Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife

DK Nature

by Smithsonian Institution, Don E. Wilson (Editor), David Burnie (Editor)

Unrivaled in its breadth and visual impact, this unique guide sets out to illustrate, describe, and explain the incredible range of creatures that make up the animal kingdom. Exceptional Coverage. This authoritative volume starts with a clear introduction to the animal world, examining the reasons for the apparently infinite variety of animal forms and major evolutionary developments. Animal anatomy, life cycles and the principles of classification are also explored. This is followed by a superbly illustrated survey of world habitats, showing how they have adapted to each environment, and the threats that face both wildlife and plants today. The main part of the book, an up-to-date and comprehensive animal catalog, looks in detail at each major group and provides fascinating profiles of over 2,000 individual species. Visually Breathtaking. Spectacular photographic portraits bring a vast array of animals vividly to life, with special features on well-known and important animals such as the Galapagos tortoise. Each species profile is supported by maps and symbols showing distribution and habitat, as well as key information on size, population, and conservation status, forming an invaluable reference database. Outstanding Reference. Clear, comprehensive, and thought provoking, the Smithsonian Animal is essential reading for wildlife enthusiasts of all ages and levels of experience.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Animals, Reference, Nature, Biology, Photography

624 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Marty Essen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a nature writer, I own a large collection of natural history encyclopedias. When I wrote "Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents" and wanted the natural history of a particular animal I encountered in the wild, I would comb through multiple wildlife guides. Two things stood out:

1) More often than not, I could find what I was looking for in "Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide" (the previous version of this book).

2) I was amazed how often various natural history guides disagreed on the size and weight of species. Since I had the advantage of actually observing the animals in the wild, I could judge which guide was most accurate. In most cases, I sided with "Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide."

So while I will continue to have multiple natural history encyclopedias at my side for future writing projects, if I had to choose just one, "Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide" would be the book.

Marty Essen, author of Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents

[Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are someone who absolutely loves animals than this is definitely the book for you! It is brilliantly written with as many facts as you could ever need on every animal. I have learnt so much while reading this, I have also discovered so many animals that I had never even heard of. It is the perfect dip in an dip out book. The perfect book for any age!

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many big DK books this is spectacular and in fact is better quality than most others. It also (being a DK book) is very easy find remaindered and very good value if you do.

It's not exhaustive: whenever I go to look something up it always seems to be missing the particular species I want, and the description of each animal is very brief. However given the size and scope of the book, omissions and brevity are understandable and forgivable.

My four year old loves it.

[Lauren Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. It makes me love the world even more.

[Amelia B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I credit this book with truly growing my love of animals. My friend’s dad owned it, and every time I went to her house I would pour over this book, memorizing animals facts. It’s a beautiful, truly educational book showcasing the joy of animal creation.

[Clemmie Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly educational book, for adults & children. Great facts and introduction to e.g. habitats & climates (fresh water, polar regions, desert). An amazing tool for understanding the natural world, opening our eyes to things we don't see! Shows the fine balance of ecosystems/the natural world and the importance of our stewardship of it. Visually and informationally stimulating book for all ages!

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this to AJ last year for Valentine's Day, and we've shared many happy hours paging through the enormous volume marveling at the beautiful pictures and the astonishing descriptions of the creatures contained therein.

Kind of enormous book, but so worth reading. Get it in hardcover, that's the best. If and when I own a coffee table this book will be on it.

We like playing 'guess which animal' in which one of us reads the description of the animal until the other can guess it. AJ currently holds the record of three seconds by guessing "Venomous monotreme-" was a platypus. Did you know echidnas are monotremes, too?

Off subject, but did you know my brother-in-law Dan has seen capybaras? Like, on a road in front of him? they may look cute and adorable in the Definitive Visual Guide to the World's Wildlife, but talk about Rodents of Unusual Size! I wouldn't want to meet one of those yellow-toothed super-sized guinea pigs in a dark alley, let alone central america!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great coffee table book. It'll probably always be on my "currently reading" shelf because it's so fun to pull out and flip to a random page. Plus it's huge so it'll take awhile to get through every bit of information that's packed in.

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. An education.

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the pictures and the stats are also great. I like using a measuring tape to see how long each animal is.

[Alexa Bruno · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was 9 years old my grandparents got me this absolutely massive book for Christmas. This and a big stuffed frog that was a giant plush version of a green tree frog. I remember I named that frog Papa John (we had pizza that night) and sitting in a circle with my cousins looking at all the bright pictures. Not your typical gift requests for Christmas but I wasn’t your typical girl and I knew what I loved. I credit this book to teaching me so so much about animals and starting a lifelong love of studying their facts and information. I can honestly say I read every page, I remember all the giant pictures and my personal copy is worn, dropped, dog-eared and loved and I still have it. We used to have pajama day and bring your favorite book to school day and my classmates would all bring Junie B. Jones or Captain Underpants and here was little old me in frog pajamas and this giant book I could barely carry. It makes me think of my grandparents who I miss every day and makes me think about how happy I was to find something I liked so much and I love the memories that are associated with this book. People still ask me how I know so much about random animals they have never heard of, and here is a very good start to that journey.

[Safiye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this about a million times and it always seems to have some new and fun animal that I would LOVE to learn about. Every animal lover should have this on there shelf! (Mine has a penguin on the cover though.) The pictures are breath taking and you really get a lot of information on any animal.

[Zorak · Rating 5 out of 5]

best book quite possibly ever. used to spend ages looking at all the different animals... this book was never available at the public library cause of me. i was obsessed and if i ever finally get a copy of this for myself like i wanted to as a child i’ll probably spend hours looking at it just like i used to

[Oznasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't claim to have read this book from cover to cover. I use it as a reference book. If there is an animal I would like to identify or to just know a little more about, this is where I start. This book is spectacular. It might not have every animal in the world but it sure has a lot, it's very well designed and is illustrated with many spectacular pictures.

[Sathish Ravi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that I grew up with. This book gave me a complete understanding of animals, their classifications. Different genuses, ecology and many other things. It introduced me to animals and that I will never forget. My general knowledge would have never been the same without this book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We use this book ALL THE TIME when my kids have projects or just want to learn more about animals in the world!! Great reference!

[Taylor Brusky · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a teenager during the age of dial up internet, I absolutely loved this encyclopedia. It was a perfect blend of information and images.

[Leianni · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the best book i ever read before and i what to say that you wrote the best book if i was you

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son's favorite book from the time he was three until a teenager. Ours is taped together.

[Paheal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing.

[Heddeile]

Ei ollut tämä kirja

[Jislainkomera]

this is the best

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fookin perfect

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book that my children have completely worn out because they have loved it so much. I bought a newer edition as well, but I think this one might have been better.

[Maria Monteros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures of animals across the world. Insightful and visually appealing.

[bald]

thick ass book i tried to memorize every single animal there was

[Samantha van Buuren · Rating 5 out of 5]

My self and my 5 year old really enjoyed reading this book. The information is easy to read and accompanied by gorgeous photos. We both learnt a lot and enjoyed the journey.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some very weird looking little guys live on our planet.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good resource.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

guys there’s like so many animals in the world