Semi-aquatic Mammals: Ecology and Biology

A groundbreaking review of the seldom-studied semi-aquatic freshwater mammals, covering biology, behavior, and conservation. Semi-aquatic mammals are some of the rarest and most endangered mammals on earth, but they have evolutionary traits that allow them to succeed in two worlds. This book presents the first comprehensive examination of 140 freshwater semi-aquatic mammals, covering millions of years and their adaptations to thrive in their multifaceted habitats. It also addresses specific conservation challenges faced by these mammals.

Format: Hardback
Length: 504 pages
Publication date: 13 October 2020
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

Semi-aquatic mammals are some of the rarest and most endangered mammals on earth. What binds them together in the minds of biologists, despite their diverse taxa and body forms, are evolutionary traits that allow them to succeed in two worlds—spending some time on land and some in the water.

Semi-aquatic Mammals fills a crucial void in the literature by highlighting the important ecological roles and curious biology of these remarkable animals. In this unique book, wildlife ecologist Glynnis A. Hood presents the first comprehensive examination of a global suite of 140 freshwater semi-aquatic mammals. Each one has overcome the distinct ecological challenges of thriving in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats as part of everyday life. Covering millions of years, Hood's exploration begins with the extinct otter-like Buxolestes and extends to consider the geographical, physical, behavioral, and reproductive traits of its present-day counterparts.

Hood explains how semi-aquatic mammals are able to navigate a viscous environment with almost no resistance to heat loss, reveals how they maintain the physical skills necessary to avoid predation and counter a more thermally changeable environment, and describes the array of adaptations that facilitate success in their multifaceted habitats. She also addresses specific conservation challenges faced by these mammals. Her analysis takes readers to the haunts of intriguing semi-aquatic mammals from around the world, introducing the paradoxical platypus, an Australian egg-laying monotreme that detects prey through electroreception, venturing into the swamps and mangroves of Southeast Asia, where the enigmatic and elusive mangrove horseshoe crab patrols the shoreline, and exploring the freshwater habitats of North America, where the playful beaver constructs intricate dams and lodges.

Through her meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Hood sheds light on the remarkable adaptations and behaviors of semi-aquatic mammals, illuminating their vital role in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in wildlife conservation, ecology, or the natural world, as it provides valuable insights into the hidden world of these fascinating animals.

Weight: 856g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781421438801