From the extremes of the polar regions to the homely woodland with which we are all familiar, The Encyclopedia of World Wildlife presents some of the world's best-known and best-loved creatures - as well as some of the most unusual.From the big game animals of Africa to the brilliantly coioured fish of the coral reefs, all forms of animal life are included within these pages.

Full identification data are provided and the lively text provides fascinating information about the unique habitats, life cycles and behaviour of the great variety of creatures featured in this book. Many of the species discussed are threatened with extinction as the environments on which they depend are destroyed through human exploitation.

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From the tiny leafeater ant to the mighty blue whale, millions of fascinating species share this planet with us. The Encyclopedia of World Wildlife is a celebration of some of the most common, best loved - and plainly peculiar.

Within these pages you will discover that the fastest two-legged runner is a bird and one of the most agile fliers is a snake; that the world's first mushroom farmers were insects and that one of the first animal voices heard on Earth was that of a frog.

What do the puffin and the sacred owl of the Hopi Indians have in common？Why must a cheetah catch its prey within 20 seconds？ And which mammal has a poisoned fang just like a snake's - but on its leg？ The answers to all these - and hundreds more wildlife questions - can be found here.

The Encyclopedia of World Wildlife will be read and treasured by anyone interested in finding out more about the world around them and the creatures that inhabit it. It describes and illustrates them, gives an insight into how they live and explains what makes them special. Beautifully illustrated,there is something to intrigue the reader on every page.

Introduction

Mammals

Birds

Amphibians and Reptiles

Fish, Crustaceans and other Aquatic Life

Invertebrates

Picture Acknowledgements

Index