Mammals of North America : Temperate and Arctic Regions

by Forsyth, Adrian

• ISBN13: 9781554072330
• ISBN10: 1554072336
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-08-12
• Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd

Summary

An invaluable reference -- comprehensive, readable and filled with stunning color photographs.This landmark reference by award-winning nature writer Adrian Forsyth includes scientific names, descriptions and behavioral information for the wild mammals of North America, but is much more than a field guide. In engaging language, the author delves into the reasons the animals live and act the way they do, explaining for example: Why some predators are highly social while others live alone Why shrews no bigger than a thimble eat more than their body weight each day How a bat can pick a small insect off the surface of a leaf in total darkness How a squat prehistoric pig-like animal evolved into the pronghorn antelope, one of the world's fastest creatures.The text is illustrated with exquisite color photographs by some of North America's foremost wildlife photographers, making Mammals of North America an important nature reference for the entire family.

Author Biography

Adrian Forsyth is a specialist in animal behavior and the author of numerous books, including Portraits of the Rainforest and Exploring the World of Birds. A co-founder of the Amazon Conservation Association and a research associate at the Smithsonian Institution, he lives in Washington, D.C.

Adrian Forsyth is a specialist in animal behavior and the author of numerous books, including Portraits of the Rainforest and Exploring the World of Birds. A co-founder of the Amazon Conservation Association and a research associate at the Smithsonian Institution, he lives in Washington, D.C.

Table of Contents

Introduction	9	(11)
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