A Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of South America - (Wildguides) by Richard Webb & Jeff Blincow (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The definitive comprehensive photographic field guide to the larger mammals of continental South America

South America's wide range of habitats support a tremendous diversity of plants and animals, including more than 400 species of larger mammals--those the size of a guinea pig or bigger. Many are truly iconic: Jaguar, Puma, Ocelot and numerous other beautiful cats; the fantastic Maned Wolf; the incomparable Giant Anteater; and an incredible variety of extraordinary primates. This groundbreaking guide provides detailed coverage of these and many other wonderful mammals, including porcupines and peccaries; squirrels, sloths, skunks and seals; opossums, olingos and otters; armadillos, agoutis and Andean Bear; and viscachas and Vicuña--not to mention tapirs and river and estuarine dolphins.

The species accounts include a description of key features and information on subspecies, comparisons with similar species that overlap in range, details of the habitats in which the species occurs, a summary of its distribution in South America and information on its conservation status. Each species is illustrated with carefully selected photos, or artwork where suitable photos were not available.

• Detailed coverage of 420 species
• Showcases over 550 stunning photos, many of rarely photographed species
• Features specially commissioned artwork for almost 100 species, including comparative plates of all marmosets and titi monkeys
• Includes up-to-date distribution maps

Review Quotes

"A splendid book of naturalistic value."-- "Conservation Biology"

"A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year"

"Pink armadillos! Mustached monkeys (a.k.a. Bearded Emperor Tamarin). Kinkajous! Jaguarundis! . . . The authors have created a kind of bird book for fur-following tourists."-- "Choice"

"A MUST-HAVE for anyone with an interest in the mammals of South America!"---Ian Paulsen, The Birdbooker Report

"[A] new and very concise book that does a great job of showcasing about 400 species of larger mammals. . . . One thing I've not seen in other fields guides that I really like is the way the range maps are laid out. Often with a range restricted species, many authors show a large map, then a tiny dot where the species occurs - so it really is very hard to figure out where they actually are. These authors use the same principle but then overlay this with a zoomed in map so you can see the 'big picture' and local detail of range. Loved that! Of course every account is accompanied by fabulous photos!"---Geoff Carpentier, North Durham Nature Newsletter

"[A]n excellent field guide. . . . It is my fervent hope that excellent wildlife guides like this may stimulate concern among many to preserve and protect what we have left; better still to engender a whole new conservation ethic."---David M. Gascoigne, Travels with Birds

About the Author

Richard Webb is a widely travelled and experienced mammal watcher, birder and wildlife tour guide who pioneered Jaguar and Puma watching tours for Wildwings in Brazil and Chile in the early 2000s. He has visited the Neotropics almost 40 times. Jeff Blincow is a field ecologist and researcher with experience working with mammals, birds, fungi, amphibians and beetles. He has travelled widely, recording all wildlife groups, and has special interests in South America and the Arctic.