Full Description
China is a huge country, with remarkably varied and unusual wildlife. This fully updated second edition of Bradt's visitor's wildlife guide provides a colourful introduction to the mammals, birds, reptiles and other wildlife for which the area is renowned, together with an insight into their habits and habitats, and an indication of where they are likely to be seen. Accessible and beautifully illustrated, the guide will appeal both to the first-time visitor and to the serious naturalist seeking a compact volume to carry around. And after the trip, it will also make a great souvenir.
New for this second edition are coverage of the new Giant Panda National Park, the recovery of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, whose numbers have increased from around 1,000 to over 3,000, the huge increase in protected areas on both land and sea, and the increased protection in several large reserves for the chiru or Tibetan antelope, notably in Kekexili World Heritage Reserve.
Also included are 10 maps focusing on major landscape features and habitats, as well as specific habitat regions such as desert, high plateau, lowland and wetland, and mountain, forest and grassland. All major animal groups are covered, as are habitats and plant life, and there are features on special topics such as medicinal plants, rare cranes and panda country. There are also practical tips for the visitor on where and when to go, and around 200 photographs illustrating the most interesting species from some of the country's finest photographers.
Contents
Foreword
Landscape, habitats and plant life
General landscape features, Habitats, Plant life
Mammals
Carnivores, Hoofed mammals, Elephants, Primates, Small mammals, Dolphins, seals and sirenians
Birds
Seabirds and waterbirds, Birds of prey (raptors), Ground birds, Near-passerines, Passerines (perching birds)
Reptiles, amphibians and fish
Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish
Invertebrates
Butterflies and moths, Beetles, bugs, spiders and others
Making the most of it
When to go, What to take, Health and safety, Watching for wildlife, Photographing natural China
Where to go
Conservation and nature reserves, Regions and sites: Desert region of northwest China, High plateau region of west China, Mountain, forest and grassland region of north China, Lowland and wetland region of east China, Mountain and forest region of central China, Mountain and forest region of south China, Mountains of southwest China, Tropical region of south China
Further reading
Index
