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Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
In the Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, award-winning author and whale researcher Erich Hoyt takes readers into the field for an intimate encounter with some 90 species of cetaceans that make their homes in the world's oceans. Drawing on decades of firsthand experience and a comprehensive familiarity with the current revolution in cetacean studies, Hoyt provides unique insights into the life histories of these compelling marine mammals.
Here are discoveries about cetacean biology and behavior, from the physical differences and adaptations among the baleen and toothed whales to their highly intelligent hunting and feeding methods. The courtship and mating practices, family relationships and the lifelong bonds among some family members are fascinating. The symphonic composer of the whale world is the humpback whale, whose complex 30-minute songs reverberate across the liquid universe of the ocean. Some cetaceans survive deep diving and negotiate lengthy migrations across oceans.
This book is a fascinating compilation of the latest data on cetaceans and an impassioned argument for the ongoing need for international protection of at-risk populations and their increasingly damaged habitat.
Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises includes:
detailed profiles of 90 current species of cetaceans a report on the newly discovered species in the genus Berardius, a small black form related to the Baird's beaked whale fascinating sidebars that bring to life cetacean society and culture an enlightening discussion of the differences between dolphins and porpoises new information on the history and impact of whaling illustrations of each species by renowned artist Uko Gorter color photographs by world-famous marine photographer Brandon Cole, among others.
Here are discoveries about cetacean biology and behavior, from the physical differences and adaptations among the baleen and toothed whales to their highly intelligent hunting and feeding methods. The courtship and mating practices, family relationships and the lifelong bonds among some family members are fascinating. The symphonic composer of the whale world is the humpback whale, whose complex 30-minute songs reverberate across the liquid universe of the ocean. Some cetaceans survive deep diving and negotiate lengthy migrations across oceans.
This book is a fascinating compilation of the latest data on cetaceans and an impassioned argument for the ongoing need for international protection of at-risk populations and their increasingly damaged habitat.
Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises includes:
detailed profiles of 90 current species of cetaceans a report on the newly discovered species in the genus Berardius, a small black form related to the Baird's beaked whale fascinating sidebars that bring to life cetacean society and culture an enlightening discussion of the differences between dolphins and porpoises new information on the history and impact of whaling illustrations of each species by renowned artist Uko Gorter color photographs by world-famous marine photographer Brandon Cole, among others.
- GenresNonfictionScience
300 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 2017
11 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Erich Hoyt
38 books38 followersErich Hoyt has spent much of his life on or near the sea, working with whales and dolphins and marine conservation. An award-winning author, he has written or co-written 25 books and hundreds of magazine articles on whales, dolphins, as well as the deep sea, ants, insects, wild plants and other subjects.
His latest books include Planktonia (2022, 176pp, 150+ photos) and Strange Sea Creatures (2021), both of which offer a deep dive into the new species scientists are discovering in the ocean, some of them no larger than a fingernail. In 2019, he produced an expanded, updated edition of his best-selling Orca: The Whale Called Killer, lavishly illustrated with 90 all new photos, illustrations and maps. Before those books, Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises (2017) chronicled the 40-year revolution in whale research with first-hand stories and insights into the lives of these highly social, intelligent mammals and the drive to save their habitat. Other books include the award-winning Creatures of the Deep (2014) and Weird Sea Creatures (2013) — both of which explored the frontiers of the deep sea with state of the art photography and tales of bizarre new species.
Erich is currently Research Fellow with WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation in the UK. For the past 20 years, he has jointly directed the first killer whale (orca) study in eastern Russia (in Kamchatka), an international collaboration with Russian scientists. The project won the prestigious Klüh Prize for Innovation in Science ($10,000 prize) from Germany. Erich is also a member of the International Committee on Marine Mammal Protected Areas and co-chair of the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Area Task Force.
Erich has authored numerous conservation and scientific papers and reports as a consultant and advisor for international conservation groups and governments and is considered an authority on whales and dolphins, marine-protected areas and marine conservation, whale watching and ecotourism. He has given talks in Japan, Russia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Iceland, Mexico, Chile, Canada, U.S., Germany and the Caribbean. He has also taught as a visiting lecturer at the Ohio State University, the University of Edinburgh, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Erich’s magazine and newspaper credits include: National Geographic, Natural History, Geographical, New Scientist, Canadian Geographic, The Sunday Times (London), The Guardian, The New York Times, Hakai, Defenders, International Wildlife. Twice a James Thurber Writer-in-Residence, and a Vannevar Bush Fellow at MIT and Harvard in 1985-86, he has 15 magazine and book awards including the Outstanding Book of the Year Award from the American Society of Journalists & Authors, Inc., in New York (2002) and the Choice selection as one of its Outstanding Academic Books (2012).
Three of his adult nonfiction books, The Earth Dwellers, Insect Lives and Orca: The Whale Called Killer, have been optioned for films. His books for children (age 10+) include Weird Sea Creatures, Whale Rescue, Meeting the Whales and Riding with the Dolphins (all published by Firefly Books) and Extinction A-Z. His books have been published in 15 languages in 25 countries.
A dual Canadian-American citizen, Erich lives in Dorset, England, with his wife and four children.
His latest books include Planktonia (2022, 176pp, 150+ photos) and Strange Sea Creatures (2021), both of which offer a deep dive into the new species scientists are discovering in the ocean, some of them no larger than a fingernail. In 2019, he produced an expanded, updated edition of his best-selling Orca: The Whale Called Killer, lavishly illustrated with 90 all new photos, illustrations and maps. Before those books, Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises (2017) chronicled the 40-year revolution in whale research with first-hand stories and insights into the lives of these highly social, intelligent mammals and the drive to save their habitat. Other books include the award-winning Creatures of the Deep (2014) and Weird Sea Creatures (2013) — both of which explored the frontiers of the deep sea with state of the art photography and tales of bizarre new species.
Erich is currently Research Fellow with WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation in the UK. For the past 20 years, he has jointly directed the first killer whale (orca) study in eastern Russia (in Kamchatka), an international collaboration with Russian scientists. The project won the prestigious Klüh Prize for Innovation in Science ($10,000 prize) from Germany. Erich is also a member of the International Committee on Marine Mammal Protected Areas and co-chair of the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Area Task Force.
Erich has authored numerous conservation and scientific papers and reports as a consultant and advisor for international conservation groups and governments and is considered an authority on whales and dolphins, marine-protected areas and marine conservation, whale watching and ecotourism. He has given talks in Japan, Russia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Iceland, Mexico, Chile, Canada, U.S., Germany and the Caribbean. He has also taught as a visiting lecturer at the Ohio State University, the University of Edinburgh, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Erich’s magazine and newspaper credits include: National Geographic, Natural History, Geographical, New Scientist, Canadian Geographic, The Sunday Times (London), The Guardian, The New York Times, Hakai, Defenders, International Wildlife. Twice a James Thurber Writer-in-Residence, and a Vannevar Bush Fellow at MIT and Harvard in 1985-86, he has 15 magazine and book awards including the Outstanding Book of the Year Award from the American Society of Journalists & Authors, Inc., in New York (2002) and the Choice selection as one of its Outstanding Academic Books (2012).
Three of his adult nonfiction books, The Earth Dwellers, Insect Lives and Orca: The Whale Called Killer, have been optioned for films. His books for children (age 10+) include Weird Sea Creatures, Whale Rescue, Meeting the Whales and Riding with the Dolphins (all published by Firefly Books) and Extinction A-Z. His books have been published in 15 languages in 25 countries.
A dual Canadian-American citizen, Erich lives in Dorset, England, with his wife and four children.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 13, 2018
I would LOVE to give this 5 stars because of how informative and fantastic it was. However, I’m feeling bitter and petty because of the description used for my favourite whale: “A humpback whale is far from being an icon of whale beauty...its anatomy is taken to some bizarre extremes.”
How rude!
How rude!
Read
January 8, 2024Having read a previous book by Erich Hoyt, STRANGE SEA CREATURES, there was little doubt that ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WHALES DOLPHINS AND PORPOISES (UPDATED AND REVISED), was going to be just as enlightening. And I was not wrong. Hoyt was quite the resume of books, the majority of which revolve around sea life.
There is something quite majestic not only about world waters, but more specifically what inhabits these waters. Anyone who views this book, will have their eyes opened to ocean creatures we have heard about for much of our lives. But throughout the pages of the book, we get to see them up close and quite personal.
Hoyt gives us an expansive overview of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, explaining their differences, and the dozens of species, along with where they might be found. But these sea creatures may be around forever, thanks to not only their natural predator which is man, but also a host of other endangering challenges such as global warming, but also ocean perils in terms of the garbage and other junk that people carelessly toss into the waters.
Hoyt notes that the invention of the harpoon in Norway in 1864, has brought some whales to the brink of extinction. The numbers are staggering, such as the fact that 2.9 million whales were killed in the 20th century. We know there was the 1960’s campaign to “save the whales,” which brought attention to the plight of the whales and dolphins. While there are more steps taken to preserve the sea population, the fact remains many species of whales are close to extinction, with no end in sight.
The information in the book is as fascinating as the book itself. We learn that killer whales have calves only every five years. Females stay close to their mothers for up to fifteen years, but males can remain there for much of their lives. Hoyt talks about the Bowhead whale, which is said to live the longest, generally 115 to 130 years, of course if it is fortunate enough not to be hunted and caught. Some such whales, have even lived over 200 years.
The migration of whales is equally as awe-inspiring, many of them traveling more than 10,000 miles during the migration and then back. There are according to the author 93 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, with 26 percent in the threatened status. At the back of the book is a more in-depth listing of all 93 species of cetaceans. It tells length, weight, diet, habitat, and conservation status.
For those who are looking for a most complete book of this type of ocean life, this is the ideal coffee table book for young and old alike. They will be totally enthralled by the up close photography, accompanying this one-of-a-kind book.
There is something quite majestic not only about world waters, but more specifically what inhabits these waters. Anyone who views this book, will have their eyes opened to ocean creatures we have heard about for much of our lives. But throughout the pages of the book, we get to see them up close and quite personal.
Hoyt gives us an expansive overview of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, explaining their differences, and the dozens of species, along with where they might be found. But these sea creatures may be around forever, thanks to not only their natural predator which is man, but also a host of other endangering challenges such as global warming, but also ocean perils in terms of the garbage and other junk that people carelessly toss into the waters.
Hoyt notes that the invention of the harpoon in Norway in 1864, has brought some whales to the brink of extinction. The numbers are staggering, such as the fact that 2.9 million whales were killed in the 20th century. We know there was the 1960’s campaign to “save the whales,” which brought attention to the plight of the whales and dolphins. While there are more steps taken to preserve the sea population, the fact remains many species of whales are close to extinction, with no end in sight.
The information in the book is as fascinating as the book itself. We learn that killer whales have calves only every five years. Females stay close to their mothers for up to fifteen years, but males can remain there for much of their lives. Hoyt talks about the Bowhead whale, which is said to live the longest, generally 115 to 130 years, of course if it is fortunate enough not to be hunted and caught. Some such whales, have even lived over 200 years.
The migration of whales is equally as awe-inspiring, many of them traveling more than 10,000 miles during the migration and then back. There are according to the author 93 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, with 26 percent in the threatened status. At the back of the book is a more in-depth listing of all 93 species of cetaceans. It tells length, weight, diet, habitat, and conservation status.
For those who are looking for a most complete book of this type of ocean life, this is the ideal coffee table book for young and old alike. They will be totally enthralled by the up close photography, accompanying this one-of-a-kind book.
June 13, 2025
This is an excellent book, among the best I've read of its kind. I generally don't read non-fiction because the genre doesn't hold my attention if there isn't some kind of storyline...and also because I take classes in addition to working full-time, and my brain is often too tired for more information. But this book is worth it. I went through it slowly, on and off, over the course of the last year. What I love about it is that it's written intelligently, uses actual scientific terminology, and covers a variety of topics, from scientific research to behavior and biology to conservation, while still being accessible to a lay person. Every time a scientific term was introduced, it was explained, and then it was used throughout the book so you actually learn it. You also learn about many different species. There's even a handy appendix at the end with illustrations of every species covered in the book's chapters. I already cared about ocean mammals and conservation, but this book made me want to do even more to protect the ocean and its inhabitants. I recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
February 7, 2018
This book is filled with so much good information not only one whale and dolphin species, but also on history, evolution, conservation, and the future of these animals. The photographs are outstanding, as well as the author's stories about the species he's photographed and scene. The actual encyclopedia isn't until the end of the book, where you get the stats on the species, which threw me off a bit. The pictures there are also outstanding. This book is a must for any whale enthusiast.
December 2, 2024
Answered many questions generated by monthly dolphin counting expeditions. Magnificent photographs, plus more information than I have thought to ask about.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews