Portraits of the Animal World

BABY ANIMALS are the key to the survival of any species. Whether cared for until almost adult or abandoned at the egg-laying stage, they are proof of the drive of every living thing to reproduce. From birds, reptiles, and amphibians to fish, spiders, and insects, this pictorial celebration of baby animals covers in detail preparations before birth, birth and development, feeding and growth, self-defense, imitation and play, parental instruction and obligations, and the moment of independence. All living creatures have a wonderful story to tell through the lives of their babies. Absorbing, appealing, and vulnerable, these young creatures just entering the world can also teach us a great deal about ourselves. Entertaining and informative, BABY ANIMALS is just one title from the series Animals in the Wild. Anyone seeking a better understanding of the animal kingdom, especially these diverse creatures, will enjoy this book and the entire series. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources.

GORILLAS share 99 percent of humans' genetic makeup-that's just part of what makes them so interesting. They eat together, and they sleep together. They live in family groups and protect each other. Gorillas have facial expressions that tell us if they are happy, sad, or upset. They laugh when they are tickled. The famous scientist Dian Fossey once even observed a 4-year-old gorilla shed tears after being rescued from poachers. Would you be surprised that a gorilla named Koko learned sign language? In this book, you'll observe gorillas in their natural habitats in Africa. You'll learn about their physical characteristics and behavior and understand the greatest threats that now menace this endangered species. Entertaining and informative, GORILLAS is just one title from the series Animals in the Wild. Anyone seeking a better understanding of the animal kingdom, especially these majestic creatures, will enjoy this book and the entire series. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources.

TIGERS are one of the most beautiful and mysterious creatures on Earth. Their name alone evokes a sense of strength, danger, and savagery. Through many centuries, humans have been fascinated by them-the largest of the great cats. Once roaming freely throughout Asia and into Africa, the world's population of wild tigers has declined to only slightly more than 5,000 due to the enormous destruction of wild places over the past hundred years. Watch and learn as the tiger stalks, chases, and attacks its prey. Gentler moments, such as the playful antics of young cubs under the watchful protection of their mothers, are also included. Entertaining and informative, TIGERS is just one title from the series Animals in the Wild. Anyone seeking a better understanding of the animal kingdom, especially these majestic creatures, will enjoy this book and the entire series. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources.

WOLVES provides a colorful tribute to the largest member of the canine family. The wolf is an intelligent and elusive animal whose habits and annual cycles are only just beginning to be understood. Originating in the Western Hemisphere 5 million years ago, the wolf had already developed and diversified into the remarkable species we know today around 1.5 million years ago. Look inside to learn fascinating statistics about the wolf's anatomical structure, surprising facts about its sensory capacities, how the wolf's life changes throughout the seasons, and explanations of hunting tactics, mating rituals, territory and pack order, denning, and birth. Entertaining and informative, WOLVES is just one title from the series Animals in the Wild. Anyone seeking a better understanding of the animal kingdom, especially these majestic creatures, will enjoy this book and the entire series. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources.

ELEPHANTS is a beautifully illustrated introduction to the nature and the life cycle of one of the Earth's most majestic creatures. The largest of land mammals, the elephant is today a threatened species in some parts of the world. Trace the ancient, respected lineage of this amazing animal. Learn the traits and characteristics of both the African and the Indian elephant as they exist in the wild today. Discover how to recognize and identify the African and Indian species, the feeding and breeding practices of the Indian work elephant as well as the wild African plains elephant, the leading role of the elephant matriarch in a group's natural hierarchy, and the myth surrounding the elephant graveyard. Entertaining and informative, ELEPHANTS is just one title from the series Animals in the Wild. Anyone seeking a better understanding of the animal kingdom, especially these majestic creatures, will enjoy this book and the entire series. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources.

BIG CATS is a lively account of the most remarkable and fascinating of land predators, the world's hunting cats. With their retractable claws, gaping jaws filled with fearsome teeth, alert reflexes, and muscular limbs, big cats are formidable predators as well as familiar and beautiful mammals. As successful predators on the plains or in the mountains and jungles of the world, big cats play an important role in maintaining the overall health of prey animal populations. Discover the ferocious jungle tiger, a feared and often misunderstood "man-eater"; the ever-popular lion, the "king of beasts" and the pride of the African grasslands; the elegant and agile cheetah, the world's fastest land mammal; the stealthy, forest-dwelling mountain lion; and other cats, such as the leopard, the lynx, and the bobcat. Entertaining and informative, BIG CATS is just one title from the series Animals in the Wild. Anyone seeking a better understanding of the animal kingdom, especially these majestic creatures, will enjoy this book and the entire series. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources.

APES & MONKEYS range in size from the tiny pygmy marmoset to the huge gorilla. Their behavior is just as varied-and often amazing. Their intelligence has led to adaptability that has allowed them to thrive in environments all around the world. Explore these intriguing animals' complex, ever-changing social dynamics. Although we are fascinated by these creatures, apes and monkeys have suffered as of late at the hands of humans. Some species are hunted for food by indigenous peoples, and habitat loss is a major threat. Several species, ranging from squirrel monkeys to chimpanzees and orangutans, continue to be exploited by the pet trade. Find out what opportunities we have to live in harmony with these animals, our most closely related species. Entertaining and informative, APES & MONKEYS is just one title from the series Animals in the Wild. Anyone seeking a better understanding of the animal kingdom, especially these fascinating creatures, will enjoy this book and the entire series. Enjoy this book and the entire series. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources.

Of all the animals on Earth, LIONS are one of the most intriguing. Recognized as a symbol of strength by the peoples of many cultures for thousands of years, their place in nature is no less striking. As a fierce and powerful predator, the lion is one of the dominate animals of the African savannas and great plains. It is distinguished by its strong body, cooperative hunting skills, ferocious attack, and mighty roar. As the only social animals in the cat family, lions are known for their preference for living in close family groups called prides. Held together by bonds of mutual trust, pride members become killing teams that fully cooperate in the tracking, stalking, and taking of prey. Entertaining and informative, LIONS is just one title from the series Animals in the Wild. Anyone seeking a better understanding of the animal kingdom, especially these majestic creatures, will enjoy this book and the entire series. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources.

Africa's rich and abundant wildlife has long fascinated the world. AFRICAN WILDLIFE captures the beauty of Africa's creatures in their breathtaking natural settings. Get in-depth information about the grazing herd animals of the plains, along with the carnivores who prey on them for survival. Observe fascinating giants, such as the elephant, rhinoceros, and hippopotamus, as well as such fierce and deadly reptiles as the Nile crocodile and the green mamba. Gorillas, chimpanzees, and baboons add to the continent's wealth of species, as does the abundance of colorful birds, large and small, that help make Africa one of the most intriguing places on earth for wildlife enthusiasts. Entertaining and informative, AFRICAN WILDLIFE is just one title from the series Animals in the Wild. Anyone seeking a better understanding of the animal kingdom, especially these majestic creatures, will enjoy this book and the entire series. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources.

The noble stag with his magnificent antlers, the agile and fearless bighorn ram, and the vulnerable doe and fawn are some of the most evocative and inspiring creatures in the animal kingdom. DEER, ELK & MOUNTAIN GOATS live in peace and tranquility, grazing and browsing as they wander through grasslands, woodlands, and alpine forests. These amazing animals are found in widely varying habitats and are strikingly different in appearance. Meet pronghorns, gazelles, impala, bison, buffalo, and giraffes. These, as well as exotic beasts such as the Oryx and the gerenuk, are shown and described in lively detail. Entertaining and informative, DEER, ELK & MOUNTAIN GOATS is just one title from the series Animals in the Wild. Anyone seeking a better understanding of the animal kingdom, especially these majestic creatures, will enjoy this book and the entire series. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources.

Almost everyone has seen PANDAS in a toy store, on television, or in Internet videos. But very few people have seen these animals in their natural habitat. Why? The panda is among the world's most endangered species. In this early part of the 21st century, the world's wildlife conservation organizations collectively estimate that not more than 1,000 pandas are still in existence. Still, here in these pages, you can learn all about this charismatic animal. There's so much to discover. Did you know pandas have opposable thumbs? See what people are doing to help pandas survive even in the face of habitat loss and a lack of genetic diversity. Entertaining and informative, PANDAS is just one title from the series Animals in the Wild. Anyone seeking a better understanding of the animal kingdom, especially these majestic creatures, will enjoy this book and the entire series. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources.

Discover BEARS, creatures that have for centuries evoked feelings of love, fear, and fascination. Sports teams and even countries have adopted the bear as their symbol. Films, books, and television series have made bear characters famous for all time. And who hasn't hugged at teddy bear as a child? In this book, explore the different species from around the world. Learn facts such as these: the bear family, although carnivorous, is primarily vegetarian and mainly feeds on leaves, roots, nuts, berries, and cones. Bears are not clumsy like you see in cartoons-they can actually outrun humans with very little effort. Bears do not hibernate; they actually enter into a deep sleep from which they can easily be roused. Entertaining and informative, BEARS is just one title from the series Animals in the Wild. Anyone seeking a better understanding of the animal kingdom, especially these majestic creatures, will enjoy this book and the entire series. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources.