For travelers interested in wildlife, Beletsky, a wildlife biologist and zoology instructor, provides descriptions of the ecology, behavior, and conservation of about 400 species of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds in southern Mexico, focusing on the Yucatán Peninsula, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. Aiming to present information in one compact volume, he focuses on animals that travelers are most likely to see. He also describes ecotourism, area geography, habitats, and parks and reserves to visit, and gives family profiles. One hundred and four color plates are provided for identification, which also include Latin and common names of species, a brief description, and where they are likely to be found. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)