The Encyclopaedia of Sharks
Author Steve Parker Sharks have been around for some 400 million years, and have survived at least 5 mass extinctions. However, they are really struggling this time around. They swim in just about every corner of the seas and oceans, and even, occasionally, several hundred miles upstream in tropical freshwater rivers.
Yet even today very little is known about the majority of shark species, and new species are still being discovered. In fact there isn't even much agreement about the known number of sharks, with estimates ranging from 350 - 400 different species (not counting similar related species such as skates and rays. And if you think of the iconic species that you probably already know (Great white, Nurse, Mako, Porbeagle, Whale, Basking, Hammerhead, Thresher, Reef, Tiger are the first to spring to mind), that leaves another 350 or so species.
There are some weird and wonderful shapes and sizes. The Hammerhead we all know, but the extraordinary Goblin shark, with its hugely elongated nose (and even more unusually, with a liver that accounts for 25% of its bodyweight.), the prehistoric looking Frilled shark with trident teeth, to the tiny pygmy shark, which checks in at less than a foot long.
The encyclopaedia of sharks covers every aspect of shark behaviour. It isn't a complete guide to sharks, though it does give detailed descriptions, with photos and distribution maps, of about 30 of the better known sharks. However there are chapters on every aspect of shark behaviour, anatomy, history and conservation. 220 or so pages and 200 plus images make this book a bookshelf must for anyone who works in a marine environment, or has any interest in sharks.
Steve Parker has a first class honours degree in zoology, and worked at the Natural History Museum before taking up writing. He is a senior scientific fellow of the Zoological Society of London, and has a growing media reputation.
Published by AC Black
ISBN 9781408108376
RRP £16.99 paperback
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