Citizens of the Sea: Wondrous Creatures from the Census of Marine Life

By Nancy Knowlton

Book Overview

National Geographic underwater photographers and the Census of Marine Life capture the astonishing diversity and the most intriguing organisms in the ocean in this riveting book, by marine scientist Nancy Knowlton.

As you read lively vignettes about sea creatures' names, defenses, migration, mating habits, and more, you'll be amazed at wonders like . . .

- The almost inconceivable number of creatures in the marine world. From the bounty of microbes in one drop of seawater, we can calculate that there are more individuals in the oceans than stars in the universe.
- The sophisticated sensory abilities that help these animals survive. For many, the standard five senses are just not enough.
- The incredible distances that seabirds and other species cover. Some will feed in both Arctic and Antarctic waters within a single year.
- The odd relationships common in the marine world. From a dental hygienist for fish to a walrus's one-night stand, you'll find beauty, practicality, and plenty of eccentricity in sea-life socialization.

Brilliantly photographed and written in an easygoing style, Citizens of the Sea will inform and enchant you with close-up documentation of the fascinating facts of life in the ocean realm.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1426206437
• ISBN13: 9781426206436
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: National Geographic Society
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 1.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.1" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Tube worm fascination

I have been fascinated with the range of life on this planet since I first saw a pile up of horseshoe crabs on a beach on Long Island. Some time later I learned about tube worms who lived in the hot water vents on the ocean floor: non-carbon based life forms. I got this book for the pictures. The writing is enough of a tease to make me go elsewhere to learn more.

I tried to love this book

I was hoping this book would be as interesting and as full of high quality, fascinating photographs as I remember National Geographic magazine being from when I was a child. It just doesn't seem...great, and I don't think it's that I've grown old and cynical. Going to try again for a well-illustrated and informative book about marine life.