The Mammals of Virginia is an exhaustive review of the mammals of Virginia and the literature about them that has developed during the past four hundred years. The book opens with historical perspectives on the study of Virginia's mammals and a summary of the natural regions of Virginia. Most of the book is devoted to a systematic review of the zoology and ecology of each species of mammal that now occurs, or that recently occurred, in Virginia. Each account consists of a description of the species with notes on its distribution, habitat affiliation, behavior, diet, reproduction and development, longevity, parasitology, and selected other topics that vary among the species, as well as a list of locations of museum specimens. A color photograph and shaded drawing of the skull from standard perspectives is provided for each species. Among the appendices is a review of the mammalian fauna of Virginia during the past Ice Age. A lengthy reference section identifies more than 2000 published sources of information about Virginia's mammals.
The Mammals of Virginia is a major contribution to the literature on the natural history of Virginia, and a volume that should be in the library of every school, college and university, zoologist, ecologist, environmental consultant, planner, and other student or steward of the natural history of Virginia.
