Books on Carnivores

A

Anu

Member
Hi everyone,
I'm new to this site but would be grateful for some advice.

I've been offered a seasonal job as a carnivore keeper and I'm trying to read up as much as I can before I start, so I'm looking for any good books or internet sites that would help.

I've studied up to bachelors level in animal behavior so am quite happy reading some of the more advanced stuff. I'm attempting to avoid totally floundering on my first day.

Thanks in advance for any help!
 
Anu said:
Hi everyone,
I'm new to this site but would be grateful for some advice.

I've been offered a seasonal job as a carnivore keeper and I'm trying to read up as much as I can before I start, so I'm looking for any good books or internet sites that would help.

I've studied up to bachelors level in animal behavior so am quite happy reading some of the more advanced stuff. I'm attempting to avoid totally floundering on my first day.

Thanks in advance for any help!
Click to expand...

Good luck with your new job; I hope it all works out well.

I would thoroughly recommend Volume 1 of "Handbook of the Mammals of the World" (2009) which covers carnivores.

Unfortunately it is very expensive but is the best recent reference book on carnivores that I know. Maybe a local library has a copy.
 
IanRRobinson said:
This has just come out:-NHBS - A Field Guide to the Carnivores of the World - Luke Hunter and Priscilla Barrett

It's high on my wanted list!
Click to expand...

It's a damn good book - I ordered a copy for my girlfriend's birthday via my brother, who works at Waterstones and gets a staff discount, but he keeps forgetting to pick it up! :rolleyes:

The only real omission within it is the fact it does not cover pinnipeds, as the authors felt there was sufficient material there for a whole different book.
 
Yes the field guide is a succinct, thorough, and affordable book - highly recommended.

If you really want to get serious, here are two books that can be purchased as a pair on Amazon that I have saved on my Amazon wish list for whenever I have the money.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Biology-Conservation-Wild-Carnivores-Two-/dp/0199592837/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329367790&sr=1-5"]Amazon.com: Biology and Conservation of Wild Carnivores: The Canids and the Felids Two-Volume Set (9780199592838): David Macdonald, Andrew Loveridge, Claudio Sillero-Zubiri: Books[/ame]
 
I've just been on Amazon to buy myself a copy of "A Field Guide to the Carnivores of the World" by the appropriately named Luke Hunter, at the new low price of £16.49. Unfortunately, whilst on Amazon, I spotted another book of which I was hitherto unaware - "Primates of West Africa" at just over £25. Couldn't decide between them, so I ended up buying both! So by going onto Amazon I didn't save myself money after all.
 
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Carnivores-World-Princeton-Field-Guides/dp/0691152284/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378143638&sr=8-1&keywords=carnivores+of+the+world]Amazon.com: Carnivores of the World (Princeton Field Guides) (9780691152288): Luke Hunter, Priscilla Barrett: Books[/ame]


I recently purchased this book and in terms of information, drawings and cost it is well worth buying for any zoo enthusiast. The lack of inclusion of the Pinnipedia family is the only disappointment, but the skull and footprint diagrams are a nice bonus and the guide makes for a terrific reference book. One thing that is frustrating for me, as I've visited all of America's major zoos, is the complete absence of multiple species in the United States. Quite a few of the small cats, almost all of the mongooses and skunks, and practically all of the genets and civets are unheard of no matter how many zoos I tour in the U.S.
 
Don't you just love how whenever the thread is revived it is to recommend the same book? I think this proves beyond a shadow of a doubt firstly the demand among zoonerds for an affordable and comprehensive volume on this group, and secondly how high the quality of this specific book actually is :)
 
I am also looking at investing in a copy of the NHBS - A Field Guide to the Carnivores of the World - Luke Hunter and Priscilla Barrett. However would like to know would people recommend the 2009 edition or the 2011 edition?
 
Last edited:
Kieran said:
I am also looking at investing in a copy of the NHBS - A Field Guide to the Carnivores of the World - Luke Hunter and Priscilla Barrett. However would like to know would people recommend the 2009 edition or the 2011 edition?
Click to expand...

I am debating the same thing, whats the different between the 2009 and the 2011 versions (other than price) before I buy it :)
 
I think the difference is only that one is hardback, and the other is paperback....
 
Im using the book as a reference to hopefully use throughout my career as I hope to work with all kinds of carnivore but mainly large felids.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top