Field Guide to Marine Mammals of the Pacific Coast - 9780520265455

From gray whales giving birth in the lagoons of Baja California to sea otters nestled in kelp beds off California to killer whales living around Vancouver Island, sea mammals populate this spectacular stretch of the Pacific Coast in numbers that rival any place on earth. This handy interpretive field guide describes the 45 species of whales, dolphins, seals, and otters that are resident in, migrate through, or forage from Baja to British Columbia. The guide's rich species accounts provide details on identification, natural history, distribution, and conservation. They also tell where and how these fascinating animals can best be viewed. Introductory chapters give general information on the ecology, evolution, and taxonomy of marine mammals; on the Pacific Coast's unique environment; and on the relationship between marine mammals and humans overtime---from before native peoples' first contact with Europeans to today.

"This richly illustrated book is more than a field guide, giving the reader insight into the fascinating biology of these animals and the conservation issues they face. Any resident or visitor to the West Coast will love this book and reach for it not only when standing on a bluff looking out to sea, but also when curled in an armchair at home." ---FRANCES GULLAND, The Marine Mammal Center