Jacobus du P. Bothma

The African savannas are rich in wildlife. Yet they are also increasingly threatened by expanding human populations. The interrelationship between vast prey herds and their predator offers fascinating insights into the world of African wildlife. Moreover, the larger carnivores are sensitive measures of environmental quality and serve as early warning systems to environmental degradation. The book presents the ecology of all African carnivores that are larger than jackals in an ordered and scientific way. It is augmented by many colour photographs taken by both authors, and excellent sketches by the internationally renowned wildlife artist Clive Walker, depicting the life and habitat of these carnivores.

Arid lands require that organisms inhabiting them be well-adapted to thrive or even just to survive. This book provides a review of the ecological adaptations - be they behavioural, physiological or morphological - of carnivores to arid environments. Following a general introduction into aridity and arid lands in Africa, the major carnivore families are presented. Ecological adaptations of carnivores in arid lands reveal the amplitude and resilience of the ecology of these animals. In setting up conservation measures, the nature and extent of such adaptations are important facets in determining the effective area and degree of heterogeneity required as habitat by a carnivore population so as to produce a viable unit.

Arid lands require that organisms inhabiting them be well-adapted to thrive or even just to survive. This book provides a review of the ecological adaptations - be they behavioural, physiological or morphological - of carnivores to arid environments. Following a general introduction into aridity and arid lands in Africa, the major carnivore families are presented. Ecological adaptations of carnivores in arid lands reveal the amplitude and resilience of the ecology of these animals. In setting up conservation measures, the nature and extent of such adaptations are important facets in determining the effective area and degree of heterogeneity required as habitat by a carnivore population so as to produce a viable unit.