Tropical Mexico: Ecotraveller's Wildlife Guide - Softcover

Beletsky, Les

3.83

6 ratings by Goodreads

9780120848126: Tropical Mexico: Ecotraveller's Wildlife Guide

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0120848120 ISBN 13: 9780120848126

Publisher: Academic Press Inc, 1999

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Most Ecotravellers to southern Mexico-Cancun and the Yucatan 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.

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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 Author:

My comments describe this new series of travel guides
Even though I'm a professional wildlife biologist, I've always found it difficult while travelling to identify animals I'm not familiar with and to get good, on-site information about them, unless I'm with an expert guide or willing to lug around several heavy books (a bird book, a mammal book, etc.). I've produced the Ecotravellers' Wildlife Guides to help solve this problem. The books in the series are aimed at travellers with an interest in animals, at people for whom some of the best moments of any trip to places like southern Mexico are unexpected encounters with birds and mammals, reptiles and amphibians, fish and other marine organisms. You will find in these books information on (1) common animals likely to be seen, (2) those that are commonly pointed out by tour-guides and tourist literature, (3) some threatened ones that are, for example, subjects of conservation attention, and (4) some that are of special ecological significance. The books, endorsed by the Wildlife Conservation Society, are real field guides, with extensive color artwork produced by some of the world's top wildlife artists. To give you an idea of the "depth" of coverage, the Tropical Mexico book (which covers the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun region, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Tabasco states) includes detailed information and color illustrations on 104 plates of about 250 bird species, 55 mammals, 95 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 150 coral reef fish and other marine organisms - the book truly covers most of the animals you might encounter in this large region. Additionally, initial chapters in each book introduce the country or region, its habitats and climate, its common trees and other plants, and describe conservation projects and ecotourism there, as well as major eco-attractions (national parks, nature reserves, etc.). My hopes are that these books will be put to good use in the field by ecotravellers, will make trips more enjoyable, and will assist in conservation in a small way by helping to educate people about the wildlife and habitats in the countries through which they travel.

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