Customer Reviews (4)

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

Book Description
The National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World describes in fascinating detail all 120 species of the world's whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions, manatees, Marine and Sea Otters, and the Polar Bear. Written by a team of experts 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 the subject.

Organized by the four major groups of marine mammals—marine fissipeds, pinnipeds, cetaceans, and sirenians—the species descriptions include:

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

A general introduction outlines the evolution and taxonomy of marine mammals, distribution, migration, watching guidelines, identification techniques, organizations and laws that protect marine mammals, and more.

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

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

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

Customer Reviews (9)

Great field guide
I work on a small passenger ship, and we always keep a copy of this book on the bridge for mammal sightings. The photos are great, as are the overview charts showing comparative sizes. The descriptions of behavior give people some insight into the lives of these wonderful creatures.

Superb book
This book is really great as it's full of very informative and interesting facts as well lots of colour photos and every species mentioned is illustrated. Excellent.

National Audubon Society Guide to Marine Mammals of the World
This is the only book we use on the Monterey Peninsula to go out whale watching with.It identifies quickly and covers all the marine mammals.Perfect field guide.

Awesome
This books is very informational.I have gotten a lot of information from it and the pictures are fabulous!I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Marine Mammals.My daughter wants to be a Marine Biologist/Marine Mammal Trainer and this book gave her all the right information at the right time.

Much more than expected!
Audubon has certainly delivered their best in this marine life field guide! When I bought this, I expected it to be the usual good Audubon repeat of their previous field guides. I was quite impressed by the number of species inserted, and the special illustrations used along with it. There are a surprising number of families and subspecies listed also.
The whales and dolphins section is the best part of the guide, listing rare and endangered species. I don't suspect anyone has heard of the "Tucuxi" dolphin, have they? Rather than just listing commonly seen or normal species, Audubon has done extensive research on others, and has inserted dozens or more in each family section, making identification completely unmistakable. The seals and sea lions covered are no different in variety and number of listings. However, many of the seals listed are subspecies of 6 previous listings.
The binding is usual quality by Audubon publishers, making an excellent reading book, whether on a boat trip, in a car, or simply in an easy chair at home. Forget other Marine Mammal Guides, and make an extensive search for this! ... Read more

Book 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

Book 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 (7)

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.

A must read for preparing for this career!!!!
This book is an easy read and gives simple explanations. However, it is packed with valuable tips! I recently had an interview for an internship in marine mammal training and every question that they asked in the interview was on the list of questions that were in this book. It gives great tips on how to prepare for the career and what the employers are REALLY looking for.

A book after my own heart!
Finally!A book that was written after my own heart!I've had the same dream to one day work with marine mammals since I was 7 years old. I'm 18 now, and that dream has still not changed. But because it is such a competative and unique job, it's not every day you run into a dolphin trainer and therefore, it's difficult to get direct information about just how to go about doing this.Of course I've researched many different books about these beautiful animals, but it's not every day that you find a guide on how to actually achieve this dream career!Imagine how thrilledI was to find this book!It's an inside look at working with marine mammals, by a senior trainer himself.Terry gave me tips and suggestions that I would never have thought of, nor realized until it was perhaps too late.Preparing youself with the proper experience is one of the most important things, and with the help of the "aquarium guide" I discovered that there is a small marine aquarium, not 40 minutes from me, where they have volunteer programs that involve the rescue and rehabilitation of dolphins, otters, and sea turtles.Thank you to Terry Samansky for this wonderful book!I'm sure I will be referring to it throughout my continued career search! ... Read more

Book 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: · Marine mammals as sentinels of ocean health · Emerging and resurging diseases · Thorough revision of the Immunology chapter · Diagnostic imaging chapters to illustrate new techniques · Quick reference for venipuncture sites in many marine mammals · Unusual mortality events and mass strandings · New topics such as a chapter on careers · Wider 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 (2)

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.

This is a great book... if it is something you need!
THis is an exceptional book if you are interested in understanding the health and care of marine mammals.If you aren't interested in these areas then it is probably not a good choice of reading material! ... Read more

Book Description
Combining excellent science with accessible style, the Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals is an indispensable resource on the fascinating warm-blooded creatures of the sea. The contributions of more than 200 leading international authorities have made this single volume the guide for studyig the entire range of marine mammals.

Organized alphabetically, more the 280 articles are devoted to wide range of topics -- from the specific behavior and physiology of cetaceans and pinnipeds, to ecology, population biology, human effects and interaction, and research methodology.

Up-to-date, accessible, and scientifically sound, the Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals will occupy a central place in any marine science library.

KEY FEATURES
*Complete Species List, featuring both living and extinct mammals;
*Comprehensive Glossary with definitions for more than 1,000 specialized terms;
*Extensive cross-referencing between articles;
*Abundant visual resources -- photographs, line drawings, maps, tables, and figures

KEY FEATURES
*Complete Species List, featuring both living and extinct mammals
*Comprehensive Glossary with definitions for more than 1,000 specialized terms
*Extensive cross-referencing between articles
*Abundant visual resources -- photographs, line drawings, maps, tables, and figures ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent Resource on Marine Mammals
I'm thoroughly pleased with this book, which is an indispensable resource on all forms of marine mammals, extinct and extant. The book has provided indepth essays from the foremost experts in respective fields, with helpful diagrams and accompanying images, throughout.

A must have for every student of marine mammalogy!
This book is easy to use and provides comprehensive information for such a variety of topics that every student of marine mammals should have it in their library.I recommend it to students who are just starting their journey into marine mammal studies! ... Read more

Product Description
Guide to Marine Mammals of Alaska is the only book that exclusively covers all 29 marine mammal species of Alaska. Each whale, porpoise, dolphin, seal, sea lion, walrus, sea otter, and polar bear is described and illustrated. Color photos and surface profile drawings show Alaska marine mammals and compare similar species, and color range maps show distribution. Mammal characteristics and descriptions are presented in a format that allows fast, accurate identification at sea. The 80-page, richly illustrated book is printed on durable water-resistant paper, and is spiral bound to give years of service outdoors and in the office, classroom, and home. The 2007 (third) edition of this award-winning book has been brought up to date with the latest range and status information, and features outstanding artwork and 25 new photos. ... Read more

Book 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 (2)

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

Book 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.

Customer Reviews (2)

Lots of info, but misleading at times
The NRC report contains much valuable information and some important recommendations, but there is some language that is open to misinterpretation. For example, the statement that "[n]o scientific studies have conclusively demonstrated a link between exposure to sound and adverse effects on a marine mammal population" would have more accurately reflected the current state of science if it had been written "there is currently not enough known about marine mammals or the impacts of anthropogenic sound to conclusively demonstrate whether there is or is not a link between exposure to sound and adverse effects on a marine mammal population."

While the long-term plan for management of sub-lethal effects proposed in the NRC report is a good one, the suggestions for management in the interim did not always consider cumulative and synergistic effects, the context of exposure (e.g., if a particular animal was more vulnerable, such as a calf), and the impacts of masking (i.e., `drowning out' biologically important sounds, such as communication). The report also failed to address the limitations of relying on self-reporting for observed takes, which even now cannot include unseen mortalities, such as a dolphin that falls loose from a net after it has drowned.

A more detailed discussion of the NRC report was published in the Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy volume 9, pages 91-99 in 2006.

Excellent as long as you know the intent.
This fairly short (50 pages or so) discussion of the marine mammals issue (primarily related to anthropogenic (man made) ambient noise in the ocean) is NOT a technical discussion or standards document. It deals more in laying the foundation for future studies and suggesting policy directions. Wih that in mind it's excellent and was never intended to be more than that. I suspect that within the next year or so you'll begin to see official efforts focus on establishing standards and methods. This document is pricey but almost mandatory if you are involved in the marine mammal issue. ... Read more

Product Description
THIS IS A SIMPLE 14 PAGE BOOKLET COVERING SALARIES,TYPE OF JOBS INVOLVE,HOW TO WRITE A COVER LETTER WITH AN APPLICATION,THIS HAS ALOT OF INFORMATION IN IT O HELP YOU GET STARTED. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Must For Environmentalists and Marine Animal Lovers!
The truth behind many hot environmental topics is discussed in this book and also displayed using many graphs and charts.Everything from the dolphin-tuna controversy to the seal and sea lion over-populationproblemin the Northwest and how they effectsalmon is covered in this one book. This book is fabulous and gives insite from every angle imaginable. Unfortunately, there are no color plates. ... Read more

Book Description
This book provides a general introduction to the biology of marine mammals, and an overview of the adaptations that have permitted mammals to succeed in the marine environment. Each chapter, written by experts in their field, will provide an up-to-date review and present the major discoveries and innovations in the field. Important technical advances such as satellite telemetry and time-depth-recorders will be described in boxes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good, simple approach and almost all inclusive.
Great book at giving the readers dynamic information not just about marine mammals, but also their systematic relationships. It is inclusive of both fossil and extant taxa. Covers most aspects of pinniped, cetacea, and sirenian biology. It is highly understandable to the novice of phylogenetic systematics. ... Read more

Book Description
Many marine mammals communicate by emitting sounds that pass through water. Such sounds can be received across great distances and can influence the behavior of these undersea creatures. In the past few decades, the oceans have become increasingly noisy, as underwater sounds from propellers, sonars, and other human activities make it difficult for marine mammals to communicate. This book discusses, among many other topics, just how well marine mammals hear, how noisy the oceans have become, and what effects these new sounds have on marine mammals. The baseline of ambient noise, the sounds produced by machines and mammals, the sensitivity of marine mammal hearing, and the reactions of marine mammals are also examined.
An essential addition to any marine biologist's library, Marine Mammals and Noise will be especially appealing to marine mammalogists, researchers, policy makers and regulators, and marine biologists and oceanographers using sound in their research. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Marine Mammals and Noise
This is and excellent book for the researcher, graduate student, or undergrad (with some physics under his or her belt), who wants to learn about the effects of underwater noise on marine mammals. Currently this topic is the focus of much interest and is one of the most active areas of marine mammology research.Richardson et al. do an excellent job explaining the technical information, and have organized the book chapters in a logical sequence.Most terms are explicitly defined and the use of technical jargon is kept to a minimum.This book is a must for any researcher, or student, in the field. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Beautiful!
This book describes the marine life of the Gulf of Mexico with numerous color photos and paintings by artist Larry Foster. This is a well-written and highly-recommended reference guide that will be particularly useful toreaders or travelers visiting the Gulf.

Included in the book is a set ofdrawings of the skulls of Gulf species allow readers who find beachedanimals to identify the animal. Sketches provide dorsal, ventral andlateral views.

The authors discuss the environmental problems of theGulf as they affect marine mammals, concluding: "Suffice it to saythat our love for these creatures has the capacity of being turned into apositive conservation force, not for just them but also for their fragileenvironments worldwide." This is a recommended title! ... Read more

Product Description
A reintroduction to the first detailed written account of whales and pinnipedsThis volume reprinted with a new foreword by whale expert Dick Russell has long been a highly regarded classic of natural history writing. At the time of the book s original publication, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported thatno more devoted investigator of the whale and its habits ever existed than Captain Scammon.Scammon s Lagoon, in Baja California, is named after the captain in honor of his discovery of the favorite calving spot for gray whales.Until the book s publication in 1872, whales, dolphins, and other sea mammals were among the least known of the larger animals of North America. As the captain of a whaling ship, Scammon closely observed and made detailed measurements of the animals he was tracking. Despite the lack of sophisticated tools, Scammon was able to gather vital information, much of which has been confirmed by contemporary science. Russell, in his foreword, details the evolution of Scammon s attitude from that of a whaler and profiteer to a pioneer conservationist with respect and admiration for the animals he studied. ... Read more

Book Description

From the giant bottlenosed whale and the West Indian manatee to the crabeater seal and hourglass dolphin, from the pygmy sperm whale to the spotted-necked otter, marine mammals are among the most fascinating--and most watched--of the earth's many animal species. Some, such as dolphins, are known for their intelligence, friendliness toward humans, and surprisingly sophisticated social behavior. In addition, all these animals are sources of fascination for the special adaptations they have undergone for life in and around the water, for their unique methods of communication ("whale song"), and for the endangered status of many species.

Now Ronald M. Nowak offers a comprehensive guide to this fascinating and varied order of mammals. Walker's Marine Mammals of the World includes scientific and common names, the number and distribution of species, measurements and physical traits, habitat, daily and seasonal activity, population dynamics, home range, social life, reproduction, longevity, and status of threatened species.

A foreword by John E. Heyning is engagingly written for the general reader, while a more detailed and substantive introduction by Randall R. Reeves and Brent S. Stewart discusses issues in greater depth for the specialist. Illustrated with more than 140 detailed black and white photographs, this book will be welcomed by marine mammal experts and enthusiasts alike.