Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife [Paperback]

David Burnie (Author), Don E. Wilson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 2005

This authoritative volume starts with a clear introduction to the animal world, examining the reasons for the apparently infinite variety of animal forms and the major evolutionary developments. Animal anatomy, life-cycles and the principles of classification are also explored. This is followed by a superbly illustrated survey of world habitats, showing how animals have adapted to each environment and the threats that face both wildlife and plants today. The main part of the book, an up-to-date and comprehensive animal catalogue, looks in detail at each major group and provides absorbing profiles of over 2,000 individual species. Spectacular photographic portraits bring a vast array of animals vividly to life, with special features on well-known and important creatures such as the Galapagos tortoise. Each species profile is supported by maps and symbols showing distribution and habitat, as well as key information on size, population and conservation status, forming a valuable reference database.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Over 2,000 species, from the tiny spider mite to the massive blue whale, are profiled in DK's astonishingly wonderful Animal, produced in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution and more than 70 expert zoologists. To call this book "profusely illustrated" is to seriously underrepresent page after page of breathtaking photos capturing each creature in sharp images, thrumming with life. Even the page borders are covered with collages of animal skins to indicate which class of organisms is represented in that section--every inch of this heavy book is gorgeous.

Besides heft and beauty, Animal has authority. Editors-in-chief David Burnie and Don E. Wilson are top biologists, and they have assembled a crack team of consultants for each section of the book. For instance, Richard Rosenblatt of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography takes charge of the chapter on fishes, so all the classification, behavior, and distribution data is up-to-date and full of the kind of detail that comes from years of professional specialization. In addition to basic size, location, and status information, each animal gets a short, one- to two-paragraph description, enough to give a feel for the creature:

The blackfin icefish produces a natural "antifreeze," enabling it to survive in the subzero waters of the Antarctic. It lacks red blood cells and hence looks rather pale, but has excellent blood circulation, and a strong heart which weighs as much as that of a small mammal. Its large, toothy mouth led to it being called the crocodile fish by 19th-century whalers.

Biodiversity has never been more at the forefront of biologists' concerns, and Animal reports on the issues critical to ecology, from habitat loss to the species that are most endangered within each class.

This book is an ideal browsing reference for all experience levels, as well as a delightful addition to the collection of any animal enthusiast or classroom. Of necessity, not all species are covered, but as a general source of information down to the genus level, Animal excels. Don't be put off by the price! Extraordinarily beautiful, biologically accurate, and packed with furry, feathery, finny, many-legged delights, Animal is one of the very best science books of 2001. --Therese Littleton --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Stunning photographs (e.g., of wolves snarling over a half-eaten meal or a falcon's perspective as it perches on a city roof) will elevate this book beyond a coffee-table or reference shelf existence. Every aspect of the book seizes attention. The first 80 pages clarify information on classification, habitats and behavior with charts, maps, photographs and illustrations. The remaining six chapters focus on numerous specific species and subspecies, divided into broad groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and invertebrates. Readers learn, for instance, that the curlew's long, curved beak is touch-sensitive for seeking out food hidden in mud and sand; plovers, on the other hand, though they share the curlew's habitat, have short bills for picking up food they can see. The editors provide endangered-species information at the end of each chapter. The varying size and shape of the photographs some cropped cleanly around their subject, some showing the interaction of the animal with its environment compel the reader onward, as do the assorted full-page spreads and action sequences (e.g., of a whale breaching). Text entries are both edifying and brief. But for its heft, this book is almost impossible to put down. (Oct.)Forecast: With so much visual and textual stimulus for both children and adults, this title is destined to become a staple in bookstores.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (September 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756616344
• ISBN-13: 978-0756616342
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing (And A Great Price, Too!), October 2, 2005

By 

Janet Boyer "Author, Blogger, Radio Host" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife (Paperback)

My husband and I saw this book in a large bookstore chain last week and were totally intrigued. It was displayed near the checkout counter and the colorful cover photo of the fierce, unusual mandrill caught our eye.

When I picked up the book, it was HEAVY. Very heavy. It weighs more than my cats! (We're talking about eleven pounds here.)

We flipped through the pages, utterly fascinated by the arresting color photos and intriguing information offered for hundreds of animals. Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish, Invertabrates--they're all here.

Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife introduces readers to the principles of classification and even provides a colorful chart for the classification levels. The book describes Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species and how they apply to all the animals. (Remember 8th grade biology and having to learn all this?!). Throughout the book, mini-charts are extrapolated for each creature so you know their classification at a glance.

For example, tiger classification would be:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Panthera
Species: Panthera tigris

In addition to the classification system, the Introduction discusses Habitats such as grasslands, desert, tropical forest, mountains, polar regions, coral reefs, and more.

The colorful photographs are stunning, showing a wide variety of species. For example, you won't find one type of monkey. You'll find many--*with* color pictures and stats.

Designed in an easy-to-read encyclopedic format, extensive data--including unusual facts--are provided for the creatures, including:

*Location (With mini-map)
*Habitat symbols
*Weight
*Social Unit (Mammals only)
*Migration
*Plumage (Birds only)
*Breeding
*Classification key
*Status (Common, Vulnerable, Endangered, etc.)

and much more.

The sheer amount of color photos on these glossy pages--sometimes filling up a page and half's worth of space--were amazing enough. But that this book is presented in an easy-to-understand, engaging style is--perhaps--even *more* amazing!

My husband and I "oohed" and "ahhhed" in the bookstore as we investigated various animals and discovered amazing facts. For example, did you know that giraffes move from a walk directly to a gallop because their long legs and short body make trotting impossible without tripping? That they can reach speeds exceeding 31 mph? That they must splay their legs--and even bend at the knee--when they drink water? Why? Well, their heart pumps blood at an enormous pressure in order to reach their brain when upright. When their head lowers to drink, a series of one-way valves regulate the blood's force and flow to prevent damage to the brain.

Fascinating, no?

We keep this book in the living room so we can pick it up any time just to look at the pictures or learn something my new. Even my son picks it up to browse through, often asking us questions. For example, lemurs feature prominently in the movie Madagascar--as well as the PBS show Zoobamoofoo. My son then asked me to look up lemurs--and was delighted to see all the different kinds!

At 624 pages, Animal - The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife is a great book for those who are curious about animals. It's also a great reference for homeschoolers, especially in terms of biology and earth science. Lastly, if your spiritual path includes shamanism and power animals, this book is a GREAT resource for learning the behaviors and attributes of various creatures--which will help you learn more about the spiritual ramifications of your spirit animal/s.

(P.S. Amazon's price is about $9 cheaper than what we paid at the bookstore. What a great deal for such a hefty, informative book!)

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book deserves 10 stars!, December 13, 2001

By 

JLind555 - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife (Hardcover)

"Animal" is probably THE book to have if you want to have a reference to animal life on earth. Awesomely designed, stunningly photographed, meticulously organized, this book is an absolute treasure house. Visually it's unbelievably gorgeous; the design and organization are inspired; the photographs are breathtaking; it's easy to read and fun to browse through. It's hefty (over 8 pounds)and packed with references to most of the known animal genera on this planet. As beautiful as it is, this is no "coffee table" tome designed for show; "Animal" is an extremely valuable reference that will be used and explored over and over again... And at Amazon.com's price (...) it's the book bargain of the decade. This is one book you'll want to share with your family for generations to come.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR!, November 1, 2001

By 

Sandra D. Peters "Seagull Books" (Prince Edward Island, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife (Hardcover)

(...)If you are an animal lover, or want to use the book as a reference guide, this book will appeal to you. (...) To date I have seen no other book quite like it on any book shelf. Every fact and aspect of animal life is included here and the photographs are absolutely out of this world! Classification, behaviour, habitat and everything you wanted to know about each species in the animal kingdom is contained here and it is quite in-depth. What a wonderful gift this would make for that special animal lover on your list, and it would also make an excellent coffee table book for yourself.

(...) Highly recommended and worth a million stars in rating.