Field / Identification Guide
By: Richard Webb(Author), Jeff Blincow(Author), Rob Jansen(Photographer), Tomasz Cofta(Illustrator)
488 pages, 500+ colour photos, 100+ colour illustrations, 396 colour distribution maps, 4 colour maps
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About this book
South America's wide range of habitats support a tremendous diversity of plants and animals, including more than 400 species of larger mammals – those the size of a guinea pig or bigger. Many are truly iconic: Jaguar, Puma, Ocelot and numerous other beautiful cats; the fantastic Maned Wolf; the incomparable Giant Anteater; and an incredible variety of extraordinary primates. This groundbreaking guide provides detailed coverage of these and many other wonderful mammals, including porcupines and peccaries; squirrels, sloths, skunks and seals; opossums, olingos and otters; armadillos, agoutis and Andean Bear; and viscachas and Vicuna – not to mention tapirs and river and estuarine dolphins.
The species accounts include a description of key features and information on subspecies, comparisons with similar species that overlap in range, details of the habitats in which the species occurs, a summary of its distribution in South America and information on its conservation status. Each species is illustrated with carefully selected photos, or artwork where suitable photos were not available.
- Covers more than 400 species
- Showcases over 500 stunning photos, many of rarely photographed species
- Features specially commissioned artwork for almost 100 species, including comparative plates of all marmosets and titi monkeys
- Includes up-to-date distribution maps
Customer Reviews (1)
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Everything you need on South American mammals
By
Keith
11 Sep 2025
Written for Flexibound
For a long time, I have wanted a book that I could check for mammals I have seen in South America. By comparison, I have three I can use for Africa, so the arrival of this book is great news. So now I have a guide that covers the larger mammals that can be encountered with clear photographs, a succinct text, a large distribution map, a description, details of habitat and measurements. In total, 420 species are included and while the smaller rodents are excluded, guinea pigs and cavies did make the final selection. The book does not cover Central America, but over half the mammals of that area are also found in South America. So there is a lot in this book, and at just over 1 kg it’s unlikely to join me in South America, but I’m a birdwatcher and mammals are a pleasant extra.
What I particularly like is the clear layout that Princeton University Press does so well. The printing is bright, and the choice of photographs is superb with over 550 images. A few extremely rare and little-known species are illustrated with artwork. A short introductory chapter outlines the main geographical regions of the area and also explains some of the anatomical terms used to describe mammal features. A great book!
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Biography
Richard Webb is a widely travelled and experienced mammal watcher, birder and wildlife tour guide who pioneered Jaguar and Puma watching tours for Wildwings in Brazil and Chile in the early 2000s. He has visited the Neotropics almost 40 times.
Jeff Blincow is a field ecologist and researcher with experience working with mammals, birds, fungi, amphibians and beetles. He has travelled widely, recording all wildlife groups, and has special interests in South America and the Arctic.
Field / Identification Guide
By: Richard Webb(Author), Jeff Blincow(Author), Rob Jansen(Photographer), Tomasz Cofta(Illustrator)
488 pages, 500+ colour photos, 100+ colour illustrations, 396 colour distribution maps, 4 colour maps