Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles of the Galapagos Islands: An Identification Guide, 2nd Edition [Paperback]

Andy Swash (Author), Rob Still (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2006

This simple-to-use, pocket-size volume offers a comprehensive guide to the unique wildlife of the Galápagos, encompassing all the birds, mammals, and reptiles a visitor to these extraordinary islands might encounter. The second edition corrects and amends plates and text, as well as adds six new photos of the whales.
Reviews of the first edition: 
 “The essential field companion for Galápagos visitors.”—The Quarterly Review of Biology
 "I cannot conceive anyone going to the Galápagos without [this book] in hand." —Noble S. Proctor

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Anyone traveling to the Galápagos Islands should have a copy." -- K. L. Williams, Choice --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Copublished with Pica Press --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press; 2 edition (February 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300115326
• ISBN-13: 978-0300115321
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 7.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Travel > Latin America > South America > Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
  • #43 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Reptiles & Amphibians
  • #58 in Books > Travel > Specialty Travel > Travel with Pets

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 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 "You haven't lived until you've dived." (Roseville, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

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.

40 of 41 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

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

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?

36 of 37 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)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

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.