Zoology: mammals (mammalogy) Books

Book SynopsisWith the Earth Day 2014 release of Disneynature’s Bears, kids everywhere will be falling in love with bears! This nonfiction children’s picture book about Alaska’s grizzly bears describes bears, cubs, habitat, hibernation, diet, and how far they will roam. The pages are full of amazing images by acclaimed wildlife photographer Patrick J. Endres. Alaska’s population of 30,000 grizzlies is the healthiest in any American state. Learn all about Alaska’s amazing grizzly bears in this informative and colorful book.Trade ReviewGrizzly Bears of Alaska celebrates these giants with fascinating facts and vivid photos by one of Alaska's most prominently published nature photographers. Publishers WeeklyThis colorful, well-focused volume offers an excellent pictorial introduction to Alaskan grizzly bears along with information about their habitat, physical features, foods, and behaviors, with particular emphasis on mother grizzlies raising cubs. A typical double-page spread includes a few paragraphs of clearly written text on a single subject, illustrated with one or more color photos of remarkable clarity. These pictures offer exceptionally fine views of Alaskan grizzlies in the wild . . . A useful, visually appealing introduction to the subject.BooklistRich, colorful photographs and descriptive narrative text showcase the world of Alaska's grizzly bears. While some attention is given to brown bears and other critters that call Alaska home, this book is primarily about the features, habitats, and behaviors of the grizzlies. The author provides details about their physical traits, from varying fur colors to the nature of their nasal cavities, and examines the relationship between those characteristics and the bears' environment and eating habits. Much focus is given to baby cubs and their mothers, and Alaska's Denali and Katmai National Parks are mentioned. Headings like "A Magnificent Creature," "Can't Catch Me!" and "Who's Hungry?" and boldface words throughout the book will assist those looking for informational text features, and discussion questions and extension activities are listed in the back.School Library JournalGrizzlies can eat as much as 90 pounds of salmon—equivalent to 162 cheeseburgers—per day! Young readers learn this and other facts about bears from this informative book by Fairbanks native Miller. Endres, also a Fairbanks resident, adds beautiful color images of the majestic animals.Alaska Airlines Magazine...this book features some beautiful & powerful photography by Patrick J. Endres. The images do a great job of capturing the power & strength of Alaska's grizzlies. Alaska Love 12Set against the backdrop of Alaska's beautiful wilderness, this book for ages 6-8 explores the lives of inland grizzlies and coastal brown bears. While enjoying stunning photographs you'll learn all about these bears, including how mother bears nurture and protect playful cubs, how young bears learn to fish, and how bears adapt to their environment. Grizzly Bears of Alaska captures the lives of these magnificent bears in the wild. Anchorage Daily News

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive look at the world’s eight bear species.Discover shared traits and behaviors as well as unique characteristics of the polar bear, brown bear, North American black bear, spectacled bear, Asiatic black bear, sloth bear, sun bear, and giant panda. Readers will marvel at the adaptations each has developed to survive in a challenging world.Jeannie Brett’s stunning artwork, coupled with her thorough research, brings each bear and its habitat to life. Appended with a glossary and an illustrated world map that shows the location of bear habitats.

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Book SynopsisThe word raccoon is drawn from the Native American Algonquian language. Their term arakun roughly translates to “he who scratches with his hands.” Anyone who has found a raccoon rummaging around in a once securely closed trash container can attest to how skillful raccoons are with their front paws. In fact, they have four times as many sensory receptors in their forepaw skin as they do in their hindpaws, a ratio similar to that of human hands and feet. Samuel Zeveloff explores this trait and much more in his accessible natural history of raccoons.Written with the general reader in mind, Raccoons presents detailed information on raccoon evolution, physical characteristics, social behavior, habitats, food habits, reproduction, and conservation, as well as their relationship with humans and many other topics. The section on distribution and subspecies focuses on the raccoon’s current range expansion, and the material on their cultural significance demonstrates this mammal’s unique status in different North American cultures.

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Book SynopsisTaking an integrated approach to the biology of marine carnivores, cetaceans, and sirenians, twenty-two prominent researchers compare marine mammals with one another and with terrestrial mammals, providing a framework for fundamental biological and ecological concepts. They describe functional morphology, sensory systems, energetics, reproduction, communication and cognition, behavior, distribution, population biology, and feeding ecology. They also detail the physiological adaptations—for such activities and processes as diving, thermo-regulation, osmoregulation, and orientation—that enable marine mammals to exploit their aquatic environment.

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Book SynopsisWhat would it be like to live in a world with no predators roaming our landscapes? Would their elimination, which humans have sought with ever greater urgency in recent times, bring about a pastoral, peaceful human civilization? Or in fact is their existence critical to our own, and do we need to be doing more to assure their health and the health of the landscapes they need to thrive? In The Carnivore Way, Cristina Eisenberg argues compellingly for the necessity of top predators in. large, undisturbed landscapes, and how a continental-Iong corridor - a "carnivore way" - provides the room they need to roam and connected landscapes that allow them to disperse. Eisenberg follows the footsteps of six large carnivores - wolves, grizzly bears, lynx, jaguars, wolverines, and cougars - on a 7,500-mile wildlife corridor from Alaska to Mexico along the Rocky Mountains. Backed by robust science, she shows how their well-being is a critical factor in sustaining healthy landscapes and how it is possible for humans and large carnivores to coexist peacefully and even to thrive. University students in natural resource science programs, resource managers, conservation organisations, and anyone curious about carnivore ecology and management in a changing world will find a thoughtful guide to large carnivore conservation that dispels long-held myths about their ecology and contributions to healthy, resilient landscapes.

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Book SynopsisIn In the Company of Bears, originally published in hardcover as Out on a Limb, Ben Kilham invites us into the world he has come to know best: the world of black bears. For decades, Kilham has studied wild black bears in a vast tract of Northern New Hampshire woodlands. At times, he has also taken in orphaned infants–feeding them, walking them through the forest for months to help them decipher their natural world, and eventually reintroducing them back into the wild. Once free, the orphaned bears still regard him as their mother. And one of these bears, now a 17-year-old female, has given him extraordinary access to her daily life, opening a rare window into how she and the wild bears she lives among carry out their daily lives, raise their young, and communicate. Witnessing this world has led to some remarkable discoveries. For years, scientists have considered black bears to be mostly solitary. Kilham's observations, though, reveal the extraordinary interactions wild bears have with each other. They form friendships and alliances; abide by a code of conduct that keeps their world orderly; and when their own food supplies are ample, they even help out other bears in need. Could these cooperative behaviors, he asks, mimic behavior that existed in the animal that became human? In watching bears, do we see our earliest forms of communications unfold? Kilham's dyslexia once barred him from getting an advanced academic degree, securing funding for his research, and publishing his observations in the scientific literature. After being shunned by the traditional scientific community, though, Kilham’s unique findings now interest bear researchers worldwide. His techniques even aid scientists working with pandas in China and bears in Russia. Moreover, the observation skills that fueled Kilham’s exceptional work turned out to be born of his dyslexia. His ability to think in pictures and decipher systems makes him a unique interpreter of the bear's world. In the Company of Bears delivers Kilham’s fascinating glimpse at the inner world of bears, and also makes a passionate case for science, and education in general, to open its doors to different ways of learning and researching–doors that could lead to far broader realms of discovery.Trade ReviewKirkus Reviews— "The author is a state-sponsored researcher whose work with the black bear population in northern New Hampshire is safe, methodical and sanctioned. Since he does not currently hold a doctorate—he’s now working on that—much of his fieldwork has been discounted by the scientific community. On the other hand, his outsider status has allowed him to go his own way and trust in his natural skills rather than bemoan his shortcomings revolving around his dyslexia. Despite his condition, he is blessed with the ability to recognize patterns and see systems where they are not self-evident. The tone of his presentation allays criticism or hostility with its frankness and generosity, as he plunges into what he has observed: how bears use scent and body language, how they compete and cooperate, how they enforce house rules and exhibit a social code of justice and punishment, and how they communicate. Though he has interacted with hundreds of black bears, one in particular—Squirty, whom he adopted as a cub and released into the wild—has allowed Kilham to experience an intimate association with him, from comfort to anger and many other emotions in between. The author presents a solid case for bears as primal actors of social exchange—cooperation, altruism, morality—and their study, a 'gateway' to understanding 'how surplus fitness and an increase in population density have affected human behavior.' A powerfully original study of bears."Booklist — "For nearly 20 years, naturalist Kilham has fostered orphaned black bear cubs in northern New Hampshire. In his previous book, Among the Bears, Raising Orphan Cubs in the Wild (2002), he described his early efforts to teach cubs to forage, hunt, and avoid natural and human-made dangers. In this book, he recounts years of studying bears he released into the woods, especially Squirty, who has successfully raised her own cubs, who have in turn raised another generation of wild bears. Because Squirty still trusts Kilham as family, he has been able to observe bear social interactions closely. Among his discoveries are that bears socialize far more than commonly believed and occasionally exhibit altruistic behavior. Although some scientists criticize Kilham’s work, he defends his methods and likens bear society to that of primitive humans, suggesting that we can learn much about our origins from the bears. Advice for hikers encountering bears rounds out this popular-science memoir."Library Journal — "Animal behaviorists like Kilham (Among the Bears) are at a disadvantage in the world of science: they observe their animals in nature rather than in the lab. Severely dyslexic, Kilham was denied admission to a doctoral program: that, too, made his work suspect. But he’s raised 27 orphan bears from infancy and been friends to one bear for 14 years now. Kilham even discovered a sensory organ in black bears that helps them to determine which plants are safe to eat. In straightforward prose, Kilham sets forth what he’s learned from more than 20 years of working with bears. They aren’t loners, as thought, but inhabit a complicated world of reciprocal social arrangements that allow them to browse other bears’ territories when food is scarce in their own. They read mood and intent and discipline bears that transgress. Kilham speculates on the relevance of his observations to early human development and sees bears’ behavior as a possible analog to ours. VERDICT Anyone who enjoys reading works by Temple Grandin (who provides the foreword here), Jane Goodall, or Frans de Waal will enjoy this book. Kilham is a worthy member of a small but increasingly vocal confraternity of scientists who watch as often as they count.""Magnificent! In the Company of Bears is a brilliant read. Kilham perfectly exemplifies how much the world has to gain from the exceptional insights of dyslexic individuals, who often possess a special talent for finding order hidden in the complex patterns of the real world. We cannot recommend this book highly enough."--Brock and Fernette Eide, authors of The Dyslexic Advantage "Kilham's latest is the most thought-provoking book that I've read about bears. It not only made me think differently about black bears, it also enriched how I feel about them."--Stephen Herrero, biologist and author of Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance"No one knows black bears like Ben Kilham does. During the past decade alone he has raised and rehabilitated to the wild more than 100 orphaned cubs. The social code of the bears, as so delightfully described in In the Company of Bears, includes cooperation, imitation, fairness, punishment for infraction, reciprocity, and other traits of this solitary yet highly social species. Human parallels are drawn, too. The charm and core of the book lie in its anecdotes and unique insights, especially of the female Squirty with whom Ben has had a friendship for more than seventeen years. Read this fascinating book and see the bear's world with new eyes."--George Schaller, author of The Last Panda; science director, Wildlife Conservation Society"In the Company of Bears is a brilliant revelation about black bears and a paean to human potential. After decades spent caring for orphan bears and releasing them into the wild, Ben Kilham, a dyslexic animal lover, has now summarized what he has learned about their rich social complexity and humanlike intentionality. The result is to turn a supposedly familiar species into a creature of unsuspected acuity. Part science, part intuition, this enticing natural history is a provocative argument about animal minds, and an intimate celebration of life in the New Hampshire woods."--Richard Wrangham, author of Catching Fire: How Cooking Made us Human; co-director of the Kibale Chimpanzee Project“In the Company of Bears by Benjamin Kilham is one of the finest books on the natural history of an animal that I have ever read. As gripping as the best novel, it is very readable and provides great insights into the mind of the black bear and the human. The research that Kilham has done on the behavior of black bears is groundbreaking and will lead us to a much better understanding of the development of intelligence in mammals and the evolution of cognition throughout the animal world."--James R. Spotila, Betz Chair Professor of Environmental Science, Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science, Drexel University; author of Saving Sea Turtles "Like Jane Goodall’s studies of chimps, Ben Kilham’s work with black bears is more than just revealing: it’s revolutionary. This riveting book supports two astonishing conclusions: that bears are far more sophisticated than most scientists dared imagine, and that dyslexia, once considered a failing, may simply be another, and often valuable, way of thinking. Ben’s work will transform our understanding of how animals live--and how science should be done."--Sy Montgomery, author of Walking with the Great Apes and Search for the Golden Moon Bear"Ben Kilham's In the Company of Bears is surely the most insightful book about animals written in the last 100 years. His observation of black bears is the best ever done, his data is flawless, and these attributes have created a landmark of science that as far as I know has not been equalled with any other species. And if that’s not enough, it’s also a page-turner and a must-read. It left me breathless."--Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Hidden Life of Dogs and The Tribe of Tiger

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Book SynopsisTrue river dolphins as well as marine dolphins that frequent freshwater systems are large animals that have traditionally gone unnoticed by the general public and, in a certain sense, by marine mammal specialists as well. In fact, only a limited number of researchers have investigated the biology of these dolphin species. This is quite surprising given that these species are commonly the top predators in their habitats. Now for the first time, revolutionary molecular techniques are being applied to answer evolutionary reconstruction questions of many animals, including river dolphins. In addition, new paleontological records are dramatically changing our perspective about the relationships of these dolphins with each other and with other cetaceans. In this book, new census information and important ecological characteristics are provided of the river dolphins Inia, Sotalia, Pontoporia, Lioptes, and Orcaella. For the first time, molecular and genetic results of theses dolphin species are presented. A compilation of these data is essential if we are to present a strategic conservation plan for these animals. Upon being informed of critical evolutionary historical data, conservation biologists will now be able to tailor their conservation efforts for each threatened river dolphin species. Additionally, new morphological data and the new discoveries in the fossil record for river dolphins are examined. The major dolphin specialists in Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, the United States of America, China, and India present their newest results within a single book that graduate students, professors, scientists, evolutionary ecologists, aquatic mammalogists, population ecologists, conservation ecologists, and marine biologists will all find valuable for the foreseeable future.

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Book SynopsisIn this book the authors discuss the domestication history, behaviour and common health problems of dogs. Topics include the epidemiological trends and neuropathological manifestations of canine distemper virus; behaviour and welfare of dogs; marketing and the domestication of dogs; responsible ownership and behaviours; advances in the canine coproparasitological examination; and an examination of ovariohysterectomy (spaying) and healthy longevity in dogs.

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Book Synopsis“This book is a collage in essays about the kind of life I found worth living so far,” writes author Stephen J. Bodio. On the Edge of the Wild is a stunning collection that shares Bodio’s love for the country, wilderness, literature, and much more. With compelling stories about moving to Montana, treasured shotguns, and his absolute love of cooking, readers will be hooked by the beautiful way in which Bodio shares his feelings about life and the outdoors.The thought-provoking essays in On the Edge of the Wild will appeal to those who enjoy living off the land as well as those who appreciate the detail and way that Bodio paints a picture of his travels. The incredible array of stories shows the deep appreciation and respect that he has for nature, including the wonderful animals that grace his presence. From dogs to falcons, the love shared by this naturalist will be something that readers treasure and hope to one day be able to share through experiences similar to the ones Bodio has lived.

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Book SynopsisIn this book, the authors present current research in the study of the phylogeny and evolutionary insights, conservation strategies and role in disease transmission in bats. Topics discussed in this compilation include the role of bats in lyssavirus epidemiology; implications for ecological cognitive psychology of human-bat-interactions ; molecular phylogeography and conservation of Chinese Bats; and effects of climate change on the world''s northernmost bat population.

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Book SynopsisIn this book, the authors present current research in the study of the biology, diet, eating habits and disorders of rabbits. Topics discussed in this volume include the rabbit brain as a model of structural neuroplasticity; a survey on the studies of rabbit prion proteins; the effect of reduced dietary consistency on the fibre properties of rabbit jaw muscles; the use of rabbits to investigate the pathogenesis of disease; the assessment of sperm DNA damage in rabbits using the Halomax assay; nutritional effects of plant oil and seeds in rabbit feeding; and current studies on the aetiology of obstructive dysfunction of the male rabbit urinary bladder.

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Book SynopsisGet to know black bears, brown bears, and polar bears like never before—through Stan Tekiela’s wildlife photography, personal anecdotes, and years of research. They are icons of our wild places. They are powerful and intimidating, yet they signify calmness, comfort, and peace. Bears are adored around the world. They are magnificent animals that capture our fascination. Enter the world of bears with award-winning author, naturalist, and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela. Crawling into black bear dens in northern Wisconsin, trekking across the Manitoba tundra in search of polar bears, traversing the Rocky Mountains in pursuit of grizzly bears, Stan spent more than 20 years traveling across the United States and Canada to observe and photograph bears. He documented every aspect of their lives: major events such as mating and hibernation (torpor), as well as everyday activities including foraging, hunting, and socializing. The result is a striking portrayal of these mammals in Bears of North America. Stan’s extraordinary photographs depict the creatures in a new, unique fashion. The coffee-table book is pleasurable to browse and easy to read. Accompany Stan on some of the greatest adventures of his life. Explore North America’s desolate areas with him, pursuing these resourceful animals. With his instinct for being in the right place at the right time, Stan utilizes rare opportunities to capture some of the most compelling images of his career. Through this book, you can share in his research and develop a new appreciation and respect for bears. Bears of North America is a must-have for lovers of wildlife and nature.Table of ContentsBears—a lifelong affair An eminent history The bear family Origins of the species Species around the world Black Bears Brown Bears Polar Bears Is it a Black Bear or a Brown Bear? Names of distinction Sizes north to south Considerations of weight Life expectancy Roaming the home range Step-for-step paths Scent marking Claw scraping Posturing to communicate Expression of aggression Congeniality Not just smart—resourceful Large skull and jaws Claws and paws Tiny tails Snouts and scents Fuzzy ears, sharp hearing Sight, near and far Strong, stout legs Gait Masters at running Standing advantage Tracks and trails Silent travelers Swimming trips Climbing trees Sleeping in trees Daybed naps Play fighting Color palette Furry coat Hollow hair Black Bear blaze White, but not albino Shedding Potluck diet Breeding time Ready to mate Unusual gestation Birthing Newborn and helpless Eyes open Mother’s milk Nursing duty Litter size Family planning A difficult beginning Mixing up cubs The miracle of hibernation Den diversity Preparing for winter Emerging in spring Cautionary measures Respecting bears Featured bears Where to spot bears in the wild About the author

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Book SynopsisIdentify Colorado mammals with this easy-to-use field guide, organized by family and featuring full-color photographs and helpful information. Whether you happen upon an animal track or actually see wildlife in nature, interacting with mammals is a thrill. Learn to identify mammals in Colorado. With Stan Tekiela’s famous field guide, mammal identification is simple and informative. The Mammals of Colorado Field Guide features all 130 species found in the state, organized by family and then by size. When you see a mammal, you can determine its family by common visual characteristics and then turn to the corresponding section to find out what it is! Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-color photographs provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification. This second edition includes updated photographs and range maps, expanded information, and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab the Mammals of Colorado Field Guide for your next outing to help ensure that you positively identify the wildlife you see. Inside you’ll find: All 130 of Colorado’s mammals, from mice to moose Facts about size, habitat, range, young, and more Times each animal is most likely to be active and signs it might leave behind Professional photos, range maps, and track patterns Stan’s naturalist notes and fascinating facts

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Book SynopsisIdentify Florida mammals with this easy-to-use field guide, organized by family and featuring full-color photographs and helpful information. Whether you happen upon an animal track or actually see wildlife in nature, interacting with mammals is a thrill. Learn to identify mammals in Florida. With Stan Tekiela’s famous field guide, mammal identification is simple and informative. The Mammals of Florida Field Guide features all 77 species found in the state, organized by family and then by size. When you see a mammal, you can determine its family by common visual characteristics and then turn to the corresponding section to find out what it is! Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-color photographs provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification. This second edition includes updated photographs and range maps, expanded information, and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab the Mammals of Florida Field Guide for your next outing to help ensure that you positively identify the wildlife you see. Inside you’ll find: All 77 of Florida’s mammals, from mice to manatees Facts about size, habitat, range, young, and more Times each animal is most likely to be active and signs it might leave behind Professional photos, range maps, and track patterns Stan’s naturalist notes and fascinating facts

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Book SynopsisIdentify Minnesota mammals with this easy-to-use field guide, organized by family and featuring full-color photographs and helpful information. Whether you happen upon an animal track or actually see wildlife in nature, interacting with mammals is a thrill. Learn to identify mammals in Minnesota. With Stan Tekiela’s famous field guide, mammal identification is simple and informative. The Mammals of Minnesota Field Guide features all 75 species found in the state, organized by family and then by size. When you see a mammal, you can determine its family by common visual characteristics and then turn to the corresponding section to find out what it is! Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-color photographs provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification. This second edition includes updated photographs and range maps, expanded information, and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab the Mammals of Minnesota Field Guide for your next outing to help ensure that you positively identify the wildlife you see. Inside you’ll find: All 75 of Minnesota’s mammals, from mice to moose Facts about size, habitat, range, young, and more Times each animal is most likely to be active and signs it might leave behind Professional photos, range maps, and track patterns Stan’s naturalist notes and fascinating facts

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Book SynopsisIdentify Wisconsin mammals with this easy-to-use field guide, organized by family and featuring full-color photographs and helpful information. Whether you happen upon an animal track or actually see wildlife in nature, interacting with mammals is a thrill. Learn to identify mammals in Wisconsin. With Stan Tekiela’s famous field guide, mammal identification is simple and informative. The Mammals of Wisconsin Field Guide features all 71 species found in the state, organized by family and then by size. When you see a mammal, you can determine its family by common visual characteristics and then turn to the corresponding section to find out what it is! Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-color photographs provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification. This second edition includes updated photographs and range maps, expanded information, and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab the Mammals of Wisconsin Field Guide for your next outing to help ensure that you positively identify the wildlife you see. Inside you’ll find: All 71 of Wisconsin’s mammals, from mice to moose Facts about size, habitat, range, young, and more Times each animal is most likely to be active and signs it might leave behind Professional photos, range maps, and track patterns Stan’s naturalist notes and fascinating facts

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Book SynopsisIn the fourth miniature picture book in the Hippo Park Pals series, Herbert makes climbs to the top of the jungle gym and makes a heroic rescue when Teddy falls! In the fourth book of the Hippo Park Pals, Herbert climbs to the top of the jungle gym for the first time. Of course, he has to look where he places his feet and balance each step of the way. Step! Pull! Step! Pull! Try not to wobble! He's got it! And when Teddy (his stuffed bear) falls, Herbert imagines being a helicopter and making a heroic save! Rilla Alexander's hippo siblings, Fiona and Herbert, are adorable and kind! Her colors and the social emotional messages in these precious books meet kids exactly where they are.

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Book SynopsisIn all scientific disciplines, there is an expanding gap between what is known by the general public and what is known by scientists. In this book, Dr. Bruce McLellan tries to bridge that gap.Coexisting with grizzly bears into the future will be an increasing challenge and require a deep understanding of these large carnivores and what factors make their populations tick. Based on perhaps the longest uninterrupted wildlife research project done by one individual, this is the intertwined story of the science underlying our understanding of grizzly bears and family life in the wilderness while following bears.The story of grizzly bear behaviour and ecology is based on dozens of research papers published in this study, which in turn are based on the actual lives of over 200 radio-collared bears. These chapters are not written for dummies but contain considerable substance for people interested in the science behind animal ecology and conservation. The scientific chapters cover topics ranging from the bears' diet and how it influences changes in body fat and muscle, to how bears are counted and factors that influence births and deaths and regulate population size.Mixed among the science chapters is the story of how a couple in their mid-20s began the Flathead grizzly project, built a log cabin on the bank of the Flathead River, had babies, and raised them in the wilderness among bears, wolves, and mountain lions. They endured floods that washed away part of their camp, forest fires that burned thousands of square miles, and some very weird people. Both children grew up with grizzly bears and eventually earned their own M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in the ecology of these amazing animals.

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Book SynopsisThis revised edition of Bats of Southern and Central Africa builds on the solid foundation of the first edition and supplements the original account of bat species then known to be found in Southern and Central Africa with an additional eight newly described species, bringing the total to 124.The chapters on evolution, biogeography, ecology and echolocation have been updated, citing dozens of recently published papers. The book covers the latest systematic and taxonomic studies, ensuring that the names and relationships of bats in this new edition reflect current scientific knowledge.The species accounts provide descriptions, measurements and diagnostic characters as well as detailed information about the distribution, habitat, roosting habits, foraging ecology and reproduction of each species. The updated species distribution maps are based on 6 100 recorded localities.A special feature of the 2010 publication was the mode of identification of families, genera and species by way of character matrices rather than the more generally used dichotomous keys. Since then these matrices have been tested in the field and, where necessary, slightly altered for this edition. New photographs fill in gaps and updated sonograms aid with bat identification in acoustic surveys.The bibliography, which now contains more than 700 entries, will be an invaluable aid to students and scientists wishing to consult original research.Trade ReviewIn this extensive revision of their ground-breaking book, the authors display their commanding expertise on southern African bats. The volume serves as an authoritative and engaging summary of generations of research, and offers naturalists everywhere a highly readable account of some of Africa’s most diverse and fascinating mammals. — B. D. Patterson, MacArthur Curator of Mammals, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, USA The second edition of Bats of Southern and Central Africa is a one-stop shop for understanding the biology and natural history of bats. It is a must-read primer for bat biologists, students, naturalists, enthusiasts, and those of us considering conservation of these fascinating and ecologically important, but highly misunderstood mammals. — Paul W. Webala, Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Maasai Mara University, Narok, Kenya A masterpiece for bat researchers and conservationists who wish to learn about African bat species. This second edition exceeds all expectations, and will be an essential refer ence, superseding the widely used first edition. — Adrià López-Baucells, Natural Sciences Museum of Granollers, SpainTable of Contents Foreword to the First Edition Foreword to the Second Edition Acknowledgements Introduction Geographical scope Classification and taxonomy Conservation status Museum Collectionsand Pioneering Researchers Researcher gallery The value of specimens Chiroptera collections Databases and author’s contributions Bat Biology Overview Migration Torpor and hibernation Reproduction Predation Foraging ecology and associated ecological services Roosting habits Foliage-roosting bats Hollow-roosting bats Crevice-roosting bats Specialised roost sites Biogeography Geology Ancient basement rocks Sedimentary rocks Rift valleys Geomorphology Escarpments Drainage systems Climates past and present Vegetation Grassland Savanna Forest Echolocation Echolocation systems Types of bat echolocation pulses Ecology of bat echolocation and flight Recording echolocation calls Spectrum analysis Bat detectors Spectrograms and echolocation Species Accounts Suborder Pteropodiformes Pteropodidae Hipposideridae Rhinonycteridae Rhinolophidae Megadermatidae Suborder Vespertilioniformes Emballonuridae Nycteridae Molossidae Miniopteridae Cistugidae Vespertilionidae Glossary List of Specimens References

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Book SynopsisCamel meat has many benefits as a meat product. It has low fat content and is highly nutritious, and has potential to be used to combat hyperacidity, hypertension, pneumonia and respiratory disease. This book reviews up-to-date literature on camel meat and meat products, carcass and meat quality characteristics, muscle structure, post-mortem analysis and the nutritive value to humans. A comparatively small component of global meat consumption, camel meat has the potential to undergo an explosion of production worldwide, and currently farming for camel meat in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Australia is undergoing significant expansion. The potential of camel meat in helping to meet projected world food shortages, and being sustainably farmed, is also explored by the editors.Table of Contents1: Classification, History and Distribution of the Camel 2: Camel Meat in the World 3: Camel Nutrition for Meat Production 4: Camel Body Growth 5: Slaughtering and Processing of Camels 6: Inspection of Slaughtered Dromedary Camels 7: Prospects for Online Grading of Camel Meat Yield and Quality 8: Camel Carcass Quality 9: Distribution and Partitioning of Tissues in the Camel Carcass 10: Structure and Quality of Camel Meat 11: Interventions to Improve the Tenderness of Fresh Meat: a Future Prospect for Camel Meat Research 12: Processed Camel Meats 13: Nutritive and Health Value of Camel Meat 14: The Economical Potential of Camel Meat

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Book SynopsisRabbits have many uses - as well as being cherished pets, they are bred for their meat and fur, and as laboratory animals. Understanding their genetics and genomics is key to their production and, equally, to their care, welfare and health. Beginning with an introduction to the rabbit, including key information on their evolution, domestication and breed types, this book then concentrates on the genetics and genomics of this valuable animal. This book covers: - Cytogenetics, genetic maps and QTL mapping; - Immunogenetics; - Genetics of coat colour, meat, fibre and fur production, reproduction, disease resistance and more. Concluding with practical applications such as creating transgenic and genome edited rabbits, biotechnical applications and the rabbit as a biomedical model, this book brings this important topic fully up-to-date. It provides an indispensable resource for animal and veterinary researchers and students, as well as rabbit breeders and laboratory scientists.Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Evolution, Domestication and World Distribution of the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Chapter 2: Rabbit Breeds and Lines and Genetic Resources Chapter 3: The Genome of the European Rabbit and Genomic Tools Chapter 4: Cytogenetics, Physical and Genetic Maps and QTL Mapping in the European Rabbit Chapter 5: Immunogenetics in the Rabbit Chapter 6: Genetics and Molecular Genetics of Coat Colour in the European Rabbit Chapter 7: Genetics of Fibre and Fur Production in Rabbits Chapter 8: Genetics and Molecular Genetics of Morphological and Physiological Traits and Inherited Disorders in the European Rabbit Chapter 9: Genetics of Disease Resistance in the European Rabbit Chapter 10: Genetics and Genomics of Growth, Carcass and Meat Production Traits in Rabbits Chapter 11: Biology of Reproduction and Reproduction Technologies in the Rabbit Chapter 12: Genetics of Reproduction in the Rabbit Chapter 13: Genetic Improvement in the Meat Rabbit Chapter 14: Rabbit Research in the Post-genomic Era: Transcriptome, Proteome and Metabolome Analyses Chapter 15: Methods to Create Transgenic and Genome-edited Rabbits Chapter 16: Pluripotent Stem Cells in Rabbits Chapter 17: Biotechnology Applications in the Rabbit Chapter 18: The Rabbit as a Biomedical Model

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Book SynopsisMammals include some of the most intriguing creatures on the planet: the big cats of Africa, the monkeys that inhabit the trees of the Amazon basin, the whales and dolphins that roam the world’s oceans. This book profiles the mammals of the world, using an entry by entry approach. By including fascinating examples from all of the world’s major mammal families, Mammals offers a truly comprehensive overview of mammals from every continent and gives a sense of the incredible diversity of mammal types. The entries are grouped by order, then within each order by family (and, where necessary, within each family by subfamilies); each family section contains examples of the key species, which are illustrated with beautifully detailed, full-colour artworks. For easy reference, each entry includes a table of information on scientific name, order and family, features, habitats, distribution, diet and breeding. Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Artiodactyla–Carnivora 14 Cetacea–Insectivora 149 Lagomorpha–Pinnipedia 182 Primates–Rodentia 230 Sirenia–Xenartha 304 Glossary 312 Index 314

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Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLLER In this groundbreaking and entertaining book, primatologist Frans de Waal draws on his renowned studies of the social and emotional lives of chimpanzees, bonobos and other primates, and personal encounters with many other species, to illuminate new ideas and findings about animal emotions. Opening with the moving farewell between Mama, a dying chimpanzee matriarch, and her human friend - the video of which has been watched by millions online - Mama's Last Hug illustrates how profoundly we have underestimated animals' emotional experiences. De Waal's radical proposal is that emotions are like organs: humans haven't a single organ that other animals don't have, and the same can be said of our emotions.Trade Review[De Waal] makes an excellent case for the hypothesis that there is no emotion in our human psyche that we don't see in our closest relatives - and, in fact, in intelligent animals of all kinds, especially mammals and large-brained birds ... A convincing book, and De Waal [is] an excellent observer of primate behaviour [and] immensely knowledgeable... a window into chimps' lives, and a looking glass for our own -- Tom Chivers * The Times *Superb... striking... remarkable... illuminating -- Mark Cocker * New Statesman *Frans de Waal has spent most of his working life watching chimpanzees, and his findings have changed our understanding of the animal world -- John Carey * Sunday Times *A captivating and big-hearted book, full of compassion and brimming with insights about the lives of animals, including human ones -- Yuval Noah HarariI doubt that I've ever read a book as good as Mama's Last Hug: Animal and Human Emotions, because it presents in irrefutable scientific detail the very important fact that animals do have these emotions as well as the other mental features we once attributed only to people. Not only is the book exceedingly important, it's also fun to read, a real page-turner. I can't say enough good things about it except that it's utterly splendid -- Elizabeth Marshall ThomasAfter you've read Mama's Last Hug it becomes obvious that animals have emotions. Learn how they resemble us in many ways -- Temple Grandin, author * Animals Make Us Human and Animals in Translation *Fascinating. Frans De Waal makes us think long and hard about the true nature of animal emotions -- Desmond MorrisThis is an important book, wise and accessible -- Robert M. SapolskyIn Mama's Last Hug, Frans de Waal marshals his wealth of knowledge and experience, toggling expertly between rigorous science and captivating anecdote to explain animal behavior-humans included. While doing so, he rebukes the common conceit that we are necessarily better, or smarter, than our closest relatives' -- Jonathan Balcombe, author * What a Fish Knows *Anyone reading this book will be changed forever. De Waal has spent so many decades watching intently and thinking deeply that he sees a planet that is deeper and more beautiful than almost anyone realizes. In these pages, you can acquire and share his beautiful, shockingly insightful view of life on Earth -- Carl Safina, author * Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel *De Waal is the ultimate zoological magician. His animals hold up mirrors and make you see yourself. Whether you find that terrifying or exhilarating is up to you. He is prescient, unnerving, politically explosive, and always downright entertaining. He can unmake and remake you, and you should let him -- Charles Foster, author, * Being a Beast *

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Book SynopsisA ground-breaking look at gender and sex from the world's leading primatologist and New York Times bestselling author of Are We Smart Enough To Know How Smart Animals Are? 'Brilliant and fascinating... brings a scientific, compassionate and balanced approach to some of the hottest controversies about sex and gender' Yuval Noah Harari, author of Sapiens, Homo Deus and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century How different are the sexes? Is gender uniquely human? Where does gender identity originate? Drawing on decades of observing our closest living relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos, world-renowned primatologist Frans de Waal explores what we know of biological sex differences and of the role of culture and socialization. From maternal and paternal behaviour to sexual orientation, gender identity, and the limitations of the gender binary, de Waal analyses our shared evolutionary history with the apes, considering what is similar and what sets us apart. Male and female networking groups, sexual signals, the existence of gender non-conforming individuals, and maternal bonds are observed in primate societies, but humans stand apart in the development of nuclear families, the prevalence of sexual violence, and joint parental care. With expert insight and engaging storytelling, de Waal not only sets right gendered biases in the scientific community, but delivers a fresh and thought-provoking understanding of the behavioural norms and the many remarkable potentials of the human species. 'A breath of fresh air...Fascinating, nuanced and very timely' Rutger Bregman, author of Humankind and Utopia for RealistsTrade ReviewA brilliant and fascinating book that brings a scientific, compassionate and balanced approach to some of the hottest controversies about sex and gender -- Yuval Noah HarariEvery new book by Frans de Waal is a cause for excitement, and this one is no different. A breath of fresh air in the cramped debate about the differences between men and women. Fascinating, nuanced and very timely. -- Rutger Bregman, author of HumankindSuperb... These pages are packed with great stories, fascinating data, and thought-provoking ideas. They are sure to spark the important conversations we all-male and female, queer and straight, trans and nonbinary-need to have to create a more just and equitable human society -- Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an OctopusIf you don't know your bonobo from your gibbon, Different has many surprises in store for you, surprises that will leave you humble about complex primate evolution has been, and how much we have yet to learn about how it shapes our lives * New York Times *This enlightened book looks at the emergent arguments in gender studies. Moving with fluidity and grace between animal and human models, Frans de Waal demonstrates how many common social prejudices that we deem "natural" are in fact anything but. His crisp writing, his skillful deployment of anecdote, and his deep knowledge of animal science inform this nuanced and profound consideration not only of difference, but also of sameness -- Andrew Solomon, author of Far From the Tree and The Noonday DemonFrans de Waal's DIFFERENT brings a refreshingly calm biological perspective to the current debate around human gender differences. -- Desmond Morris, author of The Naked ApeWith great clarity, insight, and wit, [de Waal] examines human sex differences, never once letting us forget that, at the end of the day, we are just another kind of primate. This is a superb, intensely stimulating read -- Robert M. Sapolsky, author of Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst[De Waal uses] a gift for story-telling, a sincere respect for culture, along with intimate knowledge of longtime bonobo and chimpanzee associates, to deftly negotiate this treacherous terrain. Wise and humane -- Sarah Blaffer Hrdy, author of The Woman that Never EvolvedCourageous... Quietly progressive... Offer[s] fascinating insights -- Kathleen Stock * The Times *Frans de Waal's magnum opus... [He] remove[s] the blinkers, and [his] readers will never see the world the same way again * TLS *A testament to de Waal's profound and sensitive understanding of our nearest evolutionary relatives -- Angela Saini * Lancet Journal *Very interesting: de Waal's often highly personal encounters with chimps and bonobos are fascinating... he is equally good on the blind spots of science and psychology * Tablet *

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Book SynopsisThe Eurasian beaver was near extinction at the start of the twentieth century, hunted across Europe for its fur, meat and castoreum. But now the beaver is on the brink of a comeback, with wild beaver populations, licensed and unlicensed, emerging all over Britain. As a keystone species, the beaver plays a vital role in the creation of sustainable wetland habitats through its damming activities, providing living opportunities for a broad spectrum of wildlife. Yet as proposals for reintroducing beavers are underway, re-establishing the beaver in Britain is still a controversial issue. This book presents a case for our future coexistence with beavers by providing factual information on this species that has now passed from national memory, covering the biology, behaviour and ecology of the Eurasian beaver in a British context, from their early history in archaeology and folklore to their contemporary field signs in the wild. This book familiarises readers once again, after almost 400 years of its absence, with the Eurasian beaver, providing essential information on its requirements in our human dominated landscape. This book is for those with a specific interest in beavers and their reintroduction, and for anyone with a general curiosity in natural history, ecology or animal behaviour. It can be used as a field guide to identify beaver field signs and observe beavers in the wild by wildlife surveyors or general land users, or as an introductory guide for anyone with an interest in beavers and how to recognise them. The authors have been actively involved in the study of beaver ecology, behaviour and reintroduction for many years. They have a first-hand knowledge of beavers in captivity and in the wild in both Britain and a range of other European countries.Trade ReviewThe authors provide an update on their experiences direct from the field, the quarantine area and the veterinary table. This fascinating book promotes a future co-existence with beavers in Britain by providing factual information on their biology, behaviour and the habitats they help to generate. This remarkable, unassuming animal has the capacity to help renaturalise our rivers, re-create areas of wetland, increase biodiversity, provide natural flood defence, protect soils and filter and purify our water. -- Nick Mott Staffordshire Wildlife This admirable little book tells you all you are ever likely to want to know about the beaver. It is illustrated with many photos of the animal and its habitat, with maps showing its distribution and tables of the plants it eats and the signs it leaves. Despite the text being only 44 pages long, the authors cover everything you might want to know about these fascinating rodents. Beavers are being re-introduced to Scotland and Devon but it is very unlikely that they will find their way to Derbyshire. So you will have to travel if you want to see them for yourself. My only encounter with beavers was on holiday in Estonia. Kath and I stopped in Soomaa National Park and wandered about in the forests finding both felled trees and huge beaver lodges. One evening while walking by a stream, we were startled by the amazingly loud 'slap' of a beaver's tail close to us. This loud noise warns the animal's family of danger. It's a remarkable and unmistakeable sound which certainly scared the life out of us! A ripple running down the stream was the closest we came to seeing one. One thing I had never realised was that Beverley in Yorkshire gets its name from the beaver. And another; that beavers don't eat coniferous trees though they sometimes fell them to use as lodge-building material. -- Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Derbyshire Wildlife TrustTable of ContentsChapters include: Introduction: folklore and history. Beaver Biology and Behaviours: taxonomy; identification; adaptations for a semi-aquatic lifestyle; adaptations for a life on land; breeding; social behaviour; defensive behaviours; chemical communication and scent marking behaviours; food processing and foraging behaviour. Habitat and Population Biology: life history; movements, activity and territoriality. Beaver Field Signs: teeth marks; felled and gnawed trees; grazing lawns/vascular plants; feeding stations; foraging trails; lodges and burrows; dams; canals; scent mounds; faeces; tracks/prints. Observing Beavers: remote camera trapping. Beavers in Modern Landscapes: beavers and the law; beavers as ecosystem engineers; the return of the beaver.

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Book SynopsisThis is a guide to finding tree-roosts. It is the result of the collaborative efforts of professional surveyors and amateur naturalists across Europe as part of the Bat Tree Habitat Key project, and represents a combination of firsts: It is the first time legislation and planning policy have been reviewed and put to practical use to define an analysis framework with clearly identifiable thresholds for action. Yet, despite its efficacy in a professional context, it is also the first time a guide has been produced that is equally effective in achieving its objective for amateurs. It is the first time such a method has been evidence-supported throughout, with summary reviews of each aspect of the roosting ecology of the individual 14 tree-roosting species, with illustrative photographs and data to which the reader has open access. It is the first time a repeatable analysis framework has been defined against which the surveyor may compare their results at every stage, from the desk-study, through ground-truthing, survey and analysis, thereby ensuring nothing is overlooked and that every result can be objectively compared. The survey and analysis framework itself is ground-breaking in that it may readily be adapted for any taxa; from moths, through amphibians, reptiles, birds and all other mammals. Used diligently, these methods will reward disproportionately and imbue the reader with renewed confidence as they quickly progress from beginner to competency. Thus, this book is for everyone who has ever wanted to find a tree-roost, or to safeguard against inadvertently damaging one.Trade ReviewThis work will serve as an invaluable reference for field biologists who might be called upon to conduct relevant survey work and environmental impact assessments. -- Danny A. Brass * National Speleological Society News *... for anyone wanting to learn more about this fascinating subject it will be the landmark work for many years to come. -- Mark Tunmore * Atropos *I would highly recommend this book for tree-care and ecology professionals. It brings into one place a wealth of knowledge and experience. The links to resources held on the BTHK are very useful. I know that it will be on the shelves of many ecologists but I would urge everyone to read it right through at least once and then dip back into it as you need. That way you will get the most from the knowledge being shared. -- Carol Williams, Director of Conservation, Bat Conservation TrustI would strongly recommend this book (and framework) to tree-care and ecology professionals, and it is potentially of broader interest within the scientific community. -- Stuart Newson, Senior Research Ecologist, BTO * BTO About Birds *Table of ContentsCh 1. Rationale -Introduction -Pre-existing published advice -Motivation -Objective -Proportionality Ch 2. Tree-Roosting Bats -Tree-roosting bat species -Wooded habitat and tree species -Sensitivity to isolation -Seasonal tree-roost occupancy and roost size -Roost heights -General tree-roost preferences Ch 3. Potential Roost Features -Introduction -The Disease and Decay PRF -The Damage PRF -The Association PRF Ch 4. Intelligence-Gathering -Introduction -Resources -Collation of the results Ch 5. The Desk-Study -Introduction -The desk-study objective -The test of 'reasonable likelihood' -To survey or not to survey Ch 6. Ground-Truthing -Introduction -Ground-truthing method -Ground-truthing interpretation Ch 7. Choosing Surveillance Methods -Introduction -Close-inspection -Remote-observation -Static-netting -Radio-tracking -Putting it all together -The proportionality text Ch 8. Close-Inspection -Introduction -Equipment -Health and Safety -Close-inspection method -Interpretation Ch 9. Remote-Observation -Introduction -Confounding factors -Equipment -Health and Safety -Remote-observation method -Interpretation Ch 10. Static-Netting -Introduction -Equipment -Health and Safety -Static-netting method -Interpretation Ch 11. Surveillance Effort -Introduction -Detectability variables -Surveillance periods and intensity therein Ch 12. Trouble-Shooting -Introduction -Fundamental principles -Inconclusive and 'null' results -Indirect damage and disturbance -Comparative assessment of environment -Late commissions -Unlicensed assessments -Getting a second-opinion -Fault-finding

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Book SynopsisCarnivores include some of the most impressive, dangerous and mysterious animals in the world. Hans Kruuk has spent his life studying them against magnificent backdrops, from the Serengeti savannahs and Kalahari deserts to the Scottish Highlands, from the Galápagos Islands to the Far East. In each location he has used meticulous observation of animal behaviour to understand the ecology and natural history of wild carnivore populations, and ultimately to promote their conservation. This book describes the methods, challenges and rewards of the science of behavioural ecology. However, it essentially concerns the personal, rather than the scientific, side of that work, and above all the field experiences involved. With photographs and line drawings, it brings to life African safaris, the hyena in his bath, flights with vultures, dives with otters, attacks by a badger in Scotland and by feral dogs in Galápagos, gull-eating hedgehogs in Britain and the role of animals in African witchcraft. The author communicates his lifelong fascination with wildlife through these unique experiences and the insights they afforded him. Professor Kruuk is a leading authority on animal behaviour and the author of classic studies of hyaenas, otters and badgers, as well as a biography of his Oxford mentor Niko Tinbergen.Trade ReviewIn “The Call of Carnivores” Kruuk sheds a more intimate light on his research career than we are able to glean from his numerous scientific publications. Readers are taken along for the scientist’s geographical and professional journey as he entertains us with stories about the many aspects of fieldwork which never make it into published papers. ..... Kruuk provides an exciting and interesting narrative; a mixture of informative discoveries in the natural sciences and the recounting of the journey of his own personal experiences, reflections and contemplations. ..... This book demonstrates how significant contributions to science typically involve a combination of conscientiousness, a good measure of fortuitous meetings or conversations, an abundance of peer support and most importantly – the capacity to recognise and seize opportunities with both hands when they appear. -- Katherine Whitehouse-Tedd (Nottingham Trent University) * Journal of Vertebrate Biology *Kruuk is a humble and engaging narrator… I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who has felt the call of wild places and wild species. -- Heather Cray * The Canadian Field-Naturalist *Table of Contents1. In the field 2. Camouflage in an aquarium 3. Gulls and their enemies: foxes and hedgehogs 4. Serengeti: hyenas, lions and the dusty track to Seronera 5. Solomon, the hyena in my bath 6. Clans of the savannah 7. Hyenas hunt 8. Witches, and death in the dark 9. Masai, people and art on the Serengeti plains 10. Striped without a clan 11. Kalahari desert: a story of sand dunes, people, hyenas and badgers 12. Nomads of northern Kenya 13. Harar, town of the people’s hyena 14. Vultures gathering 15. Flying next to vultures 16. Chasing dogs on Darwin’s islands 17. Badgering in Britain 18. Olfactory delights and olives 19. Shetland otters 20. Otters in and around the garden 21. Otters, crocodiles and orcas 22. Three monks, calls of gibbons, and otters in Thailand 23. Down under: Platypus, Quolls and leeches 24. Just one last project

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Book SynopsisBats have long been the focus of fascination, and sometimes fear: they move faultlessly through the darkness and spend the day hanging upside down in gloomy caverns and cracks – most at home where humans are least comfortable. Bats also represent a hugely important, numerous and varied group, accounting for 20% of all mammal species worldwide. Covering their biodiversity, ecology and natural history, A Miscellany of Bats offers a hoard of insights into the lives of these creatures. For over a quarter of a century Brock Fenton and the late Jens Rydell collaborated on projects involving bats. Here they bring together a collection of stories and anecdotes about bat research, brought to life by stunning photographs of these animals in action. Key topics include flight and echolocation, diet and roosting habits, and the complex social lives of bats. Jens and Brock also address issues of conservation and the interactions between bats and people, ranging from matters of disease to bats’ role as symbols, and our fixation with vampire bats. They explore how echolocation and flight shape batkind, from their appearance to where they go and why. Overall, this book is an entertaining and personal vision of bats’ central place in the universe. More than 150 species are covered.Trade ReviewA Miscellany of Bats is a well-written and interesting—and often absorbing—book, in which the authors convey their enthusiasm for studying this unique group of animals...Difficult concepts are simplified and the very readable text is largely accessible to general readers who might be interested in bats but have no particular background in either biology or natural history. -- Danny A. Brass, NSS NewsFascinating and wonderful...I can't find any fault with this book. And would recommend it to anyone, with just about any level of existing knowledge of bats. -- Al Milano, Bat Detecting blog...a thoroughly readable book of batty facts, and batty mysteries. -- Tony Atkinson, Mammal NewsIf you have an interest in bats (and what naturalist does not?), this book is a good read and a very accessible way into bat research... The book is written by renowned experts and with world class photography and is a valuable addition to a natural history book collection. -- David Skydmore, British NaturalistIt is not just that A Miscellany of Bats provides facts and figures, it is that there is so much more to know about bats than most of us realize, and both Brock Fenton and the late Jens Rydell convey that knowledge to the lay audience, the text filtering the multifaceted and often highly technical aspects of bat study through the lens of accessibility to the non-scientist. -- Animal Alliance of CanadaThree things set A Miscellany of Bats apart. For one, the authors are outstanding photographers. The images in this book are second to none. Second, there is a lovely exploration of the roles bats play in human cultures, and much of what is covered here is not in those other volumes. -- Daniel Riskin, University of Toronto, Mississauga * Quarterly Review of Biology *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements 1. Introducing bats Wings and size Blind as a bat Catching and identifying bats Marking and tagging Brock’s initiation Jens’ start Box: What on Earth? 2. Bat wings and flight Wing anatomy White wings How fast do bats fly? Drinking Flying antics Box: Colour in bats 3. Seeing with sound The perils of generalization Basic echolocation Why echolocate? Echolocation and the faces of bats Box: Beam control and bite power 4. Echolocation: a window onto bat behaviour Biologists as eavesdroppers on bats Insect prey Bat communication Air traffic control Box: Echolocation and foraging 5. What bats eat, part 1 Learning how much a bat consumes Some bats eat birds Versatility What insects do bats eat? Specialized hunting Trawling Box: Diets of bats 6. What bats eat, part 2 Fruit-eating species Bats and flowers Box: The curious case of bananas 7. Vampire bats 8. Where bats occur and where they roost Temperature Bat roosts Box: Patterning in bats Lingering challenges Bats up north Box: Bat boxes 9. Social lives of bats Reproduction What is a colony of bats? Food availability and social patterns Box: Observational learning 10. How bats use space Box: Bats get around 11. Threats to bats Predators Mishaps Parasites Wind turbines Light pollution A world without bats? Global change Box: Keeping bats away 12. Bats and people Attitudes towards bats Bats and disease Bats as symbols 13. Bats as beings A last word to the bats Cast of bats Notes Index

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Book SynopsisThis ground-breaking volume covers 42 species of terrestrial mammal – from the red deer to the pygmy shrew, from the pine marten to the hedgehog. The subject is introduced for the first time as a single overarching field of study, including guidance on survey methods, analysis of sound recordings and appropriate software. The book covers species in Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Containing over 300 figures in total, each species is considered in detail, with specific spectrogram examples. Furthermore, the book allows the reader access to a downloadable sound library containing more than 250 recordings. The authors have extensive experience and expertise in bioacoustics, including in the sound identification of mammals. They are also heavily involved in creating tools that use machine-learning algorithms to recognise mammal species from their calls. A real ear-opener, this will be the essential handbook for many years to come, serving ecological consultants, academics, conservationists, hobbyists and serious mammal recorders alike.Table of ContentsForeword Preface Acknowledgements About the Authors Preamble About the Sound Library 1. Introduction & Context 2. Survey Equipment & Field Techniques 3. Analysis of Acoustic Recordings 4. Overview of the Species Group-specific Chapters 5. Even-toed Ungulates – Deer & Wild Boar 6. Carnivores (Including Mustelids) 7. Lagomorphs – Hares & Rabbits 8. Rodents – Squirrels & Beavers 9. Rodents – Rats, Mice, Voles & Dormice 10. Insectivores – Hedgehogs, Moles & Shrews Appendix I – Glossary Appendix II – Case Studies References Index

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Book SynopsisThrough stunning images and insightful narrative, Fenland Nature celebrates the natural and cultural history of a unique, dynamic and dramatic human-made landscape. From vast flocks of visiting wildfowl, to rare and specialised plants and insects, from the Mesolithic to the present day with an eye on the future.

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Book SynopsisThis accessible guide fills a gap between basic books and more technical volumes. Using humour, rhymes and images it communicates in simple terms the techniques required when training for a bat licence.

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Book SynopsisThese are the stories from one woman's 36-year career spent looking for bats and their roosts. Humorous and honest, she writes about the animals, dodgy ladders and a multitude of characters, sometimes delightful, occasionally awful, but always human.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisWritten by experts in different areas, this book presents an up-to-date account of the behavioural biology of dogs. Split in 3 parts, the book addresses the specific aspects of behavioural biology. The first part deals with the evolution and development of the dog, whereas the next part deals with basic aspects of dog behaviour. The final part emphasises on the behavioural problems, their prevention and cure.Table of Contents1: Systematics and evolution of canids, X Wang and R Tedford, both at American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA 2: Domestication of dogs, P Savolainen, Albanova University Centre, Stockholm, Sweden 3: The evolution of dog breeds, C Vila, Uppsala University, Sweden 4: Mechanisms and function in dog behaviour, P Jensen 5: Behaviour genetics of dogs, E Jazin, Uppsala University, Sweden 6: Sensory physiology and dog behaviour, H Bubna-Littitz, Veterinary University of Vienna, Austria 7: Social behaviour of dogs and related canids, D U Feddersen-Petersen, University of Kiel, Germany 8: Learning in dogs, P Reid, ASPCA Animal Behavior Center, New York, USA 9: Behaviour of feral dogs, L Boitani, University of Rome, Italy 10: Behaviour of working dogs, R Beilharz, The University of Melbourne, Australia 11: Testing and prediction of dog behaviour, K Svartberg, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden 12: Social cognition and human-animal interactions in dogs, A Miklosi, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary 13: Behavioural disorders of dogs, R Mugford, The Animal Behaviour Centre, Surrey, UK 14: Behaviour and disease in dogs, Å Hedhammar, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden and K Hultin-Jäderlund, Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine, Oslo, Norway

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Book SynopsisCats are the world's most popular domestic pet, as well as being wild animals. This comprehensive book on feline behaviour explores both the familiar domesticated animal and wild relatives such as the leopard, tiger and lynx to examine the Felidae family as a whole, allowing for fascinating comparisons between wild and domestic species and explanations of behaviour in pet cats with evolutionary origins. Fraser's work helps increase readers' understanding of cat behaviour - why they behave as they do, for what purpose and why. The focus is on identifying normal behaviour from the cat's perspective, with a welfare theme running throughout; as exhibitions of normal behaviour provide evidence of good welfare, and abnormal behaviour can be an indicator of poor welfare. Providing a veterinary perspective - by including coverage of feline physiology, life stages and reproduction - as well as an ethological one, this is an important read for veterinarians, shelter workers, animal behaviourists and students of veterinary medicine and animal welfare, while also being of interest to pet owners.Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: Well-being and Its Roots 3: Feline Neuroethology 4: Play and the Steps Through Life 5: Basic Activities 6: Association and Reproduction 7: Giant Wild Cats 8: Principal Species of Wild Cats 9: Minor Wild Cat Species 10: Common and Comparative Feline Features 11: Abnormal Behaviour and Training 12: Health Monitoring 13: Points of Welfare 14: Review of Well-being

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Book SynopsisThe behaviour of domesticated animals is a subject of great importance to students of animal behaviour and veterinary medicine, as well as interested pet owners. This book presents an engaging overview of the behaviour of the domestic cat, adopting both a mechanistic and functional approach. Physiological, developmental and psychological aspects are addressed, including domestication, the development of the senses, learning, communication and feeding behaviour. The authors build on these themes to discuss social behaviour, hunting and predation, cat-human interactions and welfare. Fully updated throughout, this new edition also includes two new chapters on behavioural disorders due to pathologies and from misdirected natural behaviour. It is an essential source of cat behaviour information for students, ethologists, veterinarians and pet owners.Table of Contents1: The Cat: Domestication and Biology 2: Sensory Abilities 3: Mechanisms of Behaviour 4: Behavioural Development 5: Communication 6: Feeding Behaviour 7: Hunting and Predation 8: Social Behaviour 9: The Cat-Human Relationship 10: Cat Welfare 11: Undesired Behaviour in the Domestic Cat 12: Physiological and Pathological Causes of Behavioural Change

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Book SynopsisUngulates are an extraordinarily important group of animals worldwide, at many levels - in their remarkable biodiversity; in many cases, as keystone species with a disproportionate effect on the functioning of the wider ecological systems of which they form a part or as dominant species acting as ecological engineers; and as a prey base for endangered or expanding populations of large carnivores. They are also important culturally and economically, as a major source of protein in subsistence cultures and because of their wide exploitation in recreational hunting, which is still a major form of land-use in many countries. A number of aspects of the balance of cost and benefit of ungulates and their management in Europe are considered. Through a synthesis of the underlying biology and a comparison of the management techniques adopted in different countries, management approaches which seem effective within their respective circumstances are explored. Each chapter is written by experts in their own particular field, ensuring that they are aware of the most up-to-date literature on that topic and can also offer an experienced and informed review based on their own research experience.Trade Review'The now renowned editorial partnership of Professor Rory Putman and Professor Marco Apollonio have come together again to compile a compendium of topical research on traditional and novel aspects and interpretations of how we seek to understand and manage ungulate populations across a developing human society. The two previous volumes have been awarded prizes in the wildlife conservation sector, by CIC, and this volume will surely be rewarded with the same accolade. The joy of these papers is not just the main topic of each but the references to tremendous research work previously undertaken which is now an essential part of the sound scientific library of knowledge...a delight to read and the mass of information from across Europe's ungulate research sector fascinating and informative. There is much in these articles for everyone'. British Deer Society JournalTable of ContentsChapter 1 Behaviour and management of European ungulates Rory Putman and Marco Apollonio; Chapter 2 Valuing ungulates in Europe Sandor Csanyi, Juan Carranza, Bostjan Pokorny, Rory Putman and Mark Ryan; Chapter 3 Reintroductions as a management tool for European ungulates Massimo Scandura, Marco Apollonio and Nikica prem; Chapter 4 Introducing aliens: problems associated with invasive exotics Francesco Ferretti and Sandro Lovari; Chapter 5 Competition between domestic and wild ungulates Roberta Chirichella, Marco Apollonio and Rory Putman; Chapter 6 Effects of selective harvesting on ungulate populations Atle Mysterud; Chapter 7 The management of urban populations of ungulates Rory Putman, Jochen Langbein, Peter Watson, Peter Green and Sean Cahill; Chapter 8 The management of ungulates in protected areas Stefano Grignolio, Marco Heurich, Nikica prem and Marco Apollonio; Chapter 9 Challenges in the management of cross-border populations of ungulates Carlos Fonseca, Rita Torres, Joao P.V. Santos, Jose Vingada and Marco Apollonio; Chapter 10 Novel management methods: immunocontraception and other fertility control tools Giovanna Massei, Dave Cowan and Douglas Eckery; Chapter 11 Welfare issues in the management of wild ungulates Frauke Ohl and Rory Putman; Chapter 12 Management of ungulates in the 21st century: how far have we come? Naomi Sykes and Rory Putman

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Book Synopsis

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