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Books > Sport & Leisure > Natural history, country life & pets > Wild animals
Take a fascinating trip beneath the waves to see such vast and
fearsome creatures as the giant squid, the giant octopus, the
grotesque coelacanth, and the venomous and tentacled Portuguese
man-of-war, as well as rays, sharks, and whales, all captured in
stunning full-color photographs.
This book is the story of six years that the authors devoted to the study of an iconic large cat, the cheetah. Their study area was the large, remote, and pristine Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on the border of Botswana and South Africa.
Their aim here is to relate what they consider to be a fascinating story about the lives of these cats in a different habitat from the one most people associate the cheetah with – a sandy desert rather than a grassy plain. They hope to entertain and inform the reader with what they learnt about the daunting challenges cheetahs face, and the wonderful adaptations
cheetahs have evolved to survive in the competitive world of natural selection.
The book is divided into five parts: Part One gives the background to this adventure; the why, when, where, who and how aspects. Part Two discusses the fundamental question of what cheetahs eat and how they go about obtaining their food; the fascinating evolutionary arms race between predator and prey, some of the behavioural, physiological, and ecological ramifications, as well as the relationships of cheetahs with the other carnivores. Part Three turns to social affairs; the way cheetahs distribute themselves in the landscape, the way they find and choose mates, and the trials and tribulations of
raising a family. In Part Four, the authors switch to more personal and human matters; the challenges of living and working in an isolated and infrastructurally limited environment, and two chapters written by Margie: one on their experiences with the Bushmen, the other relating a selection of memorable incidents, not specifically related to the cheetah study. The final part addresses two practical topics; the first comparing how cheetahs have adapted to two different environments: the lush Serengeti plains and the arid Kalahari, the other giving the authors' perspective on cheetah conservation.
In Wolf Country tells the story of the first groups of wolves that
emigrated from reintroduced areas in Idaho to re-colonize their
former habitat in the Pacific Northwest, how government officials
prepared for their arrival, and the battles between the people who
welcome them and the people who don't, set against the backdrop of
the ongoing political controversy surrounding wolf populations in
the Northern Rockies. The political maneuvering and intense
controversy that has defined wolves' recovery in the West makes
this a compelling and timely read.
Sasol Eerste Veldgids tot Spinnekoppe & Skerpioene van Suider-Afrika bied aan die jong leser Æn fassinerende blik op die ryke verskeidenheid spinagtiges wat in die streek voorkom. Met behulp van volkleur fotoÆs en maklik leesbare teks, sal die jong volwassene en ontluikende natuur liefhebber die algemene spesies in Suider-Afrika identifiseer.
Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) was an English
novelist, poet, playwright, and politician. He was a florid,
popular writer of his day, who coined such phrases as "the great
unwashed," and "the pen is mightier than the sword."
Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) was an English
novelist, poet, playwright, and politician. He was a florid,
popular writer of his day, who coined such phrases as "the great
unwashed," and "the pen is mightier than the sword."
From a very young age, the Wildlife Man loved and held a
fascination with animals. This is the story of how his passion for
wildlife, originally a hobby, became first a part of his job as a
police officer, then his full-time occupation and his life. He is
respected and admired for his work to this day.
Read the powerful account of one woman's struggle to reshape her
identity when all normality has fallen away. When lifelong
bird-lover Hannah Bourne-Taylor moved with her husband to Ghana
seven years ago she couldn't have anticipated how her life would be
forever changed by her unexpected encounters with nature and the
subsequent bonds she formed. Plucked from the comfort and
predictability of her life before, Hannah struggled to establish
herself in her new environment, striving to belong in the rural
grasslands far away from home. In this challenging situation, she
was forced to turn inwards and interrogate her own sense of
identity, however in the animal life around her, and in two wild
birds in particular, Hannah found a source of solace and a way to
reconnect with the world in which she was living. Fledgling is a
portrayal of adaptability, resilience and self-discovery in the
face of isolation and change, fuelled by the quiet power of nature
and the unexpected bonds with animals she encounters. Hannah
encourages us to reconsider the conventional boundaries of the
relationships people have with animals through her inspiring and
very beautiful glimpse ofwhat is possible when we allow ourselves
to connect to the natural world. Full of determination and
compassion, Fledgling is apowerful meditation on our instinctive
connection to nature. It shows that even the tiniest of birds can
teach us what is important in life and how to embrace every day.
Comprehensive yet portable, this concise field-guide edition of
Australian Bird Guide is an essential companion for every
birdwatcher visiting Australia This new, fully updated concise
edition of the award-winning Australian Bird Guide brings the
authority and clarity of ABG into a portable format ideal for field
use. Its compact format features more than 700 bird species that
are residents of or regular visitors to the Australian mainland and
Tasmania, and surrounding seas. Easy to use and beautifully
illustrated, the book's content has been carefully designed to
provide the reader with key information to enable rapid
identification of any bird. Australian Bird Guide: Concise Edition
includes up-to-date species descriptions, distribution maps,
illustrations and comparison pages for major groups. Portable and
pocket-friendly yet comprehensive and authoritative, it's an
essential companion for any birdwatcher visiting Australia.
Wild Track is an exploration of birdsong and the ways in which that
sound was conveyed, described and responded to through text, prior
to the advent of recording and broadcast technologies in the late
19th and early 20th centuries. Street links sound aesthetics,
radio, natural history, and literature to explore how the brain and
imagination translate sonic codes as well as the nature of the
silent sound we "hear" when we read a text. This creates an
awareness of sound through the tuned attention of the senses,
learning from sound texts of the natural world that sought – and
seek – to convey the intensity of the sonic moment and fleeting
experience. To absorb these lessons is to enable a more highly
interactive relationship with sound and listening, and to interpret
the subtleties of audio as a means of expression and translation of
the living world.
The new edition of this popular field guide has been fully updated
and revised, making it one of the most comprehensive guides to the
mammals of the southern African sub-region: Expanded number of
smaller mammal species as well as eight of the more abundant sea
mammals. An easy-to-use key to identify the mammals. A sketch
indicating the size of the mammal in relation to a human profile.
Detailed species description, including information on the
conservation status, food, sexual dimorphism, life expectancy,
enemies, habitat, habits and breeding of 137 of the region's mammal
species. More than 200 excellent colour photographs illustrating
sexual dimorphism and different subspecies where applicable. For
the first time the mammal "calls" can be heard from the pages of
this field guide when using the Callfinder (an optional extra).
Colour photographs and illustrations of field signs such as
droppings and spoors. Updated distribution maps of all the species.
Mammal Guide of Southern Africa is a must for every tourist, hiker
and nature lover to enjoy at home and when visiting our National
Parks and game reserves.
From the Azteca to the Appaloosa, Choctaw to the Palomina, Brumbys
in Australia to the Mongolian, from rare breeds such as the Polish
Konik to the semi-feral Pyrenean Pottok, Horses celebrates a wide
variety of breeds from all around the world. Ranging from dressage
to police horses, from racing horses to rodeo and polo, the book
looks at the anatomy and lifecycle of foals and yearlings, colts
and fillies, stallions, mares and geldings around the globe. It
includes draft horses and warmbloods, light horses and
thoroughbreds, gaited horses, ponies and breeds that have become
feral. Each photograph is accompanied by a caption with fascinating
information about the characteristics of each breed. Illustrated
with 200 outstanding colour photographs, Horses is an exquisitely
produced work packed with lively information about this beloved
animal.
Much can be learned about the condition of the planet’s environment
by looking at sea turtles. They have existed for over 100 million
years, and they travel throughout the world’s oceans. Suddenly,
however, they are struggling to survive - largely because of things
people are doing to the planet’s oceans and beaches. But what does
this mean for the human species? It is possible that a world in
which sea turtles cannot survive may soon become a world in which
humans struggle to survive. If, however, we learn from our mistakes
and begin changing our behaviour, there is still time to save sea
turtles from extinction. In the process, we will be saving one of
the earth’s most mysterious and time-honoured creatures. We might
just be saving ourselves too. South Africa has played an active
role in this, protecting its own seaturtle populations and
researching turtle populations in neighbouring countries. An early
pioneer in conservation techniques, South Africa has assisted many
countries and researchers, and the sea turtles of south-east Africa
are now extensively protected, with positive signs of recovery.
Between the Tides tells this remarkable story, as seen through the
eyes of the author, whose interest in sea-turtle research has taken
him all over the world and involved him in exciting expeditions,
scientific controversy, political unrest, the companionship of
wonderful people, both scientific and conservationist, and survival
by sheer luck. His lasting reward has been his association with
beautiful beaches and the wonderful family of sea turtles.
Sasol Eerste Veldgids tot Slange & Ander Reptiele van Suider-Afrika bied aan die jong leser 'n fassinerende blik op die reptiele van die streek. Met behulp van volkleur fotoÆs en verspreidings kaarte, asook maklik leesbare teks, sal die jong volwassene en ontluikende natuur liefhebber die algemene reptielspesies in Suider-Afrika kan identifiseer.
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