Books by Nick
Nick is the author/photographer of the following books. Signed copies can be ordered direct from Nick at their RRP plus postage & packing. He is currently working on new titles covering Madagascar.
Field Guide to Mammals of Madagascar
Nick Garbutt
• Due January 2025
• Bloomsbury (UK), Princeton UP (USA)
• Hardback; 350+ pages; Full Colour; 160mm x 240mm x 35mm
• ISBN: TBC
• Price GB £TBC, US $TBC
An abridged ‘field’ version of the acclaimed Handbook of Mammals of Madagascar (Bloomsbury 2023), this book provides a concise guide to all 217 native species (31 species of tenrecs, 45 species of bats, 106 species of lemurs, 8 species of carnivore and 27 species of rodents), plus introduced species. The species accounts cover Description & Identification, Habitat & Distribution, including maps, Behaviour and Where to See.
In addition, there are supporting chapters describing the island's major habitats and the best parks, reserves and other locations to see species and the extinct mammals.
Illustrated with over 200 high quality photos.
Handbook of Mammals of Madagascar
Nick Garbutt
• Bloomsbury (UK), Princeton UP (USA)
• Hardback; 450+ pages; Full Colour; 160mm x 240mm x 35mm
• ISBN: 9781472985934
• Price GB £47, US $49.95
"A wonderful book. The images are marvellous, the text is totally informative and I will be reading it for months! This really is the definitive book on Madagascar mammals."
Quentin Bloxam
Former Curator of Mammals & Director of Conservation Management, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.
"Truly spectacular, an immense achievement. The photos are awesome and it’s rare to see a guide book that is also so meticulous in providing available information on life history and biology."
Dr PJ Stephenson
WWW International.
Madagascar is home to one of the world's most bizarre mammal assemblages. If you want to find out more and delve into the natural history of this fascinating collection of oddities, then this is the book for you.
On Madagascar, millions of years of isolation has resulted in the evolution of a suite of species that are exceptional for two main reasons. Firstly, every native non-volant (non-flying) species - there are over 170 - is endemic. No other island or place on earth boasts such a combination of species richness and endemism. And secondly, these mammals have evolved an extraordinary diversity of body forms and lifestyles often displaying significant convergence with forms elsewhere but also at times evolving utterly unique features.
Ring-tailed lemurs may be Madagascar's most famous inhabitants, but as lemurs go they are atypical as they are often terrestrial. Diademed sifakas may not be well-known but they are surely the island's most beautiful primates. On the other hand, the Aye-aye is often touted as the most peculiar primate there is. Madagascar's largest predator, the fosa, is a carnivore like no other, possessing traits that are cat-like, mongoose-like and civet-like. The giant jumping rat appears more like a cross between and rabbit and a wallaby, than a rodent, while web-footed tenrecs show parallels with other aquatic oddities like otter-shrews and desmans.
The culmination of 26 months of work, this completely new 450 page volume describes in detail all 217 native species (31 species of tenrecs, 45 species of bats, 106 species of lemurs, 8 species of carnivore and 27 species of rodents), plus introduced species. The detailed species accounts cover Description & Identification, Habitat & Distribution, including maps, Behaviour and Where to See. In addition, there are thorough supporting chapters describing the island's major habitats, threats and conservation, the best parks, reserves and other locations to see species and the extinct mammals.
Illustrated with over 370 high quality photos, many of species rarely seen or photographed.
Example double page spreads.
Madagascar Wildlife, 5th Edition
Nick Garbutt & Daniel Austin
• Bradt Guides 5th Edition August 2023
• Paperback; 200 pages; Full Colour
• ISBN: 9781804690970
• Price GB £18.99
First published over 25 years ago, and now in its 5th Edition, this pocket-friendly companion celebrates the unique fauna of this remarkable Indian Ocean island.
Aimed at visitors and natural-history enthusiasts alike, this guide reflects both the latest discoveries – on an island where new species are continuously discovered – and the latest developments at the country’s top wildlife-tourism locations. Wildlife is the key draw for visitors to Madagascar. Unlike on mainland Africa, in Madagascar you approach wildlife on forest strolls, and make exciting and tantalising discoveries for yourself.
From endearing lemurs and comical chameleons to enigmatic endemic birds and bizarre insects, this is the only portable guide to showcase the whole range of Madagascar’s captivating wildlife, with each major grouping afforded its own chapter. It features lively descriptions of animals and their behaviour, complemented by 280 sumptuous colour photographs (the majority taken by myself), many of them new to this edition. A ‘Habitats and Hotspots’ chapter details the island’s various ecosystems and presents concise information on the where best to see fascinating species, helping readers choose which parks and reserves to visit. There are also features on classification & evolution, camouflage, conservation and Madagascar at night.
Madagascar Wildlife, 4th Edition
Nick Garbutt and Daniel Austin
• Bradt Travel Guides 4th Edition 2014
• Paperback; 178 pages; Full Colour
• ISBN: 978-1-84162-245-3
• Price GB £16.99
This is a celebration in full colour of Madagascar’s amazing and unique wildlife. This 4th edition has extended coverage (by 16 pages) of the various parks and reserves, plus up-to-date information on the latest discoveries and many new photos.
In addition to descriptions of the main groups of animals and key species – lemurs, other mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and invertebrates - it includes detailed accounts of the most important parks and reserves. There are also features on classification & evolution, camouflage, conservation and Madagascar at night.
As a practical guide this book is readable and user friendly; as a souvenir of a remarkable island, it is unbeatable.
“Informative and reader-friendly – the photographs are of outstanding quality”
Africa Geographic
Chameleons
Chris Mattison & Nick Garbutt
• Natural History Museum, London (2012)
• Paperback; 124 pages; Full Colour
• ISBN:
• Price GB £12.99
Chameleons are without question the most specialized and charismatic of all lizards. Their evolution has resulted in some remarkable and intriguing adaptations to an arboreal life and because of their appearance and behavior they have infiltrated various cultures and the human psyche in a way few other animal groups can match.
This introduction is sure to stimulate interest and answer many questions. While an increased appreciation of Chameleons is a first step towards raising awareness and helping preserving them, and their habitats.
Mammals of Madagascar: A Complete Guide
Nick Garbutt
• Bloomsbury / Yale University Press (2007)
• Paperback; 304 pages; Full Colour
• ISBN: 978-0-7136-7043-1
• Price GB £24.99
An adaptation and update on the highly acclaimed Mammals of Madagascar (Pica Press, 1999), this book quickly gained international recognition and has become a best seller. Featuring all 184 native mammal species from the island, including several newly described, the book features detailed authoritative text combined with a wealth of stunning colour photos, plus ink drawings and maps for all species.
Both reference and practical field guide, there is also a comprehensive chapter detailing the best mammal–watching sites on Madagascar.
“This exhaustive work is a true labour of love. Photographs that could grace a glossy coffee-table book are matched with authoritative, up-to-date text in a guide small enough to pop in your backpack”
BBC Wildlife
“ A remarkable work – both in-depth reference and field guide”
Africa Geographic
“There is no competition for this account of the exclusive mammal fauna of Madagascar”
Oryx
“A book that comprehensively covers the mammals of Madagascar at the level of the biologist and amateur naturalist alike”
WWF
100 Animals to See Before They Die
Nick Garbutt
(with Mike Unwin)
• Bradt Travel Guides (2007)
• Hardback; 160 pages; Full Colour
• ISBN: 978-1-84162-236-1
• Price: GB £16.99
Offering a snapshot of some of the world’s most unusual and endangered mammals and based on the unique rankings of the EDGE project (Evolutionary Distinct, Globally Endangered) from the Zoological Society of London, this book spans seven biogeographical regions and includes all manner of creatures from the cute and cuddly to the outrageous and bizarre.
The book includes, detailed and lively descriptions of each species’ behaviour, its habitats and the threats they face. These are complimented by special features on conservation and the naturalists who have made their mark in each region.
“A terrific book – full of vivid descriptions of some of the most remarkable creatures and breathtaking places on the planet, it’s also a timely reminder of what we stand to loose. Everyone who cares about wildlife should read it"
Mark Carwardine: Awarding winning wildlife author and broadcaster
“Packed with glorious photos and fascinating facts about some of the world’s least-known and most endangered species. A must for anyone passionate about wildlife and its conservation”
Kate Humble: TV presenter and journalist
“A triumph – guaranteed to inspire your next safari in search of wild places and adventure”
Jonathan & Angie Scott: TV presenters and award winning wildlife photographers / authors
“A colourful mix of interesting information about 100 of the world’s most fascinating animals, including strong conservation messages, finished off with practical, up-to-date information about the best places to see them – a great combination”
Roz Kidman-Cox: book editor and former editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine
Wild Borneo
Nick Garbutt and Cede Prudente
Preface by Sir David Attenborough
• New Holland (2006)
• Hardback; 176 pages; Full Colour
• ISBN: 1-84537-378-2
• Price GB £29.99
This book takes the reader on a fascinating investigation into the incomparable natural wonders on the island of Borneo. Every aspect is explored from the summit of Mount Kinabalu, to inhospitable mangrove swamps, heath forests and steamy rainforests. The variety of life these areas contain is as bewildering as it is beautiful; species like Orang-utans may be familiar, but equally spectacular Pygmy Elephants, Proboscis Monkeys and giant Rafflesia flowers are not.
Published in conjunction with WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), the book also examines the ongoing attempts to preserve the islands natural resources and highlight the fragile and irreplaceable “Heart of Borneo”.
“This book has a place in the home of any nature enthusiast – from students searching for inspiration to future visitors planning their trips, as well as those who have already been captivated by Borneo’s unique wildlife”
BBC Wildlife Magazine
“Weird carnivorous plants, swinging orang-utans, forest elephants and gremlin-like tarsiers, abound in this beautiful book”
Wanderlust Magazine
Mammals of Madagascar
Nick Garbutt
• Pica Press / Yale University Press (1999)
• Hardback; 320 pages; Full Colour
• ISBN: 1-873403-52-6
• Price GB £30.00
The original Mammals of Madagascar. A ground-breaking volume, the first of its kind to cover the amazing mammal fauna of the island.
Now OUT OF PRINT.
Occasionally available second hand on Amazon.