Over the course of a year, Miriam Darlington travelled around Britain in search of wild otters; from her home in Devon to the wilds of Scotland; to Cumbria, Wales, Northumberland, Cornwall, Somerset and the River Lea; to her childhood home near the Ouse, the source of her watery obsession. Otter Country follows Darlington's search through different landscapes, seasons, weather and light, as she tracks one of Britain's most elusive animals. During her journey, she meets otter experts, representatives of the Environment Agency, conservationists, ecologists, walkers, Henry Williamson's family, Gavin Maxwell's heir; zoo keepers, fishermen, scientists, hunters and poets. Above all she learns how to track and be around otters, and that the stillness required to actually see this shy animal can bring many unasked-for wonders. Written in mesmerising prose, Otter Country establishes Darlington as a prominent voice in the new generation of British nature writers.

A new and improved edition of the popular photographic field guide Britain's Butterflies is a comprehensive and beautifully designed photographic field guide to the butterflies of Britain and Ireland. Containing hundreds of stunning colour photographs, this extensively revised and updated new edition provides the latest information on every species ever recorded. It covers in detail the identification of all 59 butterfly species that breed regularly, as well as four former breeders, 10 rare migrants and one species of unknown status. The easy-to-use format will enable butterfly watchers-beginners or experts-to identify any species they encounter. Produced in association with Butterfly Conservation, this edition features new introductory sections to the main "types" of butterflies; updated distribution maps; a revised species order reflecting the latest taxonomy; revised sections on recording and monitoring, and conservation and legislation; and a new section on climate change. Stunning colour plates show typical views of each butterfly species, including the various forms and common aberrations Detailed species profiles provide information on status and distribution, including up-to-date maps, and cover adult identification; behaviour; breeding habitat requirements; population and conservation; egg, caterpillar and chrysalis; and caterpillar foodplants Photographs of the egg, caterpillar and chrysalis for every breeding species Sections on biology, where to look for and how to identify butterflies, and other essential information

The definitive field guide to all the sharks, rays and chimaeras of the European Atlantic and Mediterranean The waters of the northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea are home to an amazing variety of sharks, rays and chimaeras. This comprehensive and easy-to-use field guide covers all 146 species found in the Mediterranean, the waters of the European Atlantic and Iceland, along all the Scandinavian coasts, in the Black Sea and as far south as the Canary Islands. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, habitat, biology and status. Every species account comes with a colour distribution map, a depth guide, at-a-glance icons and colour illustrations. This must-have field guide also features illustrated key guides that enable you to accurately identify down to species, comparison plates of similar species, illustrations of eggcases where known and plates of teeth. The first field guide to cover all 146 species Features hundreds of colour illustrations, photos, maps and diagrams Describes key features, habitat, biology and status Includes depth guides, at-a-glance icons, key guides and teeth plates

From a life-long interest in nature, the author shares her love of nature and her understanding of the intricacies of the natural world through her observations of the plants and animals in three familiar settings. A formal training in Biology has given her a rare insight into the important vital processes that influence the actions and interactions of birds, mammals, insects, and plants as the seasons change. She tries in her own mind to come to grips with the predator- prey relationship and to explain to the reader the importance of this vital process that makes life on earth possible.Part one is especially rich in bird lore as she observes the birds at her feeder while watching her young children grow in their understanding and knowledge of the natural world surrounding their home in a small town in east central Wisconsin. The middle section takes place in the north woods where she spends time trying to blend into the wildness of the national forest setting at a rustic hunting cabin and observe birds and other wild animals without intruding on their lives. The last part contains selected observations at a small lake in the sand country near Shawano, Wisconsin. The book concludes with short anecdotes about nature originally printed in the 'Lake Flyer" the newsletter of the Winnebago Audobon Society.Written by one of the states leading naturalist, and environmentalist, this book is the rare culmination of years of observations and reflections going back to the 50s.

When Ralph Helfer, now one of Hollywood's top animal behaviorists, first began working, he was shocked by the cruelty that was accepted practice in the field. He firmly believed in "affection training" -- that love, not fear, should be the basis of any animal's development, even when dealing with the most dangerous of creatures. Then Zamba came into his life -- an adorable four-month-old lion cub that went on to prove Helfer's theories resoundingly correct.

Over the next eighteen years, Zamba would thrive and grow, and go on to star in numerous motion pictures and television shows -- all the while developing a deep and powerful bond of love and affection with the man who raised him. By turns astonishing, hilarious, and poignant, "Zamba" is not only the unforgettable story of the relationship that Helfer would come to consider one of the most important in his life but also that of the amazing career and adventures of the greatest lion in the world.

This book should appeal to a wide range of readers, from those that have spent time working in the bush and can relate to these stories, to those still contemplating a career with wildlife. It should also appeal to the weekend and average armchair conservationist who has probably often dreamt of what it would have been like had he chosen to become a dedicated full time field officer. The book will also help give an insight into what goes on behind the scenes for those visiting a game park for their very first time. It has been written in an easy to read format, divided into individual wildlife adventures based from the author's early beginnings as a Game Ranger at a remote outpost in Northern Zululand to finally becoming Warden of Game Capture. Some of these adventures are funny and some more serious but never routine or mundane however they were always rewarding and gratifying. Enjoy the read

This memoir describes the challenges a young man faces in achieving his dream of becoming a veterinarian. Even a period of homelessness and limited resources do not interfere with his commitment to achieve success. And this is only the beginning Soon he is faced with the challenges of working in the jungles of Panama, facing the ravages of a roaming black jaguar and the defenses of a native village against the entrance of man or beast. Then, how about Haiti, where the Tonton Macoute militias believe in instant justice, rarely valuing life, or Columbia, where the drug lords have absolute rule. As if that isn't enough, consider working in the African continent, along the tales surrounding the first shipment of Charolais cattle to the United States or the many facets of working with the wild mustangs in Colorado. Each exciting adventure is told with suspense, drama, and humor Enjoy

THE COCKER; Containing Every Information to the Breeders and Amateurs Of that Noble Bird, THE GAME COCK. By W. Sketchley. Originally published in 1814, this rare early work on the Game Cock is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. READ COUNTRY BOOKS have republished it, using the original text and engravings. The author was born and bred in Staffordshire, a part of the country high in repute for its love of the Game Cock and Cocking. This important historical work contains a wealth of knowledge and experience gained over a period of fifty years as a top breeder of fighting cocks. The book's one hundred and fifty four pages are divided into two sections. The first contains detailed chapters on: Breeding. - Trials. - Remarks on the Change in Constitution. - Remarks on Steady Breeding. - The Necessity of Making Trials. - Bad Constitution in Cocks. - Some Favourite Breeds of Cocks. - Cockfeeders. - Cock Match Articles and Rules. - More Remarks on Breeding. - Matching etc. The second section consists of specially designed pages for keeping records: Pedigrees of Brood Cocks, Hens, or Pullets. - Names and Characters of Cocks. - Accounts of Cocks. - Bags in stock. - Memorandums. - Accounts. Having reproduced this book from an original first edition, the publishers decided to retain a small number of interesting hand written notes in the records section. These were made in 1825 by the original owner. This is a fascinating read for any Game Fowl enthusiast or historian, and also contains much information that is still useful and practical today. Many of the earliest poultry books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasinglyexpensive. Read Country Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

The Pacific Ocean covers one-third of Earth's surface--more than all of the planet's landmasses combined. It contains half of the world's water, hides its deepest places, and is home to some of the most dazzling creatures known to science. The companion book to the spectacular five-part series on PBS produced by Natural History New Zealand, Big Pacific breaks the boundaries between land and sea to present the Pacific Ocean and its inhabitants as you have never seen them before. Illustrated in full color throughout, Big Pacific blends a wealth of stunning Ultra HD images with spellbinding storytelling to take you into a realm teeming with exotic life rarely witnessed up close--until now. The book is divided into four sections, each one focusing on an aspect of the Pacific. "Passionate Pacific" looks at the private lives of sea creatures, with topics ranging from the mating behaviors of great white sharks to the monogamy of wolf eels, while "Voracious Pacific" covers hunting and feeding. In "Mysterious Pacific," you will be introduced to the Pacific's more extraordinary creatures, like the pufferfish and firefly squid, and explore some of the region's eerier locales, like the turtle tombs of Borneo and the skull caves of Papua New Guinea. "Violent Pacific" examines the effects of events like natural disasters on the development of the Pacific Ocean's geography and the evolution of its marine life. Providing an unparalleled look at a diverse range of species, locations, and natural phenomena, Big Pacific is truly an epic excursion to one of the world's last great frontiers. Five-part series on PBS: *Big Pacific will air Wednesdays on PBS, June 21-July 19, 2017

Butterflies and moths hold an enduring fascination for their unusual life cycle, as they change from one creature into another. Butterflies is an outstanding collection of photographs showcasing nature's most beautiful and often elusive butterflies and moths - members of the Lepidoptera order - in the variety of their natural habitats. With 17,500 species of butterfly and 160,000 species of moth in the world today, they can be found on every continent apart from Antarctica, and in every nation. Arranged in chapters covering some of the most beautiful and interesting types of butterfly and moth, their habitats, their transition from egg to caterpillar and from chrysalid to adult, as well as their behaviour, the book reveals little-known facts about their life cycle, anatomy, self-defence mechanisms, feeding and migration. For example, did you know that while caterpillars chew their solid food, adult butterflies can only consume liquid, and some moths do not even have mouths? Or that many species can taste with their feet? With full captions explaining how the species breeds, feeds, and changes from caterpillar to the animal kingdom's most stunning member, Butterflies is a brilliant examination in more than 200 outstanding colour photographs of these fascinating insects.

How to Raise a Happy Cat focuses on the happiness to be found in the person/pet relationship and includes dozens of ideas for activities and hacks you can build into daily life with your pet, from spontaneous play and activities to making them the perfect sleep spot. We know how important happiness is for ourselves but when it comes to pets, making sure they’re happy – as opposed to obedient, say – is often underrated. Yet there’s plenty of fresh science that shows that a happy, engaged pet is easy to live with and creates happiness in its owners, too. How to Raise a Happy Cat shows what you can learn from your pet’s behaviour and body language, offer a mass of practical ways to raise your pet’s happiness levels, and show you how to connect with them in the way they’ll love best. Building on recent scientific developments into animal behavioural science, this book's methods aim to increase inter-species understanding and encouraging the behaviour you do want, while discouraging the behaviour you don’t. Divided into 6 chapters, each of which contains plenty of easy-to-follow activities which owners can carry out themselves, this book will become an invaluable resource for building and strengthening the bond between human and cat. Sections include: How you can get to know your cat better;  How to develop happiness in different areas, from exercising to playing;  A guide to different stages in a cat’s life and at how to tailor activities to a kitten or to an ageing cat   Perfect for cat owners who want to get to know their feline friends as individuals, this indispensible book offers a new angle that gives owners lots of customized ideas for having fun with their pet, as well as explaining behaviours that they may have previously found baffling.