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Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Zoology & animal sciences > Vertebrates > Mammals > General
With contributions from both well-known researchers and relative newcomers, this collection of papers and essays that are too long and detailed for publication in the CFZ Journal "Animals & Men" provides a forum where work on little-known cryptids can be discussed.
The information in this volume relates to the country's three prevalent wild pig types: the introduced Eurasian wild boar, the feral (once domestic, now wild) hog, and hybrids of the two. The first section of the book presents a history of wild pigs in this country-their origins; when, where, and by whom they were first introduced; and their subsequent dispersal. John J. Mayer and I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr. then develop specific criteria, based on taxonomic principles, for differentiating between the wild pig types. Employing numerous illustrations, graphs, and tables, they analyze and compare morphometric and discrete characters of the skull, external body dimensions and proportions, coat colorations patterns, and hair structure and form. A report on the status of wild pig populations in the United States (as of 1991) completes the volume. Aided by the book's wealth of current data, biologists and wildlife managers can make informed decisions about such issues as state versus private ownership of wild pig populations and the status of wild pigs as pests or game animals. In addition, hunters and sportsmen, zoologists, and even specialized historians and archaeologists will find Wild Pigs in the United States useful and informative. John J. Mayer is a senior research scientist at Westinghouse Savannah River Company. I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr. is a senior research scientist at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. "It is evident that Mayer and Brisbin have meticulously researched the populations described in this book. . . . This book is a notably objective work and is one of the best references available on wild pigs. It represents an ordered, concise history that is easily followed. . . . Anyone needing information on wild pigs should find it a useful reference."-Journal of Wildlife Management, Vol. 57, No. 2, 1993 "An important book that will likely become the definitive text on the status and history of wild pigs in the United States . . . Moreover, it stands as one of the finest studies of the invasion of an exotic species and of the interplay between a domestic animal and its feral relatives."-Conservation Biology, Vol. 6, No. 4, 1992 "Thorough, well written . . . It should serve as an important reference for professional mammalogists and those employed by federal and state wildlife agencies."-ASB Bulletin, Vol. 39, No. 3, 1992
Field naturalists have observed the activities of weasels for
centuries. Their descriptions were often accurate but sometimes
misinterpreted the animals' behaviors and underlying explanations
for those behaviors. "Organized natural history" became one of the
roots of the science of ecology in
Otters are highly charismatic and popular animals of very considerable concern to conservationists worldwide. Written by the pre-eminent authority in the field, this book builds on the reputation of the author's landmark monograph of the European otter, Wild Otters (OUP, 1995). Furthermore, its broader scope to include all species of otter in North America as well as Europe and elsewhere leads to a deeper synthesis that greatly expands the book's overall relevance and potential readership. Aimed at naturalists, scientists and conservationists, its personal style and generously illustrated text will appeal to amateurs and professionals alike. It emphasises recent research and conservation management initiatives for all 13 species of otter worldwide, incorporates recent molecular research on taxonomy and population genetics, and discusses the wider implications of otter studies for ecology and conservation biology. As well as enchanting direct observations of the animals, there is guidance about how and where to watch and study them. From otters in the British and American lakes and rivers, to sea otters in the Pacific Ocean, giant otters in the Amazon and other species in Africa and Asia, this book provides an engaging approach to their fascinating existence, to the science needed to understand it, and to the very real threats to their survival.
Edward G. Jones??? The Thalamus is one of the most cited publications in neuroscience. Now more than 20 years on from its first printing, the author has completely rewritten his landmark volume, incorporating the numerous developments in research and understanding of the mammalian thalamus. As a leading authority on thalamus biology and function, Edward G. Jones shows how knowledge of the thalamus has developed with the introduction of new technologies and ideas. The author's photographic skills are exhibited in brilliant preparations of thalamic structure in a wide range of common and uncommon species. The Thalamus is both an up-to-date scientific review of virtually all aspects of forebrain function and a work of immense neuroscientific scholarship. It forms an essential reference for neuroanatomists, neurophysiologists, molecular neurobiologists, developmental neurobiologists and clinicians its deep historical perspective will be of value to historians of science.
In "The Voice of the Coyote", J. Frank Dobie melds natural history with tales and lore in articulating the complex and often contentious relationship between coyotes and humans. Based on his own life experiences in Texas and twenty-five years of research, Dobie forges a sympathetic and nuanced picture of the coyote prefiguring later environmental and conservation movements. He recognizes the impact of human action on the coyote while also examining the prominent role of the coyote in the myths and legends of the West.
Wild Dogs, originally published in 1992, is a classic study of foxes, wolves, jackals, coyotes, and other naturally wild dogs. Humans continue to be fascinated with dogs, the first animals to be domesticated and their wild cousins. Wild Dogs details the comprehensive natural history of the nondomestic dog species. The book is intended as a general reference work for biologists, wildlife managers, and conservationists. Jennifer Sheldon, a research scientist at the Yellowstone Ecological Research Center in Bozeman, Montana has been studying coyotes in Yellowstone since 1989.
For thousands of years, the majestic elephant has roamed the
African continent, as beloved by man as it has been preyed upon.
But centuries of exploitation and ivory hunting have taken their
toll: now, as wars and poachers continue to ravage its habitat, as
disease and political strife deflect attention from its plight, the
African elephant faces imminent extinction.
Through a selection of her stunning photographs, Alexandra Morton portrays life on the central British Columbia coast.She arrived in the area in 1984 as a whale researcher, and at first, she was absorbed in studying the orca and admiring the magnificent scenery. It is a coast with a long history: dolphins have pulsed in and out for 10,000 years; First Nations people have lived here for almost as long; European settlers arrived a scant century ago. As time passed, Morton began to observe the lives of other creatures that share the sea and land-humpback whales, bears, salmon, eagles, deer, and humans-and understand how they are all interconnected. As one example, "Bears drag salmon beneath the trees of the forest, feeding the giant plants that shade the river nursery, protect its banks and allow it to make more fish." In "Beyond the Whales," Alexandra explains what is going on beyond the beauty of the images: "One of the joys of watching a place for 20 years is being able to read the signs upon the sea-bubbles on the surface mean tons of herring below; three birds over an orca mean the whale has brought fish to the surface; shearwaters in Blackfish Sound mean autumn is here. The ocean feeds the rivers and the rivers feed the ocean."
Drawing from literature, history, animal behavioral research, and the wonderful true stories of cat experts and cat lovers around the world, Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson vividly explores the delights and mysteries of the feline heart. But at the core of this remarkable book are Masson's candid, often amusing observations of his own five cats. Their mischievous behavior, aloofness, and affection provide a way to examine emotions from contentment to jealousy, from anger to love. "The Nine Emotional Lives of Cats will captivate readers with its surprises, offering a new perspective on the deep connection shared by humans and their feline friends.
Situating the wolf in the history of Canadian national parks, Karen Jones considers changing ideas of nature and wilderness and competing visions of the North American West. Wolf Mountains: A History of Wolves along the Great Divide is essentially a work of environmental history, treating the land as an actor in the historical process. This controversial study examines the tumultuous relationship between humans and wolves in four Rocky Mountain parks. By comparing the distinctive lupine histories of specific national parks with anecdotes and narratives of wolves from Aboriginals and early Europeans from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, important shifts in attitude and policy are clearly shown. Drawing on published scholarly research, archived newspapers, records from environmental groups, U.S. and Canadian park records, first-hand accounts from explorers and trappers, and scientific interviews with park staff and biologists, this book contributes enormously to our understanding of the relationship between wolves and humans.
Gale proudly presents the first completely revised and updated version of this acclaimed set in 30 years. Some reviewers call Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia the best reference work on animals ever published. Others call it the legacy left to us by famed zoologist and animal lover, Bernhard Grzimek. The accolades and praise go on for the newest addition to Gale's line of reference titles. The original 13-vol. set, published in Germany in the late 1960s, is internationally renowned for its scientific reporting, coverage and illustrations, and serves as a major point of reference for researchers and students studying the animal kingdom. Thorough articles familiarize readers with animals found everywhere on the globe, detailing their life cycles, predators, food systems, overall ecology and much more. Staying true to the original scientific pedigree, Gale enlisted prominent advisors and contributors from the international scientific community to incorporate recent developments in the animal world. Our new editions of Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia are sure to serve the needs of students at every academic level.
Gale proudly presents the first completely revised and updated version of this acclaimed set in 30 years. Some reviewers call Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia the best reference work on animals ever published. Others call it the legacy left to us by famed zoologist and animal lover, Bernhard Grzimek. The accolades and praise go on for the newest addition to Gale's line of reference titles. The original 13-vol. set, published in Germany in the late 1960s, is internationally renowned for its scientific reporting, coverage and illustrations, and serves as a major point of reference for researchers and students studying the animal kingdom. Thorough articles familiarize readers with animals found everywhere on the globe, detailing their life cycles, predators, food systems, overall ecology and much more. Staying true to the original scientific pedigree, Gale enlisted prominent advisors and contributors from the international scientific community to incorporate recent developments in the animal world. Our new editions of Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia are sure to serve the needs of students at every academic level.
Gale proudly presents the first completely revised and updated version of this acclaimed set in 30 years. Some reviewers call Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia the best reference work on animals ever published. Others call it the legacy left to us by famed zoologist and animal lover, Bernhard Grzimek. The accolades and praise go on for the newest addition to Gale's line of reference titles. The original 13-vol. set, published in Germany in the late 1960s, is internationally renowned for its scientific reporting, coverage and illustrations, and serves as a major point of reference for researchers and students studying the animal kingdom. Thorough articles familiarize readers with animals found everywhere on the globe, detailing their life cycles, predators, food systems, overall ecology and much more. Staying true to the original scientific pedigree, Gale enlisted prominent advisors and contributors from the international scientific community to incorporate recent developments in the animal world. Our new editions of Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia are sure to serve the needs of students at every academic level.
Gale proudly presents the first completely revised and updated version of this acclaimed set in 30 years. Some reviewers call Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia the best reference work on animals ever published. Others call it the legacy left to us by famed zoologist and animal lover, Bernhard Grzimek. The accolades and praise go on for the newest addition to Gale's line of reference titles. The original 13-vol. set, published in Germany in the late 1960s, is internationally renowned for its scientific reporting, coverage and illustrations, and serves as a major point of reference for researchers and students studying the animal kingdom. Thorough articles familiarize readers with animals found everywhere on the globe, detailing their life cycles, predators, food systems, overall ecology and much more. Staying true to the original scientific pedigree, Gale enlisted prominent advisors and contributors from the international scientific community to incorporate recent developments in the animal world. Our new editions of Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia are sure to serve the needs of students at every academic level.
Mammal Tracks and Sign of the Northeast is a field guide for identifying the tracks of mammal species native to the region which extends from New England, New York, and Pennsylvania to eastern Canada. Simple to use and light and easy to carry in the field, the book contains the most important information that a tracker will need--including life-size illustrations of tracks and scat, gait patterns, trail width, species habitat, food sources, scat and urine information, breeding seasons, range maps, and special tracking tips for all thirty-seven species. A unique dichotomous key devised by the author allows trackers to identify even the most confusing track through a process of elimination. The charming, highly detailed, and to-scale pencil illustrations are indispensable aids to accurate identification. Mammal Tracks and Sign of the Northeast is an artistic and accurately rendered guide suitable for professional trackers, naturalists and wildlife professionals, outdoor educators, hunters, and amateurs alike.
"American Bison "combines the latest scientific information and one man's personal experience in an homage to one of the most magnificent animals to have roamed America's vast, vanished grasslands. Dale F. Lott, a distinguished behavioral ecologist who was born on the National Bison Range and has studied the buffalo for many years, relates what is known about this iconic animal's life in the wild and its troubled history with humans. Written with unusual grace and verve, "American Bison "takes us on a journey into the bison's past and shares a compelling vision for its future, offering along the way a valuable introduction to North American prairie ecology. We become Lott's companions in the field as he acquaints us with the social life and physiology of the bison, sharing stories about its impressive physical prowess and fascinating relationships. Describing the entire grassland community in which the bison live, he writes about the wolves, pronghorn, prairie dogs, grizzly bears, and other animals and plants, detailing the interdependent relationships among these inhabitants of a lost landscape. Lott also traces the long and dramatic relationship between the bison and Native Americans, and gives a surprising look at the history of the hide hunts that delivered the coup de groce to the already dwindling bison population in a few short years. This book gives us a peek at the rich and unique ways of life that evolved in the heart of America. Lott also dismantles many of the myths we have created about these ways of life, and about the bison in particular, to reveal the animal itself: ruminating, reproducing, and rutting in its full glory. His portrait of the bison ultimately becomes a plea to conserve its wildness and an eloquent meditation on the importance of the wild in our lives."
Cynthia Moss has studied the elephants in Kenya's Amboseli National
Park for over twenty-seven years. Her long-term research has
revealed much of what we now know about these complex and
intelligent animals. Here she chronicles the lives of the members
of the T families led by matriarchs Teresia, Slit Ear, Torn Ear,
Tania, and Tuskless. With a new afterword catching up on the
families and covering current conservation issues, Moss's story
will continue to fascinate animal lovers.
The Chang Tang, the vast, remote Tibetan steppe, is home to a
unique assemblage of large mammals, including Tibetan antelope,
gazelle, argali sheep, wild ass, wild yak, wolves, snow leopards,
and others. Since 1985, George B. Schaller and his Chinese and
Tibetan co-workers have surveyed the flora and fauna of the Chang
Tang. Their research provides the first detailed look at the
natural history of one of the world's least known ecosystems.
Because carnivores are at the top of the food chain, their status is an important indicator of the health of the world ecosystem. They are intensely interesting to zoologists and uniquely intriguing to the general public. Devoted primarily to terrestrial carnivores, this volume focuses on such themes as carnivore reintroduction programs and the ethics of studying carnivores, drawing examples from a variety of species.
Of all the mammals, rodents are undoubtedly the most significant single group. With some 1500 species, they constitute an amazing 40 per cent of the world's known mammal population. They have colonized the whole planet - with the common house mouse now found on every continent including Antarctica. This latest title in the "Of the World" series describes the rodent families and their tremendously wide range of lifestyles - from the subterranean-dwelling blind mole rat to the spectacular flying squirrel, from the dam-building beaver to the largest present-day rodent, the giant capybara of South America. There are accounts of their many interactions with man, from being despised pests and carriers of disease to being of economic importance as "farmed" animals for fur production - or even as domestic pets. Full details are given of their evolution, classification and distribution, together with detailed descriptions of form and function, breeding and feeding habits. The text is enhanced throughout with distribution maps and over 100 color photographs. Despite the friendly images of rodents in the media, man has a generally unsympathetic view of most rodent species. This attitude has tended to mask the great danger of extinction which many species now face. This book details the need for conservation and describes the captive breeding programs now underway to ensure survival of this fascinating group of mammals whose adaptability for life on this planet is rivalled only by our own.
In "The Black-Tailed Prairie Dog," John L. Hoogland draws on
sixteen years of research at Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota,
in the United States to provide this account of prairie dog social
behavior. Through comparisons with more than 300 other animal
species, he offers new insights into basic theory in behavioral
ecology and sociobiology.
Designed to enable newcomers to electrophysiology to choose appropriate preparations and techniques for in vitro studies in vertebrate neurobiology. Emphasizes techniques involving the glass micropipette and other recently developed methods, supplementing easy-to-follow instructions with illustrative schemes, examples of original records, photomicrographs, key word listings, comprehensive reference tables and a list of suppliers and key equipment and reagents.
Introduce students to one of nature's most endearing animals and inspire learning across the curriculum with a delightful diversity of activities focusing on bears. Polar bears, black bears, brown bears, giant panda bears, sun bears, sloth bears, teddy bears, and others are brought together for an exciting learning adventure in this wonderful resource for educators and their students. Innovative, ready-to-use instructional units in science and social studies employ a multitude of hands-on activities that help students explore life science and develop whole language concepts, historical anecdotes, recipes, songs, a bibliography of resources, and more offer unique and stimulating experiences that you and your students will treasure for a lifetime. |
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