Mammal Tracks in the Southern United States! Anyone who enjoys nature, wildlife, and the great outdoors will love these cards for playing your favorite games or to use as flash cards. Inspired by Jonathan Poppele’s popular Animal Tracks of the Southeast & Gulf States quick guide, this gorgeous deck of playing cards features detailed illustrations of 54 of the most notable mammal tracks in the South and Southeastern states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, as well as eastern Texas. Each card depicts realistic tracks of such animals as the Nine-banded Armadillo, River Otter, Wild Boar, and more—along with range maps—so you can begin to learn what 54 different animal prints look like. Card Features 54 of the most notable mammal tracks Realistic illustrations on every card Ideal for card games or as flash cards Play games like blackjack, poker, rummy, and solitaire while learning more about tracking. Get Animal Tracks of the Southeast & Gulf States Playing Cards for yourself, and you can also give this deck of cards as a fun and thoughtful gift.Table of ContentsClubs: Shrews, Moles & Small Rodents Diamonds: Larger Rodents & Rabbits Hearts: Dogs, Cats & Hoofed Animals Spades: Weasels, Skunks, Raccoons & Bears

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Book SynopsisA unique look at the cultural, environmental, historical, literary, metaphorical, and political role of the wolf.Echo Loba, Loba Echo is a story about the metaphor of the wolf and how this is echoed in the lives and minds of people. A metaphor that embodies worldviews colliding, and the collision, the fallout, we live with still. It is a story about wolves? own cultures, survival stories, acts of rebellion, and vital roles in maintaining healthy territories. And it is also a story about what we have been told to forget, or never even know, and what wolves show us about ourselves.Through essay and poetry, the metaphor of the wolf, and loba ? for she-wolf ? is examined the way one might observe the light off a prism, in multi-dimensional ways. The associations are many and diametrically varied. Wolf as scapegoat, villain, outcast, blamed for human violence. Wolf as warrior, guide, mother to stray or orphaned children as well as her own pups. The Ojibwe word for wolf is ma?iingan: the one sent here by that all-loving spirit to show us the way. Wolf (Latin: lupus), which is another word for whore (lupa), for woman. Wolf, another word for backcountry. Yet the choice is not an easy duality, not simply between the notion of wolf as heroine or wolf as devil.

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