Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa: Revised Edition (Field Guide To... (Struik Publishers))
Southern Africa has a wealth of mammal species, a total of 337 -- all of which are covered in this fully revised comprehensive field guide. While the term 'African mammals' conjures up the more celebrated species of elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and rhino, it is in fact the smaller animals -- shrews, genets, suricates and bats -- that comprise the bulk of the region's mammal species. And, often overlooked but included here too is the diversity of marine mammals -- seals, whales and dolphins -- that are found in our oceans. This new edition ofField Guide to Mammals of Southern Africahas been extensively revised to include the most recent research in line with new findings and new taxonomy. Up-to-date information, revised distribution maps and new images (where available) have been combined in a modern, full-color layout. Color-coding has been introduced according family groupings and spoor and size icons are included for quick reference with each mammal entry. Another new feature is the inclusion of skulls, grouped at the back of the book for easy comparison. In addition to detailed descriptions of each species, the text offers insight into key identification characters, typical behavior, preferred habitat, food choice and reproduction. IAN'S RECOMMENDATION: Anyone with an interest in the mammals of the region will find this Stuart guide useful.Extensively revised since the 3rd ed. (2001), this book by C. Stuart and T. Stuart (founders, African-Arabian Wildlife Research Centre) is the definitive photographic guide to the mammals of southern Africa.  Standing in contrast to those regional guides that emphasize only Africa’s larger mammals, it covers the rich diversity of small mammals:  golden moles, sengis, hedgehogs and shrews, bats, hares and rabbits, and rodents.  The introduction considers the major biotic zones, mammal identification, and conservation and management in southern Africa.  Following are concise accounts of mammal families and subfamilies, color-coded to facilitate their location within the text.  Especially useful are figures depicting the tail, facial conformation, and ear conformation of different bat groups.  Identification is based on 470 excellent photographs emphasizing distinguishing features, along with 275 distribution maps.  The 350 species accounts cover description, distribution, habitat, behavior, food, and reproduction.  More than just a field guide, this concise reference nicely complements the comprehensive The Mammals of the Southern Africa Subregion, rev. by J. D. Skinner and C. T. Chimiimba (3rd ed., CH, Sept’06, 44-0035).  Inclusion of the usually overlooked small mammals make this book a valuable addition to mammalian libraries.  Summing Up:  Highly recommended.  Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers.