Manatees and Dugongs of the World - Softcover

Ripple, Jeff

4.08

13 ratings by Goodreads

9780896585287: Manatees and Dugongs of the World

Softcover

ISBN 10: 089658528X ISBN 13: 9780896585287

Publisher: Voyageur Pr, 2002

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Manatees and Dugongs of the World is an excellent introduction to the natural history of the four living species of sirenian, including the Florida and Antillean subspecies of the West Indian manatee, the Amazonian manatee, the West African manatee, and the dugong, as well as the extinct Stellar’s Sea Cow. Also included is a discussion of conservation issues and an exploration of the sirenian in myth and tradition.

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Review:

The sirenians, as scientists call them, are familiar denizens of the world's subtropical waters, well known to visitors to the Red Sea, the Florida keys, and Australia. In ancient times, around the world, these creatures, the manatees and dugongs, were thought to bear a magical kinship to humans, giving rise to stories of mermaids and sirens. Surprisingly, writes marine biologist Jeff Ripple, little was known about the sirenians until the late 1940s, when Florida-based scientists began to study them closely. His book, well illustrated with large-format photographs by Doug Perrine, interprets these scientists' findings for a general audience. Ripple offers accounts of the behavior and life ways of the Trichechidae, the family that embraces the West Indian, Amazonian, and West African manatees, and of the Dugongidae, which includes the dugong and the now-extinct Steller's sea cow. He also describes conservation efforts that have been undertaken in recent years, with mixed results as populations of wild animals continue to decline around the world. To protect the remaining sirenians, Ripple writes, will require controversial measures, including restrictions on the development of waterfront land and on boating in manatee and dugong habitat. The time for such measures, he adds, is growing ever shorter. --Gregory McNamee

From School Library Journal:

Grade 8 Up-Ripple's text is clear, readable, and packed with enough scientific data and conservation information to satisfy the needs of even insatiable fact collectors. Liberally enhanced by large, clear, full-color photos, the book is an excellent introduction to the four living types of sirenians, and also includes what information is known about the extinct Steller's sea cow. Subjects include the evolution of these specialized mammals, their habitats, social behavior, anatomy, diet, communication, and the pressures of human activities on their very existence. Ponderous, placid, and homely, sirenians have neither the charm of dolphins, nor the stately enormousness of whales, but are in as much danger of extinction as other aquatic mammals. The author covers measures being taken to protect these fragile populations. Range maps are included, as are guidelines for protecting these creatures, addresses of organizations involved in their conservation, and an extensive bibliography of scientific reports and journal articles. A useful, attractive volume on a timely topic.
Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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