Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa (Field Guides)

See the full apAmazon description aboveI cannot claim to have read all this book. However I have read a large portion of the Stuart's work. ( see my various book reviews )In a way this book brings together a number of their books onMammals in .. ( I didn't note down the title but it is on Mammals in Northern Africa and the Sahara. )Mammals in East AfricaMammals in Southern Africa and Angola, Zambia and MalawiI have reviewed the second two along with other books by the StuartsI only recently found out about their book on Animals in Northern Africa-- cannot remember it's name. I was looking into buying it and found this book instead.I trained in Medicine and have no expertise in this area. I am however renewing my interest in wildlife, particularly in Africa.Books by the StuartsThe features of the books by the Stuarts that I like I are::Easy access to information. -- arranged by family groups-- with common names in English as well( direct access from the Table of Contents.)The text is full and well writtenA summary about the animal is in a coloured box and the start of each description. This covers things like the animals size ( length , height at shoulder, weight for male and female if there is much difference. Points for identifying the animal. A useful summary if you just need to glance at information.)They are well illustrated-- with crisp photos. They often show male and female forms if they differ.Animal tracks are given with a scale shownDistribution maps are shownShadow illustration of adult male and adult animal-- gives idea of height off grungpd and total length.This book basically has all these features, some of the more specialist books have a few more illustrations, but it is hard to generalise.This book.This book has all the usual Stuart features, and is very well done. It is very large at some 900 pages I think.Animals are by family***. Gazelle and Antelope are divided up into groups. I didn't know how many there were but there were a lot ( I am trying to get to grips with this very large group)Not all species are discussed or illustrated from memory-- they note it where relevant in the text.The text -- see belowMaps. Shows the whole of Africa and the area where the species is marked in. If there are several closely related species, these are shown on the same map in different colours.Areas of overlap in species range is shown in a different colour.Photos -- usually just general photos of the animal -- may have male and female where they differ ( in some of there other books there are a few more photos, sometimes of mothers with young, sometimes where there are important identification features that need a detail shown.AntelopeAs above.Some have line drawings of horn formation by age. ( there is also a drawing of elephants by size as a guide to age-- very helpful for me )Occassionally there is a drawing shown facial blaze pattern in certainAntelope ( these would usually get photos in the other books )TextThis book draws together much of the Stuarts previous books.It is well organised and well illustrated.It represents excellent value for money-- Highly recommended.I really enjoyed this book.I enjoy reading it and I am making some progress with the Gazelle and Antelope.I do however also use my:Mammals of East Africa.Mammals of Southern Africa and Angola etc.I seek to learn by animal family and also by geographic area.

Surprisingly good and easy to use

Nice photos

This is perfect for what I need, with excellent photographs and commentary about the different species found in Africa. Particularly like the addition of photos of the animals skulls and tracks. I was pleased to note the addition of whales and dolphins and other watery creatures. Thank you

Overall I am happy with it. Very similar with Kingdon field guide to African Mammals 2nd.

very good roundup of African mammals, several photos of each species, revised distribution maps for Africa. Special characters for identification could be marked by arrows, but description satisfactory. Highly recommandable.

Gute Informationen zu Afrikas Säugetiere. Als Bestimmungsbuch vor Ort vielleicht ein wenig zu groß.