ebooks The Record of Linji (Nanzan Library of Asian Religion and Culture) by From Brand: University of Hawaii Press in History

Description

Ocean currents; winds; and rainfall all work together to create a marine oasis around the Hawaiian Islands; providing a home for many species of dolphins and whales normally found in the deep oceans of the world. The Lives of Hawai`i’s Dolphins and Whales opens a window into the world of these mysterious creatures with stories and observations from author Robin W. Baird’s work over the last seventeen years. The book includes exceptional full-color photographs of each species; life history descriptions; conservation threats; and maps showing sighting locations and movements of tagged individuals among the islands and offshore. While the well-known resident spinner dolphins and visiting humpback whales are covered; the ten species of lesser-known open-ocean dolphins and whales that are resident to the marine slopes of the islands are highlighted as well. Among these are endangered false killer whales; deep-diving Cuvier’s and Blainville’s beaked whales; abundant spotted dolphins; coastal bottlenose dolphins; cryptic dwarf sperm whales; family units of short-finned pilot whales; and social melon-headed whales. Baird also describes thirteen species of dolphins and whales that are found in offshore waters or are seasonal or occasional visitors to Hawaiian waters; including killer whales; the iconic sperm whale; and even blue whales and North Pacific right whales. More is known about the social organization and natural history of many of these marine mammals in Hawai`i than anywhere else in the world. For all of the species discussed; Baird presents data obtained from long-term photo-identification studies; with distinctive individuals tracked through time and space; for many of them; he includes findings from studies using genetics and satellite tagging. He also provides information on predators and prey; social organization; diving; and night-time behavior; along with suggestions on how to tell some of the more difficult to identify species apart. The book closes by focusing on conservation issues; both success stories and challenges; engaging readers to consider ways to protect Hawai`i’s unique assemblage of resident dolphins and whales.