One of the first field guides dedicated to the carnivores of Central America. It describes the four indigenous families - wild cats, raccoons and their relatives, skunks and their relatives, and wild canids - and the individual species that live in the region. The authors introduce each species by recounting a first-person encounter with it, followed by concise explanations of its taxonomy, scientific name, English and Spanish common names, habitat, natural history, and conservation status. Range maps show the animal's past and current distribution, while Claudia Nocke's black-and-white drawings portray it visually. The concluding chapter looks to the carnivores' future, including threats posed by habitat destruction and other human activities, and describes some current conservation programs. A model guide in every respect, highly recommended.
The illustrations used on the covers of the NHBS Spring/Summer 2000 catalogues and those featured in the Mammals section of Part 1 were all produced by Claudia Nocke and taken from "A Guide to the Carnivores of Central America: Natural History, Ecology, and Conservation". For more information on the illustrations featured or other art work produced by Claudia Nocke, she can be contacted on: Claudia@Nocke.com