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Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Zoology & animal sciences > Vertebrates > Mammals
The fascinating and heartbreaking account of the first publicly exhibited captive killer whale — a story that forever changed the way we see orcas and sparked the movement to save them Killer whales had always been seen as bloodthirsty sea monsters. That all changed when a young killer whale was captured off the west coast of North America and displayed to the public in 1964. Moby Doll — as the whale became known — was an instant celebrity, drawing 20,000 visitors on the one and only day he was exhibited. He died within a few months, but his famous gentleness sparked a worldwide crusade that transformed how people understood and appreciated orcas. Because of Moby Doll, we stopped fearing “killers†and grew to love and respect “orcas.â€
This book summarizes and analyzes the biology, ecology, exploitation and management of small cetaceans in Japan. It describes the various types of cetacean fisheries in Japan and their historical development, the life histories and ecologies of the main species involved, and the history and problems of conservation and management. The data show that in some cases the number of small cetaceans harvested exceed sustainable limits and have led to depletion of populations. The book provides a case study of what can go wrong when the needs of industry and conservation collide. The descriptions of life history and ecology are relevant to issues of conservation and management, not just for cetaceans, but for all fisheries around the world.
Primate tourism is a growing phenomenon, with increasing pressure coming from several directions: the private sector, governments, and conservation agencies. At the same time, some primate sites are working to exclude or severely restrict tourism because of problems that have developed as a result. Indeed, tourism has proven costly to primates due to factors such as disease, stress, social disruption, vulnerability to poachers, and interference with rehabilitation and reintroduction. Bringing together interdisciplinary expertise in wildlife/nature tourism and primatology, experts present and discuss their accumulated experience from individual primate sites open to tourists, formal studies of primate-focused tourism, and trends in nature and wildlife tourism. Chapters offer species- and site-specific assessments, weighing conservation benefits against costs, and suggesting strategies for the development of informed guidelines for ongoing and future primate tourism ventures. Primate Tourism has been written for primatologists, conservationists and other scientists. It is also relevant to tourists and tourism professionals.
This book is devoted to the description of the systematics and biology of forest mice and jerboas. It describes detailed morphological characteristics and includes keys for the identification of the families, genera and species. Detailed maps of distribution of species are compiled. Data on the biology is according to the set plan (population, habitat, feeding, daily and seasonal activity, behavior, reproduction, parasites and competitors, etc.). This book primarily focuses species found in Russia, Ukraine, Caucasus, Russian Central Asia and Transcaucasia. Brief coverage of species outside these regions is also included. The book is intended for mammalogists, systematists, ecologists, and zoogeographers.
In the childhood of every human being and at the dawn of human history there is an amazing and, until now, unexplained leap from simple genetically programmed behaviour to language, symbolic thinking, and culture. In The First Idea , Stanley Greenspan and Stuart Shanker explore this missing link and offer brilliant new insights into two longstanding questions: how human beings first create symbols and how these abilities evolved and were transmitted across generations over millions of years. From fascinating research into the intelligence of both human infants and apes, they identify certain cultural practices that are vitally important if we are to have stable and reflective future societies.
First published in 1993, with a new and updated preface, this book is based on two years of intensive field study in Kruger National Park in South Africa. Ted Bailey examines leopard population characteristics, activity and habitat use patterns, movements, feeding ecology, and social organization, and provides new information on leopard mortality, scavenging, and relationships to other large predators and to humans. Illustrated with photographs, maps, graphs, charts, and tables. For professional wildlife biologists, students, and others concerned with the natural history of large carnivores. Ted Bailey is a retired Kenai National Wildlife Refuge wildlife biologist who has lived on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska for more than 27 years. He is an adjunct instructor at the Kenai Peninsula College. "Bailey has added a substantial and high-quality work." Science 1994 264:1004-1005 "The leopard remains an enigma in conservation. It is a difficult task for biologists and managers to balance their desires to protect such a species and also promote systems increasing the values people place on the species. It may be the mystery and chase that elevate the value of the trophy, be it fur or photographic. This book provides clues for many new mysteries around the leopard. J Wildlife Management 1995 59:191-192 "It represents simply the most comprehensive treatise on the leopard available to date." Julian C. Kerbis Peterhans, Center for Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, The Field Museum
North America's fastest mammal, the pronghorn can accelerate explosively from a standing start to a top speed of 60 miles per hour-but it can also cruise at 45 miles per hour for many miles. What accounts for the speed of this extraordinary animal, a denizen of the American outback, and what can be observed of this creature's way of life? And what is it like to be a field biologist dedicating twenty years to studying this species? In Built for Speed, John A. Byers answers these questions as he draws an intimate portrait of the most charismatic resident of the American Great Plains. The National Bison Range in western Montana, established in 1908 to snatch bison from the brink of extinction, also inadvertently rescued the largest known remnant of Palouse Prairie. It is within this grassland habitat-home to meadowlarks, rattlesnakes, bighorn sheep, coyotes, elk, snipe, and a panoply of wildflowers-that Byers observes the pronghorn's life from birth to death (a life often as brief as four days, sometimes as long as fifteen years) and from season to season. Readers will also experience the vicarious pleasures of a biologist who is eager to race a pronghorn in his truck, scrutinize bison dung through binoculars, and peer through the gathering dusk of a rainy evening to count the display dives of snipe. A vivid and memorable tale of a first-rate scientist's twenty-year encounter with a magnificent animal, the story of the pronghorn is also a reminder of the crucial role we can play in preserving the fleeting life of the native American grassland.
The first and still the only book focused exclusively on juvenile
primates, this collection presents original research covering all
the major divisions of primates, from prosimians to humans.
Contributors explore the evolutionary history of the juvenile stage
in primates; differences in behavior between juvenile males and
females; how juvenile behaviors act both to prepare juveniles for
adulthood and to help them survive the juvenile stage; how
juveniles learn about and participate in social conflict and
dominance relationships; and the similarities and differences
between development of juvenile human and nonhuman primates. This
edition includes a substantial new foreword and bibliography
prepared by the editors.
The woolly spider monkey, or muriqui, is one of the most threatened primate species in the world. Because of deforestation in their natural habitat--the Atlantic coastal forests of southeastern Brazil--the muriquis are confined to less than 3 percent of their original range. As of 1987, there were only a dozen forest fragments known to support a total muriqui population of about 500. As of 1998, at least 20 forests are known to support at least 1,000 muriquis. This book traces the natural history of the muriqui from its scientific discovery in 1806 to its current, highly endangered status. Karen Strier provides a case study of this scientifically important primate species by balancing field research and ecological issues. Through her accessible presentation, readers gain a broad understanding of primate behavior and tropical conservation.
Ever since Jane Goodall unlocked the mysteries of wild chimpanzees, and Dian Fossey lived among Mountain gorillas, the world has been captivated by primates and the people who study them. Here at last, is the riveting story of Birute Galdikas, a pioneering primatologist who has spent much of herlive studying orangutans. In 1971, twenty-five-year-old Galdikas began living in the remote jungles of Indonesian Borneo, where she encountered menacing poachers, blood-sucking leeches and swarms of carnivorous insects. Determined to penetrate the world of the elusive "red ape" in the name of science and conservation, Galdikas embarked on a quest of more than twenty years to become the foremost chronicler of orangutan life. Her first task was to form a bond of trust with the animals, but her initial forays into their world were thwarted by skeptical and territorial orangutans like handsome Cara, who hurled dead branches at Galdikas from the tree canopy above. Eventually Galdikas became a surrogate member of the community, triumphantly claimed as "mother" by little Sugito, who clung to her fiercely, night and day, for months. Reflections of Eden is an exotic adventure, a history of vital scientific research, and the memoir of a remarkable woman.
Metabolism of Brain Peptides discusses neuropeptide metabolism in light of recent research. It describes the processing mechanisms in the production of biologically active peptides. It details distribution of the variety of neuropeptides in the brain and comprehensively reviews the effects of these neuropeptides on behavioral and physiological functions. The book also examines termination mechanisms for the biological activities of neuropeptides in light of recent knowledge of their distribution, their receptors and their possible inactivation enzymes in various functional regions of the brain and at the blood-brain barrier.
Expelled from Botswana for writing Cry of the Kalahari, the Owenses set off across Africa. They settled in Zambia, where they soon found their peace shattered by the gunfire of elephant poachers. This is the story of the couple's battle to save the elephants and their own lives.
Mammalian Neuroendocrinology presents a concise examination of how the nervous and endocrine systems interact to regulate physiological processes. Selected experimental results are presented to illustrate the current understanding of neuroendocrine processes. Neural influences and endocrine feedback mechanisms related to the secretion of adenohypophysial hormones are summarized for each hormone. The book's concise nature and readable style are highly suited for use as a graduate textbook. There are also chapters devoted to each of the following topics: neurohypophysis, pineal gland, adrenal medulla, hormones and behavior, and neuroendocrine immunology. Comparisons are made among species of mammals, including laboratory rodents, domesticated ungulates, and primates. Agricultural and/or clinical aspects relevant to these topics are covered when appropriate. Mammalian Neuroendocrinology is excellent for students and professionals in neuroendocrinology, neuroscience, endocrinology, reproduction studies, and animal sciences.
Dr. Andrew Root's search for the canine soul began the day his eight-year-old son led the family in a moving Christian ritual at the burial service for Kirby, their beloved black lab. In the coming weeks, Root found himself wondering: What was this thing we'd experienced with this animal? Why did the loss hurt so poignantly? Why did his son's act seem so right in its sacramental feel? In 'The Grace of Dogs', Root draws on biology, history, theology, cognitive ethology (the study of animal minds), and paleontology to trace how in our mutual evolution, humans and dogs have so often helped each other to become more fully ourselves. Root explores questions like: Do dogs have souls? Is it accurate to say that dogs 'love' us? What do psychology and physiology say about why we react to dogs in the way that we do? 'The Grace of Dogs' paints a vivid picture of how, beyond sentimentality, the dog-human connection can legitimately be described as 'spiritual'--as existing not for the sake of gain, but for the unselfish desire to be with and for the other, and to remind us that we are persons worthy of love and able to share love. In this book for any parent whose kids have asked if they'll see Fido in Heaven, or who has looked their beloved dog in the face and wondered what's going on in there, Dr. Root delivers an illuminating and heartfelt read that will change how we understand man's best friend.
Beihefte zum Tubinger Atlas des Vorderen Orients, Reiche A/27, 1987. Tubingen.
The Natural History of the Doucs and Snub-nosed Monkeys provides a comprehensive introduction to the biology of some of the rarest and least-known nonhuman primates. Virtually unstudied and unknown until 20 years ago, the doucs and snub-nosed monkeys occupy some of the most remote habitats of eastern Asia and exhibit some of the most unusual adaptations of any nonhuman primates. The volume provides detailed information on these rare Asian primates that will be useful to practitioners of evolutionary biology, field and laboratory primatology, systematics, field ecology, and conservation biology.
The bears of the world are among the most studied, and most loved, of all wild creatures. From the polar bear of the Arctic to the grizzlies of Yellowstone and the black bears that roam our woodlands, bears never fail to delight the amateur naturalist or fascinate the scientific observer. Here, in a single volume, THE GREAT BEAR ALMANAC collects what is known about the world's bears, presenting in words, pictures, maps, and charts a complete factual compendium of bear knowledge. Virtually everything known about bears is touched upon in this remarkably entertaining book. Part I, "Bears in Their World, " discusses where bears are found throughout the world, with notes on population estimates and detailed maps. A full section on anatomy and physiology discusses distinguishing features among bear species, details on the skull, teeth, claws and other bear parts, how well bears hear and see, and much more. Another section investigates hibernation, intelligence, feeding, play, and other behavioral traits. Part II, "Bears in the Human World, " examines the wide range of ways in which bears and human beings intersect: bears in myth and religion, in art, literature, and film, and above all, in real life - bear attacks, human encroachment on bear habitat, governmental regulations on bears, trafficking in bear parts by poachers, a summary of current bear research, and much more. A concluding chapter looks at future prospects for the bears of the world, and offers guidelines for how all those who admire bears can help protect these great and majestic creatures.
The word raccoon is drawn from the Native American Algonquian language. Their term arakun roughly translates to "he who scratches with his hands." Anyone who has found a raccoon rummaging around in a once securely closed trash container can attest to how skillful raccoons are with their front paws. In fact, they have four times as many sensory receptors in their forepaw skin as they do in their hind-paws -- a ratio similar to that of human hands and feet. Samuel Zeveloff explores this trait and much more in his accessible natural history of raccoons. Written with the general reader in mind, Raccoons presents detailed information on raccoon evolution, physical characteristics, social behavior, habitats, food habits, reproduction, and conservation, as well as their relationship with humans and many other topics. The section on distribution and subspecies focuses on the raccoon's current range expansion and the material on their cultural significance demonstrates this mammal's unique status in different North American cultures. Raccoons includes 28 illustrations and is sure to become the standard work on this wide-ranging species.
A vivid exploration of the reintroduction of the Mexican wolf to the American Southwest. Lobos, or Mexican wolves, once roamed freely throughout Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas until they were hunted to extinction when big cattle interests came to the Southwest. Now, a Mexican wolf introduction - similar to the Yellowstone efforts for its cousin the gray wolf - is underway in Arizona. But cattle have overgrazed the fragile land, damaging the ecosystem that barely sustains their vast numbers. With literary talent and a naturalist's sensibility, Rick Bass examines the circumstances of the Mexican wolves. Part meditation, part probing journalism, The New Wolves is an important new chapter in the drama of wolves and the American West.
No wild animal captures the spirit of North America quite so
powerfully as the wild horse - nor has any faced such diverse and
potent enemies. In this provocative account, Hope Ryden - who
helped to ensure the passage of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and
Burro Act, which grants mustangs special protection - combs the
history of these proud and noble horses. Descended from the Spanish
horses riden by the conquistadors, they evolved into the tough and
intelligent ponies that Indians - and later, explorers and cowboys
- learned to rely on. From the period when wholesale extermination
of the buffalo was underway until recent times, commercial and
political interests have sought to eliminate the wild horses as
varmints. In the latest update to this classic story, Ryden tells
of the successes and failures in the last ten years of regulation,
and has added stunning new color photographs. The subject of a
front-page article in The New York Times when it was first
published, America's Last Wild Horses continues to be a compelling
testament to the life of a uniquely American symbol of grace and
wildness, and is a must read for horse lovers and Western history
enthusiasts everywhere. (6 X 9, 360 pages, color photos, b&w
photos) |
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