In this book in the 'Wildlife of the World' series, expert wildlife photographer Hugh Lansdown reveals some of the most fascinating and endangered animals to be found on the strange, mysterious, tropical island of Madagascar. With a growing human population, deforestation and increasingly frequent droughts, Madagascar’s wildlife is some of the most threatened on the planet... but it is also some of the most incredible and unique! Over eighty percent of the animals are found nowhere else in the world; from huge, noisy indri to tiny secretive mouse lemurs and strange spiky tenrecs to weird long-necked weevils... not to mention whole families of frogs, lizards and birds! This book, aimed at children from 8 to 13 years old (but fascinating at any age!) contains maps showing Madagascar's location and a section for each of the country's main regions with photos of some of the incredible animals found there. It also contains special sections featuring iconic creatures such as ring-tailed lemurs, indri and chameleons together with a 'Hidden Wildlife Puzzle' and discussion of the conservation issues the country is facing. In addition the book contains links to an interactive map of Madagascar as well as on-line media including videos and sound recordings, all of which are directly related to the text. Conserving the incredible wildlife we share our planet with is one of the most important tasks the young generation are going to be faced with. This book has been carefully designed to grab their attention in the chaotic, modern digital world, educate them about the amazing creatures that live here and enthuse them with the desire to find out more!

The most comprehensive single-volume field guide to Madagascar's wildlife The Indian Ocean island of Madagascar is one of the world's great natural treasures and ecotourism destinations. Despite being an island, it is home to nearly an entire continent’s variety of species, from the famous lemurs to a profusion of bizarre and beautiful birds, reptiles and amphibians. Wildlife of Madagascar is a compact and beautifully illustrated photographic guide, and an essential companion for any visitor or resident. With an eye-catching design, authoritative and accessible text and easy-to-use format, it provides information on identification, distribution, habitat, behaviour, biology and conservation for all the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies likely to be seen. The most comprehensive single-volume field guide to Madagascar’s wildlife Attractive layout features more than 900 stunning colour photographs Covers the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies, and some of the other invertebrates and plants, most likely to be seen Provides key information about identification, distribution, habitat, behaviour and conservation Introductory sections provide background information on Madagascar and its unique environments

The mammals that inhabit Madagascar are among the most extraordinary in the world. This portable guide offers a full survey and classification of all the Malagasy mammals, both endemic and introduced, including many new species only recently identified. With vivid color photographs, line illustrations, and maps, Mammals of Madagascar: A Complete Guide is an essential volume for any tourist or biologist who visits the island--or wishes to. The guide provides descriptions of the physical and behavioral characteristics of each species as well as information about habitat and distribution. To further aid identification, the book lists top mammal-watching sites in the rainforests, deciduous forests, and spiny forest areas. Streamlined and completely updated, this book replaces Nick Garbutt's classic earlier work, Mammals of Madagascar, and takes its place as the definitive guide to the mammals of the world's fourth-largest island. Published in association with Christopher Helm/A & C Black Publishers Ltd.

The landscapes of Madagascar have long delighted zoologists, who have discovered, in and among the island’s baobab trees and thickets, a dizzying array of animals, including something approaching one hundred species of lemur. Madagascar’s mammal fauna, for example, is far more diverse, and more endemic, than early explorers and naturalists ever dreamed of. But in the past 2,500 or so years—a period associated with natural climatic shifts and ecological change, as well as partially coinciding with the arrival of the island’s first human settlers—a considerable proportion of Madagascar’s forests have disappeared; and in the wake of this loss, a number of species unique to Madagascar have vanished forever into extinction. In Extinct Madagascar, noted scientists Steven M. Goodman and William L. Jungers explore the recent past of these land animal extinctions. Beginning with an introduction to the geologic and ecological history of Madagascar that provides context for the evolution, diversification, and, in some cases, rapid decline of the Malagasy fauna, Goodman and Jungers then seek to recapture these extinct mammals in their environs. Aided in their quest by artist Velizar Simeonovski’s beautiful and haunting digital paintings—images of both individual species and ecosystem assemblages reproduced here in full color—Goodman and Jungers reconstruct the lives of these lost animals and trace their relationships to those still living. Published in conjunction with an exhibition of Simeonovski’s artwork set to open at the Field Museum, Chicago, in the fall of 2014, Goodman and Jungers’s awe-inspiring book will serve not only as a sobering reminder of the very real threat of extinction, but also as a stunning tribute to Madagascar’s biodiversity and a catalyst for further research and conservation.

Experience the full force of nature with this stunning visual encyclopedia celebrating the world's most wonderful wildlife. With an inspiring foreword by leading naturalist and wildlife photographer Chris Packham, this epic adventure takes you across the continents to meet all creatures big and small. You'll visit the deserts of Australia, the grasslands of Africa, the rainforests of South America, the mountains of Asia, and the coral reefs of Australia on this mind-blowing tour to meet the incredibly diverse range of life on Earth. Breathtaking photography, animal profiles, accessible maps, and facts and stats combine to create this standout reference title. Revealing a wealth of species across hundreds of spectacular pages, Wildlife of the World introduces you to animals that roam, swim, and fly in each and every part of our planet. Calling all globe-trotters, nature enthusiasts, and biology students, this is your chance to experience the animal kingdom as never before and gain an absolutely essential addition to your home library. Produced in association with the Smithsonian Institution. Reviews: "[G]orgeous coffee table book of animal life across the planet...This book is a perfect reference guide, a delight to page through..." - Publishers Weekly "If there's a must-have coffee-table book, this is it." - The Sacramento Bee "Beautifully illustrated with handsome photographs." - Booklist (Starred Review) "[A] big book filled with great photography." - St. Louis Post-Dispatch "Like a classic children's treasury book, this lavish work is an ideal option for researchers and browsers alike." - School Library Journal (Starred Review)

A marvelously illustrated reference to the natural wonders of one of the most spectacular places on earth Separated from Africa’s mainland for tens of millions of years, Madagascar has evolved a breathtaking wealth of biodiversity, becoming home to thousands of species found nowhere else on the planet. The New Natural History of Madagascar provides the most comprehensive, up-to-date synthesis available of this island nation’s priceless biological treasures. Now fully revised and expanded, this beautifully illustrated compendium features contributions by more than 600 globally renowned experts who cover the history of scientific exploration in Madagascar, as well as the island’s geology and soils, climate, forest ecology, human ecology, marine and coastal ecosystems, plants, invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. This invaluable two-volume reference also includes detailed discussions of conservation efforts in Madagascar that showcase several successful protected area programs that can serve as models for threatened ecosystems throughout the world. Provides the most comprehensive overview of Madagascar’s rich natural historyCoedited by 18 different specialistsFeatures hundreds of new contributions by world-class expertsIncludes hundreds of new illustrationsCovers a broad array of topics, from geology and climate to animals, plants, and marine lifeSheds light on newly discovered species and draws on the latest scienceAn essential resource for anyone interested in Madagascar or tropical ecosystems in general, from biologists and conservationists to ecotourists and armchair naturalists

"This is a sweeping account of Madagascar past and present, from a land locked in the heart of Gondwana to its emergence as an island, from landscapes populated by dinosaurs to forests filled with the unique array of species alive today, and from a place unknown to people to one where human impact on the environment is a pressing concern. Alison Richard has immersed herself in research and conservation in Madagascar for nearly fifty years, and is an expert guide. Her book, seamlessly integrating scientific research and detailed natural history with personal experiences, shows both what connects this biodiversity hotspot to the rest of the world through time, and what separates it. Along the way, she reflects on how our world views shape the way we interpret evidence and the importance of the stories we tell about Madagascar in our understanding of this unique place and the conservation of its rich natural heritage"--