CatSG

Books

Here we present you some books about cat species, which were recently published. 

Please click on the corresponding book titles on the right for more information.

Snow leopard (Panthera uncia)

Choudhury A. 2016. The Mammlas of India - A Systematic & Cartographic Review. Gibbon Books and the Rhino Foundation for Nature in NE India, Guwahati, Assam, India, 328 pp.

India has more than 400 species of mammals. It is the only country in the world to have the tiger and the lion. The presence of such a diverse mammalian species in a relatively small area of the globe is significant.

The Mammals of India by Dr Anwaruddin Choudhury is a major definitive work on the mammals of India and is a much-needed work. A systematic list of all species is given, including synonyms and assessments of their taxonomy. Moreover, for the first time distribution maps in full colour of the range of all the species have been created. The style of presentation of range maps is different from all the other mammal books published so far in India except The Mammals of NE India which was published in 2013 and authored by Dr Anwaruddin Choudhury.

Available from: nhbs

ISBN-13: 978-938-06520-4-7

Nyhus P. (series ed), McCarthy T. & Mallon D. (eds) 2016. Snow Leopards: Biodiversity of the World: Conservation from Genes to Landscapes. 644 pp.

Snow Leopards: Biodiversity of the World: Conservation from Genes to Landscapes is the only comprehensive work on the biology, behavior, and conservation status of the snow leopard.

The book begins with chapters on the genetic standing and taxonomy of the snow leopard, followed by chapters on their behavior and ecology. Contributions on current and emerging threats to the species, including longstanding concerns, such as poaching and conflicts with livestock, and new and emerging threats such as mining and climate change, follow. A section on conservation solutions starts with an overview of the important role mountain communities play in assuring the snow leopard's long-term persistence. In addition, chapters on the role of captive snow leopards for the conservation of the species, state-of-the-art techniques and technologies for studying and monitoring snow leopards, status reports, and future perspectives, such as transboundary conservation initiatives, international conventions (CITES, CMS, etc.), the role of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group and the Snow Leopard Network, and undertakings such as the Global Snow Leopard Forum facilitated by the World Bank are included.

Available from: Elsevier Store

ISBN: 9780128022139

Mills J. A. 2015. Blood of the Tiger. A Story of Conspiracy, Greed, and the Battle to Save a Magnificant Species. Beacon Press, Boston, 286 pp.

Many people think wild tigers are on the road to recovery, but they are in greater danger than ever-from a menace few experts saw coming.

There may be only three thousand wild tigers left in the entire world. More shocking is the fact that twice that many-some six thousand-have been bred on farms, not for traditional medicine but to supply a luxury-goods industry that secretly sells tiger-bone wine, tiger-skin décor, and exotic cuisine enjoyed by China's elite.

Two decades ago, international wildlife investigator J. A. Mills went undercover to expose bear farming in China and discovered the plot to turn tigers into nothing more than livestock. 

Blood of the Tiger tells of a global fight to rein in the forces of greed on behalf of one of the world's most treasured and endangered animals.

Available from: Beacon Press and amazon.com

ISBN: 978-0-8070-7496-1 (hardcover)

ISBN: 978-0-8070-7497-8 (ebook)

Spalton A., Al Hikmani H. and White V. 2014: The Arabian Leopards of Oman. Stacey Publishing Limited, London, 160 pp.

With probably no more than 100 surviving in the wild, the Arabian leopard of Oman is undoubtedly one of the world's rarest and most critically endangered animals. Now, in this important new book, leading experts Dr Andrew Spalton and Hadi Musallam al Hikmani, describe in great detail how a small team of dedicated wildlife biologists is doing all it can to save this unique and elusive creature from extinction. 

Together with hitherto unpublished scientific data and stunning original artwork, the book features the first ever photographs of these beautiful and rare creatures, as they live out their secret existence in the remote and inhospitable Dhofar Mountains in southern Oman. In describing not just the lives of the leopards, but also of various other animals which share their habitat, this a truly remarkable and fascinating account of conservation in action. 

Available from waterstones.com and amazon.com

ISBN-13: 978-1909022348

ISBN-10: 1909022349

Sunquist F. and Sunquist M. 2014: The Wild Cat Book. The University of Chicago Press, 268 pp.

Illustrated throughout with Terry Whittaker’s spectacular color photographs as well as unique photos from biologists in the field—some the highest quality images ever captured of exceptionally rare species. The Wild Cat Book not only tantalizes with the beauty of cats, but also serves as a valuable and accessible reference on cat behavior and conservation. Comprehensive entries for each of the thirty-seven cat species include distribution maps and up-to-date information related to the species’ IUCN conservation and management statuses. The Wild Cat Book is an instructive and revealing ode to felines of every size and color. Combining science, behavioral observations, and stunning photography, this book will captivate cat fanciers the world over.

Available from The University of Chicago Press

ISBN-13: 978-0-226-78026-9

ISBN-13: 978-0-226-14576-1

Payan E. and Uribe C. C. 2013: Grandes Felinos de Colombia. Vol 1. Panthera Colombia, Fundación Herencia Ambiental Caribe, Conservación Internacional, y Cat Specialist Group UICN/SSC. Bogotá, D. C., Colombia, 206 pp.

In 2005, the Latin-American members of the IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group got together to revise the situation of the wild cat species in the region and to define the direction of future management and conservation activities. In this moment, it was evident that Colombia was missing research and baseline information about the cat species occurring in their territory. Therefore, there is a need to summarize all the existing information about cat species to can revise and publicize it, as it was made in this volume.  

 

ISBN: 978-958-57407-1-6 

Yudakov A. G. and Nikolaev I.G. 2012: Winter Ecology of the Amur Tiger: An Unearthed Classic of Field Biology

"Winter Ecology of the Amur Tiger”, by Russian biologists Anatolii Yudakov and Igor Nikolaev, was originally published in Russian in 1987. In it, they described results of winter fieldwork 1970-1973, in which they studied tiger behavior. Their strategy was to locate then follow tiger tracks in the snow. 

With direct oversight from Igor Nikolaev, two versions of a revised, second edition were published in 2012. This updated edition features a foreword by Amur tiger biologist Dr. Dale Miquelle, explaining why this is one of the most important publications on Amur tigers written in the 20th century, and an appendix which reprints a 1976 article about the last days of Anatolii Yudakov’s life.

The second edition contains 42 photographs and maps, 26 tables, and a new chapter by Igor Nikolaev about the contemporary status of tigers in their original 1970-1973 study area.

The Russian version is available from WCS Russia, and the English version from Amazon.com.

Detailed book review PDF

ISBN-20: 5804413333

ISBN-13: 978-5804413331

Shekhar S. Kolipaka. 2012: Caracals in India: The Forgotten Cats. Vishakapatanam Publisher, 84 pp.

“Caracals in India: The forgotten cats” is a book to familiarise the reader with the caracal, a cat species that is believed to be still widespread, but has received very little attention so far. The book contains numerous photographs by Babette de Jonge and Anton Buijen van Weeldenand, describes caracal distribution in India, a lot of behavioural observations from the wild and discusses the chances of the species survival in India.

Available from the Wild Cats World or at Bagchee.

Javier Pereira and Gustavo Aprile. 2012: Felinos de Sudamérica. Londaiz Laborde Ediciones, 104 pp.

“Felinos de Sudamérica” is a comprehensive spanish guide for the identification of all cat species of South America. This book not only provides key identification features for each species but also information about the general appearance, geographic range, habitat, natural history, biology, ecology, signs and conservation status for each felidae. It contains numerous photographs and illustrations by Luis Nuñez and Julia Rouaux. With its compact format and detailed explanations of signs it is an ideal guide to use for observations in the field.

Available from Aves Argentinas.


ISBN: 978-987-28208-1-7

James G. Sanderson and Patrick Watson. 2011: Small Wild Cats: The Animal Answer Guide. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 144 pp.

"Small Wild Cats: The Animal Answer Guide" shows just how important and interesting the littlest of the nondomesticated feline family are. Did you know that most wild cat species are small? That adult bobcats, clouded leopards, and other small wild cats are completely asocial? And that they fight only as a last resort? This entertaining and informative book reveals these and hundreds of other facts about the behavior, biology, and conservation of the more than 30 small wild cat species

Available from the Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation.

ISBN-13: 978-0-8018-9885-3
ISBN-10: 0-8018-9885-4

Luke Hunter and Priscilla Barrett. 2011. Carnivores of the World. Princeton University Press, 240 pp.

"Carnivores of the World" is the first comprehensive field guide to all 245 terrestrial species of true carnivores, from the majestic polar bear and predatory wild cats to the tiny least weasel. This user-friendly illustrated guide features 86 color plates by Priscilla Barrett that depict every species and numerous subspecies, as well as about 400 line drawings of skulls and footprints. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, distribution and habitat, feeding ecology, behavior, social patterns, reproduction and demography, status, threats, lifespan, and mortality.

Available from Panthera.

ISBN: 978-0-6911-5228-8 (paperback)
ISBN: 978-0-6911-5227-1 (hardcover)