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OverviewOtters are highly charismatic and popular animals of very considerable concern to conservationists worldwide. Written by the pre-eminent authority in the field, this book builds on the reputation of the author's landmark monograph of the European otter, Wild Otters (OUP, 1995). Furthermore, its broader scope to include all species of otter in North America as well as Europe and elsewhere leads to a deeper synthesis that greatly expands the book's overall relevance and potential readership.Aimed at naturalists, scientists and conservationists, its personal style and generously illustrated text will appeal to amateurs and professionals alike. It emphasises recent research and conservation management initiatives for all 13 species of otter worldwide, incorporates recent molecular research on taxonomy and population genetics, and discusses the wider implications of otter studies for ecology and conservation biology.As well as enchanting direct observations of the animals, there is guidance about how and where to watch and study them. From otters in the British and American lakes and rivers, to sea otters in the Pacific Ocean, giant otters in the Amazon and other species in Africa and Asia, this book provides an engaging approach to their fascinating existence, to the science needed to understand it, and to the very real threats to their survival. Full Product DetailsAuthor: Hans Kruuk (Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, Scotland)Publisher: Oxford University Press Imprint: Oxford University Press Dimensions: Width: 19.70cm , Height: 2.10cm , Length: 25.40cm Weight: 0.797kg ISBN: 9780198565864ISBN 10: 0198565860 Pages: 280 Publication Date: 17 August 2006 Audience: Professional and scholarly , Professional & Vocational Format: Hardback Publisher's Status: Active Availability: To order ![]() Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us. Table of Contents1: Otter ecology and its background 2: Pen-pictures. Thirteen otters of the world: some natural history 3: Evolutionary relationships, questions and methods of otter ecology 4: Habitats 5: Groups and loners: social organization 6: Scent-marking and interactions: social behaviour 7: Diets 8: Resources: about fish and other prey 9: Otters fishing: hunting behaviour and strategies 10: Thermo- insulation: a limiting factor 11: Populations, recruitment and competition 12: Survival and mortality 13: Syntheses: challenges to otter survival 14: Otters, people and conservationReviews`'This book represents an excellent and up-to-date elaboration of our knowledge on all 13 otter species worldwide and, as such, is an important book for anyone interested in otters. The author has done his best to satisfy the needs of both scientists and naturalists, and this book is very likely to become a significant reference source on these exciting and charismatic animals.'' Patra Hajkova, Folia Zoologica For a more in-depth look at one of our favourite mammals, Otters, Behaviour and Conservation, by Hans Kruuk is an excellent choice. Kruuk is one of our leading behavioural scientists, and his knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject shine through. Stephen Moss, The Guardian, Saturday November 25, 2006 Author InformationStudied animal behaviour under Prof. Niko Tinbergen (FRS, Nobel Laureate) at Oxford. Co-founder of the Serengeti Research Institute, Tanzania, where he carried out research over seven years, before returning to Oxford, and later to the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology in Banchory, Scotland. After becoming Senior Principal Research Officer, he retired as emeritus in 1997. Awarded the scientific medal of the Zoological Society of London and the scientific medal of the British Mammal Society, he obtained a DSc from the University of Aberdeen and was made Honorary Professor, University of Aberdeen in 1998. He has carried out research projects on mammals and birds on all continents, published 6 previous books and some 120 scientific papers. He has studied otters in the field for over 20 years, and published about 40 papers and one previous book on the ecology of otters. Tab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |