
Spiders
The Ultimate Predators
Stephen Dalton(Author)
A & C Black Publishers Ltd
Published on 15. October 2008
Book
Hardback
208 pages
978-1-4081-0697-6 (ISBN)
Description
Spiders are the most successful terrestrial predators on earth and we are privileged to share the planet with at least 40,000 species of these remarkable animals. From mountaintops to seashores and from ponds to deserts, spiders are all around us. Their success lies in the astonishing array of techniques that have evolved to allow them to catch their prey; many are based on the spiders' secret weapon, silk, including the familiar orb-webs. However, not all spiders sit and wait for prey to come to them; there are spiders that lassoo insects, others specialise in stealing from other spiders and some spit sticky silk over their prey. There are fishing spiders, jumping spiders, and spiders that pretend to be ants; some even draw prey to their doom by mimicking moth pheromones. Stephen Dalton's detailed photographs, unswervingly superb and beautiful, chronicle the diversity of the spider world. Chapters are divided along broad ecological themes, with each focusing on different species, their habitats, hunting techniques, ecology and behaviour. Also featured are chapters on spider anatomy, and a guide to photographing them.
Reviews / Votes
'This is an incredible book packed with amazing pictures, there are also some fascinating facts' Amateur Photographer (26th October 2008) "Reading a little, the clarity of the author's style and his powers of explanation come to the fore." Recorder News (April 2009) "This book is a revelation of the enormous diversity that lies within that basic eight-legged format...it is the best gallery of British Spiders I have ever seen, and all done in the past few years." British Wildlife (Feb 2009) "...enables the reader to better understand the life of spiders and is good for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages." Sussex Wildlife (April 2009) 'The picture book of the year has to be Spiders: The Ultimate Predators.' The Independent (December 2009)More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Illustrations
Colour photographs throughout
Dimensions
Height: 280 mm
Width: 216 mm
Weight
1220 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4081-0697-6 (9781408106976)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Stephen Dalton's high-speed wildlife photography has earned him a devoted following among both nature lovers and photographers. Dalton has published fifteen books including Secret Lives, Secret Worlds, Caught in Motion, The Secret Life of a Garden, Vanishing Paradise, At the Water's Edge and The Miracle of Flight.