Product Description
This authoritative volume starts with a clear introduction to the animal world, examining the reasons for the apparently infinite variety of animal forms and the major evolutionary developments. Animal anatomy, life-cycles and the principles of classification are also explored. This is followed by a superbly illustrated survey of world habitats, showing how animals have adapted to each environment and the threats that face both wildlife and plants today. The main part of the book, an up-to-date and comprehensive animal catalogue, looks in detail at each major group and provides absorbing profiles of over 2,000 individual species. Spectacular photographic portraits bring a vast array of animals vividly to life, with special features on well-known and important creatures such as the Galapagos tortoise. Each species profile is supported by maps and symbols showing distribution and habitat, as well as key information on size, population and conservation status, forming a valuable reference database.

Amazon.com Review
Over 2,000 species, from the tiny spider mite to the massive blue whale, are profiled in DK's astonishingly wonderful Animal, produced in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution and more than 70 expert zoologists. To call this book "profusely illustrated" is to seriously underrepresent page after page of breathtaking photos capturing each creature in sharp images, thrumming with life. Even the page borders are covered with collages of animal skins to indicate which class of organisms is represented in that section--every inch of this heavy book is gorgeous.

Besides heft and beauty, Animal has authority. Editors-in-chief David Burnie and Don E. Wilson are top biologists, and they have assembled a crack team of consultants for each section of the book. For instance, Richard Rosenblatt of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography takes charge of the chapter on fishes, so all the classification, behavior, and distribution data is up-to-date and full of the kind of detail that comes from years of professional specialization. In addition to basic size, location, and status information, each animal gets a short, one- to two-paragraph description, enough to give a feel for the creature:

The blackfin icefish produces a natural "antifreeze," enabling it to survive in the subzero waters of the Antarctic. It lacks red blood cells and hence looks rather pale, but has excellent blood circulation, and a strong heart which weighs as much as that of a small mammal. Its large, toothy mouth led to it being called the crocodile fish by 19th-century whalers.

Biodiversity has never been more at the forefront of biologists' concerns, and Animal reports on the issues critical to ecology, from habitat loss to the species that are most endangered within each class.

This book is an ideal browsing reference for all experience levels, as well as a delightful addition to the collection of any animal enthusiast or classroom. Of necessity, not all species are covered, but as a general source of information down to the genus level, Animal excels. Don't be put off by the price! Extraordinarily beautiful, biologically accurate, and packed with furry, feathery, finny, many-legged delights, Animal is one of the very best science books of 2001. --Therese Littleton

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 62 reviews)

Beautiful and Captivating...

I loved this book! I have always had a fascination with animals and with photography, so this book was a delight. It has gorgeous pictures of many different kinds of animals. In response to the complaints that it didn't give enough information in the reviews, I would like to point out that the book SAYS it is a visual guide. If you are looking for more information on animals, and are not going to be satisfied with tidbits and pictures, this isn't the book for you. Kids will love it though, and so will anyone who isn't using it for scholastic means.

This book does favor mammalian species over any other kind of animal, but it does cover a fair amount of every type of animal, and the book does not claim to do more then it does. I got exactly what I thought I would get from the description. I think it's excellent!
December 02, 2008

good, but?

so i bought this book a few weeks ago. i keep it next to my easy chair when i watch tv, because i like to watch wild life and nature shows.
today was the second time in about two weeks that something came on tv, and when i tried looking for it in the book , it wasnt there.
i kind of wonder how many animals i have to look for in the book before i find it.
all these pages and all these animals, and just the ones i'm looking for were left out of the book.
looks like i'll have to buy a second book, and hopefully it will cover some of the animals that this book missed.
im not even looking at animals in the north pole or antearctica, just your normal average united states deer or elk.
November 17, 2008

Best Comprehensive Animal Encyclopedia!

We bought this last Christmas for our then 8-year old daughter, who's obsessed with animals. We were thoroughly impressed with the the size of the book, as well as the beautiful photos throughout. In the course of the last year, our daughter has carried this book around with her everywhere, reading excerpts to friends and family as she marvels at the facts found within. She LOVES this book! It covers every animal imaginable and she loves discovering new ones - seeing the photos, seeing where they live, reading about their diets and behaviors - everything! In hindsight I wish we'd gotten her the hardback version simply because she lugs it all over the place, but we could not be more happy with the book itself. We highly recommended this book for anyone interested in animals, regardless of age. Young readers will cling to it for many years to come and adult readers will be amazed at the photos and information.
November 04, 2008

Fantastic Wildlife book-Best I've ever seen

I always read reviews before purchasing and when I read the reviews on this book, I knew it would be a great book. My son is Autistic and has always been an animal lover. The fact that this book has superb pictures alone is the perfect choice for any child! Another bonus is the wonderful variety of animals and the extent of information provided. My son has carried the book to school almost every day, regardless of how much it weighs! You can't go wrong, I promise. Thank you to a fabulous author, David Burnie!
September 24, 2008

Animal book

I wanted a book that showed all types of animals for my grandchildren to look at. This book has beautiful color pictures of every animal imaginable. As the children age (they are only 6 and 4 yrs old ) and are able to read at higher levels, they can learn about each animal in great detail.

The photography is beautiful, vivid colors, and explanations of everything is provided. I see them picking this book up as teenagers and still finding something they missed.
September 03, 2008

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