Most of us see wild mammals less often than birds or butterflies, so there is a special excitement to these encounters. An elk bugling in a mountain meadow, a fox appearing suddenly out of the woods, a whale surfacing far offshore... these are the very essence of what we think of as "wild animals." Mammals of North America is a compact and colorful field reference to these intriguing creatures. It treats every species of wild mammal found north of the Mexican border - from familiar backyard squirrels and chipmunks to polar bears and jaguars - as well as all the seals, porpoises, and whales in North America's offshore waters. Using the ground-breaking method pioneered by Kenn Kaufman, Mammals of North America includes more than 1,100 images based on photographs, digitally edited to show correct size ratios, comparative colors, and the field marks necessary for identification. These are not just static illustrations but portraits of animals in action that truly convey their character as well as their identification marks. In addition, hundreds of illustrations show tracks, dens, and other signs that we may notice even when the mammals themselves are out of sight. For millions of hikers, campers, passengers on whale-watching trips, families visiting national parks and wildlife refuges, and anyone who loves animals, this is the perfect guide to increase understanding and appreciation of North America's magnificent wild mammals. Brilliant images, lively text, and accurate maps - your best guide to North America's magnificent wild mammals * Covers every species of mammal known to occur in North America and its offshore waters, including naturalized exotics - 450 species in all * More than 1,100 photographs selected and digitally edited for clarity * Organized for quick and convenient use, with a pictorial table of contents, a one-page index, and color tabs for sections * Full index that doubles as a life list * Range maps on text pages show wh