THE ESSENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC GUIDE TO BRITAIN'S ANIMALS This photographic field guide to all mammals, reptiles and amphibians in Britain, including all the common domestic animals, is a comprehensive guide to identification of species, and their tracks and trails. Each animal has two pages of coverage, containing: detailed information distribution maps numerous photographs of the animal itself, its habitat, tracks and signs Observation tips, habits and natural history are included for each entry, and species are grouped according to families.

2008-02-01 A very good balance

This is an excellent little reference book, thorough yet portable. Unlike the Collins Complete British Wildlife guide which provides only half a dozen lines and one image for each entry, the Collins Complete British Animals dedicates a couple of pages to each species - one containing identification details, habitats, habits, obervation details, and distribution maps, and the other containing multiple photographs. It might not have as much breadth as the Wildlife guide, but it has far, far more substance.

At the back of the book there are also sections to help with identifying skulls, antlers, droppings, rodent nests, and tracks, and also plans for making bat and dormouse boxes.

It probably goes without saying that it is an animal guide - if you want birds and fish, look elsewhere. That said, reptiles and even whales and dolphins are correctly included.

But I think I should point out, having read another review here, it does not have all the domesticated species. It does have a nod towards the goat, Soay Sheep and Chillingham Cattle, but thats it. But that's not a criticism, it's a wildlife book after all, and a useful one.