This Is Not a Weasel: A Close Look at Nature's Most Confusing TermsHow to tell a bison from a buffalo-not to mention a yam from a sweet potato Here's a book for anyone who's ever wondered about the difference between a crayfish and a crawfish. Or a frog and a toad. Or a buzzard and a vulture. Animal taxonomy is not what you'd call an exact science, and the field is lousy with all sorts of confounding terms. In this entertaining, highly useful reference, Philip Mortenson takes on a wide-ranging list of monikers, from plants to higher mammals. Reviewed by an impressive cadre of experts, the book lays to rest any lingering confusion over the distinctions between seemingly related-yet crucially distinct-terms, such as mushroom and toadstool; moss and lichen; crocodile and alligator; skate and ray; turtle and tortoise; and mink, sable, ferret, ermine, stoat, and weasel. Everyone from the language lover to the nature buff will be charmed by this book. Philip B. Mortenson (Minneapolis, MN) studied the philosophy of science at the University of Minnesota. |
Contents
PLANTS | 23 |
TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATES | 63 |
AQUATIC LIFE | 87 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
African alligator American amphibians animal antelope antlers aquatic Asia Asian elephant birds bison body bone bony bovid brown bear buffalo called camel caribou cats characteristics classification close coat color common conifers coyotes crocodiles crustaceans deer Delphinidae develop distinct distinguished dolphins dorsal fin dugong eggs elephant European eyes feeding feet fish flatfish frogs fruits fungi genera genus goats grow hare hawk horns inches insects kangaroo label lack legs leopard living lizards lobsters mammals marsupials millipedes molds monkeys monotremes muskmelon newt North America organisms pinnipeds plant polecat porpoises pounds pronghorn rabbits rank reptiles resemble rodents salamanders sardine seacow seed shark sheep shrimp skin smaller snakes species squid subfamilies suborder subspecies tail taxonomic teeth term toads tortoise trees true turtles typically unique unlike usually vulture wallabies wallaroo wasps weasel whales whereas wings wolf World World monkeys