Scientific reference on the mammals of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.



The forests and grasslands of the seven north-central states-Minnestoa, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio-support a large mammalian fauna, including at least 88 native species that have survived the profound impact of human settlement in both urban and rural environments. This handbook is a basic introduction and guide to the identification of the 99 native and five introduced species that either live in the region today or are known to have lived there at the time of initial European settlement. Designed by its authors for the field or laboratory, it provides a two-page spread for each species, with a concise biological summary, a photograph of the mammal, and-except for extirpated species-a map showing its current distribution in the seven-state area and an inset of its historically documented distribution in North America. Also included are an introduction to the region’s environments and zoogeography, dichotomous keys for the identification of species, and a glossary of terms.

Contributions by: Elmer Birney