Elephants: Majestic Creatures of the Wild (Mighty Creature Series) [Hardcover]

Jeheskel Shoshani (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Mighty Creature Series | Publication Date: July 2000

Elephants traces the evolution of the two living species, the African and the Asian elephant, from their earliest ancestors and discusses their physiology and behavior, including feeding habits, social interactions, reproduction, and migration. It documents their relationship with humans-not only as beasts of burden, but also as subjects of special significance in art, literature, religion, and culture.

Written by an international team of experts, Elephants covers:

Evolution and Biology, including The Elephant's Relatives; Comparing the Living Elephants; Anatomy and Physiology; Longevity and Mortality
Behavior and Environment, including Elephant Communication; Ecology and Behavior; Erosion by Elephants; Intelligence and Survival; Elephant Migration
Elephants and Humans, including Elephants Used as War Machines; Elephants as Beasts of Burden; Training Elephants; Elephants in Folklore, Religion, and Art Conservation and Management, including The Asian and African Elephant
Populations Today; Elephants in Captivity; The Rise and Fall of the Ivory Market.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Editor Shoshani has collected a wide variety of expert authors--in fact, more than 30--to present this very fine addition to the spate of elephant books. Unlike the others, this volume covers elephant evolution and biology in far more detail, discussing early relatives such as the mastodon and mammoth. The experts have contributed informative essays on birth, communications, and other aspects of behavior and environment. A section on elephants and humans covers topics such as the use of the animals in war, work, and entertainment. A section on conservation and management includes contrasting viewpoints on culling current elephant populations and gratifying information on the crumbling ivory trade. Providing perspective, depth, and facts, this highly recommended volume will also be an especially useful companion to any of the more pictorial and less encyclopedic works by Boyd Norton ( The African Elephant: Last Days of Eden , LJ 11/1/91), Ronald Orenstein (ed., Elephants: The Deciding Decade , LJ 11/15/91), or Roger L. DeSilvestro ( The African Elephant: Twilight in Eden , LJ 12/91).
- Nancy Moeckel, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, Ohio
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Surveys both African and Asisan elephants, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of the evolution and biology of these creatures." -- Science News, September 30, 2000

This is a breath-taking volume that captures both the splendor and difficulties of these magnificent creatures. -- Book Page, July 2000

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Facts on File; Revised edition (July 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816042942
• ISBN-13: 978-0816042944
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 9.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,149,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and informative!, October 14, 2009

By 

Dawn (SE, MI USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Elephants: Majestic Creatures of the Wild (Mighty Creature Series) (Hardcover)

Although a coffee table type book, its also one of the most informative books on the species I've come across. Many of my friends just want to browse the artwork and gorgeous photographs. Its a beautiful book!