A Complete Guide to Antarctic Wildlife

Description

This spectacularly illustrated book is the only complete guide to the wildlife and natural history of the vast and beautiful Antarctic region. Covering the Antarctic continent, the southern ocean, and the subantarctic islands, this guide illustrates all of the region's breeding birds and marine mammals with stunning colour photographs. In addition to the colour plates, it features distribution maps and up-to-date species accounts expertly detailing abundance, seasonal status, and conservation prospects. The volume also covers numerous nonbreeding species, migrants, and vagrants. Regional chapters describe all of the subantarctic islands, in addition to most regularly visited sites in Antarctica, and are accompanied by maps of each area and photographs of each locale. These chapters present detailed information on geography, climate, geology, general ecology, and flora. They also address conservation efforts - past, present, and planned. The book concludes with practical information about visiting the area, including details on the best-available landing sites and notes on seasonal weather conditions. This is an indispensable companion for a trip far south, as well as an informative volume for anyone interested in the Antarctic region's remarkable, occasionally strange, and frequently beautiful animals.

Hadoram Shirihai is an award-winning author who has travelled extensively in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. His previous books include Birds of Israel, Sylvia Warblers and Whales, Dolphins and Seals.

'this is the definitive single-volume guide to the birds and mammals of the vast Antarctic region...this will be invaluable to thise interested in the region, whilst indispensible for those planning a trip south.' * Good Book Guide (December 07) * 'There is a very "live" feel to this book...However, [Shirihai's] style is sufficiently scientific to deliver the necessary detail...Most importantly, he promotes the love and protection of what should be one of the world's most cherished wild places.' * W2 Books (Jan 2008) * 'This former Birdwatch Bird Book of the Year is in better shape than ever, and a must if you are visiting the region.' * Birdwatch (March 2008) * Each species account in the book majors on identification, but also includes summaries if distribution and biology, conservation and taxonomy, and ocean-going birds and mammals get a range map. * Birdwatch (Main) March 2008 * ' This is a brilliantly and copiously illustrated combination of field guide. handbook and travel guide' * Birds {Main} November 2008 *