Please note, this book has been reissued by Bloomsbury.
Whales and dolphins (Cetaceans) have captivated and intrigued humankind for centuries. They are incredibly diverse and have evolved a fascinating range of specializations to allow them, despite being air-breathing mammals, to exploit habitats ranging from the surface waters to the abyssal depths.Whales & Dolphins of the World is a stunningly illustrated celebration of their variety – there are over 80 species – behaviour and natural history. It describes what we know of their lives such as feeding, reproduction, communication and social structures, and outlines the factors that affect them, from hunting to pollution. The strong relationship between our species and theirs is also considered, with a look at dolphin therapy, as are the pros and cons of whale- and dolphin-watching and what makes a good trip. A map of the world highlights the waters in which these mammals are found.
Mark Simmonds is the Director of Science at WDCS. He has authored and co-authored more than 100 papers, articles and reports on wildlife conservation and marine issues, and was joint editor of The Conservation of Whales and Dolphins: Science and Practice, 1996 and an editor and author of Oceans of Noise, published 2003. Mark is based in the UK and lives in Bath. Seapics.com is the world's leading provider of images of sealife and world oceans. Founded in 1985, it now represents the work of more than 200 photographers, including many world-famous underwater photographers.