Mammals of the Eastern United States (Comstock books) (Hardcover)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"The authors have done a superb job of distilling a vast amount of information on the biology of the terrestrial mammals of the eastern United States in a style that will not only satisfy the expert's need for accurate data but will also appeal to students and others interested in natural history."

--James N. Layne, Archbold Biological Station In their definitive work on eastern mammals, John O. Whitaker, Jr., and W. J. Hamilton, Jr., vividly convey their sheer delight at the variety and abundance of mammalian life. They have brought together a wealth of biological information and applied a biological subspecies concept to the mammals of the eastern United States. Their research extends "from the high reaches of Mount Katahdin in northern Maine, where water shrews and moose hold company," to the unglaciated hills of southern Indiana, where pygmy shrews (each weighing less than a dime) lived undetected until 1981. From there, they reach to "the cypress swamps of lower Florida, where the spoor of the mountain lion may be seen." Describes the animals, their behavior, and dispersion in all 27 states east of the Mississippi River. Almost entirely rewritten, this edition provides an abundance of scientific information in combination with anecdotes, field notes, and an underlying reverence for the fragile diversity of animal life. Illustrations include 110 range maps, 167 black-and-white photographs, and 92 color images. Covers 121 species, 17 more than in the previous edition. Uses a biological subspecies concept, showing the results of evolution through differentiation. Provides keys to orders and genera, anatomical line drawings. Summarizes information on endangered and threatened species for each of the eastern states. Lists state mammal books in the literature section.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 583 pages
• Publisher: Cornell University Press; 3 Sub edition (July 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801434750
• ISBN-13: 978-0801434754
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #568,878 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!, September 25, 2000

By A Customer

Hamilton and Wittaker's Guide to Mammals of the Eastern United States is an excellent book. It allows one to become familar with species of mammals and those that are related to them. The diagrams and pictures are very useful. The text is very complete and leaves nothing out. The key at the beginning of the book allows those that are no very familar with mammals to get a head start in finding out what the mammals they are looking for is. I highly recommend this book to amateur and experienced mammologists.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INFO PACKED!, November 16, 2004

By	gm "HERD" (Morgantown, WV) - See all my reviews

Dont think this is a field guide... it is a comprehensive collection of details regarding the mammals, their habits and characteristics and includes areas for further research. Excellent layout, easy to follow. My favorite of all my wildlife books.