{"product_id":"tortoises-of-the-world-giants-to-dwarfs-hardcover","title":"Tortoises of the World: Giants to Dwarfs - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eGeorge R. Zug\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eDevin A. Reese\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe first book dedicated entirely to the fascinating ecology of the world's tortoises.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eTortoises of the World \u003c\/i\u003eis the only book to offer a comprehensive exploration of the biology, natural history, and conservation of the fascinating family Testudinidae. Renowned reptile scientist George R. Zug and acclaimed science writer Devin A. Reese bring a wealth of research to life in this beautifully illustrated volume, the first dedicated wholly to tortoises.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFocusing on the diversity of the 47 known tortoise species and their evolution from ancestral turtles, this approachable and informative work explores: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Tortoise adaptations, their unique body plan, and their behavioral ecology\u003cbr\u003e- The odd anatomy and physiology that enables tortoises' life in shells\u003cbr\u003e- Their resilience to extreme temperatures and aridity\u003cbr\u003e- Tortoises' role as ecosystem engineers in the diverse habitats they occupy\u003cbr\u003e- Their intricate life cycle, from mating rituals and nesting to the tenuous survival of eggs and hatchlings\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eZug and Reese also examine the challenging nature of interactions between tortoises and humans while highlighting ongoing conservation efforts to secure their futures.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeorge R. Zug\u003c\/b\u003e, emeritus research scientist of reptiles and amphibians at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, is an award-winning herpetologist, the author of \u003ci\u003eReptiles and Amphibians of the Pacific Islands\u003c\/i\u003e, and the coauthor of \u003ci\u003eHerpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cb\u003eDevin A. Reese\u003c\/b\u003e is the executive editor of \u003ci\u003eNatural History\u003c\/i\u003e magazine. An award-winning science writer who earned her PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, she has written for the Smithsonian, PBS, the World Wildlife Fund, \u003ci\u003eScience News\u003c\/i\u003e, and elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 256\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.8 x 9.6 x 6.8 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e April 23, 2024\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42153496445063,"sku":"9781421448350","price":80.93,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/1c52ce55743393e516ab170508037760.webp?v=1733222045","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/tortoises-of-the-world-giants-to-dwarfs-hardcover","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}