Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles of the Galapagos Islands: An Identification Guide (Paperback)

by Andy Swash (Author), Rob Still (Author) "This book aims to provide a handy yet comprehensive field guide to help visitors to Galapagos identify with confidence any bird, mammal or reptile they..." (more)
Key Phrases: Santa Cruz, Adult Length, South America (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Anyone traveling to the Galápagos Islands should have a copy." -- K. L. Williams, Choice

Product Description
This is the first comprehensive guide to the unique wildlife of the Galápagos, encompassing the birds, mammals, and reptiles a visitor to these extraordinary islands might encounter. The innovative, simple-to-use format of the pocket-sized volume will help beginners and experts alike to identify with confidence the striking and charismatic Galápagos fauna.

Highlighting the differences between similar species, the guide focuses on the key identification features of each. Information on the status, habitat preferences, breeding seasons, and significant behavioral characteristics is provided for each species, along with 78 distribution maps for all resident species. Fifty-three remarkable color plates compiled from a composite of 500 photographic images and 20 illustrations depict virtually every bird, mammal, and reptile ever recorded on the Galápagos.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (January 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300088647
• ISBN-13: 978-0300088649
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #144,279 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Vertebrates
  #20 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Field Guides > Mammals
  #32 in	Books > Outdoors & Nature > Fauna > Reptiles & Amphibians

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best pocket guide to Galápagos land and air critters, December 7, 2002

By	JDiver (Carmichael, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Unless you are an advanced nature buff, birder, etc. this book should fulfill the need for travelers to recognize habitats and the land and air critters that inhabit them. Lavishly illustrated, good identification information, and even range maps- all very compact, and accurate. The information is next to the photo, so there's no paging back and forth- a good thing when you have a critter right in front of you. There's even a cross-referenced check-list by habitat! I'll definitely be taking this slender book with its strengthened, plasticized covers on my next trip to the "Islas Encantadas". You'll be glad you got this for your trip.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Superb Guide for Scientists, June 21, 2001

By	"himcentee" (Madison, WI USA) - See all my reviews

A friend bought me this ID guide to take with me on a week-long cruise of the islands. The trip was magical and defies description; this ID guide was very helpful to me. It discusses not only the specific animals but also the ecology of specific vegetation zones of each island and documents sightings of each species. Not strictly for the layperson, because it requires some familiarity with scientific terms. I shared this guide with the National Park guides on our trip and they praised it highly - so I bought them each a copy. How's that for an endorsment?

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Guide, September 27, 2003

By	Louis E. Feldman (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is, in the words of my 8-year-old son, "incredible"! The layout is very easy to understand, the photographic plates that show the various species in related groupings are marvelously well-done. The text is informative without being pedantic, and the plethora of full-color photographs and excellent illustrations make the book a joy to use. If you are going to the Galapagos, BUY THIS BOOK! Better yet, buy more than one, because you will wear it out so fast flipping pages and grabbing it out of your travelling companions' greedy hands. If you aren't going, but want to learn about the fauna of this unique archipelago, you will find no better resource.