Giraffe Reflections [Hardcover]

The most comprehensive book on giraffes to appear in the last fifty years, this volume presents a magnificent portrait of a group of animals who, in spite of their legendary elegance and astonishing gentleness, may not entirely survive this century.

Dale Petersons text provides a natural and cultural history of the worlds tallest and second-biggest land animals, describing in detail their biology and behavior. He offers a new perspective on the giraffes place in our world, and argues for the stronger protection of these imposing yet endangered creatures and their elusive forest relatives, the okapis.

Some 120 stunning photographs by award-winning wildlife photographer Karl Ammann capture the grace and elegance ofGiraffa camelopardalis.Both beautiful and informative, the images document giraffes complex interactions with each other and their environment.

Dale Petersonis a Lecturer in the English Department of Tufts University and the author of numerous books, includingJane Goodall, Demonic Males, Visions of Caliban,andChimpanzee Travels.Karl Ammannhas photographed wildlife throughout Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. His work has appeared in theNew York Times Magazine, Outdoor Photography, Natural History, African Geographic,and elsewhere. Peterson and Ammann have also collaborated to produceElephant ReflectionsandEating Apes,both published by UC Press.

Giraffes are alluring animals about whom we previously knew surprisingly little. Filled with scientific facts and wonderful stories,Giraffe Reflectionsreveals many valuable lessons about who these skyscraping beings are. I highly recommend this well-written and beautifully illustrated book to anyone interested in the wondrous animals with whom we share our precious planet.

Marc Bekoff, author ofThe Emotional Lives of Animalsand editor ofIgnoring Nature No More: The Casel³’