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First Field Guide: Butterflies & Moths of Southern Africa (NE)
R120.00This new edition of Sasol First Field Guide to Butterflies & Moths of Southern Africa has been fully updated and revised, bringing it in line with the most recent developments in field. It also features new images of all the species and families covered, facilitating quick, easy and accurate identification.
With the help of the full-colour photo graphs and easy-to-read text, the young adult and budding naturalist will be able to identify the more common butterflies and moth groups found in southern Africa, discover where they live, and learn about their unique behaviour and unusual features.
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Scorpions of Southern Africa (NE)
R300.00Scorpions of Southern Africa, the go-to guide for identifying southern Africa’s rich scorpion fauna, has now been freshly designed, updated and expanded. It includes 12 additional species, new images and distribution maps, and a chapter on how to go about identifying scorpions.
An invaluable guide for the amateur naturalist and professional alike, this accessible book describes:
- scorpion anatomy and behaviour,
- the strategies that enable scorpions to survive harsh conditions,
- their use of venom, and
- other aspects of their successful existence over millions of years.
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Field Guide to Wild Flowers of Southern Africa
R580.00This fully updated edition of Field Guide to Wild Flowers of South Africa covers more than 1,100 species of ora, focusing on the most common, conspicuous and ‘showy’ plants around the region. An informative introduction discusses plant diversity, vegetation types, and includes a key to identifying plant groups. Species descriptions follow and each is accompanied by:
- a vivid photograph
- a distribution map showing range, and
- an indication of the plant’s owering season.
An invaluable, up-to-date guide provides the tools and information needed to identify owering plants across South Africa.
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Stuarts’ Field Guide to National Parks & Game Reserves of East Africa
R420.00East Africa is known for its diverse landscapes – expansive savannas, lakes, and towering mountains – but also for its numerous protected areas: its parks and reserves that are the domain of the continent’s most spectacular wildlife. These areas play a vital role in protecting both the environment and the animals it supports, and annually play host to thousands of visitors who come to experience wild Africa.
This guide to the parks and reserves of East Africa provides a valuable overview of some 58 protected areas across East Africa. The book is divided into the four East African countries Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda – and, for each park, provides essential background on geology and landscape, climate, vegetation and wildlife, capturing the essence of what each area offers. It also covers the brief history of each park.
Other features include:
Numerous colour photographs of animal and plant life.
Detailed park maps, indicating places of interest and best sites to view key species.
Text panels with highlights, facilities and activities, wildlife facts, and important alerts.
A photographic gallery of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and trees, for quick identification of common species.This must-have guide to the region’s protected areas will prove indispensable to local and international visitors to the region and to all nature enthusiasts.
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Exploring the Seashore in Southern Africa
R180.00With this lively guide, young adventurers will discover the many treasures along southern Africa’s shores, learn all about the strange and beautiful creatures they can expect to see at the beach and where to find them, then try the fascinating activities and make their own firsthand discoveries. A companion volume to the popular Exploring Fynbos, this lively book is loaded with:interesting topics in accessible text, interactive activities ‘did you know’ boxes ‘things to do’ panels
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Fishy Smiths – Hardback
R310.00The discovery of the modern-day coelacanth will forever be linked with the name of JLB Smith. An intense, irascible, eccentric man, JLB (as he was widely known) and his long-suffering wife Margaret were both remarkable South African scientists who changed the course of the biological sciences. Best known for their research on the coelacanth, they also contributed in many other ways to the scientific study of fishes (ichthyology) and related fields.
The first comprehensive biography about JLB and Margaret Smith.
Traces their formative years and serendipitous meeting, leading up to the discovery of the coelacanth, and the tumultuous years that followed.
Details their punitive work ethic, eccentric and rugged lifestyle, and their astonishingly productive lives.
A story awash with adventure, travel, discovery, risk-taking, near-death experiences – and their extraordinary contribution to science.
Illustrated with black-and-white images of the Smiths’ fascinating lives, as well as a 16-page colour section, Mike Bruton’s lively account fills a scientific and biographical niche and will become a classic of the South African scene.
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This is Southern Africa
R420.00This is South Africa, now updated in a new edition, takes the reader on a journey of discovery through this spectacular land. It showcases the country’s breathtaking natural splendours and incomparable array of flora and fauna, its pulsating cities, the warmth of its people and the intriguing mix of its many cultures.
This superb book features more than 300 vivid new photographs, supported by a detailed introduction and informative captions.
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Kinders se slange van Suid Afrika
R190.00Ontmoet 36 van Suider-Afrika se mees algemene en interessante slange in hierdie lewendige en boeiende kindergids. Ontdek die besondere kenmerkende gewoontes van slange – waar hulle woon, hoe hulle jag, watter gevare hulle bedreig, en hoe hulle hulself beskerm. Meer as 250 bekoorlike foto’s ondersteun die teks. ’n Volledige inleiding tot heelwat kenmerke van die gedrag van slange ontsluit die betowerende wêreld van hierdie wydverspreide reptiele.
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Kids’ Snakes of Southern Africa
R190.00Meet 36 of southern Africa’s most common and interesting snakes in this lively and engaging kids’ guide. Discover the intriguing habits of snakes – where they live, how they hunt, what dangers they face, and how they protect themselves, all richly supported by more than 250 captivating photographs. A detailed introduction to many aspects of snake behaviour opens up the fascinating world of these widely misunderstood reptiles.
Kids’ Snakes of Southern Africa received an Honourable Mention at the Namibian Children’s Book Forum Awards ceremony held in November 2018.
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Field Guide to Fynbos
R580.00Field Guide to Fynbos features over 1,000 species from the Cape Floristic Region – home to one of the world’s richest floras. This fully updated edition focuses on the most common and ‘showy’ plants.
An introduction unpacks the world of fynbos – including origins, diversity, climate and adaptations – and is followed by a photographic key and descriptions of the fynbos families. Species descriptions are accompanied by photographs, distribution maps, comparisons with similar species, and notes on traditional uses.
For botanists and amateurs alike, this will remain an indispensable guide to South Africa’s most renowned flora.
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Wild Karoo
R280.00After centuries of relative isolation, the Karoo – South Africa’s parched heartland – is a latecomer to the tourist industry. What was once viewed as a harsh and desolate place of limited attraction is rapidly gaining popularity with visitors who now make the Karoo their destination, keen to partake of its legendary charm, its extraordinary flora and the resurgence of wildlife that once again populates its plains.
Wild Karoo documents Mitch Reardon’s 4,000-kilometre journey of discovery through the region. The book focuses on:
local nature conservation in all its facets
the game, large and small – some recently reintroduced – plus birds, reptiles and invertebrates
the unique, arid-adapted flora
the landscape and geology
the history and lifestyle of the people who have made a home here
plans to combine public and private protected land to create wildlife corridors between isolated parks, re-establishing old migration routes and so reversing some of the effects of human settlementBeautifully written, and illustrated with evocative photographs, this book is a must read for anyone interested in travel, wildlife and the environment.
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African Wild Flower to Read, Colour & Keep
R140.00Colouring-in is a favourite children’s pastime, and here’s a new addition to Struik Nature’s ‘Read, colour and keep’ series that will give hours of fun, while also expanding children’s knowledge of the natural world.
Why is Bulbine such a useful plant? Which flowers can we eat, and which are poisonous? What is South Africa’s national flower? Why do some flowers give off a rotten smell? What pollinates our beautiful flowers?
Children will learn interesting facts while enjoying hours of fun colouring in this selection of our most striking flowers. They can consult the colour guide in the middle of the book when choosing which shade of crayon or paint to use for the more than 40 outlined images – or make up their own fantastically-hued flowers!
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Fishes Okavango Delta & Chobe River
R250.00A comprehensive guide to the freshwater fishes of the Okavango Delta and Chobe River, this book offers background information on the diverse aquatic habitats of the region and on fish feeding, breeding and survival strategies. It also provides useful hints for anglers. The species entries describe each fish in detail, with key ID points and information on habits and occurrence. Each account is accompanied by a colour illustration or photograph. The book concludes with information on how best to utilise and conserve the fishes of the delta system and Chobe River.
This is the only such guide to fishes of the region and will be invaluable to local and visiting fishermen, naturalists, conservationists, as well as the many tourists who visit this spectacular African paradise.
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Cuddle Me, Kill Me
R230.00Canned lion hunting sprang to the world’s attention with the 2015 launch of the documentary, Blood Lions. This movie blew the cover off a brutal industry that has burgeoned in the last decade or so, operating largely under the radar of public concern.In Cuddle Me Kill Me,  veteran wildlife campaigner Richard Peirce reveals horrifying facts about the industry. He tells- The true story of two male lions rescued from breeding farms
- The exploitation and misery of these apex predators when they are bred in captivity
- How young cubs are removed from their mothers mere hours after birth
- How they are first used for petting by an adoring (and paying) public
- Their subsequent use for ‘walking with lions’ tourism
- And how, in the final stage of exploitation, they are served up in fenced enclosure for execution by canned hunters – or simply shot by breeders for the value of their carcass, a prized product in the East.
Well researched by Peirce with the help of an undercover agent, and illustrated with photos taken along the way, this is a disturbing and passionate plea to end commercial captive lion breeding and the re-purposing of wildlife to cater for human greed. -
Amazing Coelacanth
R140.00This colourful illustrated children’s book is aimed at ages 9-14. It recounts the discovery of the first coelacanth in modern times – a fish that had been thought to be extinct for many millions of years, and was known only from its fossil record.
In 1939, a specimen was hauled ashore in a fishing net off the South African coast near East London, and its identification as a coelacanth made world news. Chemistry professor JLB Smith identified the fish and dedicated the rest of his life to searching for live specimens and researching the science surrounding this evolutionary phenomenon.
This book, by ichthyologist Mike Bruton, uncovers:
the mystery of the coelacanth and the thrilling story of its discovery
its strange appearance and lifestyle
what makes it so special
how it evolved – and what this has to do with human evolution
how and what it eats, and who eats it.These and many other details provide insight into this amazing fish and its marine companions.
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Eerste veldgids: Paddas van Suider-Afrika
R120.00Sasol Eerste Veldgids tot die Paddas van Suider-Afrika is ‘n interessante gids tot die paddas van die streek. Volkleurfoto’s, verspreidingskaarte en verstaanbare teks sal nuwelinge en aspirantnatuurkenners help om die algemeenste paddaspesies in Suider-Afrika uit te ken, te ontdek waar hulle voorkom en te leer van hul unieke gedrag en buitengewone eienskappe.
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First Field Guide: Succulents of Southern Africa
R120.00This series of natural history field guides has been developed in the hope that young people and anyone with a budding interest in natural history will take up the challenge to learn the secrets of southern Africa’s fascinating fauna and flora. These little guides are an invaluable resource for the beginner, providing information at a glance through superb photographs, maps, and easy-to-read text.
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Field Guide to National Parks & Reserves of Southern Africa
R430.00A must-have guide to South Africa’s famously diverse and richly populated parks and reserves.Stuarts’ Field Guide to National Parks & Nature Reserves of South Africa  is an indispensable guide to the country’s best and most accessible conservation areas. Written by two prominent conservationists, this new edition (with slight name change) has been thoroughly revised and updated.Each of the 43 featured reserves – arranged by province – includes:- Information on the history, location, landscape, geology, vegetation and wildlife
- Text panels covering highlights, climate and facilities
- A detailed map indicating places of interest and top viewing spots
The book includes more than 900 colour photographs and a pictorial ID-guide at the back that features commonly seen birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, flowers and trees -
The Annotated Old Fourlegs
R200.00When the famous South African fish scientist Professor JLB Smith published Old Fourlegs – The Story of the Coelacanth in 1956 he created an international sensation. After all, this 400-million-year-old fish, known only from fossil remains, was thought to have become extinct around 66 million years ago! JLB Smith’s dramatic account of the discovery of the first and second coelacanths in 1938 and 1952 turned him into a cult figure and put South African science on the world map. His book was eventually published in six English editions and translated into nine foreign languages. Mike Bruton’s The Annotated Old Fourlegs includes a facsimile reprint of the original book, to which he has added notes and images in the margins that provide an interesting and revealing commentary on Smith’s text, as well as new introductory and explanatory chapters that bring the coelacanth story up to date.
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Frogs of Southern Africa: A Complete Guide
R660.00Frogs of Southern Africa: A Complete Guide remains the most authoritative and comprehensive treatment of the frogs of the region ever produced, covering all aspects of frog and tadpole biology and behaviour.
This new edition (with a slight name change) has been thoroughly updated to reflect taxonomic changes based on the most recent research and DNA studies, and includes 12 new species and more than 130 new images. All 169 southern African frog species, and their tadpole stages, are fully described, along with their conservation status, calls, habitat and habits. Identification is made easy with the aid of over 1000 large, full-colour images, keys to species and summary panels on ‘Key ID points’ and ‘Distinctive characters’.
Calls for most species can be accessed instantly via QR codes in the book or downloaded from a dedicated website. Spectrograms of the calls are also included in the book.
Written by respected authorities in the field, this timely updated edition will be of benefit to all nature lovers, amateur ‘froggers’, students and professional scientists.
