Books in Life%20world%20library series

Sea otters are one of the most charismatic marine mammals. Capable of living their entire lives free of contact with land, they eat, sleep, and give birth at sea. Hunted relentlessly for centuries, these appealing creatures were brought back from the brink of extinction in the twentieth century: an achievement that is being championed as one of the great success stories in marine conservation. Glenn VanBlaricom traces the turbulent history of the species and discusses their fascinating behavior. World-class photographers capture the spirit of this most lovable animal.

Right Whales covers the characteristics (life history, group life, reproduction, mortality) and ecology of these creatures. Phil Clapham also discusses the serious threats that right whales face, and informs readers about what can be done to protect them. Right Whales is a must-have for nature enthusiasts, environmentalists, and marine life lovers. This book is an excellent general introduction that’s full of fascinating facts and fabulous four-color photographs. It presents scientific insights and information in a way that is both readable and highly enjoyable for a popular audience.

Millions of sea turtles once roamed the earth’s oceans. Within the past five centuries, trade in sea turtle meat, eggs, shells, oil, and leather has driven almost every species to the brink of extinction. Explore the world of the sea turtle in this engaging book. Learn their general characteristics, how they navigate underwater, who their predators are, what human threats exist, and where conservation efforts are being made worldwide. Jeff Ripple profiles every species of sea turtle from the loggerhead to the leatherback. More than 60 breath-taking photographs capture these fascinating creatures underwater and on land.

Alligators and crocodiles are among the oldest largest and most advanced reptiles on earth. Lurid accounts of encounters between humans and crocodilians have fascinated and horrified people over the centuries, and some truly monstrous creatures exist today. John and Deborah Behler have spent more than twenty years working with reptiles, and describe the history, habits and prospects for survival of the remaining twenty-three species of alligator, caiman, crocodile and gharial. Here too are breathtaking pictures of these awesome creatures by some of the world’s leading wildlife photographers.

Frogs have long played a role in tales of legend and lore--symbolizing fertility, omens, impending rain, and more. "Frogs" is an introduction to the world’s most fascinating frogs and toads, including detailed coverage of frog characteristics, their life cycle, musical repertoires, and conservation issues. David Badger’s entertaining text and John Netherton’s brilliant, up-close photographs bring these fascinating creatures to life as you’ve never seen them.

Hippos live in the wild in more than 29 African countries, where they have existed for 20 million years. The second-largest land mammal, after the elephant, they weigh around 4,400 pounds and are at home in a multitude of habitats and ecosystems.Hippos provides an informative and entertaining overview of this wonderful yet enigmatic species. The book explores the hippo's evolutionary origins, social structure, behavior, and role in the environment, as well as the latest population concerns and conservation activities. This book is intended for all readers interested in learning more about a recognizable yet seldom-studied species that continuously offers researchers fascinating surprises. The unique photographs come from author Glenn Feldhake's conservation work in Africa.