Otters
ecology, behaviour and conservation
Published on 17. August 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
280 pages
978-0-19-856587-1 (ISBN)
Description
Otters 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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
Anyone interested in the countryside or animals should have this on their bookshelves. Highland News, January 2008. This is a much more comprehensive book than anything that has gone before and deals with otter species worldwide * Keith Day and Brian Rushton, THES * This will be a mine of information for any scientist and a good read for anyone interested in mammals. Keith Day and Brian Rushton. * The Times Higher Education Supplement * Enthusiasm is attractive, and from the start of this book oozes the excitement that Kruuk feels in the company of otters...don't be put off by the slightly academic feel to this book - the writing is very accessible. * BBC Wildlife, * 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 * This book represents an excellent and up-to-date elaboration of our knowledge on all 13 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. * Petra Hajkova, Folia Zoologica * Kruuk is one of our leading behavioural scientists, and his knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject shine through. * The Guardian *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
numerous halftones and line figures
Dimensions
Height: 246 mm
Width: 189 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
640 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-856587-1 (9780198565871)
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
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
08/2006
Oxford University Press
€73.04
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Studied 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.
Content
1. 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 conservation