Description
Book SynopsisOn the Prowl is a fully illustrated and approachable guide to the evolution of the big cats and what it portends for their conservation today. Mark Hallett and John M. Harris trace the origins of these iconic carnivores, venturing down the evolutionary pathways that produced the diversity of big cat species that have walked the earth.
Trade ReviewOn the Prowl is a superb book, both enjoyable and instructive. I’m greatly impressed with the huge amount of data that Hallett and Harris have collected and presented in a most readable manner. The complex evolutionary history and relationships of the cats will keep researchers arguing for years. -- George Schaller, senior conservationist, Wildlife Conservation Society, and author of
The Serengeti Lion: A Study of Predator-Prey RelationsOn the Prowl brings together biological and paleontological research related to the origins and history of the big cats, with an original emphasis on Asiatic data, paying homage to their majesty, dignity, and beauty. Mark Hallett’s artwork has succeeded brilliantly in capturing their inner spirit and character, their vulnerability and vitality. This book will serve the noble goals of making people aware of the fragility of ecosystems and revealing the moral obligation to preserve and protect extant species. -- Christine Argot, research professor and curator of collections, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle
Hallett and Harris guide the reader on a 20-million-year tour of predator and prey evolution, using environmental change as an engine for adaptation and extinction. The narrative is engaging, spiked with a touch of controversy, and supported by superb illustrations. For those interested in the evolutionary origins of big cats,
On the Prowl would be a valuable addition to your library. -- Christopher Shaw, Idaho Museum of Natural History
[An] erudite study of big cats. * Nature *
Will have many a book lover purring with pleasure. * The Inquisitive Biologist *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Preface
1. Threads in the Fabric of Time
2. Anatomy of a Hunter
3. A Breath of Frost
4. Beyond the Distant Horizons
5. Testimony of the Caves
6. Aftermath of an Ice Age
7. Man the Destroyer
8. The Steeds of Durga
Appendix 1: Distribution of Pantherins and Other Felids in Geologic Time
Appendix 2: Pantherin Dispersals Across the World
Appendix 3: Taking Action
Appendix 4: Species of the Genus
PantheraGlossary
Sources
Suggested Reading
Index
