Skullduggery: (Quick ID guide to southern and East African mammal skulls), Chris and Mathilde Stuart, Penguin Random House, ISBN: 9781 7758 47267
WHILE it may be short, the guide is highly informative and the trusted authors, Chris and Mathilde Stuart, quite literally turn the subject of mammal ID on its head.
The identification of mammal skulls is the subject of this latest addition to the quirky series and covers the most common skulls likely to be encountered in the wild – from easily recognisable species such as elephant, hippo, rhino and baboons to the more challenging family groups such as hyaenas, civets, mongooses, rabbits and squirrels.
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Each entry features close-up photographs that show the entire skull, the teeth and, where available, upper and lower jaws. There are pointers to diagnostic features, an average measurement for each skull length is show, there is a short descriptor that highlights the main features of each skull and tooth structure and a dental formula for teeth in the upper and lower jaws.
There is a quick-reference photographic key to the main animal groups on the inside front cover and readers can also expect to find a brief introduction, with labelled photographs, that covers the anatomy as well as dentition.
It is best described as an ideal companion to mammal field guides and will appeal to rangers, safari guides and nature lovers who want to deepen their understanding of life in the bush.
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