January 2023 MBR The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Venomous Animals of the United States and Canada
Lawrence L. C. Jones
Rio Nuevo Publishers
www.rionuevo.com
9781940322087 $45.00

https://www.amazon.com/Venomous-Animals-United-States-Canada/dp/1940322081

Synopsis: Venomous animals are everywhere. There could even be one crawling toward you right now. (Indeed, the editor received some fire ant bites at his desk while working on this book!) But despite our fears of potential danger from these animals, they still fascinate and delight us too.

Venomous Animals is intended for anyone interested in, and wanting to safely view, some of our most awe-inspiring animals in nature. It should prove useful to hikers, bird-watchers, and homeowners as well as professionals in poison control centers and the medical field.

Highlights:

More than 80 sections on species that can cause harm to humans - from the familiar European Honey Bee, Portuguese Man-of-War, and Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake to the less familiar biting worms, box jellyfishes, octopuses, and shrews.

Basic information on identification, natural history, habitats, taxonomy, and attributes of venom composition and effects

Envenomation stories. Vicariously live the experiences of people bitten or stung without their pain and hospital bill!

A venom and envenomation primer, along with a chapter on first aid

500+ color photographs of animals and the results of their envenomations

Critique: Studiously detailed, yet thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds, Venomous Animals of the United States and Canada: A Guide to Vertebrates and Invertebrates of Land and Sea is a comprehensive reference and resource, featuring full-color photographs of venomous animals that are potentially dangerous to humans. From poisonous snakes to biting worms, box jellyfishes, octopuses, shrews, spiders, scorpions, and more, Venomous Animals of the United States and Canada discusses each species' classification, identification, natural history, how they are encountered, their venom apparatus and symptoms of poisoned victims, and offers insightful advice for safely coexisting with these species. Venomous Animals of the United States and Canada is a "must-have" especially for American and Canadian public and university library collections, and a fascinating, educational browse for lay readers.

Cats: A Celebration of Our Feline Friends
Julianna Photopoulos
Amber Books
https://www.amberbooks.co.uk
9781838861629, $29.99, HC, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Cats-Celebration-Our-Feline-Friends/dp/1838861629

Synopsis: Why do cats purr? How much can you learn about a cat's mood from the direction it flicks its tail? How do cats show trust with their eyes? Why do cats rub against their owners' legs?

Arranged in chapters covering physical characteristics, senses, life cycle, and behavior, "Cats: A Celebration of Our Feline Friends" by Julianna Photopoulos features a huge range of breeds from all around the world.

Ranging from Siamese to Russian Blue, from Manx to American Bobtail, from Burmese to Bombay, "Cats: A Celebration of Our Feline Friends" expertly explores and celebrates this most beloved pet. With fascinating captions on every page, even experienced and dedicated cat lovers will learn something new.

Critique: A coffee-table style volume (9.5 x 0.8 x 11.4 inches, 3 pounds), "Cats: A Celebration of Our Feline Friends" is a impressively informative compendium of succinct informative commentaries accompanying simply stunning color photographs that will have a very special appeal for anyone who has ever had a feline companion of their own. An original and inherently fascinating compendium, "Cats: A Celebration of Our Feline Friends" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Cat Breeds collections.

Editorial Note: Julianna Photopoulos (is a science writer and filmmaker. She has written for various print and online publications including New Scientist, BBC Focus magazine, and Nature, and has been involved in several natural-history documentaries for the BBC and National Geographic. As a biology graduate, she has worked in genetics and in dolphin and whale research. (https://www.progress.org.uk/about-us/people/julianna-photopoulos)

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