From Publishers Weekly
Everybody who enjoyed the Nature series on public television will find this companion volume equally interesting and informative. The narrative moves smoothly from the Arctic to Australia, from the rain forests of the tropics to the open savannah of temperate lands. Shreeve, of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Mass., introduces us to selected groups of animals and shows how they have adapted to their environments. We meet polar bears, tigers, elephants, gorillas, wolves and some of the smaller creatures that share their respective habitats. One of the most successful earthlings, says Shreeve, is the fig tree; it shelters up to 32 species of birds and mammals, and they, in turn, take care of seed dispersal and pollination. Perhaps the high point of this nature study is the section on the marsupials and monotremes of Australiakangaroo, koala, echidna, platypus. We learn, for instance, that a nursing kangaroo mother produces two grades of milk for offspring of different ages. There is a discussion of the relative merits in terms of the "reproductive value" of mammals and marsupials. Lavishly illustrated, this book will appeal to zoo visitors and animal lovers alike.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Nature offers an in-depth look at several animals featured on the popular PBS series Nature , including elephants, polar bears, tigers, wolves, and marsupials. Shreeve combines current research with his own thoughtful observations in elegant and informative essays illustrated with superb photographs. The superior writing, excellent bibliography, and handsome appearance make this book an important addition to any natural history or general science collection. While it might be used as a companion to the series, school librarians may want to be aware of its frank descriptions of sex. Nature Book Society, Macmillan Book Clubs, Natural Sciences main selection, BOMC dividend. Beth Clewis, Univ. of North Carolina Sch. of Library Science, Chapel Hill
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
