Red fox: The Catlike Canine (Smithsonian Nature Book) [Paperback]

J David Henry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 17, 1996

In this engaging introduction to the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), J. David Henry recounts his years of field research on this flame-colored predator. With its catlike whiskers, teeth, and paws, as well as vertical-slit pupils, the North American red fox not only resembles but often behaves like a feline, especially when hunting. Probing the reasons for these similarities, Henry reveals the behavior and ecology of a species that thrives from the edge of suburbia to the cold northern tundra.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Grace and elegance mark the fox. In a way, both adjectives could be used for this book as well.”—Newsday

Product Details

• Paperback: 174 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian Books (June 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560986352
• ISBN-13: 978-1560986355
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.3 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Mammals
  • #54 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Mammals

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!, April 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Red fox: The Catlike Canine (Smithsonian Nature Book) (Paperback)

Anyone who likes animals will enjoy this book, and I think it is hard to come away from it without an appreciation and affection for the little red fox. Henry describes his scientific research without neglecting his subjective fascination and admiration, qualities which are transmitted easily through the text to the reader. This is one of the two best books on foxes I have ever read (and I've read a lot), and the only one currently in print. Buy it! You won't be sorry.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource, August 10, 2002

By 

merrymousies (Waterford, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red fox: The Catlike Canine (Smithsonian Nature Book) (Paperback)

Very well written, includes lots of interesting information on fox life, behavior, habitat needs etc, excellent resource. Highly recommended and I'd definitely buy it again. Pictures are all black and white unfortunately. I've learned a lot about our fox neighbors. Another book (perhaps even better but at least equal to this one) is Living On the Edge: foxes also by J. David Henry - with great color pictures. We have mostly gray foxes here which is neat since they're native to North America but we also have some red foxes which were introduced to the US from Europe for the dreaded fox hunts. Both are beautiful and these two books give you lots of info on each.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Fox Authority, August 25, 2005

By 

MZ (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Red fox: The Catlike Canine (Smithsonian Nature Book) (Paperback)

I am convinced that J. David Henry knows more about red foxes than any other human. And if you have an almost religious fascination with foxes, Henry is your prophet. He is obviously charmed by these creatures and is willing to pursue every facet of their behavior to discover the reason for it. This wonderful book is the product of many years of research, from both his own personal field experience and the borrowed experience of other biologists. Fortunately for the reader, Henry is also a gifted storyteller. If his goal was to make red foxes relatable and relevant to our own lives, then he succeeded.

In this revised edition of the book, there are eight pages of color photographs of red foxes. Further, the scientific evidence gathered by the author suggests that red foxes migrated into North America long before Europeans settled it. For more fox facts, read this book.