The Encyclopedia of Animals: A Complete Visual Guide »

George McKay (mammals) is an independent consultant in conservation biology who lives in Sydney, Australia. He has contributed to Fauna of Australia and Zoological Catalogue of Australia. He is the editor of Encyclopedia of Biodiversity and Conservation. Fred Cooke (birds) was Chair of Wildlife Ecology at Simon Fraser University. He is President-Elect of the American Ornithologists Union and lives in Norfolk, England, where he is associated with the British Trust for Ornithology. Stephen Hutchinson (fish) is a Senior Fellow at the Southampton Oceanography Centre. Richard Vogt (reptiles and amphibians) is Curator of Herpetology and Professor at the National Institute for Amazon Research in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Hugh Dingle (invertebrates) is Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Davis, where he was also Director of the Center for Animal Behavior.

The Encyclopedia of Animals is a lavishly illustrated, authoritative, and comprehensive exploration of the rich and intriguing world of animals. Written by an international team of specialists, spectacularly adorned with a gallery of more than 2,000 color illustrations, and supplemented with distribution maps, detailed and beautifully rendered diagrams, and some of the world's finest wildlife photographs, this volume will become the standard by which all others are measured. Each page is expertly laid out to enhance either browsing or in-depth study. Readers will find detailed coverage of all sorts of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and invertebrates.
The Encyclopedia includes an introductory overview of animal evolution, biology, behavior, classification, habitats, and current conservation issues. An extensive encyclopedic survey of the animals follows, with special attention given to endangered and vulnerable species. All information is completely up-to-date, with the most recent scientific and conservation data.
Elegant graphics put a broad selection of information at readers' fingertips, including classification information, scientific and common names, distribution maps for all animal groups, conservation panels that focus on threatened species, accurate and detailed anatomical drawings, and illustrations of multiple species. Each section is color coded for easy identification of animal groups. Feature pages explore topics of particular interest and provide insights into animal behavior. With its expansive scope, richly detailed information, and inviting design, this will be the ideal reference for a broad range of uses.
* Completely up-to-date, with the most recent scientific information and conservation data
* A gallery of more than 2,000 illustrations
* Authoritative text contributed by a team of international specialists
* Lavish color photographs from leading wildlife photographers
* Distribution maps for all animal groups
* Detailed explanatory scientific diagrams
* Feature pages exploring topics of particular interest and providing insights into animal behavior

Library Journal

A team of international wildlife experts-among them McKay (mammals), Fred Cooke (birds), Stephen Hutchinson (fish), Richard Vogt (reptiles and amphibians) and Hunge Dingle (invertebrates)-has collaborated to create this comprehensive, fact-filled encyclopedia. Lavishly illustrated, with nearly 500 color photographs and a total of 2000 illustrations, the book starts with an introduction to animal evolution, biology, behavior, classification, habitats, and current conservation issues. This is followed by a survey of animals, divided into the standard taxonomic classifications of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and invertebrates. Each section begins with an overview of the group in general, then is broken down into chapters featuring specific subgroups. Icons and symbols indicate habitat, size, weight, and social and reproductive habits of the various species. While of high quality, this work is somewhat overshadowed by DK's visually stunning Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife (2001). The organization of the two books is virtually the same, but the latter is more lavishly illustrated, contains more photographs, and presents more detailed information. Bottom Line This modestly priced volume is a worthwhile purchase for budget-conscious libraries. Those less concerned with price should opt for DK's Animal (ISBN 0-7894-7764-5. $75.)-Deborah Emerson, Rochester Regional Lib. Council, Fairport, NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

How to use this book

THE ANIMAL WORLD Animal life Animals through the ages Classifying animals Biology and behavior Habitats and adaptation Animals in danger

MAMMALS
Introducing mammals Monotremes Marsupials Anteaters
Insectivores Tree shrews Flying lemurs Bats Primates Carnivores Whales and dolphins Sea cows Elephants Hoofed mammals Hyraxes Aardvark Pangolins Rodents Lagomorphs Elephant shrews

BIRDS
Introducing birds Ratites and tinamous Penguins Divers and grebes Albatrosses and petrels Pelicans Herons Waterfowl Birds of prey Gamebirds Cranes Waders Pigeons Parrots and cockatoos Cuckoos and turacos Owls Nightjars and frogmouths Hummingbirds and swifts Mousebirds and trogons Kingfishers Woodpeckers and toucans Passerines

REPTILES
Introducing reptiles Tortoises and turtles Crocodilians Lizards Snakes

AMPHIBIANS
Introducing amphibians Salamanders and newts Caecilians Frogs and toads

FISHES
Introducing fishes Jawless fishes Sharks and rays Bony fishes Fleshy-finned fishes Lungfishes Bonytongues Eels and tarpons Sardines Catfishes Salmon Dragonfishes Lanternfishes Cod and anglerfishes Spiny-rayed fishes

INVERTEBRATES
Introducing invertebrates Sponges Cnidarians Jellies Worms Spiders Centipedes and millipedes Crustaceans Mollusks Echinoderms
Insects

Glossary
Index Contributors Acknowledgments