The Princeton Field Guide to Sauropod and Prosauropod Dinosaurs

The most up-to-date and authoritative illustrated guide to the marvelous flying reptiles that dominated the skies of the Mesozoic for 160 million years<BR><BR>Once seen by some as evolutionary dead-enders, pterosaurs were vigorous winged reptiles capable of thriving in an array of habitats and climates, including polar winters. The Princeton Field Guide to Pterosaurs transforms our understanding of these great Mesozoic archosaurs of the air. This incredible guide covers 115 pterosaur species and features stunning illustrations of pterosaurs ranging in size from swallows to small sailplanes, some with enormous, bizarre head crests and elongated beaks. It discusses the history of pterosaurs through 160 million years of the Mesozoic-including their anatomy, physiology, locomotion, reproduction, growth, and extinction-and even gives a taste of what it might be like to travel back to the Mesozoic. This one-of-a-kind guide also challenges the common image of big pterosaurs as ultralights that only soared, showing how these spectacular creatures could be powerful flappers as heavy as bears.<BR>- Features detailed species accounts of 115 different kinds of pterosaurs, with the latest size and mass estimates- Written and illustrated by the acclaimed researcher and artist who helped to redefine the anatomy and flight performance of pterosaurs- Covers everything from pterosaur biology to the colorful history of pterosaur paleontology- Includes dozens of original skeletal drawings and full-color life studies

An authoritative illustrated guide to the mighty reptiles that dominated the seas of the Mesozoic for 185 million years<BR><BR>New discoveries are revealing that many ancient oceangoing reptiles were energetic animals capable of inhabiting an array of watery habitats and climates, including polar winters. The Princeton Field Guide to Mesozoic Sea Reptiles provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of the great Mesozoic groups that commanded the seas for tens of millions of years. This incredible field guide covers 435 species and features stunning illustrations of swimming reptiles ranging in size from little lizards to others with great necks longer than their bodies. It discusses the history of sea reptiles through 185 million years of the Mesozoic, their anatomy, physiology, locomotion, reproduction and growth, and extinction, and even gives a taste of what it might be like to travel back to the Mesozoic. This one-of-a-kind guide also challenges the common image of these reptiles as giants of the prehistoric waters, showing how the largest weighed far less than today's biggest whales.<BR>- Features detailed species accounts of 435 different kinds of sea reptiles, with the latest size and mass estimates- Written and illustrated by the acclaimed researcher and artist who helped to redefine our understanding of dinosaur anatomy- Describes placodonts, plesiosaurs, ichthyosaurs, mosasaurs, sea snakes, sea turtles, marine crocs, and more- Covers everything from biology to the colorful history of sea reptile paleontology- Includes dozens of original skeletal drawings and full-color life scenes

A fully updated and expanded edition of the acclaimed, bestselling dinosaur field guide<BR><BR>The bestselling Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs remains the must-have book for anyone who loves dinosaurs, from amateur enthusiasts to professional paleontologists. Now extensively revised and expanded, this dazzlingly illustrated large-format edition features nearly 100 new dinosaur species and hundreds of new and updated illustrations, bringing readers up to the minute on the latest discoveries and research that are radically transforming what we know about dinosaurs and their world.<BR><BR>Written and illustrated by acclaimed dinosaur expert Gregory Paul, this stunningly beautiful book includes detailed species accounts of all the major dinosaur groups as well as a wealth of breathtaking images—skeletal drawings, “life” studies, scenic views, and other illustrations that depict the full range of dinosaurs, from small feathered creatures to whale-sized supersauropods. Paul’s extensive introduction delves into dinosaur history and biology, the extinction of nonavian dinosaurs, the origin of birds, and the history of dinosaur paleontology, and also gives a taste of what it might be like to travel back in time to the era when dinosaurs roamed the earth.- Now covers more than 800 dinosaur species, including scores of newly discovered ones- Provides startling perspectives on the famed Brontosaurus and Tyrannosaurus- Reveals that the largest dinosaurs weighed as much as the biggest whales, and shows why that happened- Features hundreds of color and black-and-white drawings and figures, including life studies, scenic views, and skull and muscle drawings- Includes color paleo-distribution maps and a color time line- Describes anatomy, physiology, locomotion, reproduction, and growth of dinosaurs, as well as the origin of birds and the extinction of nonavian dinosaurs