Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife - Hardcover

Don E. Wilson; David Burnie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0789477645 ISBN 13: 9780789477644

Publisher: DK, 2001

Synopsis

Unrivaled in its breadth and visual impact, this unique guide sets out to illustrate, describe, and explain the incredible range of creatures that make up the animal kingdom. Exceptional Coverage. This authoritative volume starts with a clear introduction to the animal world, examining the reasons for the apparently infinite variety of animal forms and major evolutionary developments. Animal anatomy, life cycles and the principles of classification are also explored. This is followed by a superbly illustrated survey of world habitats, showing how they have adapted to each environment, and the threats that face both wildlife and plants today. The main part of the book, an up-to-date and comprehensive animal catalog, looks in detail at each major group and provides fascinating profiles of over 2,000 individual species. Visually Breathtaking. Spectacular photographic portraits bring a vast array of animals vividly to life, with special features on well-known and important animals such as the Galapagos tortoise. Each species profile is supported by maps and symbols showing distribution and habitat, as well as key information on size, population, and conservation status, forming an invaluable reference database. Outstanding Reference. Clear, comprehensive, and thought provoking, the Smithsonian Animal is essential reading for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages and levels of experience.

About this title

Review

Over 2,000 species, from the tiny spider mite to the massive blue whale, are profiled in DK's astonishingly wonderful Animal, produced in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution and more than 70 expert zoologists. To call this book "profusely illustrated" is to seriously underrepresent page after page of breathtaking photos capturing each creature in sharp images, thrumming with life. Even the page borders are covered with collages of animal skins to indicate which class of organisms is represented in that section--every inch of this heavy book is gorgeous.

Besides heft and beauty, Animal has authority. Editors-in-chief David Burnie and Don E. Wilson are top biologists, and they have assembled a crack team of consultants for each section of the book. For instance, Richard Rosenblatt of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography takes charge of the chapter on fishes, so all the classification, behavior, and distribution data is up-to-date and full of the kind of detail that comes from years of professional specialization. In addition to basic size, location, and status information, each animal gets a short, one- to two-paragraph description, enough to give a feel for the creature:

The blackfin icefish produces a natural "antifreeze," enabling it to survive in the subzero waters of the Antarctic. It lacks red blood cells and hence looks rather pale, but has excellent blood circulation, and a strong heart which weighs as much as that of a small mammal. Its large, toothy mouth led to it being called the crocodile fish by 19th-century whalers.

Biodiversity has never been more at the forefront of biologists' concerns, and Animal reports on the issues critical to ecology, from habitat loss to the species that are most endangered within each class.

This book is an ideal browsing reference for all experience levels, as well as a delightful addition to the collection of any animal enthusiast or classroom. Of necessity, not all species are covered, but as a general source of information down to the genus level, Animal excels. Don't be put off by the price! Extraordinarily beautiful, biologically accurate, and packed with furry, feathery, finny, many-legged delights, Animal is one of the very best science books of 2001. --Therese Littleton

About the Author

David Burnie studied zoology at the University of Bristol. After graduating, he worked as a nature reserve ranger and biologist, and in 1979 began a career writing and editing books on natural sciences. He has written, or contributed to, over 75 books and multimedia titles. He has also acted as a consultant and scriptwriter for a number of natural history television programs. Don E. Wilson is Senior Scientist at the National Museum of Natural History. He is on the scientific Board of Directors of Bat Conservation International, The Biodiversity Foundation for Africa, Integrated Conservation Research and The Ecotourism Society. Dr. Wilson is past-president of the American Society of Mammalogists and the Association for Tropical Biology. Editor of the Journal of Mammology for five years and of the Mammalian Species and Special Publications for three years, Dr. Wilson is the author of over 180 scientific publications. Consultant for Mammals, Juliet Clutton-Brock, Managing Editor of the Zoological Society of London's Journal and Research Associate of the Natural History Museum, London. Consultant for Birds, Dr. Francois Vuilleumier, Department of Ornithology, American Museum of Natural History. Consultant for Fish, Richard Rosenblatt, Professor of Marine Biology and Curator of Marine Vertebrates, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California. Consultant for Reptiles, Chris Mattison, zoologist and writer specializing in herpetology. Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society. Consultant of Amphibians, Tim Halliday, Professor of Biology, Open University, UK. International Director of the Declining Amphibian Population Task Force. Consultant for Arthropods, Dr. George McGavin, Assistant Curator of the Hope Entomological Collections, Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Lecturer in Biology and Human Sciences, Jesus College, Oxford. Consultant for Non-Arthropod Invertebrates, Dr. Richard Barnes, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, and Dr. Frances Dipper, marine biologist and writer.

Edition details

• Publisher: DK
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0789477645
• ISBN 13: 9780789477644
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 624