Review by Choice Review
Like penguins, sea turtles are supreme "fliers" beneath the sea--as fast and graceful under water as they are ungainly when out of it. Couple this with their amazing migrations, the enduring mysteries of their biology, and their endangered status, and they make a compelling subject. This is the fourth glossy color book on these photogenic and charismatic creatures in as many years. Like most of its predecessors, it opens with general chapters on the turtles' biology, migrations, and life history. Separate chapters on each of the seven recognized species include distribution maps, diet, conservation status, and other information. Witherington (Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), a sea turtle researcher and conservationist, has done a superb job of conveying the sense of wonder and awe one feels when first encountering one of these animals in its own environment. This is a well-written, richly illustrated introduction to this group of animals. For a more complete treatment, readers should consult James Spotila's Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation (CH, May'05, 42-5282). ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through graduate students; general readers. G. C. Jensen University of Washington
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Biologist Witherington doesn't find it difficult to imagine a turtle with the elegance of a bird. He has worked with sea turtles for 20 years and shares his fascination with these ancient reptiles in this new introduction to the group. The seven species of sea turtles are found in coastal waters as adults and must return to uncluttered beaches to lay their eggs, a life cycle familiar to beachgoers and divers worldwide. Opening chapters cover the evolution of sea turtles and their physiology, anatomy, life cycle, and natural history. A chapter that will hold particular interest examines the nesting of sea turtles as the females come to shore to dig their nests and bury their eggs--an event that many enthusiasts have witnessed. Another chapter is devoted to how baby turtles make it to the open ocean and how adults navigate, followed by an examination of the turtles' role in marine ecology. A long section provides a description of each species of sea turtle, and the final chapter discusses their relations with humans. Beautifully illustrated. --Nancy Bent Copyright 2006 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
