►
Description: |
Answering every conceivable
question about sharks, authors Gene
Helfman and George H. Burgess describe the
fascinating biology, behavior, diversity
(there are more than 1,000 species
worldwide), and cultural importance of
sharks, their close relationship to skates
and rays, and their critical role in
healthy ecosystems.
Helfman and Burgess take readers on a
round-the-world tour of shark habitats,
which include oceans as well as lakes and
even rivers (as far up the Mississippi as
St. Louis). They describe huge, ferocious
predators like (Great) White and Tiger
sharks and species such as Basking and
Whale sharks that feed on microscopic prey
yet can grow to lengths of more than 40
feet. The mysterious and powerful
Greenland shark, the authors explain,
reaches a weight of 2,200 pounds on a diet
of seal flesh. Small (less than 2-foot
long) Cookiecutter sharks attack other
sharks and even take a chunk out of the
occasional swimmer.
Despite our natural fascination with
sharks, we have become their worst enemy.
Many shark species are in serious decline
and a number are threatened with
extinction as a result of overfishing and
persecution. Sharks: The Animal Answer
Guide presents a perfect mix of current
science, history, anthropology, intriguing
facts, and gripping photographs. Whether
your fascination with sharks stems from
fear or curiosity, your knowledge of these
animals will improve immensely when you
consult this book.
|