Smithsonian Answer Book: Cats [Paperback]

John Seidensticker (Author), Susan Lumpkin (Author), Art Wolfe (Author)

Book Description

Series: Smithsonian's In Question Series | Publication Date: October 17, 2004

What are cats? How do cats hunt? Do wild cats like catnip? Do cats dream? Cats in Question, a new book in Smithsonian's highly successful “In Question” series, offers authoritative and engaging answers to the thousands of questions about cats that Smithsonian scientists receive annually. All of the world’s cats are here, from fearsome predators such as lions and tigers, to mysterious hunters such as leopards and jaguars, to cuddly pets such as domestic cats. More than 100 breathtaking photographs by acclaimed photographer Art Wolfe illustrate the questions on cat facts, cat evolution and diversity, and cats and humans.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Done in question-and-answer format, this book includes every species of cat, from the domesticated ones we love to hug, to such predators as cheetahs, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, lynx, ocelots, panthers, and pumas. Subjects dealt with include physical features and senses, diet and predation, social behavior, evolution, decline and recovery, diversity, distribution and abundance, and the cats' roles in various cultures. Did you know that a male and female lion mate repeatedly, as often as every 20 minutes for several days? Or that lions may sleep or rest up to 19 hours a day? The text is augmented by 120 color photographs by Art Wolfe, a world-renowned photographer, and a list of scientific and common names and a glossary. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

John Seidensticker and Susan Lumpkin edited Great Cats and wrote The Smithsonian Book of Giant Pandas, Cats and Wild Cats, and several children's books. They live in Washington, DC. Art Wolfe is an award-winning, world-renowned photographer. Among his many published books are Edge of the Earth/Corner of the Sky, The Living Wild, and Africa. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian Books (October 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588341267
• ISBN-13: 978-1588341266
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 0.6 x 10.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,917,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The purrfect cat-lover's gift, June 2, 2006

By 

Brian Gratwicke (DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smithsonian Answer Book: Cats (Paperback)

John Seidensticker and Susan Lumpkin have been answering questions about cats for more than 30 years. They have answered questions from scientists, governments, concerned individuals, thoughtful children and conservationists. In the Smithsonian Answer Book - Cats, they have pulled together one of the most comprehensive collections of questions that cover every species of cat ranging from the world's largest and most enigmatic predators to the alley cats that sometimes catch the goldfish out of their garden pond in Washington DC.

This Smithsonian answer book could stand alone just on the quality of 120 breathtaking photographs by Art Wolfe, yet the authors are masterful communicators. They have diligently labored to give us unprecedented access to two lifetimes of first-hand experience and information that has previously only been available in academic journals and obscure books.

The perfect gift for the hard-to-buy-for cat lover, everyone who has ever owned a cat needs to read this book. It dispels many old-wives tales about cats, shows you spectacular images of the rarest cats in the world, how to save the world's wild cats and how to become a cat researcher. If you've ever wondered "if wild tigers use sand like your tabby uses kitty-litter?", or "why black cats are associated with witches?" you'll have to get this book to find out.