Simon and Schuster's Guide to mammals

by Luigi Boitani

Other authorsStefania Bartoli, Sydney Anderson

Paper Book, 1983

Status

Available

Call number

599

Genres

Publication

New York : Simon and Schuster, c1983.

Description

As mammals ourselves, we have always been fascinated with this most advanced class of animals, and Simon & Schuster's Guide to Mammals describes 426 species worldwide. A long and thoughtful introduction to the evolution, characteristics, and orders of mammals is followed by the entries -- all illustrated in full color -- each containing the mammal's classification, description, and habitat as well as details on behavior, feeding habits, and reproduction. The entries also feature colorful symbols to illustrate habitat, color maps to show the distribution and rarity of each species, and line drawings to indicate unusual or notable physical features. With more than 500 color photographs, Simon & Schuster's Guide to Mammals is a superb and valuable reference.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member nbmars

This guide consists mostly of annotated color pictures (over 500) with indications for each mammal of classification, description (including coloring differentials among young and adults), distribution, habitat, and behavior.

An introduction provides background on the origin and evolution of

mammals, and general characteristics, as well as details about skin and hair, bone structure, teeth, digestive system, circulation and respiration, reproduction, the senses, and nervous system. The orders or mammals are given - mammals living today can be divided into 20 of them, and each is briefly discussed.

Then the actual “guide” begins, divided into five broad categories: Egg-layers, Marsupials, Insectivores, Flying Lemurs, Bats; Primates, Xenarthrans, Pangolins, Aardvark; Rabbits and Hares, Rodents; Whales and Dolphins, Carnivores including Seals; and Elephants, Hyraxes, Dugong and Manatee, Ungulates.

Finally, there is a glossary and bibliography.

This is a handy guide if not necessarily full of much detail.

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