See and Explore Library: Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises

From Library Journal
The publisher calls this a pocket guide to cetaceans, and that's a fair description. Arranged by families, then alphabetically by species, the book compresses much information onto each page. In addition to identification tips such as fin placement, coloring, a size scale, and the like, behavior notes and range maps are provided. Brief introductory materials include a cetacean overview, anatomy, behavior, conservation, and whale-watching advice. While this book contains good facts, its practical use as a field guide may be limited. The identification key illustrations for the smaller whales and dolphins are so small that they are not very useful. Comparisons of animals likely to be seen together would have been helpful. Those academic or public libraries wanting a compact encyclopedia with good concise information should consider purchase. Those needing a field guide may find this tool limited.?Nancy Moeckel, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, OhioCopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
The Eyewitness Handbooks series, so popular with young readers, is now producing illustration-packed books for adults. In this guide to whales, dolphins, and porpoises, arranged by family orders, Carwardine explains that new species of these elusive creatures are still being discovered. The book's description of 79 species is based upon the author's and illustrator's own observations and the works of many other specialists. General information on diet, habitat, anatomy, behavior, and conservation prefaces the specific descriptions. For the casual whale watcher or earnest conservation buff, here is an invaluable guide. Glossary and association addresses included. Denise Perry Donavin


Book News, Inc.
This highly-illustrated book's subjects range form evolution, biology, and behavior to the history of commercial whaling and legends of whales and dolphins. Chapters discuss whale watching, conservation, anatomy, the origin of the whale, social behavior and intelligence, whales in art and literature, strandings, and the potential for communication between humans and whales. -- Copyright © 1999 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR All rights reserved


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Authoritative text and detailed illustrations help make this guide one of the most comprehensive references about Cetaceans. Packed with more than 900 illustrations, this guide is designed to enable learners to recognize each species quickly and easily. The author discusses Cetacean anatomy, behavior, conservation, strandings, sightings, and identification. He highlights each species and provides information about distinguishing features, main characteristics, behaviors/habits, distribution and range, scientific name, habitats, endangered status, threats, population, diet, and weight. An identification key, glossary, and list of useful addresses are also included. Part of the "See and Explore Library."


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