Wildlife Books

Dr. Kenneth Dodd, zoologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, has authored an amphibian field guide that is so beautifully prepared and interesting to read that its photos and artwork alone make it nearly a "coffee table" volume! But, no doubt about it, this book was clearly written for biologists to enable them to set up and maintain an inventory and monitoring program for Appalachian Mountain amphibians (frogs/salamanders). The need for these monitoring programs stems from the desire to study the reasons behind an inexplicable decline of the world's amphibian population. To help you decide about obtaining a paper copy of this magnificent report, you can get a look at the document by "hopping onto" the internet at http://fisc.er.usgs.gov/c1258_Dodd/index.html.

Under the expert supervisory editorship of Stephanie Maze, the Moonstone Press series "Animals And Their Homes" offers superbly written and photographically illustrated nature books for young readers. In Amusing Moments In The Wild, two elephants wrap their trunks around each other in a morning greeting; a pair of polar bears dance on the ice; and a sponge crab wears a fancy seashell hat for protection.

I really enjoyed this book, and was fascinated when I recognized Balog's work from the recent endangered species stamp collection. This book would make a beautiful gift and addition to any animal lover's collection.

The french zoologist Jean Yves Domalain went overland to asia in the seventies in order to see the Comododragon. On Borneo he marry the daughter of a head hunters, but decide to leave. He now travels trough Thailand and ends up as international animal dealer in Ventienne, Laos.

But in the end he can not stand the treatment of the animals anymore, and he returns to europe. back home he wrote the book Panjamon, about the trip from france to asia and his time on Borneo, and the second book The animal connection.

This books explain all the suffering and unprofessional treatment exotic animals suffered during that time. Out of ten wild caught animals sometimes only one survived the different steps before it ended up in a zoo. Although things are better today, this still gives a persective on animal trade in general, and how commerzial it once was.

Most zoos today do not involve in commercial trade at all, but participates in exchange programs.

Emily Costello writes the best children's books with strong female progtaganits I've ever read! From feisty nine-year old Stella, who has a deep love of animals, to her forest ranger mother and aunt Anya,who is town vet, the women are smart, capable and unflinching in times of stress--models so difficult to find in so many of today's children's books. (The thing I like least about the books are their sappy covers--clearly the publishers think girls will fall for doe-eyed animal caricatures.) The stories, though, wow. Issues surrounding the environment, wildlife awareness, personal responsibility and overcoming stereotypes are all addressed and handled adeptly by Emily Costello, who knows how to tell a story as well. These books are aimed at nine year olds, but I've read almost all of them aloud to my five year old daughter. We are hooked and can't wait for more. Thank you, Emily Costello, I've been looking for you for so long....

If you have a child in your life who adores animals, she or he will love this book. My 2 year old son is fascinated by the wide variety of animals including favorites like elephants, giraffes and zebras. I like the charming illustrations. Although my son likes the animals, we sometimes focus on the letters of the alphabet, as it is an alphabet book, too!

From back cover:

"How many times have you seen tracks ahead of you on a beach, muddy forest trail or across a blanket of snow, and wondered what creature made them? This handy, pocket-sized guide helps you name the track maker, with life-size drawings of the animal's or bird's characteristic footprints. Just check for size with the ruler (left), then hold the book beside the mystery imprint and fine the drawing that looks most like it, for a quick identification. Includes 40 to 50 different animals and many birds most common the Rocky Mountains, with information on size, sounds, habitat, diet and patterns of movement."

[Includes Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Rocky Mountain National Parks]

This book was fascinating. It was a little slow at first but eventually it was so enthralling that I couldnt put it down and was actually reading aloud from it to my brother. And I am 23 and he is 18! If you love animals and knowledge this will be something you will truly enjoy.

I just love this book, it contains very practical information about living with animals in surburban settings. The jacket photo is an extreme example of living with wildlife (a moose standing on top of a car with a woman still inside). Very well written, for children & adults.

The opening chapter, a wildlife tour through surburbia is just facinating. The author's style is uniquely warm & informative with an easy to follow format.

The author describes the decline and fall of a jeopardized social class: nobility in decadent modern France. Her account of the dispaired struggle for recognition of these eccentric and unfairly criticized creative individuals is positively thrilling. She obviously knows what's she's talking about.