The encyclopedia of deer Your guide to the world's deer species including whitetails, mule deer, caribou, elk, moose, and more

This comprehensive volume uses a combination of text and color photographs to introduce the world's variety of deer species. Noted wildlife photographer and naturalist Rue (Deer of North America) identifies and photographs 46 species, including moose, caribou, and wapiti/elk. Each species has its own entry describing range, physical appearance, preferred habitat, feeding habits, social structure, birth and raising of the young, life expectancy, communication, natural enemies, and relationship to humans. The entries vary in length, depending on how much is known about the species and how widespread it is. For example, the adaptable white-tailed deer is found throughout the Americas, having the largest range of all species and living under the most diverse conditions. In contrast, the Pere David's Deer lives solely in captive herds, and the tiny Pudu Deer exists only in mountainous regions in five South American countries. The book could be enjoyed for its photographs alone (also contributed by Rue's wife and son); the well-written and informative text and reasonable price make it an even more practical purchase. While there are several books on individual species or specific locations, Rue's work seems unique in its global approach. Most similar is Valerius Geist's Deer of the World, which has a slightly more scientific perspective. Recommended for collections needing an updated volume on deer.-Deborah Emerson, Rochester Regional Lib. Council, Fairport, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.