Killer Whales - Hardcover

DK Publishing; Carwardine, Mark

4.26

23 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0789482665 ISBN 13: 9780789482662

Publisher: Dk Pub, 2002

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These four companion books take a dramatic look at our watery planet. For centuries, killer whales had a fearsome reputation as indiscriminate killers. In recent years we have realized that they are incredibly complex, endearing, and enigmatic creatures and do not deserve their killer name. We do not understand why, but unlike lions, tigers, and polar bears, they seem to be very careful not to harm people. Killer whales are the largest members of the dolphin family. Living in close-knit family groups known as pods, they are unmistakable with their distinctive jet-black and brilliant white markings and the tall, triangular dorsal fins of the males. They are most common in the cooler waters of the polar regions but can be seen almost anywhere. Best known for their supreme hunting abilities, they use their strength and some remarkable cooperative hunting strategies to tackle a wide variety of prey, including squid, fish, sea turtles, seabirds, sea lions, dolphins, and even whales several times larger than themselves. Killer whales are highly vocal animals and make a medley of weird and wonderful calls and whistles to communicate with one another. Killer Whales explores the surprising and awe-inspiring world of these amazing ocean predators, describing their daily lives and habits and examining their prospects for the future.

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About the Author:

Mark Carwardine is a zoologist, writer, photographer, consultant, and broadcaster with a special interest in marine wildlife. In a voluntary capacity, he is dedicated to the work of several wildlife conservation organizations. He has written more than 40 books, including On the Trail of the Whale, Eyewitness Handbooks: Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, Whale Watching in Iceland, The Guinness Book of Animal Records and (with Douglas Adams) the best-selling Last Chance to See.

From School Library Journal:

Adult/High School-Numerous color photographs, readable texts, and fun bits of trivia make this a solid introductory series for teens. Based on programs produced for the BBC/Discovery channel, Dolphins and Whales discuss anatomy, social structure, environment, food habits, echolocation, and relationship to humans with particular pleas for conservation and not theme parks. Fish covers environment, camouflage, ecology, electric fields, and mating. A star denotes a short bit of related trivia and elsewhere a triangle introduces a paragraph of similar information. Fully half of the space is devoted to the excellent-quality color photography; each picture is clearly labeled with a full sentence caption.
Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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