Animals Encyclopedia

Animals have existed on Earth for many hundreds of millions of years. In that time they have evolved into a great variety of forms, exploiting nearly every habitat the planet has to offer. In the dark depths of the oceans, in the seemingly inhospitable Polar Regions, in the driest deserts, even within the bodies of other animals, there are animal species that have developed unique and extraordinary means of surviving and thriving.

This lavishly illustrated reference provides a trip through our evolutionary past, as it covers more than 600 extinct species–from predatory dinosaurs, primitive amphibians, and giant armored fish to sabertooths, cave bears, and flying reptiles–all depicted in specially commissioned full-color paintings, based the latest paleontological information.

What is A Terrarium? A terrarium is a miniature landscape with living plants and even sometimes small animals like lizards or turtles.

The final volumes of the massive revised Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia have finally rolled off the press. We reviewed volumes 8 to 11 (Birds) in the January 1 & 15, 2003, issue, and volumes 4 and 5 (fishes), volume 6 (amphibians), and volume 7 (reptiles) in the December 1, 2003, issue. Volume 17 is a comprehensive index.
H. C. Bernhard Grzimek hoped his original encyclopedia would "disseminate knowledge of the animals and love for them." This is also a goal of the revised edition; it does not disappoint. All volumes follow a similar organization. Introductory chapters, written in a narrative style, are usually followed by taxonomic chapters and species accounts, which follow a prescribed format. There are no page references from the main account of the species to the illustrations; the index at the end of each volume must be consulted. Color photographs, illustrations, and distribution maps supplement the text. Additional resources include references to books, periodical articles, organizations, and Web sites.