PET LIBRARY

by Andrew Cleave

AQUARIUM FISH is a widespread and popular hobby, and unlike earlier naturalists, modern aquarists have a great deal of highly technical equipment available and well over 100 years of expertise and experience to draw on. An immense variety of fish is available to the amateur aquarist. Tropical freshwater species are still the most popular, but cold-water aquarium fish like the goldfish, found in a great range of colors and forms, are also widely kept. Saltwater aquaria present more problems, but with the advances in equipment in recent years, tropical marine fish—plus organisms like anemones, prawns, and corals—can be kept by a skilled amateur. Cold-water marine species can be kept successfully, too, with the correct equipment. A well-maintained aquarium with a healthy community of fish and good growth of aquatic plants can provide hours of interest. In fact, observing fish in an aquarium often leads to the even more rewarding study of fish in their natural environment. AQUARIUM FISH, a title in the popular series Pet Library, is an illustrated, practical guide to animals we love so much that we make them part of the family.

by Marcus Schneck

CATS is a thoroughly researched and beautifully illustrated tribute to the animal that was worshiped by the ancient Egyptians as a god and that is still treated as such by many of us in our own homes today. The domestic cat has evolved from a formidable wild creature into the graceful, agile, affectionate, yet independent creature we know and love. Looking into the history of the cat, the development of the different breeds, the criteria used to judge these breeds in shows, as well as feline psychology and communication techniques, CATS is practical as well as informative and beautiful. Enjoy a thoroughly researched and fantastically illustrated portrait of forty different breeds, including Persians and other longhairs and British, American, and Oriental shorthairs. CATS, a title in the popular series Pet Library, is an illustrated, practical guide to animals we love so much that we make them part of the family.

by Marcus Schneck

DOGS can be seen walking along our city parks, romping in backyards, wandering stray in search of food, napping in our living rooms, begging at our tables—just about anywhere in society. In most places, they are known as the family dog. It is estimated that there are 150 million members of the canine population in the world, and there is great variability, with more than 300 breeds throughout the world—from the Great Dane at 150 pounds (67.5 kilograms) to the Chihuahua at 1.5 pounds (0.68 kilogram). One of the things all canines have in common is their instinctive behavior as pack animals. A pack is a group of animals that live together all dependent on one another for protection, companionship, mates, babysitters for the young, and hunting companions. Archaeologists have found evidence of dogs on Earth 25 to 30 million years ago. Since then, humans have become the leader of the pack for domestic dogs. DOGS, a title in the popular series Pet Library, is an illustrated, practical guide to animals we love so much that we make them part of the family.

by Marcus Schneck

Few of us can resist the allure that a kitten brings—its tiny, wide-eyed, cuddly presence is something we all respond to. Our affection for kittens extends back millennia to our ancient forebears. In KITTENS, you learn how the earliest recorded linkage between man and cat dates back to Egypt in 3000 B.C. At first this was a separate though complementary relationship. The cats kept their distance from the humans and spent most of their time in the shadows, quietly going about their task as mousers. Gradually, however, exposure to humans wore down the cats’ comfortable distance and direct physical encounters began to occur. Every object, whether living or inanimate, is cause for exploration by the kitten. Initial contact usually is tentative and probing, allowing plenty of possibilities for escape. KITTENS, a title in the popular series Pet Library, is an illustrated, practical guide to animals we love so much that we make them part of the family.

by Ben Sonder

All over the world, PARROTS are popular pets and zoo attractions. What is it about these mythic birds that so intrigues us? Is it their stunning plumage? Their abilities with human speech? Or the fact that some species possess an intellect that rivals that of dolphins or chimpanzees? Parrots have been domesticated for centuries and have been documented in ancient literature for thousands of years. Throughout the ages, they have been valued by humans for spiritual, sensual, and mythical purposes. Yet habitat destruction and poaching have rendered many once-plentiful species extinct and placed countless others on the endangered list. This lavish volume captures the beauty and mystery of parrots in stunning, full-color photography. The rich narrative details the place of these mythic birds in history, legend, and lore and examines the threats that deforestation, poaching, and pollution have placed on their very existence. PARROTS, a title in the popular series Pet Library, is an illustrated, practical guide to animals we love so much that we make them part of the family.

by Marcus Schneck

PUPPIES is an engaging and informative account of our most popular pet, the baby dog. A newborn puppy evokes in practically everyone almost the same feelings that make us want to care for and protect human babies. After approximately 12,000 years of human–dog relationships, this kind of emotion seems almost natural to us. This volume will serve as a guide to dog behavior and explain what to expect when you own a puppy. Helpful information regarding the pup’s life is detailed in the following chapters: Beginning of Life, Discovering the World, Elements of Play, and Care and Selection. Included are discussions of the puppy’s developing senses and a comparison of the animal’s intelligence and its instinct; the time of the young dog’s weaning, and the following period of distinctive behavior such as the “denning instinct,” territoriality, and hunting practices; what to look for in choosing a pup, whether a pedigree or a mutt; and finally how to teach your pet tricks as well as the routines of domestic life. PUPPIES, a title in the popular series Pet Library, is an illustrated, practical guide to animals we love so much that we make them part of the family.