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

About this book

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 regions current inhabitants as well as in the ecotourists and researchers who come to experience Central Americas 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 familieswild cats raccoons and their relatives skunks and their relatives and wild canidsand 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 animals past and current distribution while Claudia Nockes 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.