Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Vol.4: Sea Mammals

Marine mammals include some of the most fascinating animals on Earth. The large and majestic whales and the impressive and playful dolphins have provided mysterious companionship to humans at sea for hundreds of years. These magical creatures, along with the equally fascinating manatees, dugongs, seals, sea lions, and walruses, have developed a completely different set of adaptations compared to their terrestrial ancestors.

Volume 4 of the HMW series provides complete accounts of all species and families of these important groups. Richly illustrated with color photographs showing various behaviors of all of them, the text contains the most up-to-date information on all families of marine mammals.

Highlighted Features

• 30 color plates
• 667 color photographs
• 147 distribution maps
• Special chapter on marine mammal conservation

Contents

• Families covered in Volume 4:
• ORDER CARNIVORA
• Family Otariidae: 7 genera, 16 species
• Family Odobenidae: 1 genus, 1 species
• Family Phocidae: 13 genera, 19 species
• ORDER CETARTIODACTYLA
• Suborder Mysticeti:
• Family Balaenidae: 2 genera, 4 species
• Family Neobalaenidae: 1 genus, 1 species
• Family Eschrichtiidae: 1 genus, 1 species
• Family Balaenopteridae: 2 genera, 9 species
• Suborder Odontoceti:
• Family Physeteridae: 1 genus, 1 species
• Family Kogiidae: 1 genus, 2 species
• Family Ziphiidae: 6 genera, 24 species
• Family Platanistidae: 1 genus, 1 species
• Family Iniidae: 1 genus, 4 species
• Family Lipotidae: 1 genus, 1 species
• Family Pontoporiidae: 1 genus, 1 species
• Family Monodontidae: 2 genera, 2 species
• Family Delphinidae: 17 genera, 38 species
• Family Phocoenidae: 3 genera, 7 species
• ORDER SIRENIA
• Family Trichechidae: 1 genus, 3 species
• Family Dugongidae: 1 genus, 1 species