LIFE AT THE SEA'S FRONTIERS

by Richard Perry ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 25, 1973

This third volume in The Many Worlds of Wildlife Series lacks the coordination and balance of Perry's last, The Polar Worlds (p. 368) possibly because he has not been confined to one or two geographical areas. Here Perry roams the world at the ocean's edge, skipping from mangrove swamp to coral reef, from river delta to tidal flats, highlighting for a popular audience mainly familiar creatures with curious life cycles or behavior: the giant tortoises of Aldabra and Galapagos, iguanas, alligators and crocodiles, flamingos, otters and seals, sea urchins, etc. He touches on many flora and fauna but the emphasis is on spectacular specimens. With a helter-skelter use of his own and other naturalists' observations, Perry discusses island and coral reef formation, the ecology of isolated and changing environments, and the delicate relationships in areas where saline and fresh water meet and mix. The uneven pace notwithstanding, Perry does have an eye for what the armchair naturalist would like to read about and see -- there will be photographs.

Pub Date: Jan. 25, 1973

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Taplinger

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1973

Categories: NONFICTION