Whale Watcher: A Global Guide to Watching Whales, Dolphins, And Porpoises in the Wild

This is a basic illustrated guide to whale watching opportunities around the world covering all of the different cetacean species, including dolphins and porpoises. Before getting to discussion of individual species, the author (who trained as a zoologist and marine biologist before joining the United Nations Development Programme) provides an introduction to whales that includes discussion of whale communication, behavior, responsible watching, best places to watch, conservation, and means of identification. He then presents information on individual species watching, with each species section including a basic description of the species and major distinguishing characteristics; a "factfile" including the scientific name, family, range, habitat, status/population, diet, length, and weight; identification information regarding fluke shape, dorsal fin shape and position, flippers shape, head shape body shape, blow characteristics, typical group numbers, and general diving behavior; and best places and times to watch (with small range maps). Large color pictures are included throughout. Annotation c2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Trevor Day is a zoologist and marine biologist, and the author of the four-volume Exploring the Ocean. He contributed 50 articles to the multi-volume encyclopedia series, Oceanography and Marine Science.