This compact marvel covers the animal kingdom from the tiniest protozoan to the mightiest mammal. Organized by classification and packed with vibrant photographs and informative detail, this visual safari covers the gamut of phylums, classes, orders, families, and genus, including invertebrates, insects, amphibians, mammals, birds, and reptiles. Special feature panels that focus on various aspects of animal behavior including camouflage, migration, and hibernation enhance the clear layout. Easy-to-use, authoritative and a perfect gift for young animal lovers, this colorful volume is an ideal resource.

The latest addition to the Kingfisher concise encyclopedic range of books is a comprehensive guide to the living world and its inhabitants - both flora and fauna. There is an incredible diversity of life on earth, from microscopic, single-celled organisms to giant redwoods and blue whales. This authoritative new reference book explores every major plant and animal group, richly illustrating the extraordinary range of living things that is found in every corner of the planet. The encyclopedia is arranged in three parts. The introductory section, A Planet Apart, guides the reader through the formation of the planet, the beginning of life and evolution, to animal and plant life today. The second section, The Living World, introduces the kingdoms of life on the planet, from microlife, through plants to animals. The third and main section of the book, Wildlife Habitats, takes a detailed look at the world's habitats, with features that highlight topics such as 'plant galls' and 'animal nomads'. There are also species features that focus on animals or plants that are of particular interest, such as the Arctic bumblebee or the welwitschia plant.

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia is the perfect resource for information on the people, places, and events of yesterday and today. Students, teachers, and librarians can find fast facts combined with the quality and accuracy that have made Britannica the brand to trust. A tool for both the classroom and the library, no other desk reference can compare.

The practical focus of this authoritative, comprehensive encyclopedia promotes the understanding and improvement of animals' behaviour without compromising welfare. It will be an essential resource for practising veterinarians, researchers and students in zoology and ethology, and for all those working with and interested in animals and their welfare. --Book Jacket.

Meet an amazing menagerie of creatures on this breathtaking safari through the animal kingdom. The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia spans Earth from pole to pole, covering 2,000 animals from the tiniest protozoan to the mightiest mammal. Each entry describes the animal's characteristics, behavior, and distribution, and gives their Latin names. The meticulously researched information is highlighted by clear, authoritative writing and more than 1,000 photographs and illustrations. Throughout the book, special feature panels focus on various aspects of animal behavior such as camouflage, migration, and hibernation. With comprehensive back-matter including a glossary, alternative name index, and general index, this one-stop reference tool is perfect for research or for browsing by animal-lovers of all ages.

Everyone is familiar with the dodo and the wooly mammoth, but how many people have heard of the scimitar cat and the Falkland Island fox? Extinct Animals portrays over 60 remarkable animals that have been lost forever during the relatively recent geological past. Each entry provides a concise discussion of the history of the animal—how and where it lived, and how it became extinct—as well as the scientific discovery and analysis of the creature. In addition, this work examines what led to extinction—from the role of cyclical swings in the Earth's climate to the spread of humans and their activities. Many scientists believe that we are in the middle of a mass extinction right now, caused by the human undermining of the earth's complex systems that support life. Understanding what caused the extinction of animals in the past may help us understand and prevent the extinction of species in the future. Extinct Animals examines the biology and history of some of the most interesting creatures that have ever lived, including: The American Terror Bird, which probably became extinct over 1 million years ago, who were massive predators, some of which were almost 10 feet tall; the Rocky Mountain Locust, last seen in 1902, formed the most immense animal aggregations ever known, with swarms estimated to include over 10 trillion insects; the Giant Ground Sloth, which was as large as an elephant; and the Neandertals, the first Europeans, which co-existed with prehistoric Homo sapiens. Extinct Animals includes illustrations—many created for the work—that help the reader visualize the extinct creature, and each entry concludes with a list of resources for those who wish to do further research.