Wild Cats of the World - Hardcover

Sunquist, Mel; Sunquist, Fiona

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0226779998 ISBN 13: 9780226779997

Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 2002

Synopsis

Did you know that European royalty once used cheetahs to hunt deer, or that caracals can capture birds by leaping six and a half feet straight up into the air from a standing start? Have you ever wondered whether domestic cats really do land on their feet when they fall, or how Canada lynx can stalk their prey in the winter without falling through the deep snow?

Wild Cats of the World is a treasure trove of answers to questions like these, and many others, for anyone who's interested in learning more about the world's felids, including the ones with whom we share our homes. Mel and Fiona Sunquist have spent more than a decade gathering information about cats from every available source, many of them quite difficult to find, including scientific papers, descriptions of hunts, archeological findings, observations by naturalists and travelers, reports from government agencies, and newsletters from a wide variety of organizations. Weaving information from these sources together with their own experiences observing wild cats around the world, the Sunquists have created the most comprehensive reference on felids available. Each of their accounts of the 36 species of cat contains a description of the cat, including human interactions with it, as well as detailed data on its distribution, ecology and behavior, status in the wild, and efforts to conserve it. Numerous photographs, including more than 40 in full color, illustrate these accounts.

Ranging from the two-pound black-footed cat to the five-hundred-pound tiger, and from the African serval with its satellite-dish ears to the web-footed fishing cat of Asia, Wild Cats of the World will fascinate and educate felid fans of any stripe (or spot).

About this title

About the Author

Mel Sunquist is an associate professor in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida, Gainesville.

Fiona Sunquist is a science writer, photographer, and for fifteen years was a roving editor for International Wildlife Magazine. Together they are the authors of Florida: The Ecotravellers' Wildlife Guide and Tiger Moon, the latter published by the University of Chicago Press.

Review

“An essential guide for felinophiles and a valuable handbook for conservation professionals.” (New Scientist)

“Magnificent. . . . The book contains a lifetime of knowledge that has been carefully and logically documented to make the book user-friendly to a wide cross-section of readers. . . . A fascinating learning experience. . . . Put this one on the top of your list.” (Cat Fancy)

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0226779998
• ISBN 13: 9780226779997
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 462