Written by distinguished marine biologists and illustrated with incredible underwater photographs, this guide to the marine environment and the dangerous creatures living within it covers all forms of sealife including jellyfish and corals, molluscs, crustacea, urochordates, fish, reptiles, seabirds and sea mammals. Each entry is accompanied by clear succinct text covering habitat, appearance, behaviour, typical accidents and how to prevent and treat injuries. The book opens with a section on oceanography and marine biology which explains the complex and fascinating processes that created the oceans as we know them today. Part 1 covers the invertebrates. As they are a diverse group, typical regional invertebrate habitats are described to give an insight into the complex niches and relationships in which they exist. Part 2 covers the vertebrates. It opens with 48 plates illustrating the majority of species likely to be encountered on the oceans. In the fish plates, some species are illustrated for the first time. The seabirds, cetaceans, sea reptiles and sea mammals are also comprehensively illustrated. The plate section is followed by a systematic section on each group. The book should prove useful to the seafarer, and a valuable resource for anyone interested in the marine environment. Marine life that may be familiar to Australians includes stingrays, sharks, Moray eels, box jellyfish, the blue-ringed octopus, the crown of thorns starfish and the Komodo dragon.

What would you do if faced with a school of sharks in a feeding frenzy? Find out in this book, unquestionably the most authoritative compact guide to the world of underwater animals that are poisonous, venomous, and electric. It is an excellent practical handbook for sailors, marine biologists, ecologists, naturalists, physicians, students, and scuba divers--in short, anyone interested in the denizens of shallow marine waters and the deep. This new edition describes and fully illustrates these dangerous marine animals, their noxious effects, treatment of ailments resulting from them, and, most importantly, how to avoid mishaps. More than two hundred illustrations, including many color photographs new to this edition, show the animals in their true forms and in their natural habitats. Dangerous Marine Animals is the culmination of more than forty years of intensive research by Dr. Bruce Halstead, a renowned marine biologist/toxicologist, who has traveled and studied marine creatures in over 150 countries.

Dangerous Sea Life of the West Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico is a guide for accident prevention and first aid. There are sections on: Species that bite, such as sharks, barracuda, moray eels, alligators and crocodiles, octopi, and sea lice Species that sting, such as jellyfish, stingrays, fire worms, fire coral, cone shells, sea urchins, and bony fishes Species dangerous to eat, from cholera, paralytic shellfish poisoning, red tide, parasites, and ciguatera Pests that harm swimmers, such as various algae, bacteria, and parasites Toxic mucus-secreting species, such as sponges, fishes, and marine toads Fish beak and processing injuries, such as flying fish, billfish, swordfish, and shark skin Human/animal interactions at modern tourist attractions

This comprehensive atlas comprising over 300 beautiful color photographs of marine animals dangerous to humans has been written by three experts in the fields of hazardous and venomous animals, marine biology, emergency medicine and education. It is of considerable practical use not only to marine biologists, oceanographers, marine scientists and toxicologists but also to accident and emergency trauma specialists who are treating an alarming number of casualties among divers and others involved in maritime occupations and leisure pursuits. One of the world's leading biotoxicologists has joined forces with an eminent environmental physician and a youth science specialist to produce a unique and beautiful book. It is not only of immense practical value, but, by its powerful and exciting photography also enthralls anyone intrigued by the sea.

A Time-Life television book; consultants, W.G. Conway and others.