Tropical Mexico: The Ecotravellers' Wildlife Guide (Ecotravellers Wildlife Guides) [Paperback]

Les Beletsky (Author)

Book Description

Series: Ecotravellers Wildlife Guides | Publication Date: April 27, 1999

Most Ecotravellers to southern Mexico-Cancún and the Yucatán Peninsula, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Tabasco--want to experience tropical forests and other stunning habitats, as well as catch a glimpse of exotic wildlife, including toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, hawks, monkeys, anteaters, frogs, toads, crocodiles and snakes. In this book is all the information you need to find, identify and learn about this region's magnificent animal life. The author visited national parks and nature reserves, discussed wildlife with local and international experts as well as veteran tour leaders, and then selected for color illustrations more than 500 of the most common fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals--the species you are most likely to see. In one easy-to-carry, entertainingly written, beautifully illustrated book, you will have a constant companion on your journey.

Key Features
* Provides field guide plates of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and reef fishes
* Includes photos of typical habitats and line drawings of common plants
* Gives lists of reserves and sites to visit
* Presents up-to-date text on conservation in Mexico
* Provides identifying, location, and conservation information on the most frequently spotted animals
* Presents up-to-date information on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of the families of animals to which the pictured species belong
* Describes habitats of tropical Mexico and the most common plants you will encounter
* Includes information on the underwater animals seen by most divers and snorkelers

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This, the third volume in an excellent series directed at environmentally aware/sympathetic travellers, follows the same format as the previous two providing an excellent guide to the most frequently encountered vertebrates and marine wildlife of southern Mexico."
—IBIS (2000)
"...he gives 80 pages of bird-family profiles, taking in both ecology and behaviour, then follows with 50 pages of glorious plates, each with its facing page synoptic information including information and habitat notes. The big, big plus, however, is that he gives the same treatment to amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This should see to it that you do not miss out on the non-avian wonders that Mexico has to offer. Take [this book] with you."
—BIRDWATCHER'S YEARBOOK (2000)
"Two of the Ecotravellers' Guides have already been reviewed in BTO News and this one certainly maintains the excellent standard. A brilliant idea combines much information on the habitats and natural history of the area, sites to visit, 21 mouth-watering photos of the habitats and 104 plates and descriptions illustrating everything from jellyfish to jaguars, reef-fish to red-eyed tree frogs and rattlesnakes to quetzals."
—BTO NEWS (September/October 1999)
"Moving from the urban to the wild, a new breed of guidebooks focuses on flora and fauna (and not in the way Harold Gatty did). Tropical Mexico grew out of its nature-loving author's frustration that 'I could not locate a single book to take along on a trip that would help me identify all the types of animals that really interested me.' So Beletsky wrote one that did. ...Combining natural history -lore, habits, best places to spot each creature- with pointers on specific sites and background on the state of conservation in the region today."
—Jennifer Howard in THE WASHINGTON POST (June 1999)
"...anyone planning a trip to Mexico and looking for general information on the more common reptiles, amphibians and mammals occurring there need look no further: the book provides a useful summary of the species most likely to be encountered."
—Richard Webb in BIRDING WORLD (May 1999)

From the Back Cover

Most Ecotravellers to southern Mexico--Cancún and the Yucatán Peninsula, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Tabasco--want to experience tropical forests and other stunning habitats, as well as catch a glimpse of exotic wildlife, including toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, hawks, monkeys, anteaters, frogs, toads, crocodiles and snakes. In this book is all the information you need to find, identify and learn about this region's magnificent animal life. The author visited national parks and nature reserves, discussed wildlife with local and international experts as well as veteran tour leaders, and then selected for color illustrations more than 500 of the most common fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals--the species you are most likely to see. In one easy-to-carry, entertainingly written, beautifully illustrated book, you will have a constant companion on your journey:
* Identification, location, and conservation information on the most frequently spotted animals.
* Up-to-date information on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of the families of animals to which the pictured species belong
* Information on the habitats of Tropical Mexico and on the most common plants you will encounter
* Information on the underwater animals most divers and snorkelers actually see
* Brief description of the region's most frequently visited parks and reserves

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 497 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 1 edition (April 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0120848120
• ISBN-13: 978-0120848126
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #874,843 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Birds & Birdwatching > Excursion Guides
  • #39 in Books > Travel > Latin America > Mexico > Yucatan Peninsula
  • #41 in Books > Travel > Latin America > Mexico > Cancun & Cozumel

More About the Author

Les Beletsky is a professional wildlife biologist and former university biology teacher. Prior to taking up full-time writing, he conducted many years of field research into the ecology and behavior of birds, publishing many scientific reports and two technical books on birds. An avid global birder and ecotraveler, he has visited numerous sites in the Americas, Africa, Asia and in the Australian region. He currently makes his home in Seattle, Washington.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Inaccurate and misleading, June 6, 2003

By 

V. Burgett "Tropical Bird Enthusiast" (Bellingham, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tropical Mexico: The Ecotravellers' Wildlife Guide (Ecotravellers Wildlife Guides) (Paperback)

I can appreciate the author's intent - to create a more comprehensive guide to the wildlife of a region that is sorely lacking in accesible information. It is a pioneering effort, and I am grateful that such guides are being attempted. But after reviewing the bird plates I became quite upset - this guide will lead to many misidentifications due to innacurate portrayals and information, as well as omissions. While I can understand the impossibility of covering all the living species in a large and diverse region, it would be nice if the ones chosen were depicted accurately, and reference was made to similar species occuring within other parts of the covered range. For just one example, plate 45 shows four species of Motmot as being the ame size and shape, when the Tody Motmot is HALF the size (and a very different shape) of the others. While this is indicated (in small print), anyone relying on the pictures could easily become confused. Beletsky list Howell's excellent "Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America" in his references, but he clearly should have been paying more attention! As to omissions, if an abbreviated list is desired in the interest of keeping this book accesible for the more casual enthusiast, it would have been far better to at least focus on the species most likely to be encountered. While some rarely seen species are included, many quite visible and common birds are left out! And how could Beletsky leave out the Boat-billed Heron? Not only is this species an icon amongst Mexican birds, but it is a favorite species for boat tour operators on both coasts to find for visitors! After seeing what the bird plates are like, how could I ever feel positive about identifying other wildlife using this book?
On the positive side, I will reiterate that I am glad that such books are being written. There is often no information available (in practical form) on tropical reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, etc. But I hope guides like this will get a whole lot better! Skimping on information for portability is not the answer. Accuracy should be far more important. In Beletsky's favor are the habitat photos, and coverage of ecotourism and conservation issues.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very beautiful and helpful, February 11, 2006

By 

John E. Farmer (Blue Ridge Summit, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tropical Mexico: The Ecotravellers' Wildlife Guide (Ecotravellers Wildlife Guides) (Paperback)

This book has disucssions and beautiful color illustrations of not just birds, but frogs, snakes, fish, mammals and even some plants. There are discussions of different ecosystmes and what one might expect to encounter in each of them. There are notes on local bird lore. I took this on a guided boat tour run by one of the local people. It was extremely helpful to have the names of the birds in English AND Spanish, as the other people in the boat spoke only Spanish and the guide used mostly Spanish. The book is written from the standpoint of the Eco-Tourist. The author discusses some of the important conservation efforts in progress to preserve these beautiful and unique ecosystems.
Of course the book is not exhaustive, but fortunate is the traveller who sees all the species discussed here. In addition the book is actually quite readable and while in Yucatan, this was the guide that I frequently picked to review what I had seen or what I might be seeing on my next excursion. There are many different habitats in this part of Mexico, each with its own inhabitants. The book contains a wealth of information presented in an entertaining manner. I checked in several local bookstores, and could find nothing comperable, in English or Spanish. Although it may not satisfy the ardent birder, the book helps one feel at home when he is encountering so many new species.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, April 8, 2000

By 

Ron Mader "Planeta.com Founder" (Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tropical Mexico: The Ecotravellers' Wildlife Guide (Ecotravellers Wildlife Guides) (Paperback)

Simply, a terrific wildlife guide and the best of its kind for Mexico. Chapters provided detailed information (with photos!) of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals found in southern Mexico. Recommeneded for any serious student of biology or dedicated eco traveler.