This cutting-edge photographic identification guide to Europe's sea mammals – the only such guide of its kind – covers the 39 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises and 9 species of seals found in the region, which spans the eastern Atlantic from Iceland to Macaronesia, and the Mediterranean, Caspian and Baltic seas. Written and illustrated by a team of professional tour guides with extensive experience presenting the region's sea mammals, Europe's Sea Mammals features more than 180 colour photographs, maps and graphics, highlights key identification features and includes information on the range, ecology, behaviour and conservation status of each species. Produced with the marine conservation charity ORCA, the book presents mapping data from a decade of surveys, which shows both current distribution and changes over time.
Europe's Sea Mammals is an essential companion for whale watchers and anyone else who is interested in this enigmatic group of mammals.
Robert Still is publishing director of WILDGuides and a prolific natural history author. Hugh Harrop is an award-winning photographer and owner of the ecotourism business Shetland Wildlife. Tim Stenton is a widely traveled whale photographer and the author of Moray Firth Dolphins. Luís Dias is an accomplished photographer and former marine research biologist who runs ocean tours from Madeira.
"[...] the book is an excellent guide for the sea mammals found in this region and is a must for anyone interested in locating, identifying and observing this group of mammals in the field."
– Rachael Barber, BTO book reviews
"Trying to identify a sea mammal can be tricky because most move so fast all you get is a glimpse of a tail, fin, flipper or head, and they are usually a long way from shore. Robert Still and his co-authors have found a solution: produce a little book full of images of fins, tails (flukes) and blow forms for the Cetacea, supported by diagrams, written descriptions and tips on where and how to find them. [...] Europe's Sea Mammals is one in a series of 'WildGuides' titles published by Princeton University Press and the care and detail put into this title is difficult to surpass."
– Pat Sang MRSB, The Biologist 66(6), December 2019