In another stellar entry in the Scientists in the Field series, Pamela S. Turner travels to Australia to spend time on a boat named the Pomboo with Janet Mann, a scientist who has been studying dolphins for the Shark Bay dolphin Project for twenty-five years.
Dolphins in captivity have shown they are smart by learning a variety of tricks meant to entertain humans. Janet Mann's quest has been to study dolphins in the wild to determine just how smart dolphins are. In Shark Bay, some of the dolphins began using tools, in this case a sponge, while foraging for food. What does this mean? Why aren't all the dolphins using tools? What does the use of tools mean evolutionarily for dolphins? Do dolphins have culture?
Mann and her team follow the dolphins and observe and meticulously record their observations. They don't feed the dolphins and try to remain unobtrusive. They do know these dolphins and their personalities quite well and do have their favorites.
Author Turner highlights scientist Mann's work in an engaging conversational manner. Readers get up close and personal with quite a few dolphins as they go about birthing, hunting, mating and surviving. As usual, the lively text is accompanied by many crisp, full-color, well-captioned photographs.
Concluding pages feature more dolphin facts, suggested further reading and updates on both the humans and dolphins featured in the book.
Truly a must-purchase addition. Get this one into the hands of your animal-loving fact hounds asap.
Non-Fiction Monday is hosted by Booktalking#kidlit today. Hop on over there to read a round-up of non-fiction.
Non-Fiction Monday is hosted by Booktalking#kidlit today. Hop on over there to read a round-up of non-fiction.
As usual, the books in this series always sound intriguing. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteTammy
Apples with Many Seeds