Raccoons: A Natural History Paperback – February 17, 2002

I got this book to learn about raccoon behavior, social organization, human interaction, and so on. It's actually for a fiction project I hope to work on someday. I had less interest in related species or evolutionary hypotheses, but that provides interesting context, too. As an aside, it was fun to see differing evidence between DNA and fossil records (bears or weasels?) as well as where we are still ignorant of basic issues with this presumably well-known species. For example, why do they dip their food in water? Still somewhat unknown. Overall, a great book, but do expect a somewhat dry read.

Much detail on the raccoon, its history, relatives, sub-species, distribution ... everything I would want to know. I am a layman, though. Perhaps a biologist would want to know more, but this is a great reference for me, and a pretty good read the first time.

This is a very nicely written book, which covers everything from the systematics to the life cycle and habits of raccoons. It answered all of my questions spurred by meeting (and becoming enchanted by) a nearly tame raccoon. It is the quality of book one had come to expect from the now defunct Smithsonian Institution Press.

I purchased this book mostly to learn more about raccoon behavior and social life. The author does a good job covering this. There is extensive information about evolutionary origins of the raccoon and its close and more distant relatives, which, though interesting, I started to skim after an hour or two! Very thorough book, for sure!

Every aspect of raccoons is covered here, from the origins of the common name "raccoon" to the history of its taxonomic classification and physical differences between subspecies in the Americas. But treatment of some topics, such as behavior, is light, and suggests that the author has not spent much time with raccoons in the wild. There is likely nothing incorrect in the book, which is a good start, but you may find yourself skipping entire chapters as you look for what interests you.

As someone who works hands on with raccoons, (I volunteer with a wildlife sanctuary) I am always looking for books with reliable information. This book is great for all raccoon lovers who want to learn more about them.

Nice book

Boring and very little information for the layman.

Da descrizione le pagine sono 240 e invece risultano solo 200, che diventano 176 di testo senza l'appendice. Sapendolo prima probabilmente avrei scelto un altro testo anche più moderno dato che le pagine sono ingiallite.

Very interesting and full of in depth information on all aspects pertaining to raccoons. If you want to learn about these animals, this is the book to read.

Great Book