| Description |
160 pages : illustrations (chiefly color), maps ; 29 cm |
| Note |
Includes index. |
| Contents |
Introduction -- pt. 1. The life and lifestyle of turtles -- 1. Chelonian taxonomy, form, and function -- Taxonomy -- Physical features -- Skeletal system -- Shell -- Skull -- Feet -- Tail -- Respiration -- Sensory realm -- 2. Ecology -- Thermoregulation -- Feeding and diet -- Courtship and reproduction -- Predators -- Defense strategies -- Seasonal periods of inactivity -- Age -- 3. The ancient origins of turtles -- Jurassic chelonians -- Chelonians of the cretaceous -- pt. 2. The diversity of modern chelonians -- 4. Suborder pleurodira : side-necked turtles -- Family chelidae : Austro-American side-necked turtles -- Family pelomedusidae : African side-necked turtles -- Family podocnemidae : South American river turtles and the Madagascan big-headed turtle -- 5. Suborder cryptodira : hidden-necked turtles -- Family carrettochelyidae : the fly river turtle -- Family cheloniidae : sea turtles -- Family chelydridae : snapping turtles -- Family dermatemydidae : the Central American river turtle -- Family dermochelyidae : the leatherback sea turtle -- Family emydidae : aquatic and terrestrial turtles -- Family geoemydidae : aquatic and terrestrial turtles -- Family kinosternidae : mud and musk turtles -- Family platysternidae : the big-headed turtle -- Family staurotypidae : giant musk turtles -- Family testudinidae : tortoises -- Family trionychidae : soft-shelled turtles -- Appendix -- Taxonomy of turtles -- Conservation organizations -- Index -- About the author. |
| Subject |
Turtles.
|
| ISBN |
9780760329818 (hardbound w/ jacket) |
|
0760329818 (hardbound w/ jacket) |
|
