Mammals of the Rocky Mountains

Synopsis

This fascinating and readable textbook describes these mammals in detail-what they look like, what they eat, where they live, what they like to do. Since otters intrigue me, here's a sample from the pages about them. Northern River Otter Lontra canadensis It may seem to be too good to be true, but all those playful characterizations of the Northern River Otter are founded on truth. Otters often amuse themselves by rolling about, sliding, diving or "body surfing," and they may also push and balance floating sticks with their noses or drop and retrieve pebbles for minutes at a time. They seem particularly interested in playing on slippery surfaces-they leap onto the snow or mud with their forelegs folded close to their bodies for a streamlined toboggan ride. Unlike most members of the weasel family, river otters are social animals, and they will frolic together in the water and take turns sliding down banks. With their streamlined bodies, rudder-like tails, webbed toes and valved ears and nostrils, river otters are well adapted for aquatic habitats. Even when they emerge from the water to clamber over rocks, there is a serpentine appearance to their progression. The large amounts of playtime they seem to have results from their efficiency at catching prey when it is plentiful. Although otters generally cruise along slowly in the water by paddling with all four feet, they can sprint after prey with the ease of a seal whenever hunger strikes. When an otter swims quickly, it chiefly propels itself with vertical undulations of its body, hindlegs and tail. Otters can hold their breath for as long as five minutes, and, if so inclined, they could swim the breadth of a small lake without surfacing. ... In the past, the Northern River Otter's thick, beautiful, durable fur led to excessive hunting. This file should make an excellent embossed braille copy.

Copyright:

2000

Book Details

Book Quality:

Excellent

Book Size:

250 Pages

ISBN-13:

9781551052113

Publisher:

N/A

Date of Addition:

05/21/04

Copyrighted By:

Lone Pine Publishing

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

History, Nonfiction, Science, Animals, Outdoors and Nature

Submitted By:

Charles (Ed) Milburn

Proofread By:

Lena

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.