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An absolute treasure trove-a 'must' for the working naturalist as well as for any person who has curiosity about the world's mammals. -- Roger Tory Peterson

Table of Contents

Volume I
Foreword, by Don E. Wilson
Preface
World Distribution of Mammals
Class Mammalia: Mammals
Monotremata: Monotremes
Didelphimorphia: American Opossums
Paucituberculata: Caenolestidae: "Shrew" Opossums
Microbiotheria: Microbiotheriidae: Monito del Monte
Dasyuromorphia: Australasian Carnivorous Marsupials
Peramelemorphia: Bandicoots
Notoryctemorphia: Notoryctidae: Marsupial "Mole"
Diprotodontia: Koala, Wombats, Possums, Wallabies, and Kangaroos
Xenarthra: Xenarthrans
Insectivora: Insectivores
Scandentia: Tupaiidae: Tree Shrews
Dermoptera: Cynocephalidae: Colugos, or Flying Lemurs
Chiroptera: Bats
Primates: Primates
Carnivora: Dogs, Bears, Raccoons, Weasels, Civets, Mongooses, Hyenas, and Cats
Index
Volume II
Pinnipedia: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walrus
Cetacea: Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises
Sirenia: Dugong, Sea Cow, and Manatees
Proboscidea: Elephantidae: Elephants
Perissodactyla: Odd-toed Ungulates (Hoofed Mammals)
Hyracoidea: Procaviidae: Hyraxes, or Dassies
Tubulidentata: Orycteropodidae: Aardvark, or Ant Bear
Bibymalagasia: Plesiorycteropodidae: Bibymalagasy
Artiodactyla: Even-toed Ungulates (Hoofed Mammals)
Pholidota: Manidae: Pangolins, or Scaly Anteaters
Rodentia: Rodents
Lagomorpha: Pikas, Rabbits, and Hares
Macroscelidea: Macroscelididae: Elephant Shrews
Literature Cited
Index

About the Author

Ernest P. Walker (1891-1969) began work on Mammals of the World in the early 1930s, when he became assistant director of the National Zoo in Washington. His work reflected an unequaled store of knowledge about the world's mammals. Ronald M. Nowak was senior author of the fourth edition and author of the fifth edition of Walker's Mammals of the World. His other works on mammalogy include North American Quaternary Canis and several parts of the National Geographic Society's Wild Animals of North America, for which he also was editorial consultant. He received a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Kansas in 1973 and was staff mammalogist at the former Office of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, from 1974 to 1987. He served as an Air Force officer for four years and is a private pilot.

Reviews

Unlike many academic reference works, all editions [Walker's Mammals], the new one included, are as accessible to amateurs as to professionals... For wildlife enthusiasts, this two-volume set is an indispensable resource. The new edition not only updates taxonomic information generated in the last 10 years, it pushes back the historical record, including all mammals known to have existed in the past 5,000 years. Twenty-one new genera also appear, animals that have recently been discovered. Either volume is hefty enough to kill a small mammal if dropped-there's a total of 2,160 pages... And despite almost a decade between editions-the last edition appeared in 1991-the price has remained virtually the same, despite an increase in book size of more than 20 percent. After being exposed to this kind of thorough, detailed information saturation, many readers may find it hard to go back to a plain old encyclopedia for their animal questions. Bloomsbury Review For anyone who needs an up-to-date, comprehensive guide to every known species of mammal, Walker's Mammals of the World is an essential purchase. -- Nicholas Gould International Zoo News A massive compilation ideal for readers who want to have at their fingertips information on every mammal species. International Zoo News