Wildlife Books

BATS IN FORESTS: CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT is a pick for any college-level library strong in natural history and conservation issues and offers a narrowed environmental focus on forest bats. Bats in caves are the common focus, but more than half of bat species in North America depend upon and uses forests for roosting, so forest health is essential to bat conservation, and this in-depth coverage of both will prove a key reference for any collection strong in ecology issues in general and bat conservation in particular.

Bats of Florida is the book I have been looking for. The general discussion on bats is the best I have ever read. It covers the latest science in a balanced and easily readable style. Much of the information should be useful to anyone interested in bats. The species discussions of the bats found in Florida are the most up to date and complete information available.

I have found this book very useful both in the field and in the museum. It represents an excellent feat of practical scholarship by Bonaccorso, with good keys, locality information (with maps), reference to specific museum specimens, and external measurements for all species from PNG, including the provinces in the Bismarcks and northern Solomons. It is not only a terrific synthesis of what is known of bat biology in the country, but also offers a large store of new information. Also extremely handy are the comprehensive gazetteer at the end with lat/long coordinates and the good bibliography. Fiona Reid's excellent color illustrations round out the guide.

THE BEAR DOGS OF KATAHDIN surprised me at how well-written, humorous, and detailed it was. I didn't know what to expect exactly, but Mr. Tetreault's true account of his rangering days in Maine's Baxter State Park is very compelling. Each chapter (or story) can stand alone. They are not to long or too short for the subject matter. The book reads easily and for anyone who loves Maine, the outdoors, or just a plain good story--they should read this one! I actually wished the book were longer as I neared the end. Obviously, Mr. Tetreault loved his days at Baxter Park and the people he worked with there---it shows in his book. I say, "Get this book!"

Having been involved in bears and photography for the past twenty years, I found this book to be a magnificent synopsis of these great creatures. Dan Cox's photography allows you to become so close as to be intimate with some of Mother Nature's finest work. The images are truly breathtaking and the writing unquestionably illuminates our understanding of these great creatures and how they have influenced our cultures. On a one to ten scale, we give this book a twelve!

Bears: Monarch's of the Northern Wilderness, by Wayne Lynch, is the best all-around natural history on bears; Van Tighem's book isn't quite as rich in natural history, but includes more practical information on safety in bear country, and environmental issues affecting bears. With spring black bear hunting a contentious issue in various parts of North America, so called "experts" writing for hook and bullet magazines have reassured readers that you don't have to worry about accidentally mistaking females for males, because cubs rarely leave their mother's side. Wrong. Van Tighem notes that a study near Canada's Riding Mountain National Park found that "when female black bears investigate bait stations, they usually leave their cubs behind."

This book is filled with well-documented facts about bears. It's well-written, too. It doesn't read like a boring scientific paper. Van Tighem touches on a lot of politically sensitive issues affecting bears but doesn't have a shrill voice at all; instead, he let's the facts speak for themselves. Excellent book.

After our trip to Alaska my one and a half year old loves bears. She loves this book! The pictures are great and keep her entertained. However the book has lots of information that makes it appropriate for much older children as well. A book that kids would love for up to ten years- that is something I love! I would like to own several books in the Kids Can Press WIldlife Series.

My love for Bears developed while living in Canada, which was the first time I came across this potentially dangerous animal...that lived where I lived...chose to walk the trails that I walked...and had no respect for those in hiking boots.

On a sunny, hot summers day I met with a protective grizzly sow with two cubs. A demonstration of 'Power', 'Intimidation', and 'Motherly Instinct' took place before my eyes. With the ability to merely watch...and not much else, I felt helpless, knowing that I did not have the ability to change my very-own immediate future. The bear was very much in control...she had the ability to kill in a matter of seconds...and yet she let us go.

Was it the quick actions of my friend that saved us? Was it that I reacted slowly (in an non-threatening manner) that disabled the situation? Or, was it that the bear saw our two dogs as 'our cubs'...and after protecting hers she left us alone to protect ours?

Questions like these have plagued me most days since our meeting, and this book is one of many, which I've read in search of answers.

This book has answered many questions...short of why the grizzly I met let me go. It is full of facts and written in a style that heavily leans toward the protection of these beautiful animals. Many people 'hate' Grizzlies (all bears for that matter), yet hatred feeds on fear, and fear is born from the unknown. Get to know what you're dealing with and the fear disappears.

While I'm not a fan of reviews that talk about pictures, the author has found 'most' of the best available to publish in his book. The pictures are wonderful (which in the case of 'understanding', especially for unapproachable animals, is so important) and the fear is replaced with respect. The pictures of the bears in their natural habitat show the bear is an animal of peace-yet-power; mother-yet (possible)-murderer; parent...provider...and protector.

Not only a book of fact, it is of 'coffee-table' quality, which can be enjoyed by many. From those who want to learn, to those who just like the pictures of these 'not-so-cuddly' demons of our imagination, this book will enthral.

The 'Great Bear' has the ability to chisel it's being into the spine of those who cross it's path. It has the ability to erase landscapes, producing a tunnel-vision effect between animal and man - even of life and death. The bear reclaims its land in a second. All that one can see is the bear; standing proud, in a circle of white, empty space. The bear got me in 1998. My life took a turn because of it.

I plan on moving to Canada to live. The 'Great Bear' is a big reason why...and this book has provided some of my reasons.

Bears Of The World doubles as a coffee table addition and as a generalist's natural history of bears, describing the history, behavior, and habitats of all the world species of bear from the panda to the sloth. More than a eye-catching set of photo, Bear conservation and natural history are thoroughly covered in the process.

Originally published in 1955, The Beast That Walks Like Man: The Story Of The Grizzly Bear is an enduring homage to the grizzly bear, and ranges from their role in Native American myths; to their first scientific classification in 1815; to their near-extinction in the lower forty-eight states. Informatively written by skilled hunter and wildlife expert Harold McCracken, (who once brought down a grizzly bear himself yet came to respect and admire these animals, as well as mourn the modern day threat of habitat destruction that may yet cause their end), The Beast That Walks Like Man is a very highly addition to Wildlife Studies reference collections.