Beaked Whales

A Complete Guide to Their Biology and Conservation
Erscheinungsjahr 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4214-2182-7
Verlag: Johns Hopkins University Press

Buch, Englisch, 208 Seiten, Format (B × H): 185 mm x 259 mm, Gewicht: 771 g

The only book dedicated to the mysterious beaked whale, this beautiful volume combines full-color illustrations with fascinating facts.

Beaked whales have been shrouded in mystery for most of the twentieth century. Denizens of deep, remote ocean waters and highly resistant to life in captivity, they have proven notoriously difficult for humans to observe. Over the past few decades, however, scientists have gained a better understanding of this distinct group of cetaceans, deciphering the natural history of the twenty-two beaked whale species. Here, famed artist and naturalist Richard Ellis and leading beaked whale researcher James G. Mead bring these elusive marine mammals into the limelight.

Beaked whales’ generous life spans can extend well past 70 years. They spend their decades diving to extreme depths in search of prey, which they capture by expanding their oral cavity suddenly to suck in the squid or fish they are hunting. It appears that these sleek predators may engage in fierce, clandestine aquatic battles, as the bodies of many males are covered in scars. Because many species are only somewhat larger than dolphins, they are often confused with porpoises; however, some larger beaked whale species may grow to 40 feet. These enigmatic and compelling creatures need our help; their numbers are declining, perhaps due to the damaging effects of naval sonar on their sophisticated auditory systems.

In Ellis and Mead’s book, the beaked whales finally get their due. The duo provides a combination of captivating stories about the species, original Richard Ellis art, and photos from leading natural history photographers. The result is an accessible, beautiful book—the first of its kind on this unusual group of cetaceans. Meet the beaked whales, and enjoy the fascinating and mysterious world in which they live.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Ellis, Richard

Mead, James G

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Tierkunde / Zoologie Wirbeltiere (Vertebrata) Säugetiere (Mammalia) Meeres- und Süßwassersäuger
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Enzyklopädien, Nachschlagewerke, Wörterbücher

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Preface

Guide to the beaked whales
Arnoux's Beaked Whale
Baird's Beaked Whale
Northern Bottlenose Whale
Southern Bottlenose Whale
Longman's Beaked Whale
Sowerby's Beaked Whale
Andrews' Beaked Whale
Hubbs' Beaked Whale
Blainville's Beaked Whale
Gervais' Beaked Whale
Ginkgo-toothed Whale
Gray's Beaked Whale
Hector's Beaked Whale
Deraniyagala's Beaked Whale
Strap-toothed Whale
True's Beaked Whale
Perrin's Beaked Whale
Peruvian Beaked Whale
Stejneger's Beaked Whale
Spade-toothed Beaked Whale
Shepherd's Beaked Whale
Cuvier's Beaked Whale
About Beaked Whales
Classification
Distribution
Teeth
Scarring
Feeding
From Land to Water to Tooth Loss
Beaked whales vs. the Navy

Bibliography

Über Autor(innen)

Ellis, Richard
Richard Ellis is a naturalist and world-renowned marine painter. He is the author of numerous books, including Monsters of the Sea: The History, Natural History, and Mythology of the Oceans’ Most Fantastic Creatures and The Great Sperm Whale: A Natural History of the Ocean’s Most Magnificent and Mysterious Creature.

Mead, James G
James G. Mead is curator emeritus of marine mammals at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. He is considered the world expert on beaked whales.