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Field Guide to Fynbos
R610.00Field 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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Stuart’s Field Guide to National Parks and Nature Reserves of South Africa
R450.00A 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 -
Frogs of Southern Africa: A Complete Guide
R690.00Frogs 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.
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Stuarts’ Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa
R610.00Of the more than 5,500 mammals species worldwide, at least 1,200 occur in Africa. Stuarts’ Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa concentrates on the more visible and easily distinguished larger species, as well as some of the more frequently seen smaller mammals.This new edition has been extensively revised, expanded and redesigned and includes:- the most recent research and taxonomy
- revised distribution maps and many new images
- colour-coded grouping of orders
- size icons
- detailed descriptions of each species, offering insight into key identification characters, typical behaviour, preferred habitat, food choice, reproduction and longevity
- whales and dolphins now featured too
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Field Guide to Succulents of Southern Africa
R450.00Southern Africa is the natural home of the richest and most diverse succulent flora in the world. These plants come in all shapes and sizes, from trees such as the baobab at more than 20 m tall, to miniature soil huggers, just a few millimetres high, which mimic their pebble-desert surroundings. This user-friendly, richly illustrated field guide features more than 700 southern African succulents, focusing on the most interesting and commonly encountered species. An introduction to families and their key features will help readers identify the relevant plant group, while concise accounts describing the plants’ diagnostic features, along with distribution maps, will enable quick ID of species. More than just an ID guide for plant lovers, this book will inspire gardeners who are turning to indigenous, low-maintenance and water-wise plants for cultivation.
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Natuurlewe van Suider-Afrika
R470.00Hierdie gewilde veldgids tot die natuurlewe van Suider-Afrika, jare lank al ’n vertroude metgesel van natuurliefhebbers, is nou omvattend bygewerk. Dit bied beskrywings en akkurate illustrasies in volle kleur van meer as 2,000 plante en diere asook verspreidingskaarte vir die meeste groepe. Elke hoofstuk het sy eie kleurkode om naslaan te vergemaklik en uitkenmerke in die beskrywings is in vetdruk. Elke hoofstuk is geskryf deur ’n kenner op sy gebied.
Al die vernaamste plant- en diergroepe is ingesluit:
- Laer ongewerweldes
- Spinnekoppe en ander spinagtiges
- Insekte
- Varswatervisse
- Paddas
- Reptiele
- Voëls
- Soogdiere
- Grasse, biesies, varings en swamme
- Veldblomme
- Bome
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Wildlife of Southern Africa
R470.00This long-standing, trusted field guide to the wildlife of southern Africa has been comprehensively updated and now includes distribution maps. It describes over 2,000 plants and animals, each accompanied by accurate illustrations in full colour. This book has been a trusted field companion for many years. Comprehensively updated, it now features range maps for most groups. The chapters are colour-coded for easy reference, and diagnostic features appear in bold type within the descriptions. Each chapter is written by a leading expert in the field.
All the main plant and animal groups are covered:
- Lower invertebrates
- Spiders and other arachnids
- Insects
- Freshwater fishes
- Frogs
- Reptiles
- Birds
- Mammals
- Grasses, hedges, ferns and fungi
- Wild flowers
- Trees
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Guide to Birds of the Kruger National Park
R400.00The Kruger National Park, one of the largest and best-known conservation areas in the world, supports a remarkable diversity of birdlife. This attractive guide presents more than 500 species that have been recorded there. Of these, more than 400 of the most common or likely to be seen species are described and supported by full-colour photographs and unique distribution maps based on actual sightings of the birds. An informative introduction describes the park’s underlying geology, vegetation types, climate and rainfall, and how these dictate bird distribution within the area.
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Field Guide to Orchids of South Africa (NE)
R610.00Orchids of South Africa is the first field guide to local orchids to be published in over 30 years, and presents the more than 450 orchid species found in the region, including Lesotho and Swaziland. A hands-on, practical book, it allocates a generous double-page spread to most of the featured herbs, instructing:
A comprehensive round-up of orchids in their natural habitat, the book features:
● multiple photos for each species
● distribution maps
● flowering time-bars
● succinct text, enabling sure identification of these fascinating plants.An illustrated introduction discusses orchid structure, ecology and conservation status. Informative, colourful and easy-to-use, Orchids of South Africa is the authoritative update enthusiasts have been waiting for.
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Wild Flowers of Namaqualand
R610.00Namaqualand is justifiably famous for the floral wonderland it becomes in spring, when seas of bright flowers carpet the land. Astonishingly, the carpet comprises some 3,800 species, of which 28% are endemic.
This book introduces nearly 600 species, highlighting those most commonly found, most conspicuous, spectacular or interesting, as well as endemics. An introduction touches on the species selection for the book, the climatic and topographical subregions within Namaqualand, plant names and uses, and conservation issues.
The concise species descriptions also give seed and fruit details, uses, local growing conditions and flowering times, along with beautiful full-colour photographs. This is a must-have guide for visitors to Namaqualand, or for anyone interested in the wild flowers of southern Africa.
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Wild Ways
R320.00NEW EDITION MAY 2014
Wild Ways brings together all the latest studies of the behaviour of southern Africa’s rich and accessible mammal fauna, describing not only what mammals do, but also the often surprising reasons why they do it, and covers species as diverse as fruit bats, pangolins, lions, rats and whales.
Well-established as an invaluable resource for visitors to parks and reserves, hikers, hunters, farmers and outdoor enthusiasts, this classic guide has now been thoroughly updated and revised, has a fresh, lively design, and is packed with new and engrossing detail.
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The Reef Guide: East & South Coasts of Southern Africa
R500.00The Reef Guide: East & South Coasts of Southern Africa documents some 800 reef fishes and invertebrates found along the east and south coasts of southern Africa. Following on the success of Dennis King’s earlier two titles, this impressive new guide features 578 species of fish and includes sections on anemones, starfish, snails, crabs and shrimps. Full colour photographs and descriptive text for each species, along with useful and interesting information, make for easy identification. While focusing on southern Africa, the book is also applicable to the entire east coast of Africa, as well as the islands of the western Indian Ocean – Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion, Madagascar, the Comoros and the Maldives.
Indispensable for divers, snorkelers and rock-pool enthusiasts, as well as fishermen and marine aquarists.
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Field Guide to Battlefields of Southern Africa
R550.00Expert battlefields guide Nicki von der Heyde presents 71 battles covering three wars and a series of conflicts that shaped the course of South Africa’s history – from the colonial clashes that characterised the 18th and 19th centuries to the 2nd Anglo-Boer War of 1899–1902.
Informative and lively accounts of the engagements are provided, with special attention given to the context, action, outcomes and principal combatants involved. Arranged in provincial and regional order, the Field Guide to the Battlefields of South Africa includes an array of special features that allow for an enthralling and multi-layered account of the battles: 580 images; 80 illustrated timelines; 60 fact and feature boxes; 16 annotated battle maps; 10 regional locator maps; Detailed directions to each site; GPS co-ordinates for inaccessible locations.
Comprehensive, compelling and vividly illustrated, the Field Guide to the Battlefields of South Africa is an indispensable tool for professional and amateur military historians as well as anyone interested in exploring South Africa’s fascinating history.
CLICK HERE to view the contents page for Field Guide to the Battlefields of South Africa
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Veldgids Bome van Suider Afrika
R650.00NUWE UITGAWE JULIE 2013
Hierdie omvattend uitgebreide, hersiene uitgawe van die beste verkoper onder boom-veldgidse vir die streek bied veel meer as die hoogs suksesvolle eerste uitgawe. Volledig bygewerkte teks (insluitend bykomende spesie-inskrywings) en verspreidingskaarte, talle nuwe foto’s en ’n nuwe seksie van 87 bladsye met foto’s van die hele boom maak dié gewilde gids nog meer noodsaaklik in die veld.
Suider-Afrika het ’n ryk verskeidenheid bome, met sowat 2 100 inheemse en meer as 100 genaturaliseerde uitheemse spesies. Veldgids tot Bome van Suider-Afrika beskryf en illustreer meer as 1 000 hiervan, met die klem op die algemeenste bome en dié wat waarskynlik die meeste teëgekom word. Spesies is op grond van maklik waarneembare blaar- en stingelkenmerke logies in 43 groepe gerangskik, elke inskrywing met volkleurfoto’s van die diagnostiese dele van die plant. Praktiese gebruike van die plante word ook genoem.
Also available in English
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Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa
R650.00NEW EDITION JULY 2013
This comprehensively updated and expanded edition of the region’s best-selling field guide to trees offers much, much more than the highly successful first edition. Fully updated text (including additional species entries) and distribution maps, numerous new photographs and a new 87-page section of full-tree photographs makes this well-loved guide even more indispensable in the field.
Southern Africa has a rich variety of tree species, with an estimated 2 100 indigenous species and more than 100 naturalised aliens. Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa describes and illustrates more than 1 000 of these, focusing on trees that are the most common and most likely to be encountered. Species are logically arranged in 43 groups based on easy-to-observe leaf and stem features, and each account is illustrated by full-colour photographs of the plant’s diagnostic parts. The text also touches on the practical uses of the plants.
Ook beskikbaar in Afrikaans
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Smithers Mammals Southern Africa: A Field Guide
R550.00First published in 1986, Smithers’ Mammals is an authoritative and popular guide to the mammals of Southern Africa. This revised and updated edition incorporates the latest information brought to light by molecular genetics, while remaining accessible to the layperson and handy in the field. Each entry includes an in-depth species description; notes on habitat, behaviour, diet and conservation status; accurate illustrations and spoor drawings; and a distribution map. The book also details the whales, dolphins and seals seen along our coast.
This highly regarded field guide will appeal to general readers and wildlife enthusiasts, as well as to specialists in the field of mammals.
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Chamberlain’s Field Guides Birds of Southern Africa
R680.00Fully revised, Birds of Africa south of the Sahara provides unrivalled coverage of African birds in a single volume, and is the first book to describe and illustrate all of the birds found in Africa south of the Sahara Desert (the Afrotropic Region), including Socotra, Pemba and islands in the Gulf of Guinea. Over 2 500 colour photographs show age and sex plumage variations, perched and in-flight birds, and colour morphs where relevant. Text – by Africa’s top birding authors – forcuses on identification, call, habitat and status, breeding details and diet. Colour-coded distribution maps show resident and migratory status and bird density. Annual calendar bars indicate, at a glace, w hen species are present and when they breed. Despite its exceptional coverage, this guide is compact enough to use in the field, and follows the standard field guide format, with texts and range maps appearing opposite the colour plates.
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Fauna und Flora im Sudlichen Afrika
R470.00Published for the first time in German, this is the first local field guide to cover all the commonly encountered plants and animals of the southern African region in one compact and easy-to-use volume. More than 2 000 species (1 200 of them illustrated)
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Volledige fotografiese veldgids voëls van Suider-Afrika
R630.00Die grootste en omvattendste fotogids van Suider-Afrika se voëls in een boekdeel, die boek verleen ’n nuwe dimensie aan die uitkenning van voëls in die streek. Dit beskryf en illustreer al 958 voëlspesies plus 17 spesies van Antarktika en die eilande van die Suidelike Yssee. Meer as 2 500 kleurfoto’s wys verekleedverskille en kleurmorfe. Die teks fokus op uitkenning, roepe, habitat, status, broeibesonderhede en kos. Verspreidingskaarte wys stand- en trekvoëlstatus en voëldigtheid, en kalenderbalke wys wanneer spesies broei. ’n Onontbeerlike metgesel in die veld.
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Complete Photographic Field Guide of Birds Southern Africa
R630.00The most comprehensive photographic guide of southern Africa’s birds in one volume, this brings a new dimension to bird ID in the region. It describes and illustrates all 958 birds, plus 17 species from Antarctica and Southern Ocean islands. Over 2 500 photographs show plumage variations and colour morphs. Text by Africa’s top birding authors focuses on identification, call, habitat, status, breeding and diet. Distribution maps show migratory status and bird density, and calendar bars show species’ prevalence and breeding. With its extensive coverage, this guide will serve as an indispensable companion in the field.
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Signs of the Wild: Southern Africa
R440.00This compact field guide to the identification of Southern African mammals based on their spoor, droppings and skulls has long been a top seller. This edition offers up-to-date information on identification through signs; provides new illustrations for a number of species; and features illustrations of skulls for all of the carnivores. It also offers an 8-page section of comparative spoor, updated with the most recent information available. It includes distribution maps and full-colour photographs of each species.
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Guide to Reptiles of Southern Africa
R610.00Southern Africa is home to a remarkably diverse and rich reptile fauna. A Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa present the 517 species currently described in the region, in three main groups – snakes and lizards; crocodiles; and shelled reptiles. Based on the latest scientific research, the introduction covers reptile identification, diversity, biology, distribution patterns, and where to find and observe them, as well as unravelling the facts and fallacies of snakebite.
Written in a lively and accessible way, the subsequent chapters offer insight into: identification to group level, with an inclusive list of related species; a detailed description of appearance, together with colourful images; biology and behaviour of each group; conservation status of species; reproduction details; and distribution. Informative panels provide key information at a glance, with distribution maps and clear icons giving typical habitat and period of activity.
A wealth of full-colour photographs throughout brings the subject matter vividly to life. This book will appeal to all wildlife enthusiasts, both professional and amateur.
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Click here to download a free poster about the dangerous snakes in South Africa from Johan Marais’ website https://www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com/posters
