In Animal Migration: Remarkable Journeys in the Wild, Ben Hoare investigates the mysteries of the annual migratory habits of birds, fish, reptiles and mammals.

A fellow of the Zoological Society of London, Hoare traces the routes of some one hundred species of animals, with examples on every continent. Besides looking at how they migrate, either as parts of mass migrations or individually, this highly informative text delves into the fascinating details of the creature's navigation, reproduction, and feeding strategies.

Of particular interest are the animal migrations that take place over vast distances or across hostile and barren territory. Over 300 photographs, maps and illustrations are featured in the book, along with a catalog of 30 migration hotspots around the world which indicate the locations of the most dramatic migration spectacles.

For example, if you are a serious birder you'll want to visit Cheyenne Bottoms, Kansas, for the Sandhill crane migration from March thru April. During the summer months (June-Aug.) herds of wildebeasts and zebras are on the move in Tanzania and Kenya.

Reptile enthusiasts will want to pencil in late April on their calendars, for that is when the planet's largest gathering of snakes takes place on the marshy plains of northwest Canada. Tens of thousands of red-sided garter snakes emerge from their hibernation to mate and then start their 12-15 mile slither south for the summer.