Semi-aquatic mammals are some of the rarest and most endangered mammals on earth. What binds them together in the minds of biologists, despite their diverse taxa and body forms, are evolutionary traits that allow them to succeed in two worlds'spending some time on land and some in the water. Semi-aquatic Mammals fills a crucial void in the literature by highlighting the important ecological roles and curious biology of these remarkable animals.

In this unique book, wildlife ecologist Glynnis A. Hood presents the first comprehensive examination of a global suite of 140 freshwater semi-aquatic mammals. Each one has overcome the distinct ecological challenges of thriving in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats as part of everyday life. Covering millions of years, Hood's exploration begins with the extinct otter-like Buxolestes and extends to consider the geographical, physical, behavioral, and reproductive traits of its present-day counterparts.

Hood explains how semi-aquatic mammals are able to navigate a viscous environment with almost no resistance to heat loss, reveals how they maintain the physical skills necessary to avoid predation and counter a more thermally changeable environment, and describes the array of adaptations that facilitate success in their multifaceted habitats. She also addresses specific conservation challenges faced by these mammals.

Her analysis takes readers to the haunts of intriguing semi-aquatic mammals from around the world,

1. IntroductionWhat is a semi-aquatic mammal?The semi-aquatic mammals: The monotremes: The marsupials: The EutheriansFreshwater habitatsPART I: GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND HABITATS2. PALEOBIOLOGYPaleobiologyExtinct mammal-like semi-aquatic taxaExtinct mammalian ordersPaleobiology of extant orders: Order Monotremata (monotremes): Order Didelphimorphia (American marsupials): Order Afrosoricida (tenrecs and elephants): Order Proboscidea (elephants and extinct relatives): Order Lagomorpha (pikas, hares, and rabbits): Order Rodentia (rodents): Order Eulipotyphla (true shrews, desmans, and shrew-like moles): Order Carnivora: Order Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates): Infraorder Cetacea (whales and relatives)3. RANGING ACROSS THE CONTINENTSIntroduction to distributionsTypes of distributions and whyDistributions across broad zoogeographic realms: Afrotropical: Australian: Madagascan: Nearctic: Neotropical: Oceanian: Oriental: Palearctic: Panamanian: Sahara-Arabian: Sino-Japanese4. ECOLOGICAL NICHESEcological nicheSpecies interactionsSpecies as engineers: Burrows, channels, and trails: Lodges and nestsSpecial environments: Beavers: MuskratTemporal niche partitioningPART II: PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS5. MORPHOLOGYMorphological adaptationsBody mass and shapeIntegumentary system: Skin: Interdigital webbing: Fat: Hair: Exocrine glands: Claws, nails, and hooves: Nerves and sensory organsAxial and appendicular skeletonMuscle6. PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONSWater as a mediumBasic physiology of semi-aquatic mammals: Temperature regulation: Body size: Metabolism: Regional heterothermy: Thermogenesis: Oxygen exchange and energetics: Energy intake and digestionNeurobiology7. LOCOMOTION AND BUOYANCYMoving through waterGeneral physical characteristics: Limb and tail modificationsBuoyancy and stabilitySwimming modes8. THE PREDATORSTypes of predationForaging strategies: Foraging theory: Caching and hoardingForaging nichesCarnivorous mammals: Carnivores: Crustacivore/clam-eater: Insectivore/omnivores: Piscivore/squid-eaterHerbivores: Herbivore/browser: Herbivore/grazer: Herbivore/frugivore: Frugivore/granivore: Frugivore/omnivore9. THE PREYNATURE OF PREDATIONOther forms of predation: Microparasites: MacroparasitesPredator detection and avoidance: Detection: Chemical: BehaviourSurviving predation: Intimidation: Flight: Fighting backPART IV: REPRODUCTION10. MATING AND OFFSPRINGReproductive biologyMating systemsSociality: Group living and associated breeding strategies: Solitary behavior: Delayed implantation: Parental care: Reproduction and conservationPART V: CONSERVATION CHALLENGES AND MANAGEMENT APPROACHES11. STATUS AND THREATSConservation: A backgroundStatus and trends: Extinct and Extinct in Wild category: Critically Endangered category: Endangered category: Vulnerable category: Near Threatened category: Least Concern category: Data Deficient category: Not evaluated categoryThreats: Human population growth: Habitat loss: Habitat degradation: Over-exploitation: Cultural perceptions of wildlife: Climate change: Synergistic effects: Future directions12. INTRODUCTIONS AND REINTRODUCTIONSTranslocationsIntroductions: North American beaver: Coypu: Muskrat: American minkReintroductions and assisted colonization: Platypus: Swamp rabbit: Marsh rabbit: North American beaver: Eurasian beaver: Russian desman: European mink: Eurasian otter: North American river otter: Marsh deer: Père David's deerConservation considerations13. MANAGEMENT APPROACHESPopulation recoveryHabitat protection and enhancement: Protected area management and aquatic connectivity: Freshwater and riparian habitat conservation and restoration: Invasive species managementEx-situ conservationResearch and monitoring: Emerging approachesLegal protections and enforcementWildlife conservation organizationsFuture considerationsAPPENDIXGLOSSARYREFERENCESINDEXABOUT THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR