Within each genus particular species are described with numerous illustrations. The author covers the 117 native mammal species, plus several introduced species. For lemurs, for which there is much more data, other categories such as identification, habitat, population, and threats are included. Measurements include overall body sizes, limb lengths, weight and other such features. If there are sexual differences, these are briefly noted.
Distribution is described in terms of the range, altitudinal preferences, and ranges of subspecies.
Maps of ranges try to show actual ranges by relating distributional information with remaining native forest cover. The behavior section covers all aspects of ecology, daily and seasonal activities, social interactions, group dynamics, range sizes, diet, breeding habits and more. The part called viewing describes the best places to observe each species. For lemurs, for which more information is known, sections on identification, habitat, population and threats are included. The identification section describes features that are used to identify individual species, such as size and body posture.