Mammals of North America

by Forsyth, Adrian

• ISBN13: 9781552094099
• ISBN10: 155209409X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-10-01
• Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd

Summary

This landmark reference by award-winning science writer Adrian Forsyth is completely up-to-date with the latest scientific names and behavioral data on the wild mammals of North America. Much more than a field guide, Mammals of North America goes beyond simple identification and description, and delves into the reasons wild mammals live and act the way they do: Why are some predators highly social, while others live alone? Why must shrews no bigger than a thimble eat more than their body weight each day or face certain starvation? How can a bat pick a small insect off the surface of a leaf in total darkness? How did a squat prehistoric pig-like animal evolve into one of the world's fastest creatures, the pronghorn antelope?Blessed with vast areas of wilderness, the United States and Canada support the largest and healthiest populations of native mammals on Earth. Even residents of urban centers are seldom more than a morning's drive from the splendors of wild-mammal life. Whether you enjoy wildlife firsthand or from the comfort of your armchair, Adrian Forsyth's Mammals of North America will prove an essential and fascinating resource.

Author Biography

Adrian Forsyth is the author of Tropical Nature, The Natural History of Sex, The Nature of Birds, Portraits of the Rainforest, The Architecture of Animals, Exploring the World of Birds and Exploring the World of Insects. A specialist in animal behavior and rainforest ecology, Forsyth lives in Washington, D.C., where he is a researcher at the Smithsonian Institution.<p> <b>Adrian Forsyth</b> is the author of <i>Tropical Nature</i>, <i>The Natural History of Sex</i>, <i>The Nature of Birds</i>, <i>Portraits of the Rainforest</i>, <i>The Architecture of Animals</i>, <i>Exploring the World of Birds</i> and <i>Exploring the World of Insects</i>. A specialist in animal behavior and rainforest ecology, Forsyth lives in Washington, D.C., where he is a researcher at the Smithsonian Institution. </p>

Table of Contents

Introduction	9	(2)
Marsupials Didelphimorphia	11	(6)
New World Opossums	12	(5)
Insectivores Insectivora	17	(24)
Shrews	18	(14)
Moles	32	(9)
Bats Chiroptera	41	(22)
Plain-Nosed Bats	46	(17)
Pikas, Rabbits & Hares Lagomorpha	63	(16)
Pikas	64	(2)
Rabbits & Hares	66	(13)
Rodents Rodentia	79	(86)
Mountain Beaver	80	(2)
Squirrels	82	(36)
Pocket Gophers	118	(6)
Kangaroo Rats & Pocket Mice	124	(4)
Beaver	128	(6)
Mice, Rats & Voles	134	(24)
Jumping Mice	158	(2)
Porcupine	160	(5)
Meat Eaters Carnivora	165	(92)
Foxes & Wolves	166	(16)
Bears	182	(12)
Eared Seals, Walrus & Hair Seals	194	(22)
Raccoon	216	(4)
Weasels, Badgers & Otters	220	(22)
Skunks	242	(4)
Cats	246	(11)
Whales, Dolphins & Porpoises Cetacea	257	(50)
Gray Whale	260	(4)
Rorquals	264	(10)
Right Whales	274	(6)
White Whale & Narwhal	280	(6)
Dolphins	286	(10)
Porpoises	296	(4)
Beaked Whales	300	(2)
Sperm Whales	302	(5)
Cloven-Hoofed Mammals Artiodactyla	307	(35)
Deer	308	(16)
Pronghorn	324	(4)
Oxen, Goats & Sheep	328	(14)
Bibliography	342	(2)
Index	344	(6)
Photo Credits	350