Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation » (New Edition)

James R. Spotila holds the Betz Chair of Environmental Science at Drexel University, where he is also director of the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. Dr. Spotila is a leading ecologist and physiologist who has written more than 100 articles published in leading scientific journals and helped create the field of biophysical ecology. One of the world's leading authorities on sea turtles, he is the founding president of the International Sea Turtle Society and president of the Leatherback Trust, based in Costa Rica.

"A wonderful entrée into the exciting world of sea turtles for the uninitiated and a delightful repast for everyone. His eloquent words are inspiring, and his hopeful message deserves to be heard." -- Science

"This lavishly produced book is filled with numerous excellent photographs, as well as beautiful schematics of anatomy and distribution maps. But this is much more than a coffee-table book: it deserves space on the academic's bookshelf." -- Nature

Library Journal

Spotila (environmental science, Drexel Univ.) specializes in the physiological and population ecology of sea turtles and has made numerous research expeditions to observe them in their natural habitats. In this comprehensive guide, he treats in detail the seven species: green turtles, hawksbills, olive ridleys, Kemp's ridleys, loggerheads, flatbacks, and leatherbacks. Each chapter includes tables of data on where the species is found, population estimates of colonies, and, in some cases, a chronology of conservation efforts. An ancient reptile that survived the extinction of dinosaurs, the sea turtle is now threatened by development along the beaches that serve as nesting areas, as well as by deadly industrial fishing methods; Spotila, fittingly, offers vignettes of conservation projects that provide human interest. While Doug Perrine's Sea Turtles of the World is better suited to lay readers, Spotila's book is recommended for high school, university, and research-level libraries.-Judith B. Barnett, Univ. of Rhode Island Lib., Kingston Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.