Bobcat: Master of Survival

by Kevin Hansen

Master of Survival tells the story of the most adaptable and resilient wild feline in the world. While half the wild cat species worldwide are in danger, the bobcat is thriving, even expanding its range in North America. Why are bobcats flourishing when so many other wild felines are advancing towards extinction? The book explains how scientists apply the latest in wildlife research technology to probe this diminutive predator's habits and behavior. The reader is invited inside the bobcat's world to see how they hunt, kill prey, raise their young, coexist with humans, and deftly navigate the endless obstacles to survival.

The bobcat is both the most studied and the most exploited wild feline in the world. Millions have been killed for the fur trade. They were the focus of major controversy in the 1970s that transformed international conservation of wild felines. The book discusses how economics and politics play a far greater role in bobcat management and conservation than does science. Bobcat is the most comprehensive and up-to-date book on the natural history and management of bobcats to appear in 40 years.

Genres: Natural History, Nature

Hardcover

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a lot of books about wildlife and unfortunately (for me) in this book, I learned less about the actual lives of the bobcats and more about the cause and effects of our impact on the animal throughout history. The author mentions several times in passing that a lot of research on the cat is still incomplete because of the cat's elusive and furtive nature. Though that explanation was totally understandable, I just didn't think that I had a better grasp of what a bobcat actually was before and after finishing the book with the data that was provided. Perhaps my expectations for the book was too high, which led me to my three out of five stars.

[Tom M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book for the general public. BOBCAT is an in-depth study of bobcats done with numerous scientific references and goes into far more detail on many subjects than a standard trade book would. If you are a true bobcat lover, reading so much varied information about the species will be a treat. If not, or even if you're indifferent to the bobcat, you'd be best skipping this book.