Animals of every size and variety have disappeared from our planet for eons--most recently due to humans--but they can still be seen and known. Each entry includes full color illustration, Latin name, statistics, reasons they died out, and interesting facts about these animals which used to roam the Earth.

A short description of the extinct animal along with a color drawing.

Everyone is familiar with the dodo and the wooly mammoth, but how many people have heard of the scimitar cat and the Falkland Island fox? Extinct Animals portrays over 60 remarkable animals that have been lost forever during the relatively recent geological past. Each entry provides a concise discussion of the history of the animal—how and where it lived, and how it became extinct—as well as the scientific discovery and analysis of the creature. In addition, this work examines what led to extinction—from the role of cyclical swings in the Earth's climate to the spread of humans and their activities. Many scientists believe that we are in the middle of a mass extinction right now, caused by the human undermining of the earth's complex systems that support life. Understanding what caused the extinction of animals in the past may help us understand and prevent the extinction of species in the future. Extinct Animals examines the biology and history of some of the most interesting creatures that have ever lived, including: The American Terror Bird, which probably became extinct over 1 million years ago, who were massive predators, some of which were almost 10 feet tall; the Rocky Mountain Locust, last seen in 1902, formed the most immense animal aggregations ever known, with swarms estimated to include over 10 trillion insects; the Giant Ground Sloth, which was as large as an elephant; and the Neandertals, the first Europeans, which co-existed with prehistoric Homo sapiens. Extinct Animals includes illustrations—many created for the work—that help the reader visualize the extinct creature, and each entry concludes with a list of resources for those who wish to do further research.

Journey into the wilderness to get up close to the world’s most magnificent animals in this beautifully illustrated reference book filled with fascinating facts. The Magnificent Book of Animals takes you across the globe, from the Arctic tundra to the African savanna, to meet 36 fascinating animals. From the tiny Rondo dwarf bush baby to the massive white rhinoceros, this book depicts some of the world’s most incredible animals in stunning and accurate original illustrations. Intriguing facts accompany every illustration, so you can learn how a tiger marks its territory, why a polar bear isn’t really white, and how long a giraffe’s tongue actually is. This is the perfect book for animal lovers everywhere. 36 ANIMALS: Learn about dozens of animals from all over the world, from the snow leopard to the flying fox. BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED: Vibrant, detailed images bring these incredible animals to life. FASCINATING FACTS: Includes hundreds of fascinating facts in an easy-to-read Layout that will excite animal lovers of all ages. MAP OF THE ANIMAL WORLD: A full-page color map shows where each animal originates. COLLECT THE SERIES: More beautifully illustrated collections for all ages include The Magnificent Book of Cats, The Magnificent Book of Sharks, The Magnificent Book of Horses, The Magnificent Book of Birds, and The Magnificent Book of Extinct Animals.

A fascinating journey around the world of extinct animals, combining cartoons with naturalist drawings, and mythology with science.

A gorgeously illustrated tribute to animals that no longer live on our planet, paired with information on how we can save future species This exploration of animals that we have lost over the past century, from the California grizzly to the Persian tiger, aims to create awareness and inspire children to act responsibly toward their environment. Each animal's story of how it came to extinction is told through graphically stunning illustrations and information packed spreads. Further scientific resources and profiles of animals that have been rediscovered or successfully reintroduced into the wild empower children with the knowledge and tools necessary to aid in conservation and encourage sustainability.