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The following materials are recommended for those interested in information about exotic animals.

For your convenience, these references are linked to Amazon.com for more detailed descriptions and an opportunity to purchase the books directly from them at discounted prices.

Also, we would appreciate members out there who are familiar with quality books concerning exotic animals submitting their book reviews to general@phoenixexotics.org.

For any purchase you make via these links, for the recommended books or any other books, Phoenix Exotics receives 5% to 15% of the total of your purchase from Amazon.com. This helps us cover the expenses to keep the website going, so please link to Amazon.com through this page for all your online book purchases.

Lighter Side Books (for unique owls, snakes, frogs and unicorns)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone on DVD and VHS
One of the most popular movies to hit the big screen in years, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, is finally coming to DVD and VHS. You will be delighted to know this spectacular two-disc set with never-before-seen footage can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com.

Bird Books

Raising Poultry Successfully by Will Graves

- This is a nice easy to read beginner book on raising poultry for meat and eggs in three parts: chickens, ducks and geese. It discusses different breeds, where to buy your poultry, egg incubation, housing requirements, feeding, watering, brooding management, as well as butchering and preparation for freezing. It is greatly recommended if you want to raise your own feeder poultry or eggs. (Review by Susan K)

- This is one of the books I have followed to successfully raise and process free range poultry for human and cat consumption - as well as give proper care to my pet chickens, ducks and geese for many years. (Review by Jeanne H)

Bunny Books

The Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents by John E. Harkness, Joseph E. Wagner

The purpose of this book is to provide lab professionals with the advice on the maintenance of rabbits and rodents, concerning their care and health. It covers rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, gerbil, mouse and rat. Even though it is intended for *experts*, the book is quite easy to read and is very thorough starting with the general husbandry and biology, followed by clinical procedures, sign of disease, diagnoses and listing specific diseases and conditions from A-Z. It lists the hosts for the disease, etiology, transmission, predisposing factors, clinical signs, necropsy signs, diagnosis, prevention, effect on research and public health significance. The last chapter has self test with case reports.
Even though this is not an *exotic pet rodent* book, it is a great reference book for any rabbit or rodent pet owner, since most diseases occur in pets as well as in laboratory animals. (Review by Zuzana K)

Cat Books

Phoenix Exotic Wildlife Series #1 - Friendly Felines - Small Exotic Cats We've Known and Loved

Dedicated to life with small exotic felines. This book was created by the contributions of small feline owners. The stories are truly heartwarming mixed with laughter and sadness, but more importantly the responsibility and dedication of owning a small exotic feline.

Serengeti Lion a Study of Predator-Prey Relations by George B. Schaller

"Predators are the best wildlife managers," writes George Schaller.
His book from the "Wildlife Behavior and Ecology Series" is a result of a three year study in the Serengeti National Park. Supplemented by charts and action-depicting photos and drawings, the book describes almost every aspect of lion life, from social structure and behavior within the group to food habits, hunts and the impact of predation on prey population. Although it briefly mentions other predators (mainly the cheetah, leopard, wild dog and some others), the book concentrates mainly on the lion and is highly recommended to any lion fancier or serious conservationist. (Review by Zuzana K)

Wild Cats of the World by Barbara Sleeper, photos by Art Wolfe

A *coffee table* book with beautiful photos by Art Wolfe, one of the best US nature/wildlife photographers. It gives basic descriptions of different wildcat species , commenting on general conservation issues in the last two chapters. It's worth buying just for the photos alone. (Review by Zuzana K)

Great Cats : Stories and Art from a World Traveler by Simon Combes

A must for anybody who loves great cats and art: a book full of stories and especially awesome photos , sketches and paintings of these wonderful creatures. The paintings are so incredibly realistic that at times one has to look closely to make sure it is not just a photo. A definite winner! (Review by Zuzana K)

Big Cats by Douglas Richardson

Handy little book with wonderful drawings and photos depicting big cats in action. Tiger, lion, jaguar, cougar, cheetah and all leopards and their subspecies are described in individual chapters, including conservation and behavior issues in the wild and in captivity. It is supplemented by many interesting tidbits, such as different coat patterns and colorations The author, Douglas Richardson got his first Zoo job at Edinburgh in UK, and he is currently a director of the Rome Zoo. He argues, successfully, that some animals might have to exist purely in captivity unless or until safe habitats are assured for them in the wild. The role of a modern Zoo is to act as a reserve of a healthy genetic populations for the future to avoid the extinction of species. (Review by Zuzana K)

Herp Books

Fantastic Frogs by Jerry G. Walls, Gerry G. Walls

A fantastic frog book, wonderful source of information for new pet owners as well as serious hobbyists. It contains separate chapters full of informative captive care description for Poison Frogs, Clawed Frogs, Fire-bellied Toads, White's (Dumpy) Tree Frogs, Horned Frogs, African Bullfrogs, Budgett's Frog and assorted Tree Frogs and Brown and Red Toads. High quality color photos throughout. Highly recommended. (Review by Zuzana K)

Frogs by John Netherton (Photographer), David P. Badger

Tired of seeing the same photographs in older books ? Try this book, you will not be disappointed with the spectacular original color photographs by well known nature photographer John Netherton. Accompanying text gives general description of frog sizes, habitats, mating habits and distributions. This book is a definite must for any nature lover for its photos alone. (Review by Zuzana K)

Completely Illustrated Atlas of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Terrarium by Fritz Jurgen Obst, Udo Jacob (Contributor), K. Richter (Contributor)

Probably the most comprehensive atlas of reptiles and amphibians, widely used in pet owners' as well as serious hobbyists' circles. It is arranged alphabetically by scientific name, while the index is arranged by common names. This generously illustrated book (mostly in color) provides general information on snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, toads, salamanders, food animals as well as other terrarium related topics. A must in every herpetoculturist's library. (Review by Zuzana K)

Miscellaneous Books

Wild Mammals in Captivity - Principles and Techniques edited by Kleinman, Allen, Thompson & Lumpkin

This is the most comprehensive book on the general subject of captive husbandry of wild mammals I have found to date. This is a great book for those who are seriously interested in the learning more about captve husbandry and are not intimidated by the thought of reading what amounts to a college level text book on the subject. (Review by David Holt)

Chemical Immobilization of Wild and Exotic Animals by Leon Neilsen

This is a very technical book which covers every aspect and risk of using chemicals to immobilize animals. Chemical immobilization of animals should only be performed by experienced and knowledgable people and, in my opinion, only as a last resort if there is no alternative due to the detrimental effects of tranquilizers on the health and lifespan of the animal. This is a very good read if you want to become fully familiar with all aspects of this subject. (Review by David Holt)

Handy Farm Devices and How to Make Them by Rolfe Cobleigh

This book is full of homemade devices, products and tools that was brought about by good old ingenuity by farmers of the day. Just a very few examples of what's in the book, and how to build them: a pedal power washing machine, homemade food smoker, making concrete blocks for buildings, a dam for a farm pond, building a corn crib, build a bridge to ford a small stream, a portable chicken coop. It also has house and barn building plans, and even several ways to best layout a small farm. It also contains recipes for various glues, fireproof wash for shingles,and even making furniture polish. Just the kind of handy pocketbook to keep around the sanctuary.(Review by Brent, friend of Chris B)

Restraint and Handling of Wild and Domestic Animals by Murray E. Fowler

University of California, Davis. Second edition of a reference for veterinary practitioners and students on the physical and chemical restraint of wild and domestic vertebrates.

Black's Veterinary Dictionary by Geoffrey West (Editor)

An indispensable reference for anyone reading veterinary texts.

Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets : The Healthful Alternative by Donald R. Strombeck

Do you quibble with the kibble that comes in a bag? Worry about the preservatives being peddled to your pet? Does your dog have a bad heart, or your cat kidney problems? Do they need something special not found in stores? For pet owners and veterinarians fed up with commercially prepared pet food, this book offers sound advice about nutritional alternatives. With over 200 recipes and a wealth of information about pets' special needs, it makes a healthy diet for cats and dogs easy, sensible, and rewarding.

The Realm of the Wild : Life and Death of the African Savannah by Michel Denis-Huot, Christine Denis-Huot (Contributor), Valeria Manferto Fabianis

Awesome realistic action photos from the African Savannah. From close-up intimate portraits and family unit interaction shots to the "blood and guts" aspects of nature, where the predators rule. One of the best collections of provocative and truthful visual depictions of life in the wild. (Review by Zuzana K)

The Merck Veterinary Manual (8th Ed) by Susan E. Aiello, Asa Mays (Editor), Merck, Co

Probably the best general veterinary reference book around. Although its primary users are veterinarians and vet technicians, it is relatively easy to understand for the average animal owner interested in learning more about the animal's physiology, behavior, management, nutrition, pharmacology, toxicology and general management. Even though most of the book's 2300+ pages deal with domestic animals, it has a few chapters devoted to exotic and Zoo animals. (Review by Susan K)