Product Description
The National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals ofthe World describes in fascinating detail all 120 species of theworld's whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions, manatees,Marine and Sea Otters, and the Polar Bear. Written by a team ofexperts and featuring more than 320 illustrations, 418 photographs,and 123 maps, this new guide offers more authoritative, up-to-date,and accessible information than any book previously published on thesubject.

Organized by the four major groups of marine mammals--marinefissipeds, pinnipeds, cetaceans, and sirenians--the speciesdescriptions include:

Full-color paintings, some depicting males and females, juveniles,subspecies, or special features. Color photographs showing appearancein the wild and illustrating typical behaviors. Life history data,including length and weight at various life stages, and lifespan. Range and habitat text and a full-color range map based on themost current information. Facts about social organization, surfacebehaviors, swimming, and diving. Information on mating behavior,breeding, and the rearing of young. Details about food items andforaging techniques.Estimates of population in the wild, pluscurrent and historic threats.

A general introduction outlines the evolution and taxonomy of marinemammals, distribution, migration, watching guidelines, identificationtechniques, organizations and laws that protect marine mammals, andmore.

Introductions to groups include comparative size illustrations,discussion of behaviors particular to the group, and other uniquefeatures.

A useful illustrated glossary of terms and an index of species namescomplete the guide.

Exquisitely detailed illustrations, stunning photographs, and clearlywritten text combine to make this an indispensible reference sourcefor marine mammal watchers and anyone interested in the natural world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

A up to date field guide and overview
This book gives an overall overview of every marine mammal in the world. It is a perfect field guide. The images are real and a very important feature of this book is it divides the mammals taxonomically.

Super book
I bought this book for a marine mammals class I'm taking and every time I pick it up to study I just end up looking at all of the great pictures for an hour. It's really a neat book. It arrived really fast after I ordered it.

good field guide for the field
beautiful illustrations and good quick reference info.
size makes it a great field guide to carry.
not as detailed as some other texts on each species behavior and life histories

Must have for field enthusiasts
I'm a researcher with marine mammals and this guide is a continuous source of reference. The text is clear, the pictures and illustrations, very good. This copy I bought for a student of mine, and I recommend it for everyone. This isn't a technical text, and don't have references, so researchers looking for referenced material should look elsewhere. However, the basic informations for the species are very well presented and easy to find. As I said, very good to have at hand when you need to know the lenght at birth of a blue whale or the maximum weight of an Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphin.

Excellent
since I am taking animal husbandry in college this book is helpful. very fast delievvery and perfect condition ... Read more

Product Description
Marine mammals command a high level of public attention, reflected in specific legislation for their protection and management in many countries. They also present particular challenges to ecologists and conservation biologists. They are mostly difficult to observe, they occupy an environment that is vast in its three dimensional extent, there are often perceived conflicts between marine mammals and people, and furthermore several species are now close to extinction.

Marine mammals have some intriguing features in their biology - the ability to dive to crushing depths, to perform breath-hold dives that defy our current understanding of mammalian physiology, and many have an ability to hunt down prey using sophisticated sonar that we are only just beginning to understand. Many species also have complex social structures. We still have much to learn about these extraordinary animals so a comprehensive and authoritative overview of current methodology is now timely. The intention of this book is both to summarize the state-of-the-art and to encourage innovation and further progress in this research field. ... Read more

Product Description
This behind-the-scenes look at careers in marine mammal care and training addresses questions such as What is it really like to be a trainer? and How can I become one, too? and offers strategies and alternatives to help identify potential career options in this field. It covers a variety of aspects involved in being a trainer, from typical days on the job and training different behaviors to the kind of education needed and the value of swimming and scuba skills. This thorough guide contains a comprehensive bibliography for additional reference and an invaluable resource directory with extensive contact information for more than 150 educational, governmental, and professional sources around the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

a bit obvious but great resources!
The book was short and had a lot of information I was already aware of, but the author gives a lot of good book resources and places to look into in each state. There were sample interview questions that were helpful. Definitely useful!

Great condition
Book was in great condition. Didn't get it as quick as I wanted but also didn't wait too long.

A new bible!
Finally, I have a book that I can turn to, to answer all of my questions about marine animal training! It has become like a bible to me, and whenever I can, I flip through. All the tips seem like they would give you the back door advantage, meaning you'd have a better advantage than a person who hasn't read it, in getting a job!

Needs more detail
This book is okay, but would have been MUCH more useful had the writer included more specifics. Sure, you need to take psychology courses, but which courses are most useful??? It's well written, but more of an overview, which (for me) was not very useful.

obvious but good
If you're just beginning to think about a career with marine mammals than this is a great book, that might change your perspective and help you decide if being a marine mammal trainer is really what you want to do. However if you're already on your way to becomming one than most of it you have probabily already figured out your self. I did however find the directory of marine mammal facilities, including specifically what animals they have, extremely helpful. especially the international section. I do have a few corrections however, first the pittsburg zoo no longer has an amazon river dolphin, it passed away in 2002 and to the best of my knowledge the brooklyn aquarium does not have dolphins, only belugas. ... Read more

Product Description
With coverage on all the marine mammals of the world, authors Jefferson, Webber, and Pitman have created a user-friendly guide to identify marine mammals alive in nature (at sea or on the beach), dead specimens "in hand", and also to identify marine mammals based on features of the skull. This handy guide provides marine biologists and interested lay people with detailed descriptions of diagnostic features, illustrations of external appearance, beautiful photographs, dichotomous keys, and more. Full color illustrations and vivid photographs of every living marine mammal species are incorporated, as well as comprehendible maps showing a range of information. For readers who desire further consultation, authors have included a list of literature references at the end of each species account. For an enhanced understanding of habitation, this guide also includes recognizable geographic forms described separately with colorful paintings and photographs. All of these essential tools provided make Marine Mammals of the World the most detailed and authoritative guide available!

* Contains superb photographs of every species of marine mammal for accurate identification
* Authors' collective experience adds up to 80 years, and have seen nearly all of the species and distinctive geographic forms described in the guide
* Provides the most detailed and anatomically accurate illustrations currently available
* Special emphasis is placed on the identification of species in "problem groups," such as the beaked whales, long-beaked oceanic dolphin, and southern fur seals
* Includes a detailed list of sources for more information at the back of the book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

marine mammal guide
a very good field guide for all marine mammals worldwide.
lots of great illustrations and photos to help id's
extensive life histories and behavioral info as well.
best guide I've ever seen!

Excellent guide
This is THE identification guide for the marine mammals of the world. The species' reviews is more than usual in this kind of guides, very detailed and with current information. It is plenty of photographs and figures, almost all of them very explicit.The species list reflects the changing, and in some cases unclear, taxonomy of cetaceans.Recently described species are included (eg. snubfin dolphin, Omuras' whale).IUCN status is also included.Hardcover is a good thing, but with very thin pages inside, keep it in the vessel's bridge!.

not perfect but one of the most inclusive references available
This is one reference that will be at the front of my shelf for awhile. For each species, there are artist renderings showing showing key physical features. In some cases only the male is illustrated whereas other species show male, female and calf and/or regional 'types' (e.g. Dalli-type and Truei-type Dall's porpoise. Stranded and at-sea photos are included in many cases as well as a map showing primary and 'possible primary range'. Extralimital records are usually noted with a red dot. I admit that I typically pay the most attention to sections on Ziphiid whales vs other cetaceans/marine mammals and this reference includes all of the more recently described Mesoplodon species as well as updated information on Indopacetus. However, a number of items were omitted or misstated:
(1) distribution map of M. traversii showing 3 'confirmed sightings' locations. These locations are the locations of skeletal remains used to describe the species. The only sighting information I have found refers to Mesoplodon Species 'B' which Pitman hypothesizes may be M. traversii (Pitman and Lynn 2001 Mar. Mamm. Sci. 17(3):648-657)
(2) failure to include discussion of the possibility of a subspecies or new species from Kiribati/Palmyra (3 specimens)related to M. ginkgodens based on DNA 'taxonomy' findings and possible subspecies designation of northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere populations of M. mirus whose disjunct distribution and DNA analysis supports this possibility (Dalebout et. al. 2007 Mar Mamm Sci (23)4:954-966)
(3) lack of at-sea photos of Tasmacetus which are included in Pitman et. al. 2006 Mar. Mamm. Sci 22(3):744-755
(4) minor editing problem in Hyperoodon ampullatus 'Ecology and behavior' secton with repetition of 2 sentences using slightly different wording

Whales, Dolphins, and Other Marine Mammals of the World (Princeton Field Guides) by Hadoram Shirihai and Brett Jarrett is the only other reference I've found that includes all the recently described Ziphiid species. Shirihai and Jarrett is formatted as a field guide whereas Jefferson et. al. is formated as a reference tool. ... Read more

Product Description
This thorough revision of the classic first edition brings this authoritative book right up-to-date. Articles describe every species in detail, based on the very latest taxonomy, and a host of biological, ecological and sociological aspects relating to marine mammals. The latest information on the biology, ecology, anatomy, behavior and interactions with man is provided by a cast of expert authors - all presented in such detail and clarity to support both marine mammal specialists and the serious naturalist. Fully referenced throughout and with a fresh selection of the best color photographs available, the long-awaited 2nd edition remains at the forefront as the go-to reference on marine mammals.

* More than 20% NEW MATERIAL includes articles on Climate Change, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Sociobiology, Habitat Use, Feeding Morphology and more
* Over 260 articles on the individual species with topics ranging from anatomy and behavior, to conservation, exploitation and the impact of global climate change on marine mammals
* New color illustrations show every species and document topical articles

FROM THE FIRST EDITION
"This book is so good...a bargain, full of riches...packed with fascinating up to date information. I recommend it unreservedly it to individuals, students, and researchers, as well as libraries".
- Richard M. Laws, MARINE MAMMALS SCIENCE

"...establishes a solid and satisfying foundation for current study and future exploration"
- Ronald J. Shusterman, SCIENCE ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An official description:
A comprehensive manual for understanding and dealing with a stranded seal, manatee, dolphin, whale, or sea otter, Marine Mammals Ashore: A Field Guide for Strandings contains information for the interested beach dweller or student and for the scientist or marine resource manager.
Marine Mammals Ashore describes rescue operations, how to organize a response team, and how to deal with the media and the public. It includes basic information on marine mammal biology, life history, and health and an extensive bibliography.

Marine Mammals Ashore also provides stranding network participants with practical guidelines for collecting data and specimens to better understand the biology and behavior of marine animals and the condition of their environment.
... Read more

Product Description
CRC Handbook of Marine Mammal Medicine, Second Edition is the only handbook specifically devoted to marine mammal medicine and health. With 66 contributors working together to craft 45 scientifically-based chapters, the text has been completely revised and updated to contain all the latest developments in this field. Building upon the solid foundation of the previous edition, the contents of this book are light-years ahead of the topics presented in the first edition. See what's new in the Second Edition:oMarine mammals as sentinels of ocean healthoEmerging and resurging diseasesoThorough revision of the Immunology chapter oDiagnostic imaging chapters to illustrate new techniquesoQuick reference for venipuncture sites in many marine mammalsoUnusual mortality events and mass strandingsoNew topics such as a chapter on careersoWider scope of coverage including species outside of the United States and Canada Filled with captivating illustrations and photographs, the Handbook guides you through the natural history of cetaceans, pinnipeds, manatees, sea otters, and polar bears. Prepared in a convenient, easy-to-use format, it is designed specifically for use in the field. Covering more than 40 topics, this one-of-a-kind reference is packed with data. The comprehensive compilation of information includes medicine, surgery, pathology, physiology, husbandry, feeding and housing, with special attention to strandings and rehabilitation. The CRC Handbook of Marine Mammal Medicine, Second Edition is still a must for anyone interested in marine mammals. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

koo koo kachoo!!!
This book was a real godsend. I live in a relatively isolated area in Northern Alaska so when my walrus developed an abscessed tooth I was in real trouble. Luckily my neighbor Oooglit had a copy of this book that he was willing to lend me. So with this book, some vodka, a pair of pliers and a mallet I was able to complete my home dentistry project on Noodles (my walrus).

Also, as a thank you to my neighbor Ooglit, I was able to do some corrective orthopedic surgery on Ooglit's brother Nús'k Gugán using the same book and tools with slightly more vodka.

excellent resource
An excellent resource for marine mammal veterinarians, techs and researchers interested in or working in marine mammal medicine.

great up-to-date resource
This book contains articles that are current and relevant to the field of marine mammal medicine and is great for the researcher as well as the student.It's a great compilation of some of the best work in the field. ... Read more

Product Description
Berta and Sumich have succeeded yet again in creating superior marine reading! This book is a succinct yet comprehensive text devoted to the systematics, evolution, morphology, ecology, physiology, and behavior of marine mammals. The first edition, considered the leading text in the field, is required reading for all marine biologists concerned with marine mammals. Revisions include updates of citations, expansion of nearly every chapter and full color photographs. This title continues the tradition by fully expanding and updating nearly all chapters.

* Comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of the biology of all marine mammals
* Provides a phylogenetic framework that integrates phylogeny with behavior and ecology
* Features chapter summaries, further readings, an appendix, glossary and an extensive bibliography
* Exciting new color photographs and additional distribution maps ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Awesome book
I bought this book for my Marine Mammals class and I love it. I usually don't keep my books at the end of the term, but I think this one's a keeper. It's really interesting and it's smaller than most text books so it's easy to read. It came really fast, within a couple of days with the standard shipping that was like $3.00. I bought 2 books for this class and saved $30.00 from what the school book store would have charged. Good deal.

Fantastic!!
This book is a really great find. It goes through the evolution of cetaceans and pinnapeds. It uses some wild termanology but they are all defined for you. It covers every aspect of marine mammal evolution. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in whales and dolhpins or seals and sea lions.

Es un libro basico
Este es uno de los libros basicos para los mastozoologos marinos, ya que se hace una revision sobre la evolucion de los mamiferos marinos. ... Read more

Product Description
Despite strong public interest in marine mammals and the incredible popularity of whale watching, particularly in the North Atlantic, many marine mammal populations remain little known. This fully illustrated book is a comprehensive and attractive guide to the marine mammals of the North Atlantic--and the only guide to cover all fifty-one species found there. It offers whale watchers and other marine mammal enthusiasts the means to identify the region's seals, manatees, walrus, and polar bear in addition to its forty species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

Distribution maps for each species complement the 250 striking color illustrations. The straightforward text emphasizes diagnostic features but also covers the behavior, reproduction, feeding, habitat, and migration of these intrinsically fascinating animals. In the process, the book sorts out marine mammal taxonomy, answering such questions as how dolphins and porpoises differ and whether killer whales are really dolphins or whales.

As a guide, this book will be invaluable to boaters, divers, shore dwellers, and all who venture into or on North Atlantic water. It will also interest aquarium visitors and anyone who has ever wanted to see a pod of whales, school of dolphins, or society of porpoises in action.

• illustrates and depicts the diagnostic features of all 51 marine mammal species occurring in the North Atlantic
• gives full coverage to not only whales, dolphins, and porpoises but also seals, manatees, the walrus, and the polar bear
• features 250 color illustrations
• contains distribution maps for each species and provides information on behavior, reproduction, and feeding for each species
• describes the North Atlantic as a habitat for marine mammals
• features concise text written by a top expert

Product Description
From gray whales giving birth in the lagoons of Baja California to sea otters nestled in kelp beds off California to killer whales living around Vancouver Island--this spectacular stretch of the Pacific Coast boasts one of the most abundant populations of sea mammals on earth. This handy interpretive field guide describes the 45 whales, dolphins, seals, and otters that are resident in, migrate through, or forage from Baja in Mexico to British Columbia in Canada. The guide's rich species accounts provide details on identification, natural history, distribution, and conservation. They also tell where and how these fascinating animals can best be viewed. Introductory chapters give general information on the ecology, evolution, and taxonomy of marine mammals; on the Pacific Coast's unique environment; and on the relationship between marine mammals and humans from native cultures to today. Featuring many color illustrations, photographs, drawings, and maps, this up-to-date guide illuminates a fascinating group of animals and reveals much about their mysterious lives in the ocean. ... Read more

Product Description
Taking an integrated approach to the biology of marine carnivores, cetaceans, and sirenians, twenty-two prominent researchers compare marine mammals with one another and with terrestrial mammals, providing a framework for fundamental biological and ecological concepts. They describe functional morphology, sensory systems, energetics, reproduction, communication and cognition, behavior, distribution, population biology, and feeding ecology. They also detail the physiological adaptations—for such activities and processes as diving, thermo-regulation, osmoregulation, and orientation—that enable marine mammals to exploit their aquatic environment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Good Shipping
The book was in good shape, and the sjipping was very fast.The book however did not come with the cover and had red highlighting.When buying the book, the description said that it had some highlighting but it should have said more detail.The previose owner was neglectful with the underlining, and the book had smudges of what seems like dirt.The book did not come with the paper cover either.

Bueno pero...
El libro como información es muy bueno. A lo largo de todo el libro se puede encontrar un compendio excelente acerca de todo lo relacionado a la biología marina, con buena información y con una aparente excelente bibliografía. El único gran problema son los gráficos, fuera excelente a full color, pero todos los gráficos son en escala de grises.

excellent resource on marine mammals
I personally feel this book is one of the best comprehensive reviews of marine mammal biology out there.Both of the editors as well as all of the authors of the book are reknowned in their fields of marine mammal science. Reynolds and Rommel compiled a great resource for aspiring marinescientists as well as professionals.

Exelente libro
El contenido es muy bueno, una obra de consulta permanente y actualizada. Cubre todos los enfoques. Realmente es un muy buen compendio de información que por lo general es difícil de conseguir.

biology of marine mammals
excelente mamotreto, grandiosas imagenes y contenido ... Read more

Product Description
Since 1975, over 12,000 animals have been treated at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. An effort that began with locals rescuing sea lions from nearby beaches has grown into the largest marine mammal facility in the world. The center's groundbreaking research and education programs now teach 100,000 people a year how our daily choices affect the marine habitat and our own. This celebration of the history and mission of the Marine Mammal Center is illustrated with full-color photographs and sprinkled with real-life rescue stories, making this a book for animal lovers, environmentalists, and students. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Excellent guide
I purchased this guide for my husband (a newly-minted whale naturalist with the American Cetacean Society) on the recommendation of one of their instructors. He is very pleased with it. On a practical level, it is water resistant and has beautiful pictures which can be easily shared with folks on the whale-watch boat.

Absolutely essential for anyone interested in sea mammals
For a long time I have been searching for guides to help identify whales and dolphins in different parts of the world, but until recently there was very little practically-oriented literature available. In the last few years, that has changed and several groundbreaking regional identification guides are now available: for example Whales and Dolphins of the European Atlantic (Ocean Guides) and Whales & Dolphins of the North American Pacific: Including Seals and Other Marine Mammals. So the non-specialist or casual observer is now in with a fighting chance of identifying those dolphins seen on a coastal hike or whales encountered on a ferry crossing.

At the same time, several references on global marine mammals have appeared, of which Shirihai and Jarrett's compact guide is the best of the bunch. Why? First of all, this guide is compact. At under 400 pages, it is small enough to fit into a coat pocket, yet there is enough information to enable the user to identify (potentially) any marine mammal. So this volume is a true field guide. The book covers sirenians (manatees and dugongs), seals, coastal otters and other marine mammals as well as the cetaceans. The text is concise and emphasises key identification features, but there is still room for notes on behaviour and ecology. There are plenty of plates, both photographic and illustrated - all of them of very high quality. It is clear that author and artist have ample field experience have been able, through this book, to put this squarely at the disposal of the user. Finally, the book is printed on high quality glossy paper, which makes it a pleasure to leaf through at home.

So next time I am off on a trip with a chance of encountering whales or dolphins, I will be packing this handy guide in a addition to whatever regional guides I can get my hands on. Meanwhile, I am enjoying some armchair whale-watching as I leaf through the pages back home.

Chris Sharpe, 16 September 2008. ISBN: 0691127573

THE best field gude on this subject; and one of the best of any natural history field guide
There have been a plethora of field guides on marine mammals and most of them, including several recent ones, such as Carwardine's and the Welles', that are quite good. Shirihai and Jarrett's is in a class by itself.However, it is not really intended as a spotting guide for geographic locations.It illustrates and explains the different variations with all the species, has excellent and distinctive photgraphs,wonderful art work of all species and many variants, fine maps, tells of behavioral and diet diffences for various populations of the same species (and hints where there may be new species, or subspecies, to be found).It is the most comprehensive such guide on this, or almost any other, wildlife family and is at a bargain price, even if Amzn.com hasn't yet discounted it.Don't miss this book! ... Read more

Product Description

Marine mammal conservation presents a number of challenges for scientists and other stakeholders, especially using natural resources in ways that avoid crisis management. Scientists play the special role of providing vital information to decision makers to help them understand long-term consequences of their actions and avoid crises before they develop. The contributors to this visionary work look beyond the current crises to present a compelling argument about how science, if conducted properly, can provide insights that minimize crisis management and implement more anticipatory action.

Despite the significant reduction of marine mammal harvesting, stocks of some species remain greatly reduced or are in decline. This volume provides an overview of the current state of marine mammal populations and identifies the major obstacles facing marine mammal conservation, including fisheries, sonar and other noise pollution, disease, contaminants, algal booms, and habitat loss. The contributors chart a scientifically-supported plan to direct marine management toward a well-defined recovery protocol.

This comprehensive resource will be indispensable for marine mammal biologists, oceanographers, conservation program managers, government regulators, policy makers, and anyone who is concerned about the future of these captivating species.

Product Description

Customer Reviews (8)

Disapointed
Although the graphics were in detail, as an avid saltwater flyfisherman I was disapointed in the discriptions given for the species...When Mackrel was discribedthere was no mentions of Tinker Mackrel a major food souce for Striped Bass who feed on this fish.( What I found interesting was the color plate for"Alantic Mackrel" looked a lot alike Tinker Mackrel.) When Weak fish were discribed a total length of 20 inch was given. I personally caught and released a Weak Fishwell over 28 inches weighing in at 8 pounds.I did not bother to read the rest of the book. I was hoping I could learn something but, I have no idea what the total facts are in species I know not much about. I just don't think there was enough research given when putting this book togather.

Excellent portable field guide
This is a nice little book that covers wildlife of the North Atlantic and easily fits in one's backpack. The illustrations are excellent and the descriptions brief, but comprehensive.

excellent FIELD guide
From Newfoundland to the Azores, I found myself allways pleased, for having such a remarkable friend...to share knowledge and passion about the blue and the magical sea creatures. It helped me a lot.

Essential, practical guide
Succint offshore guide that is perfect for outdoor seashore walks. Fits well in the pocket and has ideal illustrations packaged for convenient rapid reference. Text is pertinent and complements the colored illustrations in a concise relevant way. I can't wait for the next volume addressing the southern shores.

A pleasure in every way
This book is a delight to look at: the illustrations are stunning, the design is clean and elegant. It's a delight to hold: the binding, the quality of the paper, the form factor. And it's a delight to read: the text is clear and concise, while packed with detail. For me, the most compelling aspect of the book is the illustrations, which Lynch brings to life on the pages. I unhesitantly recommend this book to anyone who takes pleasure in the wildlife of the North Atlantic. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good reference if you're in Baja
If you're in Baja -- even on land and just looking out at the water -- you're likely to see whales.This is a good, basic identification guide.I'd recommend it, just probably not rave about it.

Even though I got it in Alaska and it didn't cover ALL the animals I saw while in Baja (we lived on the Sea of Cortez for 6 years), another book that I found really helpful for identification was:

Guide To Marine Mammals of Alaska, Third Edition

Many of the whales that summer in Alaska winter in Baja, and the Alaska book provides good ways to distinguish between similar species.We particularly liked the information on whale blow patterns.

not up to date - not the field guide I'd choose
First thing to do is to cross out the name Mesoplodon hectori and replace it with M. perrini. The animals stranded in CA in the 70's were redescribed as a new species based on DNA work which was published in 2002 (date of publication of this book). Otherwise, this is a basic book with few field photos for identification. Another problem is that it lumps all Delphinus species into one cateogory (calling them all 'saddleback dolphins') without making an effort to separate the long-beaked and short-beaked forms. I'd use Whales, Dolphins, and Other Marine Mammals of the World (Princeton Field Guides) by Hadoram Shirihai & Brett Jarrett which is up-to-date as of 2008 and small enough to function well as a field guide. Although Shirihai & Jarrett covers a larger area (worldwide), it has more of the information required to make tricky field identifications.

Great pictures/info
This booked helped with identifying marine mammals on our recent trip to Baja Mexico.Would definitely recommend! ... Read more

Product Description
This is a hands-on guide for graduate students and young researchers wishing to perfect the practical skills needed for a successful research career. By teaching junior scientists to develop effective research habits, the book helps to make the experience of graduate study a more efficient and rewarding one. The authors have taught a graduate course on the topics covered for many years, and provide a sample curriculum for instructors in graduate schools wanting to teach a similar course. Topics covered include: choosing a research topic, department, and advisor; making workplans; the ethics of research; using scientific literature; perfecting oral and written communication; publishing papers; writing proposals; managing time effectively; and planning a scientific career and applying for jobs in research and industry. The wealth of advice is invaluable to students, junior researchers and mentors in all fields of science, engineering, and the humanities. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

ETM
A must have volume to complement Volume I. Although this volume is rather expensive, it is worth the money in terms of the amount of information given,illustrations of skeletal material, and illustrative restorations.

A MUST for every mammalian paleontologist!
In the editorial review - all stated is very true and extremely useful for any researcher studying the biostratigraphy and evolutionary trends of the mammalian groups within this volume (hopefully volume 2 is coming...someday!).HOWEVER, it is imperative that one double check references, statements, timelines, etc., with collaborating information on the group studied in detail as I have found some errors.Also, please note that each chapter is written by the "specialist" of that group...but not all mammalian paleontologists will agree to their overview.Ahh...the wonders and joys of academia!I am extremely pleased that each chapter on the groups of mammals discussed are organized the same way, thus allowing for consistency and aid in reference localities that may be applicable to several groups of mammals.Another pertinent point to remember is that this type of study is never stagnant as new information regarding fossil finds in new strata and/or localities can constrict or expand the timelines for particular genera, as I have found with the Oligocene fossils found within the White River Badlands, particularly within the Orellan and Whitneyan "NALMAs."Other researchers focused on particular groups would state the same.Nevertheless, this is an excellent starting point for graduate students and other researchers - a must have reference book.Publication references for each chapter appear thorough, it has an excellent index and a decent locality database for each state.Additional information within this tome is also very useful, particularly background data for the various geological times during the Cenozoic. For me, price is definitely not an issue in regards to the information garnered from this book (in addition to the quality of the paper and binding) and now that a paperback is available, it is definitely more affordable for the poor graduate student.I am sure that this book will be updated in the future as new information is published in reputable journals over the years.Janis, Scott and Jacobs have done an excellent job as editors with the enormous task compiling information from the authors in a timely manner so as to get this volume published.If you are a mammalian paleontologist or one that studies the Cenozoic, this is definitely a book to have in your library.

Volume Two is out!It is every bit as good as Volume 1 and covers many of the smaller mammalian taxa that are better used for climatic conditions over time.Nevertheless having both volumes will aid vertebrate paleontologists in finding references, understanding taxon relationships, and immigration/extinction/other events worthy in the field of mammalian paleontology.Again the quality of the book itself (binding, pages) is worth its price...it is a definite plus in my library!

very good but very overpriced
A very useful book for essentially all the genera of mammals in the groups listed in the title.The two things that kept me from giving it 5 stars are; it is VERY overpriced, aside from libraries, few can afford it, also the listings of localities are done a bit ackwardly.Overall a very useful resource. ... Read more

Product Description
The Pacific Ocean off the west coast of North America - ranging from the south coast of Alaska to the Equator - encompasses many marine environments, from warm tropics to cold temperate waters, and from the shallow continental shelf to deep ocean canyons. A diverse number of marine mammals have adapted characteristics to survive and prosper in each of these environments. Beaked and sperm whales spend their time in the deep ocean. Most dolphin species favour warmer waters, while a few prefer cooler climes. Porpoises avoid the tropics altogether. Harbour seals stay near the temperate coast, as do sea otters. Marine Mammals of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest depicts all fifty species of living marine mammals known to inhabit these waters, including the smallest (the sea otter, from the order Carnivora) and the largest (the blue whale, from the Mysticeti suborder of Cetacea). Here, featured in beautiful, full colour illustrations and photos, are all the whales you are likely to see in BC and the Pacific Northwest - from humpbacks, greysand orcas, to bottlenose dolphins and Dall's porpoises - as well as sea lions and five species of seals. This three-fold handy pocket guide also includes a habitat key, identification tips, marine mammal-watching guidelines and an illustrated glossary of common visible behaviours of marine mammals in the wild. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not a book - a waterproof foldout pamphlet
From the description I was expecting a book -- and I expected a book with nice photos since the description mentions photos of 50 species.But this is NOT a book.It is a waterproof fold out single page pamphlet.Nice info, but the photos are tiny and I'll need to use a magnifying glass with them to view the differences between them.This is something maybe to take out when sailing and trying to identify a mammal you've sighted.Not at all what I was expecting, but perhaps some would like it exactly as it is. ... Read more