Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
Popular book written for ages 10 to adult with 300+ state-of-the-art photos and illustrations
ISBN-10: 1770859411
ISBN-13: 978-1770859418
Edition: 1st Edition, Hardcover. 400+ images, Index, Bibliog., 300 pages, 10 x 10 inches, £30 / $49.95
Publisher: Firefly (US, Canada, UK)
Awarded March 2018: One of Best Reference Titles of the Year — Library Journal. “Erich Hoyt...immerses readers in the world of these marine mammals. An excellent balance of scientific study combined with a deep concern for conservation and habitat preservation.”
Awarded Honorable Mention, Best Children’s / Young Adult Nonfiction Book category by The American Society of Journalists & Authors, Inc., ASJA, New York
Prepare to smell whale breath and get rather wet. Witness courtship and mating practices and family relationships in the Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises. Award-winning author and Whale and Dolphin Conservation Research Fellow Erich Hoyt takes readers into the field for a whale watcher’s eye view of some 90 species of cetaceans that make their homes in the world ocean.
Drawing on decades of firsthand experience as a participant in the current revolution in cetacean studies, Hoyt provides unique insights into the life histories of these compelling marine mammals. and the lifelong bonds among some family members. Meet the symphonic composers of the whale world—the humpback whales, with their complex 30-minute songs.
Hoyt’s latest book not only has insightful stories and the latest data on whales, dolphins and porpoises but provides an impassioned argument supporting the need for international protection of at-risk populations and their increasingly damaged habitat. This book offers readers a chance to participate in the debate about how best to make a future for these remarkable marine creatures.
“Whales, dolphins, and porpoises make up the class of social mammals known as cetaceans. Hoyt (research fellow, Whale and Dolphin Conservation; Creatures of the Deep) draws on more than 40 years of scientific interactions with these intelligent and fascinating creatures. Stunning images from principal photographer Brandon Cole and others, along with depictions by marine mammal illustrator Uko Gorter, enliven the text. Hoyt writes movingly on life cycles, the future for these animals, and how readers can get involved in protecting them. Verdict: For patrons of all ages.”
— Maggie Knapp, Library Journal, Nov. 2017
“Despite its name, the Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises is no dry, encyclopedic tome. Instead, Erich Hoyt’s 300-page labor of love for all things cetacean focuses on stories of more than 90 species of wild whales, dolphins, and porpoises, with over 300 photographs and illustrations. Hoyt draws on his decades of experience studying and writing about cetaceans, and has created an excellent up-to-date resource with the latest insights into our understanding of cetaceans. Hoyt explains his vision for the book in this trailer.”
— Hakai Magazine, Jan. 2018
5 Stars: My excitement at this book's arrival was shared by my children...I've been a fan of Hoyt's work since I was almost a child myself and found a copy of 'Orca' in the village library, and he's at least partly to blame for my own cetacean obsession. The vivid descriptions of playing music with killer whales have stayed with me ever since, set me dreaming....Hoyt's clear, engaging writing has taken me on many astonishing journeys - to the complex society of ants in the rainforest, to the bizarre creatures of the deep oceans and to encounters with whales and dolphins throughout the world. For Erich has spent his working life immersed in the world of whales and this book brings together the wealth of knowledge, experience and wisdom he has gathered in his travels. It covers human-whale relationships, from Aristotle's observations through the whaling days to the recent 'revolution' in research, in which he's played an integral part. He then takes us through the basics of whale biology, before introducing all 90 known species. It's incredibly comprehensive, and I guess that's what an encyclopedia is, but to me the word doesn't do justice to the richness of the narrative. There's a story here, of the relationship between people and whales - one of the most beguiling and critical stories still unfolding on this blue planet. It's shot through with personal experience, and we're introduced to individual characters, both human and cetacean. This book will be an invaluable resource and up-to-date reference for anyone working in wildlife issues, and a treasured source of information and inspiration for the whole family. It's set us all dreaming...”
— Anna Levin, Naturalist, Author, Dec. 2017
“Whale researcher Hoyt (Creatures of the Deep) provides readers with a vivid and informative introduction to the big splashy world of cetaceans. The encyclopedia highlights intriguing cetacean details....The author examines the controversy regarding the slaughter of some whale species to near extinction and the growth of the international conservation movement over the past 50 years. Hoyt persuasively argues that there is an urgent need to globally protect whales and their environment....The final chapter includes illustrations and fact boxes for all 90 cetaceans. There is enough scientific detail to make this an excellent reference book, and the beautiful color photos will also give it plenty of appeal for casual readers.”
DETAILS — Publishers Weekly, 4 Dec. 2017
“Required reading...beautifully illustrated.” — Featured title in August 2017 Canadian Geographic Travel Newsletter
“This latest book by renowned cetacean researcher Erich Hoyt enters a crowded marketplace. Is there room for another? The answer is an emphatic yes, as this comprehensive treatment of the world’s cetaceans is detailed, informative, and well-illustrated — with a host of excellent photographs and accurate illustrations in the species accounts.”
— BBC Wildlife, Dec. 2017
“Marine researcher and conservationist Hoyt… introduces readers to the field of cetaceans with this eye-catching and appealing work. Beginning with…the intertwined history of whales and humans, the book’s following sections provide context on methods of research at sea and…the basic biology (anatomy, migration, social behavior, and more) of cetaceans. Thought-provoking questions peppered throughout the text on topics such as invasive research tools and recent whale strandings will help to keep the reader engaged…The attractive layout features dazzling photos on almost every page spread. The book concludes with a list of ways individuals can get involved as citizen scientists...An accessible volume for school and public libraries.”
— Maren Ostergard, Booklist
“A superb, thorough and beautifully illustrated reference book Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises by Erich Hoyt, Firefly Books...[is] ideal for anybody of any age.”
— School Library Association
Awarded Top Choice, number one on the list of the ten best encyclopedias based on scanned reviews (20 Nov. 2017).
CONTENTS
Foreword
Chapter 1: Humans and Whales
Our Shared History
Chapter 2: Research at Sea
Studying Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
Photo identification
Identifying Humpbacks
Transect studies
Acoustic research
Land-based studies
Science for Conservation
Diet Detection
Chapter 3: Basic Biology
How Cetaceans Function
How Baleen and Toothed Whales Differ
Anatomy
Marks of Diversity
Evolution
How Big Is Big
Migration
Learning from Stranded Whales
Social Behavior
Courtship and Reproduction
Whale, Dolphin and Porpoise Life Histories
Whale Longevity
Songs, Calls and Clicks: Unraveling the Sonic World
The Value of Identifying Killer Whale Dialects
Chapter 4: Baleen Whales
Introducing the Baleen Whales: Mysticeti
Right and Bowhead Whales • Family Balaenidae
North Atlantic Right Whale
Conservation Status
North Pacific Right Whale
Southern Right Whale
Bowhead Whale
Pygmy Right Whale • Family Neobalanaenidae
Pygmy Right Whale
Rorquals • Family Balaenopteridae
Blue Whale
Fin Whale
Asymmetry in the Whale World
Sei Whale
Bryde’s Whale
Common Minke Whale
Humpback Whale
Gray Whale • Family Eschrichtiidae
Gray Whale
Size Comparison—Baleen Whales: Mysticeti
Chapter 5: Toothed Whales
Introducing the Toothed Whales: Odontoceti
Large-sized Toothed Whales
Sperm Whale • Family Physeteridae
Sperm Whale
Pygmy Sperm Whale and Dwarf Sperm Whales • Family Kogiidae
Pygmy Sperm Whale
Dwarf Sperm Whale
Beluga and Narwhal • Family Monodontidae
Beluga
Narwhal
The Social Life of Baird’s Beaked Whales
The Whale That Swam into London
Beaked Whales • Family Ziphiidae
A New Member of the Family
Size Comparison—Toothed Whales: Odontoceti
Chapter 6: Dolphins and Porpoises
Medium-sized Toothed Whales
Oceanic Dolphins • Family Delphinidae
Irrawaddy dolphin
Discovering the Dolphins and Porpoises
Australian Snubfin Dolphin
Blackfish Dolphins
Killer Whale, or Orca
All-white Whales and Dolphins
Short-finned Pilot Whale
Long-finned Pilot Whale
Risso’s Dolphin
On the River with Guiana Dolphins
Rough-toothed Dolphin
Humpback Dolphins • Sousa species
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Stenella Dolphins • Stenella species
Spinner Dolphin
Common Dolphins
Fraser’s Dolphin
“Lag” Dolphins • Lagenorhynchus species
Commerson’s Dolphin
Dusky Dolphin Society
Saving the New Zealand Dolphin
Hector’s Dolphin
Small-sized Toothed Whales
River Dolphins • Families Platanistidae, Iniidae, Lipotidae, Pontoporiidae
Amazon River Dolphin, or Boto
Losing the Baiji
Porpoises • Family Phocoenidae
Harbor porpoise
Vaquita
Size Comparison—Toothed Whales: Dolphins and Porpoises
Chapter 7: The Future for Whales
Still at the Edge of Extinction?
Cetacean Culture
Prey-sharing in Killer Whales
Getting Close to Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
Are Whales Dangerous?
The Whale Trail
Essential whale-watching tips
Pollution: How We Can All Help
Noise as Pollution
Homes for Cetaceans: Protecting Their Habitat
The Story of Billie, or How to Set up a Marine
Protected Area or Sanctuary for Dolphins
Should Cetaceans Have Rights?
A Charter for Cetacean Rights
Appendix: The Cetaceans
Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
Baleen Whales
Right and Bowhead Whales
Pygmy Right Whale
Rorquals
Gray Whale
Toothed Whales
Sperm Whale
Pygmy and Dwarf Sperm Whales
Beluga and Narwhal
Beaked Whales
Oceanic Dolphins
River Dolphins
Porpoises
Getting Involved
Photo Credits
Sources and Resources
Index
For signed copies or quantity discounts, click here, or go to erichhoytbooks.com. Books are also available on various independent and other book sites, including hive.co.uk http://bit.ly/2vyviTe and from independent book stores. Also available from Amazon:
UK: http://bit.ly/EncyclopediaWhales
For review copies for online or print publications, email me here, and I can contact the PR person at the publisher.
© 2019 Erich Hoyt. All rights reserved.
