The most comprehensive pocket guide to these early creatures and the world they inhabited millions of years ago. Published in association with the esteemed Smithsonian Institution, DK's Smithsonian Handbook of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life features authoritative text, crystal-clear artwork, and a systematic approach to its subject matter. For ease of reference, the main body of the book is divided into three sections: the Precambrian and Palaeozoic eras, the Mesozoic era, and the Cenozoic era. Each section is broken down into its geological time periods, and, within these, the species are organized according to habitat-whether they lived on land, in the water, or in the air. There are detailed profiles of 200 dinosaurs and other ancestors of modern animals. Each entry combines a precise, jargon-free description with full-color artworks, skeletons, and replica models, annotated to pinpoint the key features of the species. Maps show where the animal's fossils have been found, and many profiles are supported by photographs to show actual excavation sites. The guide is authored by Hazel Richardson, a former research scientist, lecturer, and teacher. She has written 15 science books, many of which have been published worldwide, as well as educational CDs and scientific articles.