Mammals of California

Everett Williams Jameson, Hans J. Peeters

University of California Press, 2004 - Nature - 429 pages

From river otters and minks to bobcats, pikas, and flying squirrels, California boasts a diverse and intriguing fauna. But many of these animals can be secretive, shy, and nocturnal and observing them in the wild can be difficult. During the past two decades, the first edition of this popular guide introduced thousands to California's mammals by describing techniques for recognizing their presence, and when possible, methods for watching them in their natural habitats. Mammals of California is now completely revised and updated throughout, making it an ideal companion in the field or classroom.



* Includes 144 line drawings, 143 range maps, and 18 illustrated color plates



* Gives valuable overviews of mammal evolution, biology and anatomy, natural history, and conservation



* Features an expanded and updated section on diseases harbored by wild mammals that can affect humans--including Lyme disease and Hanta virus

Contents

• MAMMAL ECOLOGY: 1
• Introduction: 2
• Studying Mammals: 3
• Origins of Mammals: 16
• Reproduction: 25
• Social Group: 36
• Population Flunctuations: 40
• Thermoregulation: 44
• Seasonal Dormancy: 48
• Senses: 52
• Migration and Movements: 61
• Mammals and California Society: 71
• Food of Mammals: 95
• Identification of Mammals: 101
• SPECIES ACCOUNTS: 107
• Marsupialia Metatheira: 108
• Opossums Didelphidae: 109
• INSECTIVORA: 112
• Moles Talpidae: 124
• Chiroptera: 129
• Flight: 130
• Echolocation: 132
• Leafnosed Bats Phyllostomidae: 133
• Vesper Bats Vespertilionidae: 136
• Freetailed Bats Molossidae: 154
• Carnivora: 160
• Dogs Foxes and Allies Canidae: 161
• Bears Ursidae: 170
• Raccoons and Ringtails Procyonidae: 173
• Weasels Marten Skunks and Allies Mustelidae: 176
• Cats Felidae: 194
• Pinnipeds Pinnipedia: 199
• Sea Lions or Eared Seals Otariidae: 200
• Seals Phocidae: 206
• CETACEA: 209
• Sperm Whales Dolphins and Porpoises Odontoceti: 211
• Porpoises Phocoenidae: 220
• Sperm Whales Physeteridae: 222
• Beaked Whales Ziphiidae: 224
• Whalebone Whales or Baleen Whales Mysticeti: 227
• Rorquals Balaenopteridae: 228
• Right Whales Balaenidae: 233
• Perissodactyla: 235
• Artiodactyla: 238
• PigsSuidae: 239
• Deer Cervidae: 241
• Sheep Goats and Cattle Bovidae: 249
• Rodentia: 253
• Porcupine Erethizontidae: 254
• Mountain Beaver Aplodontidae: 256
• Squirrels Sciuridae: 258
• Beavers Castoridae: 285
• Jumping Mice Dipodidae: 287
• Pocket Gophers Kangaroo Rats Kangaroo Mice and Pocket Mice Geomyidae: 289
• Rats Mice Voles and Allies Muridae: 322
• Lagomorpha: 358
• Rabbits and Hares Leporidae: 360
• Glossary: 369
• References: 385
• Index: 397

About the author

E.W. Jameson, Jr., is Professor Emeritus of Zoology at the University of California, Davis, and author of Vertebrate Reproduction (1988) and Patterns of Vertebrate Biology (1981). Hans J. Peeters is Professor Emeritus of Biology and Zoology at Chabot College. His illustrations have appeared in Birds of North America (1997) as well as in several other bird guides, and he is author and illustrator of the forthcoming title Raptors of California (2005).

Bibliographic information

• Title: Mammals of California; Issue 66 of California natural history guides; California natural history guides: Field guide; California organist
• Authors: Everett Williams Jameson, Hans J. Peeters
• Illustrated by: Everett Williams Jameson
• Edition: illustrated, revised
• Publisher: University of California Press, 2004
• ISBN: 0520235827, 9780520235823
• Length: 429 pages
• Subjects: Nature / Animals / General; Nature / Animals / Mammals; Science / Earth Sciences / General; Science / Life Sciences / Biology; Science / Life Sciences / Zoology / Mammals