The natural history of weasels and stoats: ecology, behavior, and management.

New York: Oxford University Press, (2006 second revised edition).
Hardback 496 pp. illustrations.

This title is not held in stock but we are happy to supply on special order. Please contact us. By the 1960s, scientists had begun to study the biology of weasels with the advantages of modern theory and equipment. This book brings together observations for the traditional naturalist and measurements and interpretations for modern scientists. It also provides a summary of the advances over the past years in our knowledge of these animals., Field naturalists have observed the activities of weasels for centuries. Their descriptions were often accurate but sometimes misinterpreted the animals' behaviors and underlying explanations for those behaviors. "Organized natural history" became one of the roots of the science of ecology in the 1920s, and by the 1960s, scientists had begun to study the biology of weasels with all the critical, objective advantages of modern theory and equipment. Until the first edition of this book appeared in 1989, no one had attempted to explain these results to non-specialist naturalists. Now thoroughly revised, this book will continue to be the main one-stop reference for professionals. But both kinds of knowledge are brought together here - observations for the traditional naturalist and rigorous measurements and interpretations for modern scientists, integrated into a single, readable account. This new edition provides a comprehensive summary of the extensive advances over the last 15 years in our knowledge of these fascinating animals. A new U.S. based co-author reshapes the content to be more U.S. centric., Stories about North America trappers and backwoodsmen interacting with weasels replace some (not all) of the previous stories about English gamekeepers. These changes permeate the book, so readers familiar with the first edition will recognize some material, but will find a lot that is new. Much less reliable European information quoted in the first edition was there at the time when no better information was available. Now a new NZ chapter focuses on predation problems of the species introduced to that country. This edition is much more than a simple update, is now truly an international treatment and a more valuable resource.