Raccoons: A Natural History (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781588340337)

The word raccoon is drawn from the Native American Algonquian language. Their term arakun roughly translates to "he who scratches with his hands." Anyone who has found a raccoon rummaging around in a once securely closed trash container can attest to how skillful raccoons are with their front paws. In fact, they have four times as many sensory receptors in their forepaw skin as they do in their hindpaws, a ratio similar to that of human hands and feet. Samuel Zeveloff explores this trait and much more in his accessible natural history of raccoons.

Written with the general reader in mind, Raccoons presents detailed information on raccoon evolution, physical characteristics, social behavior, habitats, food habits, reproduction, and conservation, as well as their relationship with humans and many other topics. The section on distribution and subspecies focuses on the raccoon's current range expansion, and the material on their cultural significance demonstrates this mammal's unique status in different North American cultures.

Author: Samuel I. Zeveloff
ISBN-10: 1588340333
ISBN-13: 9781588340337
Publisher: Smithsonian Books
Language: English
Published: 02/17/2002
Pages: 208
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.64lbs
Size: 9.06h x 6.00w x 0.56d

Review Citation(s):
Univ PR Books for Public Libry 01/01/2003 pg. 53 - Strongly Recommended