Mammals of North America (Kenn Kaufman Focus Guides Series) FROM THE PUBLISHER
"Mammals of North America is a compact and colorful field reference to these intriguing creatures. It treats every species of wild mammal found north of the Mexican border - from familiar backyard squirrels and chipmunks to polar bears and jaguars - as well as all the seals, porpoises, and whales in North America's offshore waters. Using the groundbreaking method pioneered by Kenn Kaufman, Mammals of North America includes more than 1,100 images based on photographs, digitally edited to show correct size ratios, comparative colors, and the field marks necessary for identification. These are not just static illustrations but portraits of animals in action that truly convey their character as well as their identification marks. In addition, hundreds of illustrations show tracks, dens, and other signs that we may notice even when the mammals themselves are out of sight." For millions of hikers, campers, passengers on whale-watching trips, families visiting national parks and wildlife refuges, or anyone who loves animals, this is the perfect guide to increase understanding and appreciation of North America's magnificent wild mammals.
SYNOPSIS
Naturalists Nora and Rick Bowers have studied and photographed wildlife throughout North America; a lifelong naturalist, Kaufman is the originator of the Kaufman Focus Guide series. Their compact field reference covers every species of mammal known to occur in North America and its offshore waters, including naturalized exotics. The text is illustrated with some 1,100 color images, digitally edited from photographs to show correct size ratios, comparative colors, and field marks necessary for identification, and includes range maps to show where each species is common or rare. Indexed by English names of mammals, the guide is designed for use by all types of nature-lovers, from hikers and campers to families visiting national parks and wildlife refuges. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Even renowned birder Kaufman admits that sighting a "mammal trumps everything else" when observing nature in the field. To help naturalists identify those warm-blooded animals that cross their paths, he has teamed up with nature photographers Nora and Rick Bowers to present this comprehensive field reference for all 450 species of wild mammals known to occur in the United States and Canada. As in his earlier innovative guides (Birds of North America and Butterflies of North America), the touchstone is the digitally enhanced photography (all 1,200 images are edited to eliminate shadows, to correct colors and to resize for easy comparisons among species), the bulk of which the Bowerses shot during their 30 years of wildlife study. For quick reference, the mammals are subdivided into 15 categories, like "Hoofed Mammals," "Mice and Rats" or "Dogs, Cats, Bears," with color-coded tabs and a pictorial index. Each entry includes a photograph of the mammal on the right-hand page with an average weight and length, while a brief description of its habitat, behavior, scientific and common names, and a range chart appear on the corresponding left-hand page. In some cases, the authors have also included a sketch of the animal's tracks, or pictures of it during multiple seasons the Arctic hare, for example, is shown molting from a mottled brown in the summer to snow white in the winter. For more in-depth information, the authors list books and online sources; however, this compact volume's encyclopedic approach to identifying mammals makes it an indispensable field resource for amateur nature enthusiasts. 7-city author tour. (Apr.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
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