Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins: A Natural History
Turtles are among the world’s most endangered vertebrates, with half their species threatened with extinction. This work covers conservation issues—as well as all aspects of their life histories and evolution—from a comprehensive global perspective. This revised work (updating Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins: Survivors in Armor, 2001) features mostly new color photographs as well as updated entries based on recent research. Author Orenstein possesses impressive credentials as a writer and wildlife conservationist. His great enthusiasm for turtles, tortoises, and terrapins burnishes his prose.   Written for a popular audience, the volume offers a descriptive narrative presentation. The topically arranged chapters cover three broad areas: what turtles are, how turtles live, and challenges to their future survival. Within those chapters, commentary encompasses basic anatomy and physiology, evolution, life histories of representative species, environmental adaptations, reproduction, sea turtle migration, and conservation issues.   A multitude of interesting facts pique reader interest. (The yellow mud turtle can apparently spend as long as two years in a state of dormancy.) The section on the perils to turtles worldwide commands attention—loss of habitat, pollution, disease, use of turtles as food and medicine, overhunting, and the pet trade threaten many species. More than 250 large color photographs, illustrations, and range maps augment the text. Many photographs depict turtles in their natural habitats, including some spectacular underwater scenes. Use of a large font renders the text very easy to read. An extensive 16-page bibliography, arranged by chapter, provides books and scholarly articles to encourage further engagement. The index offers subject access to the contents.  Notable for outstanding color photographs and highly accessible and engaging content, Turtles, Tortoises, and Terrapins merits high recommendation for all types of libraries. --Nancy Cannon