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Life at the Zoo: Behind the Scenes with the Animal Doctors
by Phillip RobinsonPlease Do Not Annoy, torment, pester, plague, molest, worry, badger, harry, persecute, irk, bullyrag, vex, disquiet, grate, beset, bother, tease, nettle, tantalize or ruffle the Animals.—sign at zooSince the early days of traveling menageries and staged attractions that included animal acts, balloon ascents, and pyrotechnic displays, zoos have come a long way. The Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes in Paris, founded in 1793, didn't offer its great apes lessons in parenting or perform dental surgery on leopards. Certainly the introduction of veterinary care in the nineteenth century—and its gradual integration into the twentieth—has had much to do with this. Today, we expect more of zoos as animal welfare concerns have escalated along with steady advances in science, medicine, and technology. Life at the Zoo is an eminent zoo veterinarian's personal account of the challenges presented by the evolution of zoos and the expectations of their visitors. Based on fifteen years of work at the world-famous San Diego Zoo, this charming book reveals the hazards and rewards of running a modern zoo. Zoos exist outside of the "natural" order in which the worlds of humans and myriad exotic animals would rarely, if ever, collide. But this unlikely encounter is precisely why today's zoos remain the sites of much humor, confusion, and, occasionally, danger. This book abounds with insights on wildlife (foulmouthed parrots, gum-chewing chimps, stinky flamingoes), human behavior (the fierce competition for zookeeper jobs, the well-worn shtick of tour guides), and the casualties—both animal and human—of ignorance and carelessness. Phillip Robinson shows how animal exhibits are developed and how illnesses are detected and describes the perils of working around dangerous creatures. From escaping the affections of a leopard that thought he was a lap cat to training a gorilla to hold her newborn baby gently (instead of scrubbing the floor with it) and from operating on an anesthetized elephant ("I had the insecure sensation of working under a large dump truck with a wobbly support jack") to figuring out why a zoo's polar bears were turning green in color, Life at the Zoo tells irresistible stories about zoo animals and zoo people.
Life in Colour: How Animals See the World
by Dr. Martin StevensBeauty is more than skin deep.'The natural world is awash with colour, but we are only seeing half the story. If we could see things as animals do, our world would become unimaginably brighter. Now, thanks to new science and technology, we can at last open our eyes.' - Sir David AttenboroughIn nature, colour is more than a source of beauty; it's a form of vital communication. Depending on the situation, colour says different things - it can be an expression of power or seduction, warning or deceit - and it can even, occasionally, save your life. Accompanying a major new BBC series with David Attenborough, Life in Colour explores the fascinating story of how colour works in the natural world. From the 'trichromatic' vision of Silver Leaf Langurs, which allows them to see orange and red against forest foliage - the colours not only of ripe fruit, but of their young - to African Mandrills who use their colouration to do battle, Professor Martin Stevens reveals a complex system of messaging visible only to those who know the code.Based on the latest scientific research in the field, and illustrated with stunning photography throughout, Life in Colour reveals a world previously unknown to us.
Life in Hot Water: Wildlife at the Bottom of the Ocean
by Mary BattenA dramatic overview of the deep-sea extremophiles that thrive in scalding water and permanent darkness at the bottom of the oceanThe scalding-hot water gushing from vents at the bottom of the ocean is one of the most extreme environments on Earth. Yet over millions of years, many organisms—from chemical-eating bacteria to eyeless crabs and iron-shelled snails—have evolved in amazing ways that enable them to thrive in this unlikely habitat. Scientists are hard at work to learn more about the complex ecosystems of the ocean depths.Award-winning science writer Mary Batten and New York Times best-selling illustrator Thomas Gonzalez, the masterful duo that created Life in a Frozen World, team up again in this impressive overview of hydrothermal ocean vents. Her clear, informative text coupled with his unique and eerily realistic paintings of sights never seen on land—gushing "black smokers," ghostly blind shrimp, red-plumed tube worms—will entice readers to learn more about this once-hidden world at the bottom of the sea.
Life in a Rainforest
by Amy TaoDo you know how many animals live in the Amazonian rainforest? Learn about the different predators and prey that coexist and depend on one another to survive in their ecosystem.
Life in a Shell: A Physiologist's View of a Turtle
by Donald C. JacksonTrundling along in essentially the same form for some 220 million years, turtles have seen dinosaurs come and go, mammals emerge, and humankind expand its dominion. Is it any wonder the persistent reptile bested the hare? In this engaging book physiologist Donald Jackson shares a lifetime of observation of this curious creature, allowing us a look under the shell of an animal at once so familiar and so strange. Here we discover how the turtle’s proverbial slowness helps it survive a long, cold winter under ice. How the shell not only serves as a protective home but also influences such essential functions as buoyancy control, breathing, and surviving remarkably long periods without oxygen, and how many other physiological features help define this unique animal. Jackson offers insight into what exactly it’s like to live inside a shell—to carry the heavy carapace on land and in water, to breathe without an expandable ribcage, to have sex with all that body armor intervening. Along the way we also learn something about the process of scientific discovery—how the answer to one question leads to new questions, how a chance observation can change the direction of study, and above all how new research always builds on the previous work of others. A clear and informative exposition of physiological concepts using the turtle as a model organism, the book is as interesting for what it tells us about scientific investigation as it is for its deep and detailed understanding of how the enduring turtle “works.”
Life in the Chesapeake Bay
by Alice Jane Lippson Robert L. LippsonLife in the Chesapeake Bay is the most important book ever published on America's largest estuary. Since publication of the first edition in 1984, tens of thousands of naturalists, boaters, fishermen, and conservationists have relied on the book's descriptions of the Bay's plants, animals, and diverse habitats. Superbly illustrated and clearly written, this acclaimed guide describes hundreds of plants and animals and their habitats, from diamondback terrapins to blue crabs to hornshell snails.Now in its third edition, the book has been updated with a new gallery of thirty-nine color photographs and dozens of new species descriptions and illustrations. The new edition retains the charm of an engaging classic while adding a decade of new research.This classic guide to the plants and animals of the Chesapeake Bay will appeal to a variety of readers—year-round residents and summer vacationers, professional biologists and amateur scientists, conservationists and sportsmen.
Life in the Dark: Illuminating Biodiversity in the Shadowy Haunts of Planet Earth
by Danté FenolioStunning, never-before-seen photographs of creatures that live in complete darkness.Honorable Mention for Technical Text of the Washington PublishersDeep inside caves, at the bottoms of oceans and lakes, beneath the ground: these concealed habitats are absent of sunlight. This strange and fascinating world of complete darkness is not a solitary place—it is inhabited by millions of life forms. Yet most humans—creatures of daylight—have never seen any of them. Until now. In this fascinating—sometimes eerie—book, extreme wildlife photographer and scientist Danté Fenolio brings the denizens of these shadowy haunts into focus. Life in the Dark shows us the many ways in which life forms have adapted to lightless environments, including refinements of senses, evolution of unique body parts, and illumination using "biological flashlights." With more than 200 mesmerizing color photographs, Life in the Dark unveils bizarre creatures like the firefly squid, the giant Amazonian catfish, the Chinese cavefish, and even the human bot fly, which lives in the darkness beneath its host’s skin. Fenolio’s rich and vibrant images shed new light on the world’s fascinating creatures of darkness.
Life in the Dark: Illuminating Biodiversity in the Shadowy Haunts of Planet Earth
by Danté FenolioAn extreme wildlife photographer explores the bizarre species that thrive in complete darkness with more than 200mesmerizing color photos.Deep inside caves, at the bottoms of oceans and lakes, beneath the ground: these concealed habitats are absent of sunlight, and yet full of life. This strange world of complete darkness is inhabited by millions of life forms that most humans have never seen. Now Danté Fenolio brings the denizens of these shadowy haunts into focus. Life in the Dark shows us the many ways in which life forms have adapted to lightless environments, including refinements of senses, evolution of unique body parts, and illumination using “biological flashlights.”Discover fascinating creatures like the firefly squid, the giant Amazonian catfish, the Chinese cavefish, and even the human bot fly, which lives in the darkness beneath its host’s skin. Fenolio’s rich and vibrant images shed new light on the world’s fascinating creatures of darkness.
Life in the Open Ocean: The Biology of Pelagic Species
by Joseph J. Torres Thomas G. BaileyLife in the Open Ocean Life in the Open Ocean: The Biology of Pelagic Species provides in-depth coverage of the different marine animal groups that form the communities inhabiting the ocean’s pelagic realm. This comprehensive resource explores the physical environment, foraging strategies, energetics, locomotion, sensory mechanisms, global and vertical distributions, special adaptations, and other characteristics of a wide array of marine taxa. Bringing together the most recent information available in a single volume, authors Joseph J. Torres and Thomas G. Bailey cover the Cnidaria (stinging jellies), the ctenophores (comb jellies), pelagic nemerteans, pelagic annelids, crustaceans, cephalopods and pelagic gastropods, invertebrate chordates, as well as micronektonic and larger fishes such as sharks, tunas, mackerels, and mahi-mahi. Detailed chapters on each pelagic group describe internal and external anatomy, classification and history, feeding and digestion, bioluminescent systems and their function, reproduction and development, respiration, excretion, nervous systems, and more. The first book of its kind to address all of the major animal groups comprising both the swimmers and drifters of the open sea, this important resource: Explains how different animals have adapted to live in the open-ocean environment Covers all sensory mechanisms of animals living in the pelagic habitat, including photoreception, mechanoreception, and chemoreception Treats the diverse micronekton assemblage as a community Includes a thorough introduction to the physical oceanography and properties of water in the pelagic realm Life in the Open Ocean: The Biology of Pelagic Species is an excellent senior-level undergraduate and graduate textbook for courses in biology and biological oceanography, and a valuable reference for all those with interest in open-ocean biology.
Life in the Sloth Lane: Slow Down and Smell the Hibiscus
by Lucy CookeIs there a reason sloths are always smiling? Yes! They’ve mastered the art of living slow in a world whose pace is making everyone crazy. Along with being the “it” animal—“sloths are the new kittens” (Washington Post)—the sloth clearly has much to teach us about how to live. Combining the irresistible cuteness of sloths with words of wisdom about slowing down, Life in the Sloth Lane is a mindfulness book like no other. On spread after spread we see heart-tugging, full-color images of sloths—grown-ups and babies, both two-toed and three-toed, draped in trees, lying on hammocks, eating, hugging, nuzzling, playing—paired with inspiration on the joy of living slow, including quotes from Thoreau and Emily Dickinson, Paulo Coehlo and Elizabeth Gilbert. Written by Lucy Cooke, author of the sellout Sloths calendar and the “Steven Spielberg of sloth filmmaking” (The Atlantic), Life in the Sloth Lane is the perfect gift for anyone who wants to step out of the fast lane. Or—hint, hint—needs to.
Life in the Soil: A Guide for Naturalists and Gardeners
by James B. NardiLeonardo da Vinci once mused that "we know more about the movement of celestial bodies than about the soil underfoot," an observation that is as apt today as it was five hundred years ago. The biological world under our toes is often unexplored and unappreciated, yet it teems with life. In one square meter of earth, there lives trillions of bacteria, millions of nematodes, hundreds of thousands of mites, thousands of insects and worms, and hundreds of snails and slugs. But because of their location and size, many of these creatures are as unfamiliar and bizarre to us as anything found at the bottom of the ocean. Life in the Soil invites naturalists and gardeners alike to dig in and discover the diverse community of creatures living in the dirt below us. Biologist and acclaimed natural history artist James B. Nardi begins with an introduction to soil ecosystems, revealing the unseen labors of underground organisms maintaining the rich fertility of the earth as they recycle nutrients between the living and mineral worlds. He then introduces readers to a dazzling array of creatures: wolf spiders with glowing red eyes, snails with 120 rows of teeth, and 10,000-year-old fungi, among others. Organized by taxon, Life in the Soil covers everything from slime molds and roundworms to woodlice and dung beetles, as well as vertebrates from salamanders to shrews. The book ultimately explores the crucial role of soil ecosystems in conserving the worlds above and below ground. A unique and illustrative introduction to the many unheralded creatures that inhabit our soils and shape our environment above ground, Life in the Soil will inform and enrich the naturalist in all of us.
Life in the Wild: Observing the Mysterious Lives of 10 Real Animals
by Lizzie DalyWhat can 10 real-life and uniquely jaw-dropping animal journeys teach us about our world, and the ways in which it is changing?As a filmmaker and scientist, Lizzie Daly tells stories about the natural world and uncovers the hidden secrets of our planet. But despite huge advances in technology, there is still so much we don't know about what species get up to in the wild. However, sometimes—just sometimes—we get a small glimpse into what their lives are like.This book tells the tale of our planet's intriguing wildlife. Through 10 real stories, we follow in the footprints of polar bears, big cats, wolves, and jaguars, and explore oceans with whales, sharks, and seabirds. These tales of migration, mystery, and unique behaviors teach us new and exciting information about animal activity and ecology and give us access to some of the most inhospitable corners of our planet.
Life of the Honeybee
by Andreas Fischer-Nagel Heiderose Fischer-Nagelanything and everything you wanted to know about honeybees.
Life on Surtsey: Iceland's Upstart Island (Scientists in the Field Series)
by Loree Griffin BurnsOn November 14, 1963, a volcano fifteen miles off the shore of Iceland exploded under the sea, resulting in a brand-new island. Scientists immediately recognized Surtsey for what it was: an opportunity to observe the way life takes hold. Loree Griffin Burns follows entomologist Erling Ólafsson on a five-day trip to Surtsey, where since 1970 he has studied the arrival and survival of insects and other species. Readers see how demanding conditions on Surtsey can be, what it’s like to eat and work while making the smallest impact possible, and the passion driving these remarkable scientists in one of the world’s most unique fields ever!
Life on the Farm
by Heather GardamTen-year-old Patti lives on a farm with her mom, dad and older brother Jamie. She loves the natural world she lives in, and she feels passionately that she is old enough now to be a working member of the farm team, taught the skills and given jobs that really matter. She is always curious - about chickens and bees and horses, and how they relate to humans; about grown-ups and why they do and say the things they do; about her friends who live in very different circumstances. Sometimes her adventures turn out well, and sometimes they don't, but for Patti they all add to what she knows about life.
Life on the Leash: A Novel
by Victoria SchadeIn this &“witty celebration of dogs, romance, and taking chances&” (Stacey Ballis, author of Wedding Girl), a woman who is a master at training her four-legged friends discovers that she still has a lot to learn about love. Cora Bellamy is a woman who thrives on organization. She&’s successfully run her own dog training business for years, perfectly content with her beloved rescue pitbull as the main man in her life. She&’s given everything to her business, and her lack of social life (or slobber-free clothes) has been completely worth it. But all that changes when she meets Charlie Gill, the hottest client she&’s ever had. The only problem? Charlie&’s taken. Luckily, Cora&’s new friend—the sweet, lovably geeky Eli Crawford—is always there to help Cora with her problems, including her love life. That&’s why she&’s shocked to realize that even as things start heating up with Charlie, there might just be a more-than-friends spark between her and Eli, too. As Cora&’s life gets more tangled up than a dogwalker&’s leashes—and as she prepares to audition for a dog-training TV show that may irrevocably change her entire life—she has to figure things out before it all goes straight to the dogs. &“Playful, lovable, and heartwarming&” (Amy E. Reichert, author of The Coincidence of Coconut Cake), Life on the Leash will inspire you to cheer for every underdog looking for love.
Life on the Rocks: A Portrait of the American Mountain Goat
by Bruce L. SmithThe American mountain goat is one of the most elusive and least familiar species of hoofed mammals in North America. Confined to the remote and rugged mountains of the western United States and Canada, these extraordinary mountaineers are seldom seen or encountered, even by those who patiently study them. Life on the Rocks offers an intimate portrayal of this remarkable animal through the eyes and lens of field biologist and photographer Bruce Smith. Color photographs and accounts of Smith's personal experiences living in Montana's Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area accompany descriptions of the American mountain goat's natural history. Smith explores their treacherous habitat, which spans the perilous cliffs and crags of the Rocky, Cascade, and Coast mountain ranges. The physical and behavioral adaptations of these alpine athletes enable them to survive a host of dangers, including six-month-long winters, scarce food sources, thunderous avalanches, social strife, and predators like wolves, bears, lions, wolverines, and eagles. Smith also details the challenges these animals face as their territory is threatened by expanding motorized access, industrial activities, and a warming climate.<P> Life on the Rocks showcases the elegance and charm of this little-known creature, thriving in some of North America's harshest wilderness. Smith's volume will appeal to wildlife enthusiasts, wildland travelers, and conservationists interested in the future of the American mountain goat.
Life on the Rocks: A Portrait of the American Mountain Goat
by Bruce L. SmithThe American mountain goat is one of the most elusive and least familiar species of hoofed mammals in North America. Confined to the remote and rugged mountains of the western United States and Canada, these extraordinary mountaineers are seldom seen or encountered, even by those who patiently study them. Life on the Rocks offers an intimate portrayal of this remarkable animal through the eyes and lens of field biologist and photographer Bruce Smith. Color photographs and accounts of Smith's personal experiences living in Montana's Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area accompany descriptions of the American mountain goat's natural history. Smith explores their treacherous habitat, which spans the perilous cliffs and crags of the Rocky, Cascade, and Coast mountain ranges. The physical and behavioral adaptations of these alpine athletes enable them to survive a host of dangers, including six-month-long winters, scarce food sources, thunderous avalanches, social strife, and predators like wolves, bears, lions, wolverines, and eagles. Smith also details the challenges these animals face as their territory is threatened by expanding motorized access, industrial activities, and a warming climate. Life on the Rocks showcases the elegance and charm of this little-known creature, thriving in some of North America's harshest wilderness. Smith's volume will appeal to wildlife enthusiasts, wildland travelers, and conservationists interested in the future of the American mountain goat. 2014 National Outdoor Book Award winner: Nature & Environment and co-winner: Design and Artistic Merit
Life with My Family
by Karl Jones Renee Hooker"Cute and familiar." - KirkusFrom New York Times Best-Selling illustrator, Kathryn Durst, and Penguin Workshop editors and authors, Renee Hooker and Karl Jones, comes a tale of a young girl who imagines her family as a pandemonium of parrots, a swarm of bees, a smack of jellyfish, a wisdom of wombats, and more!When a young girl gets frustrated with her chaotic life at home, she imagines what things would be like if her family were animals instead. Would life be better as a pod of pelicans, a pride of lions, or a herd of buffalo? Or is it ultimately a family of humans that she needs? In this beautifully illustrated book, young readers learn the names for groups of animals through a sweet, whimsical narrative that focuses on the importance of family.
Life's a Pooch: Quotes about Dogs by People Who Love Them
by Boze HadleighLife’s a Pooch is, pardon the expression, catnip for dog lovers. Its five riveting chapters comprise hundreds of celebrity quotes and anecdotes about everyone’s best friend. By turns funny, touching, surprising, and informative, it embraces every aspect of the human-dog bond and explores our furry companions’ sometimes baffling world and celebrates their impact on ours. Those quoted range from animal superheroes Betty White and Doris Day to Leonardos da Vinci and DiCaprio to dog trainers, Lassie costars, singers and actors, presidents, Walt Disney, and Martha Stewart--to name a few!Did you know that . . . Comparing canines with people, Marilyn Monroe once said, “A dog will never tell you to shut up”? Aldous Huxley explained the pooch’s popularity: “To his dog, every man is Napoleon,” while President Harry Truman advised, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog”? For Renee Zellweger, “Finding exactly the right dog is a lot like falling in love”? Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz felt, “Happiness is a warm puppy”? And singer Adele is happy to be “my dog’s best friend”? Poignant, silly, and heart-warming, Life's a Pooch is a must-have for every dog lover!
Life's a Puppy Party: Recipes, DIYs, and Activities for Celebrating the Seasons with Your Dog
by Heather HuntMake the most of every day with your dog using this fun collection of healthy recipes, easy DIYs, and Pinterest-worthy party plans that you and your pup can enjoy together.Our dogs are more of a part of our lives than ever, but it&’s still hard to find cute treats, toys, and accessories for them that you can make yourself. When Heather Hunt brought home her dachshund, Dave, she scoured the internet for all the info she could find about being a great dog owner. And although she found plenty of factual guides to being a good pup parent, she was shocked that the fun and silly parts of owning a dog were completely missing—how to create a comfortable Halloween costume without buying a sewing machine, how to bake a nutritious barkday cake, or how to host a party for other pup friends. Heather eventually launched TheDapple.com as a place to share great pet products and simple, creative activities for modern dog parents. In Life&’s a Puppy Party, Heather has created a handbook for having fun with your dog. Grouped by season, it features easy, cost-efficient, Instagrammable, and vet-approved recipes, crafts, and no-sew costume ideas to make your pup a part of every type of celebration. In this book, readers will learn how to: -Bake an easy &“pupcake&” -Upcycle a pair of old jeans into a cute bandana -Throw a backyard puppy pool party -Turn a dog hoodie into a dinosaur Halloween costume -And make a dog toy advent calendar This is a perfect gift for any dog parent looking for more ways to celebrate their pooch while giving us all something to smile about.
Life-Size Birds: The Big Book of North American Birds
by Nancy J. HajeskiThe biggest book on North American birds this century!John James Audubon would be proud to know that a life-size bird book is alive in the twenty-first century. You won't need Sotheby's auction house to buy this volume, though! Full-size images of beautiful feathered friends offer a detailed look at each North American species, while scaled photographs of larger birds allow you to see the entire animal. Fun facts pepper the pages, and a summary of general information accompanies each avian. Get an up-close, personal look at the world's masters of flight!
Life-Threatening Cardiac Emergencies for the Small Animal Practitioner
by Maureen Mcmichael Ryan FriesLife-Threatening Cardiac Emergencies for the Small Animal Practitioner offers a quick reference to recognizing and treating common cardiac arrhythmias and emergent cardiac conditions in canine and feline patients, designed for fast access during an emergency. Offers quick and easy access to key information for diagnosing and managing arrhythmias and cardiac conditions in dogs and cats Designed for ease of use in the fast-paced emergency setting Presents clear, reproducible ECGs, radiographs, and echocardiograms for reference and comparison Part of the Rapid Reference series providing small animal practitioners with ideal quick references for patient-side guidance
Life-size Dinosaurs
by David BergenGargantuan creatures deserve a truly mammoth book. With amazingly huge, life-size pictures, plus 7 gigantic gatefolds, this spectacular guide will practically transport readers back to the time of the dinosaurs. It's astounding: for the first time, pictures convey the actual, awesome bulk and bigness of the large dinosaurs and present intricately detailed views of the smaller species, too. Just open up the three 8-page-long gatefolds and the four 6-page ones to see what these vanished creatures looked like close-up. Life-size illustrations virtually take you into the Tyrannosaurus Rex's drooling mouth, with its sharp teeth ready to rip up prey. Kids will love looking at the immense and thick skull of the bone-headed Pachycephalosaurus, with its bumps, ridges, and horns. The knife-like claws of the Therizinosaurus are so realistic you just might step back in fear. In addition to the breathtaking illustrations, there's plenty of fascinating background about the different dinosaur types, their shared world, their way of chatting and battling, and their fight for survival. And as an extra treat: take off the jacket, flip it over, and there's a big poster of a giant dinosaur on the reverse side.
Lifecycles From Caterpillar to Butterfly (Life Cycles Ser.lifecycles Series)
by Gerald LeggLarge illustrations and simple text describe how caterpillars become butterflies.