BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Sandy Woltman
Director of Operations at Oaken Acres Wildlife Center
Citation: Wildlife Rehabilitation Bulletin 2023, 41(2), 49–50, http://dx.doi.org/10.53607/wrb.v41.275
Copyright: Wildlife Rehabilitation Bulletin 2023. © 2023 S. Woltman. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), permitting all non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Published: 15 December 2023
Correspondence to: Sandy Woltman, Director of Operations at Oaken Acres Wildlife Center, Sycamore, IL. E-mail: info@oakenacres.org
Review of The Wild Mammals of Missouri, Third Revised Edition, by Charles Schwartz and Elizabeth Schwartz (2016), edited by Debby Fantz and Victoria Jackson. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press. 426 pp. ISBN 978-0-82622-088-2. US $49.00
Previous editions of The Wild Mammals of Missouri were written by two extraordinary conservationists who dedicated their lives to studying nature, with an emphasis on mammals. This third edition is dedicated to their outstanding studies and contributions to better understanding mammals found in Missouri. Previous editions have been favourites of biologists, zoologists, and wildlife rehabilitators and this book is sure to become a favorite as well.
This outstanding book contains a guide to the natural history and identification of mammals native to Missouri. While the book’s focus is on those species native to Missouri, it contains full accounts for 72 species found throughout North America, ranging from hoary bats to Virginia opossum, North American river otter, beaver, coyote, ground and tree squirrels, and white-tailed deer. Sixty-five highly detailed species illustrations accompany the accounts. The book provides facts about individual species in such a way that they can be understood by a biologist as well as those less experienced with wildlife. The Wild Mammals of Missouri is clear, concise and organized in such a way that the information one is searching for is easy to locate and consistent for each species.
The information in the individual species account is complete. Details for species include distribution maps within Missouri, detailed animal descriptions, information on their teeth and skull patterns, longevity, where wildlife live and their habits, diet and reproduction information, as well as conservation management goals as applicable.
The book contains valuable sketches that enhance the information, providing visual learning opportunities for readers. The sketches not only include an example of the animal’s appearance, but also of skulls, dentition, tracks, nests and other examples of unique features of various species.
The Wild Mammals of Missouri provides an intensive introduction to the order of mammals, explaining general background information, breaking down and explaining the various sections that are described for each species, how the information is gathered and should be interpreted, and extensive information on the taxonomy of mammals.
The Wild Mammals of Missouri is a book that all wildlife rehabilitators should have on their shelves. It is sure to be the first go-to book when inquiring about nearly any question regarding native mammals of Missouri, surrounding states, or throughout North America.