Mammals of North America - (Princeton Field Guides) 2nd Edition by Roland W Kays & Don E Wilson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The best field guide to North American mammals

The best-selling field guide that "sets new standards" (New Scientist) and "makes all other field guides for mammals of the United States. . . and Canada obsolete" (Journal of Mammalogy) is now even better. Covering 20 species recognized since 2002 and including 13 new color plates, this fully revised edition of Mammals of North America illustrates all 462 known mammal species in the United States and Canada--each in beautiful color and accurate detail. With a more up-to-date species list than any other guide, improved facing-page descriptions, easier-to-read distribution maps, updated common and scientific names, and track and scat illustrations, this slim, light, and easy-to-use volume is the must-have source for identifying North American mammals.

Roland Kays and Don Wilson have scoured the technical literature to pull out the key differences between similar species, and illustrated these whenever possible, making the guide useful to amateur naturalists and professional zoologists alike. Casual animal watchers will appreciate the overview of mammal diversity and the tips on identifying animals they can spy in their binoculars, while scientists will appreciate the exacting detail needed to distinguish similar species, including illustrations of shrew teeth, bat toes, and whale dorsal fins.

• The best-illustrated and easiest-to-use field guide to North American mammals
• Beautiful and accurate color illustrations of all 462 mammals found in the United States and Canada--including 20 species recognized since 2002
• 112 color plates--including 13 new ones
• Key identification information--fully revised--on facing pages
• The most current taxonomy/species list
• Fully revised, easy-to-read range maps
• Illustrations of tracks, scat, and whale and dolphin dive sequences

Review Quotes

"Many people with a 'nose for nature' want to identify whatever they see and certainly for North America this would be the book to have in your pocket. . . . This book is aimed at both professional mammalogists and amateur naturalists and would be great for travellers."---Helen Ashton, Reference Reviews

"Praise for the first edition: "Makes all other field guides for mammals of the United States (exclusive of Hawaii) and Canada obsolete.""---Jerry R. Choate, Journal of Mammalogy

"Praise for the first edition: "Sets new standards in field guides. A must for any biological traveller to the US or Canada, as well as for residents.""---Adrian Barnett, New Scientist

"Praise for the first edition: "Will be welcomed by amateur naturalists and field biologists.""-- "Science"

"Probably the easiest to use of the field guides to the mammals of North America."---Ian Palsen, Birdbooker Report

"This is a perfect guide for naturalists of all ages and skill levels. . . . [A] wonderfully compact and easy to use field guide."-- "Birdfreak.com"

"This is a truly indispensable guide for the experienced mammal watcher as well as a real treat to the novice. . . . With 112 color plates covering 462 species of North American mammals, the guide is up-to-date, accurate, handsome and handy. If you only have one reference to your local furry friends, be sure this one is on your book shelf."---Cathy Taibbi, Wildlife Conservation Examiner, Examiner.com

"This is an excellent, handy field guide in the Princeton Field Guides series."---Robert Hoopes, Wildlife Activist

"When it comes to field guides, Princeton University Press has long held a position of honor and respect among both professional and amateur naturalists for consistently providing exceptional levels of accuracy and attention to detail. With its new and updated illustrations, revised identification information, and the addition of twenty recently recognized species to its contents, the new second edition of Mammals of North America by Roland Kays and Don Wilson more than upholds this well-earned reputation."---John Riutta, The Well-read Naturalist

About the Author

Roland W. Kays is the curator of mammals at the New York State Museum. Don E. Wilson is a senior scientist at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. His books include The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals and Mammal Species of the World.