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Books > Sport & Leisure > Natural history, country life & pets > Wild animals > Aquatic creatures > General
Humans everywhere have always been fascinated by octopuses, squid,
and cuttlefish, known biologically as cephalopods. They evolved
hundreds of millions of years ago and are related to molluscs such
as mussels and snails. They can grow to an enormous size with eyes
as big as footballs, but they still live for only a couple of
years. They mate once in their lifetime and die shortly after. They
have blue blood and three hearts and they can shoot out jet-black
ink. They have a brain and have behaviours that could be
interpreted as signs of intelligence, even though more than half of
their brain is distributed in their arms. They are colour blind,
but they can change the colour of their skin in a flash. They are
masters of disguise and are able to alter the texture of their skin
and the patterns displayed on it at lighting speed. They can also
'taste' using the suckers on their arms. They can move extremely
fast thanks to a jet-propulsion system built into their body
cavity. Although they are soft-bodied and look vulnerable,
cephalopods are formidable predators. Octopuses have arms that are
so strong that they can exert a force equal to hundreds of times
their own body weight. Squid and cuttlefish can shoot out a
tentacle to capture prey at the speed of a javelin thrown by an
expert athlete. Cephalopods are, however, so much more than just
fascinating creatures with strange physical characteristics. They
are a nutritious, delicious protein source that has found a place
for thousands of years in many food cultures around the world. As
squid, cuttlefish, and octopuses are native to virtually all parts
of the ocean, they are an excellent and available alternative to
meat from terrestrial animals. This book is written to promote the
overall place of cephalopods in home kitchens and to inspire the
uninitiated to add them to their diet. It describes the many facets
of their anatomy that play a central role in their potential use as
healthy, diverse, and interesting food sources, with a particular
emphasis on their taste and texture. By way of an assortment of
recipes, the authors hope to dispel the myth that it is difficult
to prepare delicious dishes using squid, cuttlefish, and octopuses.
In addition, there are contributions to the on-going discussions
about how marine resources can be exploited more responsibly in a
sustainable manner. Ole G. Mouritsen is a professor of
gastrophysics and culinary food innovation at the University of
Copenhagen,president of the Danish Gastronomical Academy, and
director of the Danish national research and communication centre
Taste for Life. Klavs Styrbaek is a chef and leader of the
gastronomic enterprise STYRBAEKS, which includes a gourmet
restaurant, a cooking school, a catering service, and a product
development branch.
An updated and comprehensive guide identifying all of the world's
sharks Sharks are some of the most misunderstood animals on the
planet. We still have a lot to learn about these fascinating
creatures, which are more seriously threatened with extinction and
in greater need of conservation and management than any other major
group of vertebrates. A Pocket Guide to Sharks of the World is the
only field guide to identify, illustrate, and describe every known
shark species. Its compact format makes it handy for many
situations, including recognizing living species, fishery catches,
or parts sold at markets. This expanded second edition presents
lavish images, details on newly discovered species, and updated
text throughout. The book contains useful sections on identifying
shark teeth and the shark fins most commonly encountered in the fin
trade, and takes a look at shark biology, ecology, and
conservation. A Pocket Guide to Sharks of the World will be an
essential resource and definitive reference for years to come. An
updated guide to all of the world's sharks Each species is
illustrated and described Handy, compact format with concise text
Useful sections on the identification of shark teeth and fins
The Gulf of Mexico is one of the world's premier fishing grounds.
This book is designed to help you learn about and identify its most
common sport fish. Fascinating facts about habitat, Gulf
distribution, world records, edibility and more make this a
must-have, while the waterproof pages are perfect for use on the
boat or pier. With this handy field guide, identifying your catch
has never been easier or more enjoyable!
Yves Paccalet spent 20 years as at sea with Jacques Cousteau,
sailing the oceans of the world--and uncovering some of the finest
deep sea diving sites on Earth. Organized geographically, "Deep Sea
Odyssey is a stunning photographic account of the world deep
beneath the ocean. Here are breathtaking sea creatures and marine
flora as you have never seen them before, from the Caribbean to the
Mediterranean, from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, from the seas
of Southeast Asia to the Great Barrier Reef. A remarkable,
indispensable reference for under-water enthusiasts.
The waters that surround Seychelles are home to over 1,000 species
of fish and 300 species of coral. The islands are visited by giant
Whale Sharks and Manta Rays, and are home to the critically
endangered Hawksbill and Green Turtles. Its warm tropical waters
and coral reefs teeming with fish mean that Seychelles is a popular
diving destination. This lavishly illustrated book showcases the
extraordinary marine environment of Seychelles' islands. The
diverse marine habitats, including coral reefs, granite seascapes,
mangroves and seagrass beds, are home to vibrant communities of
marine fauna and flora. Underwater Eden encapsulates the wonder of
Seychelles' seas and highlights the creatures that call them home.
With the effects of climate change becoming increasingly apparent
throughout the world's oceans, the authors' stunning photographs
capture the beauty of Seychelles waters while they are still
vibrant and relatively undisturbed. Chapters on ecosystems,
turtles, fishes, Marine Protected Areas and conservation describe
and illustrate the marvels of this underwater world.
There are nearly 1,000 species of freshwater fishes in North
America alone, and identifying them can sometimes be a daunting
task. In fact, in just the twenty years since publication of the
first edition of the "Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes,"
the number of species has risen by almost 150, including 19 marine
invaders and 16 newly established nonnative species. This second
edition incorporates all of these new species, plus all-new maps
and a collection of new and revised plates. Some of the species can
be told apart only by minute differences in coloration or shape,
and these beautifully illustrated plates reveal exactly how to
distinguish each species.
The guide includes detailed maps and information showing where to
locate each species of fish--whether that species can be found in
miles-long stretches of river or small pools that cover only dozens
of square feet. The ichthyologic world of the twenty-first century
is not the same as it was in the twentieth, and this brand-new
edition of the definitive field guide to freshwater fishes reflects
these many changes.
This scientifically accurate yet utterly charming field guide to
the Pacific coast intertidal zone introduces readers to a world
populated by spectacular wildlife. Explore 150-year-old giant green
anemones that paralyze their prey with their petal-like tentacles;
sunflower sea stars that traverse the tide pool floor on
twenty-four limbs; orange-tipped, opalescent sea slugs that dabble
in cannibalism; and much, much more. Small enough to fit in a back
pocket during a beach hike, this guide contains concise
descriptions of tide pools' most common residents, noting each
organism's size and zonation, as well as a few of its fascinating
(and sometimes grotesque) habits. Full-color illustrations
reminiscent of prints by Ernst Haeckel help tide poolers with easy
identification, and tips for viewing help you explore the abundance
that tide pools have to offer.
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Blue Planet II
(Hardcover)
James Honeyborne, Mark Brownlow
1
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R928
R799
Discovery Miles 7 990
Save R129 (14%)
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A lavish and definitive view of the oceanic world - accompanying
the landmark 7-part BBC series narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
With over 200 breath-taking photographs and stills from the BBC
Natural History Unit's spectacular footage, this awe-inspiring
study of life below the surface will amaze and enthral.
'Jaw-dropping' - Variety 'Substantial and awe-inspiring' -
Publishers Weekly 'Breath-taking' -- ***** Reader review 'An
incredible book and a must buy' -- ***** Reader review
'Outstanding' -- ***** Reader review
*************************************************************************
Take a deep breath and dive into the mysteries of the ocean... Our
understanding of ocean life has changed dramatically in the last
decade, with new species, new behaviours, and new habitats being
discovered at a rapid rate. Blue Planet II, which accompanies the
epic BBC 7-part series, is a ground-breaking new look at the
richness and variety of underwater life across our planet. From
ambush hunters such as the carnivorous bobbit worm to cuttlefish
mesmerising their prey with a pulsating light display, Blue Planet
II reveals the never-before-seen secrets of the ocean. With over
200 breath-taking photographs and stills from the BBC Natural
History Unit's spectacular footage, each chapter of Blue Planet II
brings to life a different habitat of the oceanic world. As well as
shining a light on ocean life, coral reef and arctic ice
communities and shoreline existence, Blue Planet II examines
unflinchingly what the future holds for our ocean dwellers. It's a
book that will amaze, educate, captivate and astound.
Humans everywhere have always been fascinated by octopuses, squid,
and cuttlefish, known biologically as cephalopods. They evolved
hundreds of millions of years ago and are related to molluscs such
as mussels and snails. They can grow to an enormous size with eyes
as big as footballs, but they still live for only a couple of
years. They mate once in their lifetime and die shortly after. They
have blue blood and three hearts and they can shoot out jet-black
ink. They have a brain and have behaviours that could be
interpreted as signs of intelligence, even though more than half of
their brain is distributed in their arms. They are colour blind,
but they can change the colour of their skin in a flash. They are
masters of disguise and are able to alter the texture of their skin
and the patterns displayed on it at lighting speed. They can also
'taste' using the suckers on their arms. They can move extremely
fast thanks to a jet-propulsion system built into their body
cavity. Although they are soft-bodied and look vulnerable,
cephalopods are formidable predators. Octopuses have arms that are
so strong that they can exert a force equal to hundreds of times
their own body weight. Squid and cuttlefish can shoot out a
tentacle to capture prey at the speed of a javelin thrown by an
expert athlete. Cephalopods are, however, so much more than just
fascinating creatures with strange physical characteristics. They
are a nutritious, delicious protein source that has found a place
for thousands of years in many food cultures around the world. As
squid, cuttlefish, and octopuses are native to virtually all parts
of the ocean, they are an excellent and available alternative to
meat from terrestrial animals. This book is written to promote the
overall place of cephalopods in home kitchens and to inspire the
uninitiated to add them to their diet. It describes the many facets
of their anatomy that play a central role in their potential use as
healthy, diverse, and interesting food sources, with a particular
emphasis on their taste and texture. By way of an assortment of
recipes, the authors hope to dispel the myth that it is difficult
to prepare delicious dishes using squid, cuttlefish, and octopuses.
In addition, there are contributions to the on-going discussions
about how marine resources can be exploited more responsibly in a
sustainable manner. Ole G. Mouritsen is a professor of
gastrophysics and culinary food innovation at the University of
Copenhagen,president of the Danish Gastronomical Academy, and
director of the Danish national research and communication centre
Taste for Life. Klavs Styrbaek is a chef and leader of the
gastronomic enterprise STYRBAEKS, which includes a gourmet
restaurant, a cooking school, a catering service, and a product
development branch.
The visually arresting and often misunderstood octopus has long
captured popular imagination. With an alien appearance and an
uncanny intellect, this exceptional sea creature has inspired fear
in famous lore and legends - from the giant octopus attack in
"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" to Ursula the sea witch in "The
Little Mermaid." Yet its true nature is more wondrous still. After
decades of research, the authors reveal a sensitive, curious, and
playful animal with remarkable intelligence, an ability to defend
itself with camouflage and jet propulsion, an intricate nervous
system, and advanced problem-solving abilities.
In this beautifully photographed book, three leading marine
biologists bring readers face to face with these amazingly complex
animals that have fascinated scientists for decades. From the
molluscan ancestry of today s octopus to its ingenious anatomy,
amazing mating and predatory behaviors, and other-worldly
relatives, the authors take readers through the astounding life
cycle, uncovering the details of distinctive octopus personalities.
With personal narratives, underwater research, stunning closeup
photography, and thoughtful guidance for keeping octopuses in
captivity, "Octopus" is the first comprehensive natural history of
this smart denizen of the sea.
"
The great white shark has been haunting the waters of the
Mediterranean Sea since well before man dared to venture on the
water. In 1996, the Italian Great White Shark Data Bank began
collecting and recording encounters between great white sharks and
boats, bathers, divers, fishermen and others from the Middle Ages
to the present. This meticulously researched work presents the
study's findings for the first time, releasing a trove of
information on the great white's size, distribution, habitat,
behavior, reproduction, diet, fisheries and attacks on humans. With
593 records of great white sharks from the entire sea, this volume
represents the most complete and comprehensive study on the species
in that region and constitutes a rich resource for historians,
scientists, fishermen, and divers.
Full-color illustrations of 278 of the most common fresh- and salt-water fishes accompany clear and concise descriptions that tell:
· Where different fishes live and what they eat
· Their sizes, shapes, and other identifying features
· Their intriguing—and various—ways of life
This is a fascinating guide for everyone interested in learning about underwater life.
Using clear text and detailed illustrations, Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press present accurate information in a handy format for the beginner to the expert. These guides focus on what your students are really going to see. They are easy to use: detailed, full-color illustrations, text, and maps are all in one place. They are easy to understand: accurate, accessible information is simplified without being misrepresented. They are authoritative, containing up-to-date information written experts and checked by specialists. And they are portable: handy and lightweight, designed to fit in a pocket and be carried anywhere.
When people hear the word “migration,” they think of animals
that move from a feeding area to a breeding area and back each
year. But the greatest migration on Earth happens twice every
night. The movement is largely vertical and performed by plankton
followed by predatory fish, squid, octopus and other species that
have acquired a taste for plankton. The migration starts deep in
the waters of the ocean at sunset. As they move, the plankton
nibble on plant plankton and other tasty morsels in the water and,
eventually, some on each other. The feeding ends just before dawn
when the plankton retreat to the depths of the ocean to hide during
the day until the next evening, when they migrate back up the water
column. In Planktonia, Erich Hoyt invites readers to dive into the
dazzling nighttime ocean. Countless microscopic plankton — larval
creatures such as ornate ghost pipefish, left-handed hermit crabs
and bony-eared assfish — ascend to the upper waters to feed,
returning to the depths before sunrise. These tiny planktonic
creatures are delicate and beautiful; some look terrifying; and
most look nothing like the creatures they will become as adults.
This great vertical migration attracts larger adult creatures, too,
from the solitary 6-inch (15 cm) bigfin reef squid and the fierce
and hungry 6½ foot (2 m) female blanket octopus, which is up to
40,000 times heavier than her male mate. Everyone comes here for
the midnight feast, and they are all ravenously hungry. Chapters in
this book include: Hawai’i: From Bluewater to Blackwater; Awesome
Anilao; The Gulf Stream Procession of Life; Blackwater White Sea;
Precious Life of Plankton; Blackwater Unlimited; From Blackwater
Passion to Protection. All life in the ocean depends on plankton.
Plankton plays a key role in sequestering carbon against climate
change. The great nightly vertical migration highlights the
importance of protecting not only ocean species but also ecosystems
that embrace ocean processes from the depths of the sea to surface
waters.
Otters by Nicola Chester is an accessible and lively account of an
intriguing and much-loved animal that, surprisingly, is still
endangered and rarely seen despite a recent resurgence that has
seen it expand from the remote countryside into our cities.
Nicola's charming, informed text brings this elusive and exciting
mammal into sharper focus revealing what an otter is, and how they
live, feed, play and breed. Nicola reflects on how otters exist in
our imaginations culturally and how that has changed over the
years. She also examines the many challenges otters have faced,
exposing what brought them to the brink of extinction, and explores
the challenges we face in trying to find and watch otters in the
wild. Each Spotlight title is carefully designed to introduce
readers to the lives and behaviour of our favourite birds and
mammals.
One of New York Times' Twelve Books for Feminist Boys and Girls!
This is the story of a woman who dared to dive, defy, discover, and
inspire. This is the story of Shark Lady. One of the best science
picture books for children, Shark Lady is a must for both teachers
and parents alike! An Amazon Best Book of the Month Named a Best
Children's Book of 2017 by Parents magazine Eugenie Clark fell in
love with sharks from the first moment she saw them at the
aquarium. She couldn't imagine anything more exciting than studying
these graceful creatures. But Eugenie quickly discovered that many
people believed sharks to be ugly and scary-and they didn't think
women should be scientists. Determined to prove them wrong, Eugenie
devoted her life to learning about sharks. After earning several
college degrees and making countless discoveries, Eugenie wrote
herself into the history of science, earning the nickname "Shark
Lady." Through her accomplishments, she taught the world that
sharks were to be admired rather than feared and that women can do
anything they set their minds to. An inspiring story by critically
acclaimed zoologist Jess Keating about finding the strength to
discover truths that others aren't daring enough to see. Includes a
timeline of Eugenie's life and many fin-tastic shark facts! The
perfect choice for parents looking for: Books about sharks
Inspiring nonfiction narrative books Role model books for girls and
boys Kids STEM books
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