{"product_id":"the-biology-of-small-mammals-9780801879500","title":"The Biology of Small Mammals","description":"\u003cp\u003e2010 Outstanding Academic Title  Choice Magazine The Biology of Small Mammals is the first exploration of the lives of small mammals undertaken in decades. Mammalogist Joseph F. Merritt offers an engaging  in-depth discussion about a diverse array of small mammals  from the rare Kittis hog-nosed bat of Southeast Asia to the bizarre aye-aye of Madagascar to the familiar woodchuck of North America. Small mammals include those mammals weighing under five kilograms (approximately eleven pounds). Merritt introduces the various species that fall under this heading  then follows with chapters that cover such topics as behavior  modes of feeding  locomotion  habitat use  reproduction  and coping with heat loss. Animals of this size face different physiological and ecological challenges than larger mammals. Merritt describes in rich detail how mammals across the globe have adapted to compensate for their small stature  showing how they contribute to and survive in diverse environments in many fascinating ways. For example  arctic foxes  weighing just 3 to 4.3 kilograms  are champion survivors in the cold. They cope with their harsh environs by decreasing activity  seeking shelter in temporary dens and snow burrows  growing a lush winter fur  and undergoing complex physiological changes to insulate themselves from chilling temperatures. Beautifully illustrated throughout  The Biology of Small Mammals provides a valuable and updated reference on natures more diminutive creatures.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45666143862837,"sku":"ByrdShop_0801879507","price":137.86,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780801879500.jpg?v=1782420846","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-biology-of-small-mammals-9780801879500","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}