Synopses & Reviews
This is the first comprehensive, up-to-date treatment of mammals in the state of Oregon since 1936, when Vernon Bailey's The Mammals and Life Zones of Oregon was published. It provides a basic reference for mammalogists, wildlife biologists, students, and anyone interested in mammalian life in the northwestern United States. Indeed, researchers in states adjacent to Oregon will find much useful information regarding the mammals their regions share with Oregon. Descriptions of all 136 extant or recently extirpated mammal species in Oregon are in the book, with information on geographical variation, diet, reproduction, ontogeny, mortality, and behavior. The authors provide range maps and lists of collection localities based on their examination of 55,265 museum specimens and brief accounts of morphology, species diversity, distribution, and fossil records. Keys to orders, families, and species are provided for identification of unknown specimens. Also helpful is the introductory section with its discussion of skull morphology, evolutionary history, basic taxonomy, zoogeography, zoonotic diseases, and the history of mammalogy in Oregon. A bibliography of 2,925 references makes the volume especially useful for anyone wishing to do further research.
Review
andldquo;Skunk is an outstanding book that I couldnandrsquo;t put down once I began reading it. And, I found myself going back to it time and time again because there are so many things about these black-and-white stinky beings about which I was thoroughly ignorant. I hope Millerandrsquo;s wonderful book enjoys wide readership because not only are skunks fascinating animals, but they also teach us important lessons about the necessity for humane and peaceful coexistence with the animals with whom we share time and space and even our homes.andrdquo;
Synopsis
"The most complete and up-to-date reference that exists on Oregon's land mammals today. It is written in a manner that should appeal to everyone from the budding naturalist who simply yearns to learn about basic life history characteristics of Oregon's land mammals, to the seasoned scientist whose needs are much more technical in nature. It not only provides the reader with what is currently known about individual species, but also identifies deficiencies in our knowledge base and therefore suggests the direction for future work."and#151;Walter A. Van Dyke, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Synopsis
Solitary, nocturnal creatures, skunks generally go about their business unnoticed. But then thereandrsquo;s that thing they do . . . and oh, boy, when they do it, no one can ignore them. and#160;and#160;
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But thereandrsquo;s far more to skunks than their stench, and with this beautifully illustrated entry in Reaktionandrsquo;s Animal series, Alyce Miller gives these furry scavengers their due. More than being unappreciated, skunks, Miller reveals, have a long history of persecution: killed off as smelly nuisances, they have also been hunted for their fur and, yes, their unique musk, which has found a perhaps unexpected use in perfume. Moving from nature to culture, Miller delves into the long line of skunks that have played parts in literature, film, and folklore, from the antics of Pepe Le Pew to the role of skunks in Native American spiritual beliefs. As growing urban wildlife populations bring humans and skunks ever closer, Millerandrsquo;s book will help us understandandmdash;and appreciateandmdash;these beautiful, intriguing, and wholly distinct animals.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [581]-652) and index.
About the Author
B. J. Verts is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Leslie N. Carraway received a Ph.D. in Wildlife Science at Oregon State University.