America north of Mexico is home to more than four hundred species of mammals. In this comprehensive volume more than 450 color and black-and-white photographs and detailed, accessibly written descriptions survey the rich and varied world of North American mammals – from familiar species such as bear, deer, seals, squirrels, and rabbits to those that are more secretive or obscure, including shrews, bats, and voles. Written by more than two hundred experts, each with extensive experience in the field, descriptions include distribution maps, identification guidelines, scientific and common names, and information on behaviour, diet, reproduction, growth, longevity, predation, and habitat preferences. The accounts summarize the current population status of each animal and detail distribution changes owing to human activities. Organized according to evolutionary relationships, the book covers every species within the ten North American mammalian orders, including those that inhabit offshore waters. From opossums to manatees, badgers to pronghorn antelope, this authoritative volume will serve as an invaluable reference for general reader and specialist alike. | Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals by Don E. Wilson, Hardcover | Indigo Chapters