A Guide to the Carnivores of Central America: Natural History, Ecology, and Conservation

By Claudia C. Nocke and Carlos L. de la Rosa

Book Overview

Carnivores such as pumas, jaguars, and ocelots have roamed the neotropical forests of Central America for millennia. Enshrined in the myths of the ancient Maya, they still inspire awe in the region's current inhabitants, as well as in the ecotourists and researchers who come to experience Central America's diverse and increasingly endangered natural environment.

This book is 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 their 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. Designed for citizens of and visitors to Central America, as well as specialists, this book offers an excellent introduction to a group of fascinating, threatened, and still imperfectly understood animals.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0292716052
• ISBN13: 9780292716056
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Length: 262 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.1" x 9.9"

Customer Reviews

A Guide to the Carnivores of Central America

The first thing that strikes one about this book is the illustrations - they're wonderful! Claudia Nocke's pencil figures capture the essence of many of the carnivores included in this guide. We find views from many aspects of their lives - not just pictures of an animal walking or lying down, but little pictorial vignettes of their daily lives.This book is not just a dry recounting of facts on central american carnivores -that information is there (dental formulae, common names and taxonomy, skull figures, behavior, reproduction, etc). Included in each chapter are Carlos's little tales that go along with each animal discussed - it can give one a greater sense of the animals and their habitats, etc., and adds to the character of this guide - a personal view into the personal lives of the animals included.Also included are sobering notes on the conservation of these animals - food for thought ...