Sasol First Field Guide to Spiders & Scorpions of Southern Africa


Book Description

Sasol First Field Guide to Spiders & Scorpions of Southern Africa provides fascinating insight into the arachnids of the region. Through full-colour photographs and easy-to-read text, the young adult and budding naturalist will be able to identify the more common species found in southern Africa, discover where they live, and learn about their unique habits.




Field Guide to Scorpions of South Africa


Book Description

Among the world’s most fascinating living fossils, scorpions have been around for some 420 million years. South Africa is home to an astonishing variety, with 108 species in three families occurring in most of the region’s biomes, from desert and grassland to fynbos, savanna and forest. Scorpions are even found in urban gardens. Field Guide to Scorpions of South Africa is the first comprehensive guide to describe and illustrate all known species in the country. The clear, detailed species accounts cover appearance, habitat and behaviour, and discuss the variation within species according to region. Up-to-date distribution maps are included for all species and exceptional photographs, carefully worked to show astounding detail and vivid colours, bring to life the intricate patterning and colours of different species. Both males and females are presented, as well as a variety of colour forms, facilitating accurate identification in the field. The introduction discusses scorpion classification, anatomy, biology, behaviour and habitat, as well as venomosity and the treatment of stings. Tips on how and where to find scorpions and how to contribute to their conservation as a citizen scientist are also included. Sales points: The first comprehensive field guide to this group of arachnids. Detailed profiles of families, genera and species. Covers venomosity and the treatment of stings. Extraordinary photography, including colour forms within species.




Scorpions of Southern Africa


Book Description

Scorpions of Southern Africa, the go-to guide for identifying southern Africa’s rich scorpion fauna, has now been freshly designed, updated and expanded. It includes 12additional species, new images and distribution maps, and a chapter on how to go about identifying scorpions. An invaluable guide for the amateur naturalist and professional alike, this accessible book describes: scorpion anatomy and behavior; the strategies that enable scorpions to survive harsh conditions; their use of venom and other aspects of their successful existence over millions of years. A fascinating introduction to the biology and behaviour of scorpions; a photograph and distribution map for each species; concise information to enable identification; debunks myths and legends about these little-known and misunderstood creatures.




Field Guide to Insects of South Africa


Book Description

This is the first comprehensive field guide to the insect fauna of South Africa, with detailed descriptions of over 1 200 of the most common, most economically and ecologically important, and most interesting and attractive insects in the region. The easy-to-read text is matched with superb photography. Each account covers identification, biology, distribution and related species, and is accompanied by a colour photograph of the species or family.




Scorpions of the World


Book Description




Field Guide to the Spiders of California and the Pacific Coast States


Book Description

With over 40,000 described species, spiders have adapted to nearly every terrestrial environment across the globe. Over half of the world’s spider families live within the three contiguous Pacific Coast states—not surprising considering the wide variety of habitats, from mountain meadows and desert dunes to redwood forests and massive urban centers. This beautifully illustrated, accessible guide covers all of the families and many of the genera found along the Pacific Coast, including introduced species and common garden spiders. The author provides readers with tools for identifying many of the region’s spiders to family, and when possible, genus and species. He discusses taxonomy, distribution, and natural history as well as what is known of the habits of the spiders, the characters of families, and references to taxonomic revisions of the pertinent genera. Full-color plates for each family bring to life the incredible diversity of this ancient arachnid order.







The Bushveld


Book Description

This revised, updated and expanded second edition of Lee Gutteridge's comprehensive field guide covers a broad cross section of the most prominent species of flora and fauna of the South African Bushveld, including large parts of the Kruger Lowveld; all combined into one user-friendly manual that can be used by tourists and professional field guides alike. With over 4,200 color photographs, sketches and diagrams describing over 1,300 species, laid out in accessible, color-coded sections, everything you'll need to know on a Bushveld safari is in here. Some of South Africa's foremost experts in their particular disciplines have contributed to this guide, with Vincent Carruthers and Louis du Preez (amphibians), Jonathan Leeming (scorpions and spiders), Louis Liebenberg (tracking), Paul van Gaalen, Hendri Coetzee and Adam Riley (birds), Rolf Becker and Alma Moller (euphorbias), Teresa Kearney and Ernest Seamark (bats), Marieka Gryzenhout (fungi), Johan Marais and Jens Reissig (reptiles), Marius Coetzee (birds and mammals) and Frits van Oudtshoorn (grasses) being but a few of the renowned professionals who have so enthusiastically supported this project. Lee Gutteridge was born in Sheffield, England in 1973. Passionate about African wildlife, he is now a professional field guide with 18 years' bush experience. He is currently the chairman of the Waterberg region of the Field Guides' Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) and also the principal trainer of the Entabeni Nature Guide Training School. He books include the best-selling The Bushveld: A South African Field Guide, including the Kruger Lowveld (2008, 2nd edition 2012), Okavango Field Guide (co-authored, 2011) and Bushman Rock Art: An Interpretive Guide (co-authored, 2012).




The Mammals of the Southern African Sub-region


Book Description

This comprehensive volume covers all mammals that occur naturally on the African mainland south of the Cunene and Zambezi rivers, and also in the subregion's coastal waters. Extensively revised and updated for the new edition, it now includes the latest data from from mammal research in southern Africa along with the radical taxonomic changes across all levels of mammalian classification. Containing contributions from specialists on each mammalian order, each species description has been reviewed by a range of independent and internationally recognised authorities. Along with the latest taxonomic information, the distribution maps and illustrations have been updated and redrawn, several new colour plates have been added, and the whole design has been enhanced to aid access to key information. This is the most comprehensive and up-to-date survey of southern-African mammals and forms an essential reference for zoologists, evolutionary biologists and anyone wanting an overview of the region's wildlife.




A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa


Book Description

This long-awaited third edition of A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa has been updated, revised and expanded. New information based on scientific research relating to behaviour, identification, reproduction and snake venoms has been included in the species accounts. Features of this book: Covers all essential aspects of snake biology and behaviour; species descriptions are accompanied by full-colour photographs and distribution maps; simple icons make essential information available at a glance; a separate ‘key features’ box assists in quickly identifying species in the field; chapters on classification and identification, keeping snakes, and the treatment of snakebite supplement the species accounts. Sales points: A guide to all snakes, dangerous and harmless, in southern Africa; practical first-aid advice for snakebite; packed with full-colour images; icons, maps and concise text make identification simple.