About the Book
From gray whales giving birth in the lagoons of Baja California to sea otters nestled in kelp beds off California to killer whales living around Vancouver Island—this spectacular stretch of the Pacific Coast boasts one of the most abundant populations of sea mammals on earth. This handy interpretive field guide describes the 45 whales, dolphins, seals, and otters that are resident in, migrate through, or forage from Baja in Mexico to British Columbia in Canada. The guide’s rich species accounts provide details on identification, natural history, distribution, and conservation. They also tell where and how these fascinating animals can best be viewed. Introductory chapters give general information on the ecology, evolution, and taxonomy of marine mammals; on the Pacific Coast’s unique environment; and on the relationship between marine mammals and humans from native cultures to today. Featuring many color illustrations, photographs, drawings, and maps, this up-to-date guide illuminates a fascinating group of animals and reveals much about their mysterious lives in the ocean.
About the Author
Sarah G. Allen, a scientist with a federal environmental agency, has studied marine birds and mammals from the Gulf of the Farallones, California, to Antarctica. Joe Mortenson, formerly of the Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association, is the author of Animal Behavior: Theory and Research and Whale Songs and Wasp Maps. Sophie Webb, a director of Oikonos, is the illustrator of several field guides including A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
MARINE HABITAT PLATES
INTRODUCTION
Evolution of Sea Mammals
Marine Mammal Ecology
Ocean Ecosystems
California Current System
Climate Oscillations
Ocean Communities and Ecoregions
Marine Mammals and Humans
The Past
The Present and Future
Taxonomy
Using This Guide
Color Plates
Range Maps
Conservation Status
Marine-Mammal Watching
SPECIES PLATES
CETACEANS
North Pacific Right Whale
Blue Whale
Fin Whale
Sei Whale
Bryde’s Whale
Common Minke Whale
Humpback Whale
Gray Whale
Sperm Whale
Pygmy Sperm Whale
Dwarf Sperm Whale
Baird’s Beaked Whale
Cuvier’s Beaked Whale
Blainville’s Beaked Whale
Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale
Perrin’s Beaked Whale
Hubbs’ Beaked Whale
Pygmy Beaked Whale
Stejneger’s Beaked Whale
Longman’s Beaked Whale
Killer Whale
Short-finned Pilot Whale
False Killer Whale
Melon-headed Whale
Rough-toothed Dolphin
Pacific White-sided Dolphin
Risso’s Dolphin
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
Spinner Dolphin
Striped Dolphin
Short-beaked Common Dolphin
Long-beaked Common Dolphin
Fraser’s Dolphin
Northern Right Whale Dolphin
Dall’s Porpoise
Harbor Porpoise
CARNIVORES
Steller Sea Lion
California Sea Lion
Northern Fur Seal
Guadalupe Fur Seal
Harbor Seal
Northern Elephant Seal
Sea Otter
River Otter
Glossary
References and Further Reading
Art Credits
Index
Additional Captions
