Wildlife: mammals: general interest Books

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Book SynopsisAn intimate portrait of a mysterious and misunderstood animal.“Tjernshaugen writes in an easy-to-read style that is full of insight and understanding.  I felt like I was sitting beside him as he described fox behavior.” —Rick McIntyre, Yellowstone wolf researcher and author of The Rise of Wolf 8If you look into the fox''s amber eyes, you''ll notice vertical pupils. With such feline eyes in a slender canine body, the fox is a relative of the dog and the wolf, but it hunts alone, like a cat. The fox lives close to people, both in the city and in the country, but it’s wild, shy, and secretive.Taking long walks in the early morning, equipped with wildlife cameras—and sometimes with his dog Topsy by his side—Andreas Tjernshaugen journeys into the forest hoping to encounter the foxes living just outside his small town in Norway. He knows the telltale signs of how to find a fox den, how to identify a paw

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Book SynopsisThe Celts called them 'fairy cattle' and the Greeks associated them with the hunter goddess Artemis, but for most people today, deer are seen as cute, like Bambi, or noble, like the Monarch of the Glen. They can be a danger when we're driving at night, or they can simply be a tasty venison burger. But while we may not often eat humble pie - an actual pie filled with deer organs - deer still appear in religion and mythology, on coats of arms, in fine art, and in literature ranging from The Yearling to Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia. In Deer, veterinarian and deer farmer John Fletcher brings together the cultural and natural history of these dignified animals. Fletcher traces the evolution of deer, explaining why deer grow and cast aside their antlers each year and describing their symbolism in various cultures throughout history. He divulges the true story of Rudolph and Santa's other reindeer and explores the role deer have played as prized objects of the hunt in Europe, Asia and America. Wide-ranging and richly illustrated, Deer provides a fresh perspective on this graceful, powerful animal that will appeal to hunters and gatherers alike.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 The Family of Deer 2 How Deer Survive 3 The Exploitation of Deer 4 Deer Hunting and Art 5 Deer as Symbols 6 Deer in North America 7 Deer and People Today Timeline References Bibliography Associations and Websites Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisFrom Flipper to SeaWorld, dolphins have long captured our hearts. We love these friendly, intelligent mammals, and they seem to return our feelings--they enjoy interacting with swimmers and have been known to encircle people under attack by sharks. Despite our familiarity with dolphins, though, we remain ill-informed about how they evolved, how they function and how they have interacted with humans for millennia. Dolphin dives into the dolphin's zoology, as well as its social and cultural history, to offer a comprehensive view of these delightful creatures. Drawing on his years of experience working with and studying dolphins, Alan Rauch explores their propensity to live in pods and their ability to communicate through a variety of clicks, whistles and other vocalizations. He examines their long relationship with humans, describing how they became the emblem of safe travel and charity, that the ancient Greeks featured them on coins and that Hindu mythology associated them with Ganga, a river deity. As the rise in popularity of dolphinaria during the 1960s allowed the public access to dolphins, they became central characters in films like The Day of the Dolphin and Johnny Mnemonic and outsmarted humans in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Packed with images and thoughtful insights, Dolphin is a revealing look at one of our favorite sea creatures.Table of ContentsPreface 1 Zoology and Physiology: Evolution and Adaptation 2 Species of Dolphins: A Cosmopolitan Animal 3 The Dolphin in History and Mythology 4 Social Behaviour, Intelligence and Echolocation 5 Dolphin Dangers: Tuna, Predation, Pollution and Exploitation 6 Popular Culture and Dolphins [AQ: 'Dolphins in Popular Culture'?] Timeline of the Dolphin References Select Bibliography Associations and Websites Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisThe hedgehog has long had a close connection with people. It has been an animal of fascination, endearment and cultural significance since the ancient Egyptians. The Romans regarded it as a weather prophet, and modern gardeners depend on the creature to keep their gardens free of pests. This book explores how this and other characteristics of the small creature have propelled it to the top of a number of polls of people's favorite animals. People react with passion and enthusiasm for the hedgehog, as it is, quite unusually, a wild animal that one can connect with. When scared the hedgehog stays still, allowing a closer look. It remains one of the few creatures that people can get close to without the fear of an attack, or it running away at the slightest movement. The hedgehog has spread through Europe and Asia to the foot of Africa, and is a prickly pet in the USA. The hedgehog's appeal and public accessibility has lead to it to be found on numerous products, from advertising to films and children's books. Instantly recognizable, benign in reputation, Hedgehog demonstrates that there is much to admire about this beautiful, and now threatened, icon of wildlife.

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Book SynopsisHippos are well-loved, cumbersome, rotund mammals famous for lounging around semi-submerged in muddy pools. Gregarious herbivores, they emerge after dusk from the water into the cool night air to graze on grass and plants before returning to the water at sunrise. They have huge mouths adapted for grazing as well as large, sharp tusks and jaws powerful enough to bite through crocodiles, small boats and even humans. The common hippo, once found all over Africa, is now largely confined to South and East Africa, while its close relative, the mysterious pygmy hippo, is only found in the forests of Sierra Leone, West Africa. Hippos originated in Asia and share a common ancestry with whales. Until the last Ice Age, they were found across Europe, including Britain. The ancient civilizations of North Africa and the Middle East were familiar with the common hippo, as it was still plentiful along the Nile. To the Egyptians it was a revered deity while at the same time it was hunted for sport. While the Romans imported them into their circus spectacles in Rome, today the best place to see the common hippo is in its natural African environment.

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Book SynopsisCommon and exotic, glamorous and ferocious, sociable and sullen: zebras mean many things to many people. The extraordinary beauty of their striped coats makes them one of the world's most recognizable animals. They have been immortalized in paint by artists including George Stubbs and Lucian Freud, and zebra-print designs permeate contemporary society - on beanbags and bikinis, car seats and pencil cases. Zebras even have a road crossing named after them. But the natural and cultural history of the zebra remains a mystery to most. Few know that there are three species of zebra, or that one of these is currently endangered, or that the quagga, an animal that once roamed southern Africa in large numbers before dying out in the 1880s, is among the zebra's many subspecies. Zebra is a comprehensive and wide-ranging study of the natural and cultural history of this popular animal. Using a wide range of sources and stories, it shows how the zebra's history engages and intersects with diverse topics, including eighteenth-century humour, imperialism and camouflage technologies. Including more than a hundred illustrations, many previously unpublished, it offers a new way of thinking about this much-loved but frequently misunderstood animal.

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Book SynopsisThe Eurasian beaver was near extinction at the start of the twentieth century, hunted across Europe for its fur, meat and castoreum. But now the beaver is on the brink of a comeback, with wild beaver populations, licensed and unlicensed, emerging all over Britain. As a keystone species, the beaver plays a vital role in the creation of sustainable wetland habitats through its damming activities, providing living opportunities for a broad spectrum of wildlife. Yet as proposals for reintroducing beavers are underway, re-establishing the beaver in Britain is still a controversial issue. This book presents a case for our future coexistence with beavers by providing factual information on this species that has now passed from national memory, covering the biology, behaviour and ecology of the Eurasian beaver in a British context, from their early history in archaeology and folklore to their contemporary field signs in the wild. This book familiarises readers once again, after almost 400 years of its absence, with the Eurasian beaver, providing essential information on its requirements in our human dominated landscape. This book is for those with a specific interest in beavers and their reintroduction, and for anyone with a general curiosity in natural history, ecology or animal behaviour. It can be used as a field guide to identify beaver field signs and observe beavers in the wild by wildlife surveyors or general land users, or as an introductory guide for anyone with an interest in beavers and how to recognise them. The authors have been actively involved in the study of beaver ecology, behaviour and reintroduction for many years. They have a first-hand knowledge of beavers in captivity and in the wild in both Britain and a range of other European countries.Trade ReviewThe authors provide an update on their experiences direct from the field, the quarantine area and the veterinary table. This fascinating book promotes a future co-existence with beavers in Britain by providing factual information on their biology, behaviour and the habitats they help to generate. This remarkable, unassuming animal has the capacity to help renaturalise our rivers, re-create areas of wetland, increase biodiversity, provide natural flood defence, protect soils and filter and purify our water. -- Nick Mott Staffordshire Wildlife This admirable little book tells you all you are ever likely to want to know about the beaver. It is illustrated with many photos of the animal and its habitat, with maps showing its distribution and tables of the plants it eats and the signs it leaves. Despite the text being only 44 pages long, the authors cover everything you might want to know about these fascinating rodents. Beavers are being re-introduced to Scotland and Devon but it is very unlikely that they will find their way to Derbyshire. So you will have to travel if you want to see them for yourself. My only encounter with beavers was on holiday in Estonia. Kath and I stopped in Soomaa National Park and wandered about in the forests finding both felled trees and huge beaver lodges. One evening while walking by a stream, we were startled by the amazingly loud 'slap' of a beaver's tail close to us. This loud noise warns the animal's family of danger. It's a remarkable and unmistakeable sound which certainly scared the life out of us! A ripple running down the stream was the closest we came to seeing one. One thing I had never realised was that Beverley in Yorkshire gets its name from the beaver. And another; that beavers don't eat coniferous trees though they sometimes fell them to use as lodge-building material. -- Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Derbyshire Wildlife TrustTable of ContentsChapters include: Introduction: folklore and history. Beaver Biology and Behaviours: taxonomy; identification; adaptations for a semi-aquatic lifestyle; adaptations for a life on land; breeding; social behaviour; defensive behaviours; chemical communication and scent marking behaviours; food processing and foraging behaviour. Habitat and Population Biology: life history; movements, activity and territoriality. Beaver Field Signs: teeth marks; felled and gnawed trees; grazing lawns/vascular plants; feeding stations; foraging trails; lodges and burrows; dams; canals; scent mounds; faeces; tracks/prints. Observing Beavers: remote camera trapping. Beavers in Modern Landscapes: beavers and the law; beavers as ecosystem engineers; the return of the beaver.

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Book SynopsisBats have long been the focus of fascination, and sometimes fear: they move faultlessly through the darkness and spend the day hanging upside down in gloomy caverns and cracks – most at home where humans are least comfortable. Bats also represent a hugely important, numerous and varied group, accounting for 20% of all mammal species worldwide. Covering their biodiversity, ecology and natural history, A Miscellany of Bats offers a hoard of insights into the lives of these creatures. For over a quarter of a century Brock Fenton and the late Jens Rydell collaborated on projects involving bats. Here they bring together a collection of stories and anecdotes about bat research, brought to life by stunning photographs of these animals in action. Key topics include flight and echolocation, diet and roosting habits, and the complex social lives of bats. Jens and Brock also address issues of conservation and the interactions between bats and people, ranging from matters of disease to bats’ role as symbols, and our fixation with vampire bats. They explore how echolocation and flight shape batkind, from their appearance to where they go and why. Overall, this book is an entertaining and personal vision of bats’ central place in the universe. More than 150 species are covered.Trade ReviewA Miscellany of Bats is a well-written and interesting—and often absorbing—book, in which the authors convey their enthusiasm for studying this unique group of animals...Difficult concepts are simplified and the very readable text is largely accessible to general readers who might be interested in bats but have no particular background in either biology or natural history. -- Danny A. Brass, NSS NewsFascinating and wonderful...I can't find any fault with this book. And would recommend it to anyone, with just about any level of existing knowledge of bats. -- Al Milano, Bat Detecting blog...a thoroughly readable book of batty facts, and batty mysteries. -- Tony Atkinson, Mammal NewsIf you have an interest in bats (and what naturalist does not?), this book is a good read and a very accessible way into bat research... The book is written by renowned experts and with world class photography and is a valuable addition to a natural history book collection. -- David Skydmore, British NaturalistIt is not just that A Miscellany of Bats provides facts and figures, it is that there is so much more to know about bats than most of us realize, and both Brock Fenton and the late Jens Rydell convey that knowledge to the lay audience, the text filtering the multifaceted and often highly technical aspects of bat study through the lens of accessibility to the non-scientist. -- Animal Alliance of CanadaThree things set A Miscellany of Bats apart. For one, the authors are outstanding photographers. The images in this book are second to none. Second, there is a lovely exploration of the roles bats play in human cultures, and much of what is covered here is not in those other volumes. -- Daniel Riskin, University of Toronto, Mississauga * Quarterly Review of Biology *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements 1. Introducing bats Wings and size Blind as a bat Catching and identifying bats Marking and tagging Brock’s initiation Jens’ start Box: What on Earth? 2. Bat wings and flight Wing anatomy White wings How fast do bats fly? Drinking Flying antics Box: Colour in bats 3. Seeing with sound The perils of generalization Basic echolocation Why echolocate? Echolocation and the faces of bats Box: Beam control and bite power 4. Echolocation: a window onto bat behaviour Biologists as eavesdroppers on bats Insect prey Bat communication Air traffic control Box: Echolocation and foraging 5. What bats eat, part 1 Learning how much a bat consumes Some bats eat birds Versatility What insects do bats eat? Specialized hunting Trawling Box: Diets of bats 6. What bats eat, part 2 Fruit-eating species Bats and flowers Box: The curious case of bananas 7. Vampire bats 8. Where bats occur and where they roost Temperature Bat roosts Box: Patterning in bats Lingering challenges Bats up north Box: Bat boxes 9. Social lives of bats Reproduction What is a colony of bats? Food availability and social patterns Box: Observational learning 10. How bats use space Box: Bats get around 11. Threats to bats Predators Mishaps Parasites Wind turbines Light pollution A world without bats? Global change Box: Keeping bats away 12. Bats and people Attitudes towards bats Bats and disease Bats as symbols 13. Bats as beings A last word to the bats Cast of bats Notes Index

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Book SynopsisThe story that captured the imagination of the world... In 1969 Harrods department store in London sold a three month old lion cub to two young Australians, John Rendall and Anthony (Ace) Bourke. They called him Christian. For a year Christian lived happily and safely with John and Ace and his human 'pride', initially in the World's End on the King's Road in Chelsea, where Derek Cattani first began photographing him. When Christian outgrew his London environment he moved first to the home of Bill Travers in Surrey. He was then entrusted to the care of George Adamson in Kenya, who with his wife Joy, had successfully rehabilitated their lioness Elsa, the subject of Joy's Book Born Free. A year after Christian had been living in the wild John and Ace returned to Kenya to try and find him. The film clip of their emotional reunion has now been viewed by over 100 million people on YouTube. In 1973 Christian disappeared into the wild forever. George Adamson had uniquely rehabilitated a 5th generation zoo-bred lion. John and Ace's first book about Christian was a million seller in the 1970s, and enjoyed a huge resurgence of interest after their YouTube clip went viral in 2006. This brand new book from Bradt, collects Derek Cattani's never-before-seen pictures of Christian and updates the story to the present day, including the story of their YouTube sensation and a chapter on the murder of George Adamson. When John and Ace took Christian to Kenya in 1970 there were an estimated 300,00 lions in Africa. Today there are fewer than 25,000.Trade Review'A new must-read book' Sloane Square magazine 'Well balanced and delightfully written account of an extraordinary adventure, brimming with fine pictures' Kensington and Chelsea Today 'The remarkable true story of a lion called Christian.' Catworld 'Brings (Christian's) remarkable story to the present day.' Your Cat Recommended reading London Property South, Big Issue, Best, The Resident, Time & Leisure, and SW ResidentTable of ContentsChapter 1: From Ilfracombe Zoo to Harrods Chapter 2: Lion at the World's End Chapter 3: Indoors and Outdoors Chapter 4: Life on the King's Road Chapter 5: Preparing for Africa Chapter 6: Out to Africa Chapter 7: Joining the Pride Chapter 8: Tragedy and Reunion Chapter 9: A Final Farewell Chapter 10: Christian's New World Chapter 11: George's Murder Chapter 12: Mkomazi Chapter 13: Searching for Signs of Christian Post Script: A Youtube Sensation: Lions in Trouble

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Book SynopsisHow old is the sloth? How do sloths have sex?How did a sloth save Dublin?The answers to these questions, and more, are found in this wonderfully entertaining celebration of the sloth. Walking readers through the sloth's evolutionary history - from the prehistoric ground sloth to modern pygmy - William Hartston reveals the sloth's fascinating journey from maligned mammal to cause célèbre. Playfully peppered with science and filled with factoids, Sloths is a love-letter to the most anachronistic, and just a little bit ridiculous, of animals.'Riveting... Sloths is as comprehensive a look at the instincts, lifestyle and capacities of this curious creature as you are ever likely to need.' Daily ExpressTrade ReviewFascinating... Hartston writes all this with his customary wit and an obvious joy in discovery. -- Marcus Berkmann * Daily Mail *Riveting... Sloths! is as comprehensive a look at the instincts, lifestyle and capacities of this curious creature as you are ever likely to need... [A] beautifully written gem * Daily Express *Table of Contents1: A Sloth by Any Other Name 2: Two Toes or Three? 3: The Sloth that Saved Dublin 4: New Sloths for Old 5: Are Sloths Slothful? 6: Anatomy 7: Sex and the Solitary Sloth 8: The Deadly Sin 9: Pooping 10: The Abominable Slothman, and Other Myths 11: Sloths Eating, and Eating Sloths 12: Sloth Conservation 13: Sloths in Culture 14: Oddments 15: Costa Rica

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Book SynopsisThe heart-warming story of how a tiny hedgehog helped one man find hope. 'Could you look after it for a couple of days? . . .' So begins the extraordinary friendship between veterinarian Massimo, who is at a low spot in his life, and a tiny, orphaned hedgehog. Only a few days old, covered with soft, white quills and mewling quietly, this little creature will turn around his life forever. Through the sheer force of Ninna's personality - curious, playful, affectionate - and the sudden, unexpected paternal protectiveness he feels nursing her back to health, Massimo reconnects with the world - and finally begins to feel like home. But as Ninna wakes from her first hibernation, she grows up, like any teenager, longing for freedom. A creature of the wild, she craves the free range of the woods beyond Massimo's house. Massimo must accept that Ninna is ready to move on . . . but one little hedgehog saved and released into her natural habitat is a new beginning for Massimo: setting up a sanctuary for the injured, orphaned, fragile - but with a will to live so strong it is truly contagious. A Handful of Happiness is their funny and life-affirming story - a celebration of our favourite prickly wildlife creature, which will make you laugh and cry. Perfect for animal lovers and fans of A Streetcat Named Bob, Arthur, Finding Gobi and Monty Don's Nigel.Trade ReviewI loved curling up with this adorable book -- Helen Brown * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisPolar bears are truly majestic animals: the largest land-dwelling carnivore on earth, they can measure up to 3 metres in length, and weigh up to 700 kilograms. They are also iconic in other ways – a symbol of the climate change debate, with their survival now threatened by the loss of Arctic ice. Their images decorate fountains and the cornices of buildings across Europe. They sell cold drinks. They feature in children’s books, on merry-go-rounds, and under the arms of weary toddlers heading for bed. Their pelts were once highly prized by hunters and live captures became attractions in zoos and circuses. Stuffed bears still haunt museums and stately homes. This is a natural and cultural history of the polar bear, describing the evolution, species, habitat and behaviour of the animal, as well as its portrayal in art, literature, film and advertising. With many fine images throughout, this will appeal to the wide audience who love these outsize, beautiful, seemingly cuddly yet deadly carnivores.

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Book SynopsisThough moles are rarely seen, they live in close proximity to humans around the world. Gardeners and farmers go to great lengths to remove molehills from their fields and gardens; mole-catching has been a profession for the past two millennia. Moles are also close to our imagination, appearing in myths, fairy tales and comic books as either wealthy, undesirable grooms or seekers of enlightenment. In Mole Steve Gronert Ellerhoff examines moles in nature, as well as their representation throughout history and across cultures. Balancing evolution and ecology with photographs and artworks, Ellerhoff provides new insight into this exceedingly private mammal.Trade Review"A jaunty yet sensitive account of a much maligned and misunderstood species." -- Sara Baume, author of "A Line Made by Walking"Table of ContentsPreface 1 The Evolution of Moles 2 The Nature of Moles 3 Scientific Study of Moles 4 Moles in Myth and Folklore 5 Allegorical Moles 6 Moles in Literary and Popular Culture 7 The Hunted Mole Epilogue: Making Mountains of Molehills References Timeline Select Bibliography Associations and Websites Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisAlthough rarely seen in the wild, the otter is admired for its playful character and graceful aquatic agility, which were established in the popular imagination through books and films such as Tarka the Otter and Ring of Bright Water. This, however, is just a small part of their story - throughout history the otter has also been widely hunted for its fur and to prevent it from killing fish. Sadly, all thirteen species of otter are now considered threatened, and their survival is by no means certain. In Otter, Daniel Allen reveals how the animal's identity has been shaped by human interactions. This wide-ranging book includes anecdotes from folklore, sports and popular literature, as well as exploring the ongoing efforts towards the otter's conservation.Trade Review"[A] fine furry paean."-- "Guardian" "A captivating account of our changing relationship with the otter."-- "BBC Wildlife" "Intriguing snippets of otter lore are contained within a beautifully presented volume as charming and captivating as its subject matter. . . . You will love this one."-- "Daily Mail"Table of Contents1 Introducing the Otter 2 Folklore, Fables, Tradition and the Otter 3 Commercial Otter Hunting 4 Otter Hunting for Sport 5 The Literary Otter 6 The Otter On Screen 7 Protecting the Otter Appendix: Otter Data Timeline of the Otter References Select Bibliography Websites and Associations Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisMasked bandits of the night, raiders of farm crops and rubbish bins, raccoons are notorious for their indifference to human property and propriety, yet they are also admired for their intelligence, dexterity and determination. Raccoons have also thoroughly adapted to human-dominated environments; they are thriving in numbers greater than at any point of their evolutionary history... including in new habitats. Raccoon surveys the natural and cultural history of this opportunistic omnivore, tracing its biological evolution, social significance, and image in a range of media and political contexts. From intergalactic misanthropes and despoilers of ancient temples to coveted hunting quarry, unpredictable pet, and symbols of wilderness and racial stereotype alike, Raccoon offers a lively consideration of this misunderstood outlaw species.Trade Review"Justice’s Raccoon is a fascinating and thoughtfully written exploration of its subject in science and culture—and a must-read for anyone like me who is curious about what, for example, Raccoon Mother (our best yard raccoon) is thinking on any given day." -- Jeff VanderMeer * New York Times Book Review, "By the Book" *"[A] deep dive into the biological, taxonomical, historical, and cultural significance of Procyon lotor. . . . This is more than just a thorough primer on the nocturnal mammal whose roots can be traced back in the fossil record some thirty million years; it is a nuanced interrogation of the many behaviours, habitats, and characteristics the little guy shares with us." -- Michael Strizic * Literary Review of Canada *"A wonderful, brilliantly written book about one of my favorite animals. Just such a joy to read—and I learned so much. You’ll never see raccoons the same again. A book I’ll cherish in years to come." -- Jeff VanderMeer, author of the New York Times–bestselling Southern Reach Trilogy"Beautifully written and superbly illustrated, this engaging book traces the history of the ubiquitous masked bandits as a species, as a symbol, and as a reflection of our society." -- Suzanne MacDonald, Professor of Psychology, York University, Toronto

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Book SynopsisSloths are perhaps the most recognized and loved Central and South American animals, but despite their renown and popularity as cartoon characters, toys and memes, they are not well understood. This book offers a colourful, richly illustrated and wide-ranging account of the biological and cultural history of these fascinating mammals. Alan Rauch explores sloths' gigantic prehistoric ancestors and their evolution into the lethargic, green-hued creatures that live and survive in forest canopies today. From the tale of how sloths were named after a deadly sin to their current status as unflappable icons of a stress-free lifestyle, Sloth shows how fascinating, engaging and inspiring these animals are.Table of ContentsPreface 1 The Modern Sloth 2 Anatomy and Physiology 3 Sloth Species and Evolution 4 The Sin of Sloth and the Sloths of Sin 5 Sloths in Culture 6 Sloths, Conservation and Eco-Awareness Timeline References Select Bibliography Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index

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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

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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

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Book SynopsisAlmost everyone on safari hopes for a glimpse of the charismatic and elusive leopard. Chui was the first of a new generation of leopards Jonathan Scott watched and photographed in Kenya's Masai Mara Game Reserve in the 1970s and 1980s. He spent every available moment watching and photographing Chui and her cubs, Light and Dark, aware that he was only privileged to do so for as long as they chose to remain visible. His classic account tells the story of the mother leopard as a solitary hunter providing for herself and her offspring. He records encounters with baboon, hyaena and man, hazards facing the cubs as they learn to fend for themselves and periods of play and relaxation. Some years after Chui disappeared, a young female appeared, Half-Tail. Jonathan and Angela have followed her and her daughter Zawadi, stars of the BBC's Big Cat Diary, for the past twenty years, bringing the story up to date. Nobody has studied leopards more closely or known them more intimately Jonathan says: 'The update is based on our work with Half-Tail and Zawadi from both the pictures and text perspective - Angie worked with us on Big Cat Diary as the stills photographer from 1996 and before that we both worked with Half-Tail from the time she first appeared around Leopard Gorge and Fig Tree Ridge - our kids grew up on safari with Half-Tail and Zawadi as stars of their own Mara adventures.'Trade Review'In wonderful photographs and prose, here is an account that, because of new challenges to leopard populations as much as the observational difficulties, few are likely to replicate.' Conde Nast Traveller 'The authors certainly convey inexhaustible enthusiasm and an undimmed sense of wonder at the natural world.' Good Book Guide 'The new final third of the book, which whisks through the leopard dynasty chronicled by Big Cat Diary, is compelling' BBC Wildlife MagazineTable of ContentsForeword by Simon King vii Preface to the 2013 Edition ix Map xii Introduction 1 1 The Birth of the Cubs 10 2 The Predators' Kingdom 30 3 Chui's Competitors 54 4 Waiting for the Rains 67 5 The Leopard Family 86 6 Instinct and Experience 108 7 Struggling for Food 132 8 Growing Independence 156 9 The Leopard's Future 175 10 Epilogue 1: The Paradise Female 185 11 Epilogue 2: Half-Tail's Legacy 201 Authors' and Photographers' Note 219 Acknowledgements 224 Bibliography 227

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Book SynopsisDeer stalking is widely regarded as the fastest growing sector within shooting sports in Britain today. Those who stalk deer for sport recognise and appreciate the exciting challenge that comes from hunting a wild and wary quarry, moreover, they enjoy the opportunity to participate in a sport that can take them to some of Britain’s wildest and most beautiful places, from the hushed calm of an ancient English forest at dawn, to the magnificence of the Scottish hill. Successful stalking, however, demands a high level of knowledge and skill. Much of this can only be learned through long hours of apprenticeship and experience. This book provides a basic grounding in the principles which the newcomer to the sport needs to know in order to enjoy a safe, successful and responsible stalking career. The author explains the history, background and rationale behind deer stalking in the UK, covers the choice of stalking rifles, optics, ammunition and accessories, and deals with the all-important issue of safety. The law related to firearms and deer is covered in detail, together with guidance on firearm security in the home and when travelling, while the natural history of Britain’s six species of wild deer is described, with notes and illustrations to assist with recognition. Stalking tactics are discussed and explained from the perspective both of the stalking guest who is accompanied by a professional guide and of the more experienced hunter whose responsibility it is to plan and execute a woodland stalking outing on his own. Finally, the book deals with what the stalker must do should his day meet with success, from the gralloch and preparation of the carcass for the game dealer, through to butchering for the home kitchen. Here is a book to which the amateur deer stalker will want to refer time and time again.Trade Review'Updated to take in recent legislation, this is the book that every novice stalker should read. The wisdom accumulated over many years both on the hill and in woodland is distilled into a deceptively slim volume. Clear, concise and comprehensive, it covers every aspect of the sport without becoming bogged down in needless detail. It is essential reading for anyone contemplating taking DSC1.' * Shooting & Conservation *'The book is invaluable for the novice hunter. Consider the text a solid primer in deer hunting that comprehensively covers all aspects of the hunt, from rifle selection and tracking a shot deer to cooking the venison. It is an accomplished hunting book written in a concise 'matter of fact' manner. The author has the utmost respect for the quarry and possesses an unrivalled knowledge on the subject matter.' * Pursuit International *Table of Contents1. What is Stalking 2. Rifles and Accessories 3. Preparing to Shoot 4. Stalking and the Law 5. Deer in Britain 6. Woodland Stalking 7. The Shot and Afterwards 8. Hill Stalking 9. From Field to Table 10. Stalking Opportunity and the Need for Deer Control Appendix — Useful Contacts Index

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Book SynopsisThis book opens up a wonderland of natural history for all ages to enjoy, and will spark interest in the intricate web of Africa's natural history, one that is bursting with exuberance, a great variety of life. It covers a vast range of topics that are often neglected, and reveals untold mysteries hidden in this remarkable continent. It is written in a readable and clear style that allows the reader to gain an appreciation of its continent-wide approach, which is based upon half a century or more of knowledge. Delving into the intricate fossil history found in Africa, The Wonder of Africa's Natural History describes some of the largest dinosaurs that walked this earth and extraordinary giant mammals of the Pleistocene, to the largest mammal that still survives to this day. It also encompasses the tiny mites that reside inside animals' ears and the remarkable maggot that finds a home in the sole of the elephant's foot. This book discusses creatures great and small. The remarkable variety of animals described explores their colours, behaviours, displays of weapons and the meanings behind the differences. The book explains the animals' everyday lives, co-habitations, and how the large carnivores live alongside their prey. The reader is transported into their world from birth, through growing up to their social interactions. Fantastic migrations showing the exuberance of life are described from butterflies to wildebeest and elephants and the once huge increases in number of the springbok in South Africa. The Wonder of Africa's Natural History unfolds a great diversity of life from swamp to forest, rivers and lakes, each with their particular creatures. It shows how an antelope or the bizarre naked mole rat can survive in arid environments. It transports us across the vast panorama of the beautiful plains of Africa, revealing how they are exploited and how the real battles in Nature are fought among the small species, the myriad of insect forms. The co-evolution of the whole community is an astonishingly amazing tangled web of life, having its origin over 300 million years ago. This book is a natural history to be enjoyed by all.

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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.

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Book SynopsisThe ideal gift for everyone who loves nature and the outdoors. 60 of Britain's unmissable wildlife wonders and where you can see them. This book shows you 60 of Britain's unmissable, world-class wonders of nature and tells you where you can find them. From starling murmurations in Somerset to otters in Shetland, from glowworms in Dorset to golden eagles in the Cairngorms. Along the way you'll also discover natural wonders that are right under your nose in your garden or even in the centre of a town – like hearing the dawn chorus and glimpsing a charm of goldfinches. A sequel to the very successful Great British Bucket List.

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Book SynopsisWith a wealth of factual interest and superb photography, this addition to Graffeg''s compact, accessible Nature Books series is the ideal introduction to the British native pony for all nature lovers. From their physiology, history and environment across the different regions of Britain to their inclusion in myth, legend, art and literature.

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Book SynopsisA beautifully-crafted and moving personal account of the rolling seasons, as seen from a man who loves his Fenland village, its ever-changing scenery, its adaptable wildlife, its stoical local people, and its evolving farming practices over the centuries.

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Book SynopsisThis fully updated second edition of A Naturalist's Guide to the Mammals of Australia is an introductory identification guide to the 300 mammal species most commonly seen in Australia, perfect for resident and visitor alike. High quality photographs from Australia's top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions, which include nomenclature, size, distribution, habits and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers the geography and climate of Australia, types of habitat, and details of orders and families. Also included is an all-important checklist of all of the mammals of Australia encompassing, for each species, its common and scientific name, and its global IUCN status as at 2015

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Book SynopsisWild Malaysiadescribes the megadiverse wildlife of Peninsular Malaysia, and the states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo

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Book SynopsisWild Singaporedescribes the wildlife found on the island of Singapore,combining vivid photographs of marine and terrestrial sites and species with a highly informative and readable text.

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Book SynopsisWith their building prowess and distinctive features, beavers are a rare yet wonderful sight in UK waters following their extinction and re-introduction. Through informative chapters ranging from the psychological and environmental to the inclusion of the beaver in myth, legend, art and literature, The Beaver Book is an ideal guide to its subject, beautifully illustrated throughout.

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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

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Book SynopsisBrown Hares in the Derbyshire Dales is a written and photographic celebration of one of the Peak District’s most secretive and enigmatic animals. Meticulously researched and beautifully illustrated with over 100 colour photographs, this book gives a unique insight into the life, habitat and history of a much loved, yet threatened, species.First published in 2010 to coincide with the International Year of Biodiversity, this new edition – with more than 60 new photos – is intended to raise awareness of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus), which is now extinct in parts of Britain and listed as a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.The book is split into two sections; the first describes the brown hare, what differentiates them from rabbits and other hares, their breeding patterns, courtship, boxing, their remarkable speed and agility, their habitat, what they eat, and their history in the UK and the Derbyshire Dales. There are also tips on where and how to see hares in the wild.The second section, biodiversity, sets the hare in the context of the rapid and extensive loss of their preferred natural habitat, primarily wildflower meadows and traditional grasslands, now almost eradicated by intensive farming systems in some areas. Balanced yet thought-provoking reflections on these modern farming methods are supplemented by accounts from local farmers, including Lord Edward Manners of Haddon Hall, interviewed especially for the book by the author.From local author and photographer Christine Gregory, Brown Hares in the Derbyshire Dales is an enlightening and captivating portrait of a beautiful British mammal.Trade Review'It features wonderful images of the hares themselves, a testimony to the author's patience, fieldcraft and expertise as a photographer ... Underlying the photography, the text carries a powerful conservation message, emphasising the importance of habitat diversity, for the hares and for the rest of the associated wildlife.' Dr Derek Yalden, Mammal News'Christine Gregory's book is a worthy addition to the tradition of natural history writing. It is scientifically accurate, well-written and a homage to an animal Christine is clearly fond of.' Jim Dixon, Chief Executive, Peak District National Park Authority

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Book SynopsisThe water vole is one of Britain's most endangered mammals. A native of the British Isles, and popularised in modern culture as 'Ratty' in Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows, the water vole is a cherished resident of our rivers, canals, streams and ponds. But this once ever-present mammal, like so many others, is now in danger - during the 1990s Britain's water vole population declined by over 80 per cent, and it is now fully protected by law in England and Wales. In The Water Vole, Christine Gregory, author of Brown Hares in the Derbyshire Dales and A River in Time, tells the story of the water vole, past, present and future, principally through its history in the waterways of Derbyshire. Having spent several years studying Derbyshire's water vole population and habitats, and capturing their behaviour intimately through her photography, Christine has developed a relationship with many of the custodians of the county's waterways, who are vital to the survival of the water vole. Decades of painstaking research into the decline of the water vole and the visionary work of conservationists give much cause for hope. Respecting our countryside and wild places and rebuilding the health of our rivers is key: we all have a role to play in the water vole's future.Table of ContentsForeword by Chris Packham; Introduction; Part 1 - The Water Vole; Part 2 - How Water Voles Live; Part 3 - A Protected Species; Part 4 - Derbyshire's Water Voles; Part 5 - History of the Water Vole in Britain; Part 6 - The Otter, the Mink and the Water Vole; Part 7 - The Future for Water Voles; Appendices.

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Book SynopsisOn the Prowl is a fully illustrated and approachable guide to the evolution of the big cats and what it portends for their conservation today. Mark Hallett and John M. Harris trace the origins of these iconic carnivores, venturing down the evolutionary pathways that produced the diversity of big cat species that have walked the earth.Trade ReviewOn the Prowl is a superb book, both enjoyable and instructive. I’m greatly impressed with the huge amount of data that Hallett and Harris have collected and presented in a most readable manner. The complex evolutionary history and relationships of the cats will keep researchers arguing for years. -- George Schaller, senior conservationist, Wildlife Conservation Society, and author of The Serengeti Lion: A Study of Predator-Prey RelationsOn the Prowl brings together biological and paleontological research related to the origins and history of the big cats, with an original emphasis on Asiatic data, paying homage to their majesty, dignity, and beauty. Mark Hallett’s artwork has succeeded brilliantly in capturing their inner spirit and character, their vulnerability and vitality. This book will serve the noble goals of making people aware of the fragility of ecosystems and revealing the moral obligation to preserve and protect extant species. -- Christine Argot, research professor and curator of collections, Muséum National d’Histoire NaturelleHallett and Harris guide the reader on a 20-million-year tour of predator and prey evolution, using environmental change as an engine for adaptation and extinction. The narrative is engaging, spiked with a touch of controversy, and supported by superb illustrations. For those interested in the evolutionary origins of big cats, On the Prowl would be a valuable addition to your library. -- Christopher Shaw, Idaho Museum of Natural History[An] erudite study of big cats. * Nature *Will have many a book lover purring with pleasure. * The Inquisitive Biologist *Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPreface1. Threads in the Fabric of Time2. Anatomy of a Hunter3. A Breath of Frost4. Beyond the Distant Horizons5. Testimony of the Caves6. Aftermath of an Ice Age7. Man the Destroyer8. The Steeds of DurgaAppendix 1: Distribution of Pantherins and Other Felids in Geologic TimeAppendix 2: Pantherin Dispersals Across the WorldAppendix 3: Taking ActionAppendix 4: Species of the Genus PantheraGlossarySourcesSuggested ReadingIndex

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Book SynopsisThe unique relationship between dogs and humans has had huge evolutionary consequences, changing the physical, behavioral, genetic, and emotional characteristics of both species. Pat Shipman looks to fossil records and new evidence to trace how the process of domestication worked and discovers how much of ourselves we owe to our canine companions.Trade ReviewThis book is a great read for anyone interested in dogs but is overall of a high enough quality for scholars to enjoy. Shipman explores the genetic, behavioral, and archaeological studies revealing the development of the companion relationship between people and dogs, and brings the human and canid settlement of the Australian region into a global context. -- Susan O’Connor, author of Transcending the Culture–Nature Divide in Cultural HeritageWhen, where, and how did the partnership between dogs and humans begin? Was it an accident? Was it inevitable? Where would we human beings be without our canine colleagues? Pat Shipman’s Our Oldest Companions is a must-read, a tour de force drawing together under one proverbial roof what science can tell us to date. A follow-up to her provocative and intriguing The Invaders, Dr. Shipman examines the anthropology and archeology of the dog’s transition from wolf to house pet all over the world, from the Australian Outback to north of the Arctic Circle. You’ll want to read this book three, four, even five times in order to absorb the abundance of research and ideas presented here. -- Wendy Williams, author of The Horse: The Epic History of Our Noble CompanionThe latest in a string of authoritative and readable books by Pat Shipman benefits from her well-known scientific knowledge and her great storytelling ability. One of the first times anyone has told how the evidence from archaeology and DNA of Sahul, with its late-appearing dingoes and singing dogs, adds to the human story rather than seeming anomalous. It is the perfect complement to other accounts written with a bias towards Africa, Asia, or Europe. This book, like the dogs that are at its center, covers all the continents where modern people have lived with them. Read it. You will enjoy it. -- Iain Davidson, author of Making Scenes: Global Perspectives on Scenes in Rock Art[A] lively tale of dog domestication and migration. -- Josie Glausiusz * Nature *The erudite Our Oldest Companions makes a remarkable story out of the long partnership between humans and dogs. * Foreword Reviews *A fascinating and often surprising exploration of human and canine evolution…[Shipman’s] captivating prose will enchant all readers seeking to learn more about humans, dogs, and our long history together. -- Adrienne Krone * Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature, and Culture *

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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 *

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Book SynopsisLlamas and alpacas are a globally expanding area of interest in the farming world, and in the UK alone now number over 50,000. As such, there is an urgent need to provide up-to-date, specific information on these animals. Kept as pets, stud animals, livestock guardians, and farmed for fibre and meat, national herds continue to grow and are an increasingly frequent presentation for large animal vets. This book provides practical, everyday veterinary advice on common conditions and surgical procedures. This new edition:- Covers basic husbandry, nutrition, examination, vaccines, analgesia, anaesthesia, dermatology, and poisons;- Expands on previous zoonotic disease coverage, as well as other key issues such as biosecurity, handling, and management of these animals;- Updates advice throughout, including changes to legislation and advances in new treatments, surgical techniques, and medicines.With medical and surgical options arranged by body system for easy reference, this book is an important tool for any veterinarian to have at their disposal. It also provides an approachable and practical resource for students of veterinary medicine and animal production.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"With a focus on the 66 million years since the end-Cretaceous extinction stripped away all dinosaurs but birds, Mr. Prothero's book ably demonstrates that mammalian evolution has been just as circuitous and strange as that of the terrible lizards... [This book shows] the unexpected variety that life is capable of and raise[s] the question of what the next 235 million years will bring."--Brian Switek, Wall Street Journal "In The Princeton Field Guide to Prehistoric Mammals, author Donald Prothero ... introduces readers to an array of real-life, but seemingly fantastic beasts--extinct mammals."--Mindy Weisberger, LiveScience "Written by American paleontologist Donald Prothero and beautifully illustrated by renowned scientific illustrator Mary Persis Williams, this publication is a 'must have' for academics and fans of fossils as well as anyone with an interest in general science... Highly recommended."--Everything Dinosaur blog "One of the most important things about this book is that it is fully up to date, and thus, the only current mammalian evolutionary overview that is available, to my knowledge. In some areas of fossil mammal research there has been a lot of work over recent years, so this is important. I highly recommend this excellent book."--Greg Laden's BlogTable of ContentsPreface 6 1 The Age of Mammals 7 Dating Rocks 8 Clocks in Rocks 10 What's in a Name? 11 How Do We Classify Animals? 12 Bones vs Molecules 15 Bones and Teeth 15 2 The Origin and Early Evolution of Mammals 20 Synapsids (Protomammals or Stem Mammals) 20 Mammals in the Age of Dinosaurs 23 Morganucodonts 23 Docodonts 25 Monotremes (Platypus and Echidna) and Their Relatives 27 Multituberculates 30 Triconodonts 31 Theria 34 3 Marsupials: Pouched Mammals 37 Marsupial vs Placental 37 Marsupial Evolution 38 Ameridelphia 39 Australiadelphia 41 4 Placental Mammals (Eutheria) 47 The Interrelationships of Placentals 50 5 Xenarthra: Sloths, Anteaters, and Armadillos 51 Edentate vs Xenarthran 51 Order Cingulata (Armadillos) 53 Order Pilosa (Anteaters and Sloths) 55 6 Afrotheria: Elephants, Hyraxes, Sea Cows, Aardvarks, and Their Relatives 58 Tethytheres and Afrotheres 58 Order Proboscidea (Elephants, Mammoths, Mastodonts, and Their Relatives) 60 Order Sirenia (Manatees and Dugongs, or Sea Cows) 67 Order Embrithopoda (Arsinoitheres) 72 Order Desmostylia (Desmostylians) 73 Order Hyracoidea (Hyraxes) 75 Order Tubulidentata (Aardvarks) 77 Order Macroscelidia (Elephant Shrews) 78 Order Afrosoricida 79 7 Euarchontoglires: Euarchonta Primates, Tree Shrews, and Colugos 80 Archontans 80 Order Scandentia (Tree Shrews) 82 Order Dermoptera (Colugos, or Flying Lemurs) 82 Order Plesiadapiformes (Plesiadapids) 84 Order Primates (Euprimates) 86 8 Euarchontoglires: Glires Rodents and Lagomorphs 94 Chisel Teeth 94 Order Rodentia (Rodents) 95 Order Lagomorpha (Rabbits, Hares, and Pikas) 101 9 Laurasiatheria: Insectivores Order Eulipotyphla and Other Insectivorous Mammals 103 Order Eulipotyphla 103 Extinct Insectivorous Groups 107 10 Laurasiatheria: Chiroptera Bats 112 Bat Origins 114 11 Laurasiatheria: Pholidota Pangolins, or Scaly Anteaters 117 Order Pholidota (Pangolins) 118 Palaeanodonts 120 12 Laurasiatheria: Carnivora and Creodonta Predatory Mammals 122 Carnivores, Carnivorans, and Creodonts 122 Order Creodonta 124 Order Carnivora 127 13 Laurasiatheria: Ungulata Hoofed Mammals and Their Relatives 146 Condylarths 147 14 Laurasiatheria: Artiodactyla Even-Toed Hoofed Mammals: Pigs, Hippos, Whales, Camels, Ruminants, and Their Extinct Relatives 151 Artiodactyl Origins 153 Suoid Artiodactyls 154 Whippomorpha 160 Tylopods 169 Ruminantia 175 15 Laurasiatheria: Perissodactyla Odd-Toed Hoofed Mammals: Horses, Rhinos, Tapirs, and Their Extinct Relatives 186 Equoids 187 Tapiroids 191 Rhinocerotoids 196 Brontotheres, or Titanotheres 199 16 Laurasiatheria: Meridiungulata South American Hoofed Mammals 203 Order Notoungulata (Southern Ungulates) 205 Order Pyrotheria (Fire Beasts) 206 Order Astrapotheria (Lightning Beasts) 207 Order Litopterna (Litopterns, or Smooth Heels) 207 17 Uintatheres, Pantodonts, Taeniodonts, and Tillodonts 209 Order Dinocerata (Uintatheres) 209 Order Pantodonta (Pantodonts) 212 Order Taeniodonta (Taeniodonts) 214 Order Tillodontia (Tillodonts) 216 18 Mammalian Evolution and Extinction 218 Why Were Prehistoric Mammals So Big? 218 Where Have All the Megamammals Gone? 219 How Did Mammals Diversify after the Dinosaurs Vanished? 222 What about Mass Extinctions? 228 The Future of Mammals 229 Illustration Credits 231 Further Reading 232 Index (with Pronunciation Guide for Taxonomic Names) 234

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Book Synopsis“A redemption story, an adventure story, and perhaps above all, a love story.”—Nate Blakeslee, New York Times-bestselling author of American WolfThe Druid Peak Pack was the most famous wolf pack in Yellowstone National Park, and maybe even in the world.This is the dramatic true story of its remarkable leader, Wolf 21—whose compassion and loyalty challenges commonly held beliefs about alpha males.In this compelling follow-up to the national bestseller The Rise of Wolf 8, Rick McIntyre profiles one of Yellowstone’s most revered alpha males, Wolf 21. Leader of the Druid Peak Pack, Wolf 21 was known for his unwavering bravery, his unusual benevolence (unlike other alphas, he never killed defeated rival males), and his fierce commitment to his mate, the formidable Wolf 42.Wolf 21 and Wolf 42 were attracted to each other the moment they met—but Wolf 42’s jealous sister interfered viciously in their relationship. After an explosive insurrection within the pack, the two wolves came together at last as leaders of the Druid Peak Pack, which dominated the park for more than 10 years.McIntyre recounts the pack’s fascinating saga with compassion and a keen eye for detail, drawing on his many years of experience observing Yellowstone wolves in the wild. His outstanding work of science writing offers unparalleled insight into wolf behavior and Yellowstone’s famed wolf reintroduction project. It also offers a love story for the ages.“Like Thomas McNamee, David Mech, Barry Lopez, and other literary naturalists with an interest in wolf behavior, McIntyre writes with both elegance and flair, making complex biology and ethology a pleasure to read. Fans of wild wolves will eat this one up.”—Kirkus starred reviewTrade Review“McIntyre’s stories of mutual aid among the wolves will remind us that all life is poised in an ever-shifting dance of competition and co-operation. We can all learn some lessons from McIntyre’s beloved beasts.”—The Vancouver Sun“Like Thomas McNamee, David Mech, Barry Lopez, and other literary naturalists with an interest in wolf behavior, McIntyre writes with both elegance and flair, making complex biology and ethology a pleasure to read. Fans of wild wolves will eat this one up.”—Kirkus starred review“Like Darwin, McIntyre is an inclusionist and is thus able to enter the hearts and minds of wolves, providing us with a consummately rounded picture of their lives. Along the way, he creates a fully realized world that stands whole and sublime alongside our far more troubled human one.”—Mountain Journal“Wolves have always been majestic creatures, and The Reign of Wolf 21 [...] beautifully illustrates this. [G]reat for nature lovers or people interested in learning more about wolves and wolf behavior.”—The Yakima Herald“A gripping tale of triumph and loss told with an unsurpassed appreciation for the wolves of Yellowstone and the natural world they inhabit.”—Bernd Heinrich, professor emeritus of biology at the University of Vermont and author of Mind of the Raven“I’m always eager for the next book by Rick McIntyre. I learn so much fascinating information about wolves and their interactions with each other and with their prey.”—L. David Mech, author of The Wolf: Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species, now in its 50th year in print“It is the way [Rick McIntyre] sees wolves—as fellow social beings with stories to share—that makes his books so powerful.”—Ed Bangs, former US Fish and Wildlife Service wolf recovery coordinator for the Northern Rockies“This book is a treasure.”—Douglas W. Smith, PhD, Yellowstone Wolf Project Leader, Yellowstone National Park“Rick is constantly collecting information—from his own observations and those made by others. He is a researcher to the bone and an amazing witness to the wolves’ incredible stories.”—Scott Frazier, Crow/Santee, director of Project Indigenous“In his second book on Yellowstone wolves, Rick McIntyre provides a riveting history about a powerful dynasty, a wolf pack called the Druids. There were palace revolutions, despotic leaders, and interlopers to contend with, overlaying the incredible daily challenge of making a living with just teeth and feet. Life begets life, and this fascinating story is dominated by the overwhelming strength of family bonds, bravery, and benevolence.”—Rolf Peterson, Michigan Technological University, author of The Wolves of Isle Royale: A Broken Balance“Rick brilliantly weaves the dramatic life-story of wolf 21 through the intertwining of his life with the different personalities of his mate wolf 42, their sons and daughters, and members of nearby packs. As a story teller, Rick generates great compassion in the reader - a fitting antidote to the hatred and indifference that still plagues this long-persecuted species.”—Dr. John and Mary Theberge, wildlife ecologists, wolf biologists and authors“Wolves are possessed of an ancient and enduring wisdom. This is why old-time Indians used to spend the kind of time watching wolves that Rick has, and for the same reasons—to learn FROM them, not just ABOUT them.”—John Potter, Anishinaabe wildlife artist“If ever there was a ‘perfect’ wolf, it was Wolf 21. He lived an outsized life, more like an action hero than a real creature. And no one knew him better than master storyteller Rick McIntyre.”—Carl Safina, author of Becoming Wild; How Animal Cultures Raise Families, Create Beauty, and Achieve Peace“No wolf's life has ever been laid before us in such detail and with such rich analysis.”—Norm Bishop, director of the Wolf Recovery Foundation and co-author of Yellowstone's Northern Range: Complexity and Change in a Wildland EcosystemPraise for the first book in the Alpha Wolves of Yellowstone series, The Rise of Wolf 8:An Amazon.com Best Science Book of 2019“Rick’s book is a goldmine... and clearly shows [wolves] are clever, smart, and emotional beings.”—PSYCHOLOGY TODAY“[Rick McIntyre’s] greatest strength is the quiet respect and wonder with which he regards his subjects, a quality clearly informed by decades of careful watching.”—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY“The main attraction of [The Rise of Wolf 8] is the storytelling... including the powerful origin story of one of Yellowstone’s greatest and most famous wolves.”—WASHINGTON POST“Fascinating.”—NEWSWEEK“McIntyre is a gifted and fluent storyteller... His book will make readers reconsider negative images of the wolf.”—VANCOUVER SUN

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Book SynopsisIn Decolonizing Extinction Juno Salazar Parreñas ethnographically traces the ways in which colonialism, decolonization, and indigeneity shape relations that form more-than-human worlds at orangutan rehabilitation centers on Borneo. Parreñas tells the interweaving stories of wildlife workers and the centers'' endangered animals while demonstrating the inseparability of risk and futurity from orangutan care. Drawing on anthropology, primatology, Southeast Asian history, gender studies, queer theory, and science and technology studies, Parreñas suggests that examining workers’ care for these semi-wild apes can serve as a basis for cultivating mutual but unequal vulnerability in an era of annihilation. Only by considering rehabilitation from perspectives thus far ignored, Parreñas contends, could conservation biology turn away from ultimately violent investments in population growth and embrace a feminist sense of welfare, even if it means expeTrade Review"This is seriously thought-provoking and challenging material, and it may be essential to understand it if we want to save orangutans from ourselves." -- John R. Platt * The Revelator *"Impactful. . . . Juno S. Parreñas details diverse assumptions and expectations participants bring to this complex network, thereby generating a unique and timely addition to the conservation literature. Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty and professionals." -- L. K. Sheeran * Choice *"Decolonizing Extinction is essential reading for anyone with the ambition to do multispecies ethnography well. It’s also a beautiful and moving book that struggles with the ethical weight of ethnography as a mode of knowledge production." -- Gabriel N. Rosenberg * Radical History Review *"[This book] excels in these tricky in-between places: in meetings between species, between temporalities, between bodies, between genders, between sexes, and across divergent positions within colonial histories and presents. Parreñas tracks meetings across difference with the best kind of ethnographic sensitivity." -- Rosemary Collard * Society & Space *"Decolonizing Extinction offers a compelling example of why feminism is well suited and positioned to take on issues related to animals, as well as how gender relations of power are necessarily embedded in human-animal relations, and in turn broader process of colonization and arrested autonomy." -- Alice Hovorka * Society & Space *"The book brilliantly weaves discussions about broader socio-political transformations and norms alongside very careful and detailed accounts of the everyday practices and interactions between orangutans and people." -- Krithika Srinivasan * Society & Space *"A powerful, thought-provoking, and touching account of the quotidian nature of mass extinction." -- Becky Mansfield * Society & Space *"Parreñas’s Decolonizing Extinction is a beautifully written book, in which she uses a case study of orangutan rehabilitation on Borneo to weave together many complex analytic threads: gender, race, and labor; care, violence, and freedom; liberalism and neoliberalism; the geological past, the colonial present, and the prospect of a different future." -- Rebecca Lave * Society & Space *“With Decolonizing Extinction, Juno Salazar Parreñas gives us a groundbreaking and beautifully written multispecies ethnography that explores the entwined lives of human and nonhuman primates. Deftly combining primatology, political ecology, and postcolonial and feminist theory, her book will interest biological and cultural anthropologists alike and has the potential to foster deeper cross-disciplinary engagement.” -- Genese Marie Sodikoff * American Ethnologist *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Introduction: Decolonizing Extinction 1 Part I. Relations 1. From Ape Motherhood to Tough Love 33 2. On the Surface of Skin and Earth 61 Part II. Enclosures 3. Forced Copulation for Conservation 83 4. Finding a Living 105 Part III. Futures 5. Arrested Autonomy 131 6. Hospice for a Dying Species 157 Conclusion: Living and Dying Together 177 Notes 189 References 223 Index 255

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Book SynopsisZoos, aquariums, and wildlife parks are vital centers of animal conservation and management. This book presents the thinking and practice in the care and management of wild mammals in zoos and other institutions. It offers information from studies of animal behavior; advances in captive breeding; and new thinking in animal management and welfare.Trade Review"Zoos should be staffed with those who have made Wild Mammals in Captivity their essential textbook." (Times Higher Education, on the first edition)"

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Book SynopsisThe Routledge Handbook of Anthropology and Reproduction is a comprehensive overview of the topics, approaches, and trajectories in the anthropological study of human reproduction. The book brings together work from across the discipline of anthropology, with contributions by established and emerging scholars in archaeological, biological, linguistic, and sociocultural anthropology. Across these areas of research, consideration is given to the contexts, conditions, and contingencies that mark and shape the experiences of reproduction as always gendered, classed, and racialized. Over 39 chapters, a diverse range of international scholars cover topics including: Reproductive governance, stratification, justice, and freedom. Fertility and infertility. Technologies and imaginations. Queering reproduction. Pregnancy, childbirth, and reproductive loss. Postpartum and infanTrade Review"This book expertly guides us through the intricacies of reproduction as a complex entanglement of biocultural, biographical and historically situated practices, in which relationships of unequal power and violence, as well as care and kinship are forged. The editors have showcased the astonishing breadth of topics that are centred on reproduction, from socio-cultural, evolutionary, linguistic, political, medical, technological and intersectional perspectives. The book will appeal to students and scholars at all levels with an interest in reproduction and I highly recommend it – even established experts will encounter new knowledge and will be inspired to broaden their thinking about reproduction beyond the confines of their own disciplinary imperatives and experiences. The book also has much to offer those who work to set policy and practices which relate, directly and indirectly, to reproduction. If clinicians, legislators, as well as those who determine public health policy, were to engage with the evidence and arguments so cogently presented in this book then perhaps the subject of reproduction could take its rightful place at the core of our everyday values, practices, and human rights." - Rebecca Gowland in Childhood in the Past Table of ContentsIntroduction Part I Opening conversations in reproduction 1. Conceiving Reproduction in Biological Anthropology 2. Developmental Origins of Health and Disease: Evidence, Proposed Mechanisms, and Ideas for Future Applications 3. Men and Reproduction: Perspectives from Biological Anthropology 4. Conceiving of Reproduction in Archaeology Part II Governance, stratification, justice, and freedom 5. Reproduction and the State 6. The Necropolitics of Reproduction: Racism, Resistance, and the Sojourner Syndrome in the Age of the Movement for Black Lives 7. Reproductive Governance in Practice: A Comparison of State-Provided Reproductive Health Care in Cuba and the United States 8. Reproduction through Revolution: Maoist Women’s Struggle for Equity in Post-Development Nepal 9. Policy, Governance, Practice: Global Perspectives on Abortion 10. Sterile Choices: Racialized Women, Reproductive Freedom, and Social Justice Part III Making fertility 11. Menstruation: Causes, Consequences, and Context 12. Menstruation: Sociocultural Perspectives 13. Infertility, In Vitro Fertilization, and Fertility Preservation: Global Perspectives 14. Global IVF and Local Practices: The Case of Ghana 15. Eggs 16. Surrogacy Part IV Queering reproduction 17. The Racial Contours of Queer Reproduction 18. Invisible Hands: The Reproductivities of Queer(ing) and Race(ing) Gynecology Part V Made and unmade: Personhood and reproduction 19. "Personhood" in the Anthropology of Reproduction 20. Prenatal Screening and Diagnosis 21. Navigating Reproductive Losses 22. Reproduction in the Past: A Bioarchaeological Exploration of the Fetus and Its Significance Part VI Pregnancy 23. Pregnancy and the Anthropology of Reproduction 24. Bringing Language into the Anthropology of Reproduction: The Text and Talk of Pregnancy 25. From Couvade to "Men’s Involvement": Sociocultural Perspectives of Expectant Fatherhood Part VII Birth 26. The Obstetrical Dilemma Revisited--Revisited 27. There Is No Evolutionary "Obstetrical Dilemma" 28. Midwifery in Cross-Cultural Perspectives 29. Doulas: Negotiating Boundaries in Birth 30. Rituals and Rites of Childbirth across Cultures 31. Making Dignified Care the Norm: Examining Obstetric Violence and Reproductive Justice in Kenya 32. Maternal Mortality Part VIII Postpartum and infant care 33. Making Space for Lactation in the Anthropology of Reproduction 34. The Bioarchaeology of Infant Feeding 35. Biocultural Perspectives on Infant Sleep Part IX Care as reproducing kinship 36. Menopause 37. The Shifting Role of Grandmothers in Global Reproduction Strategies 38. Alloparenting: Evolutionary Origins and Contemporary Significance of Cooperative Childrearing as a Key Feature of Human Reproduction 39. Adoption and Fostering Glossary

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Book SynopsisIn War Dogs, Rebecca Frankel offers a riveting mix of on-the-ground reporting, her own hands-on experiences in the military working dog world, and a look at the science of dogs' special abilities from their amazing noses and powerful jaws to their enormous sensitivity to the emotions of their human companions.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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