From the rabbit-sized Black-footed Cat of southern Africa to
bear-killing Amur tigers of the Russian Far East, the 38 members of the
Cat Family include some of the world's most fascinating and magnificent
species on earth. Supremely adapted for the kill, all cats are obligate
carnivores; they survive only by preying upon other animals, and they
have become one of evolution's most successful predatory lineages of
mammals.
Wild Cats of the World explores the spectacular Cat Family in
unprecedented depth. Drawing on thousands of scientific papers and
direct observations in the field, each species is profiled at length,
covering all aspects of felid behaviour and ecology. The book is
profusely illustrated with colour plates, black-and-white sketches
showing important aspects of cat life and accurate images of every
species' skull. Over 400 spectacular photographs are included, many of
them showing extremely rare and little-known cats published here for the
first time. Each profile includes an up-to-date range map and explains
the most current science on how cats are classified and related to each
other, including some very recent, surprising discoveries.
Despite their great evolutionary success, the challenges facing felids
in the modern world are profound. Only one, the ubiquitous domestic cat,
does not require dedicated conservation action to ensure survival for
the next century. The book also explores the current conservation issues
facing wild cats, the increasingly perilous status of many species and
how they can be saved.
