A Northern Pocket Gopher can dig an amazing half a metre of tunnel through compacted clay soil in just 15 minutes. North American Beavers, along with humans, are the only mammals whose impact on their environment is so massive that it can be clearly seen with the naked eye from outer space. And there really are Narwhals – the single-tusked mammals that likely inspired the unicorn legend – living in the waters surrounding Greenland.

Learning about any of these mammals on their own brings out fascinating traits and stories. But when considered alongside the entire mammal population of Canada – from the tiny Olive-Backed Pocket Mouse to the enormous Killer Whale, and the Arctic-dwelling Polar Bear to the more southerly Red Bat – a spectacular portrait emerges of the diversity and beauty of Canada’s animal life.

The Natural History of Canadian Mammals is a beautifully illustrated, up-to-date guide to all 215 known species of mammals in Canada. It features brand-new, full-colour images of each species, as well as stunning photographs from Canadian Geographic magazine’s national photography competitions depicting the animals in their natural environments.

Along with being a visual treat, this book is jam-packed with information accessible to readers at all levels. Detailed descriptions are provided of each mammal’s appearance, habitat, and behavior, while colour maps show their full distribution across Canada, North America, and globally. The book also includes practical guides on tracking and identification for readers who would like to learn how to spot mammals in the wild. Among its most special features is a series of colour plates with vignettes of the Canadian representatives of each group, sized relative to one another for easy comparison and linked to the full species accounts later in the book.

Comprehensive and immensely valuable, The Natural History of Canadian Mammals will become a treasured companion for scientific researchers, animal lovers, and all those wishing to gain a greater appreciation of Canada’s natural wonders. The Canadian Museum of Nature, Canada’s national natural history museum, continues to author these wonderful books in its goal to inspire a greater understanding of the natural environment.

Donna Naughton, a biologist at the Canadian Museum of Nature,  has collected, illustrated, photographed, and studied mammals for over thirty years. She has been a principal contributor to Mammals: An Explore Your World Handbook and the Handbook of Canadian Mammals series.

Donna Naughton's profile page

Kathy Conlan is a marine biologist with the Canadian Museum of Nature. She lives in Ottawa, Ontario.

Canadian Museum of Nature's profile page

• Winner, Outstanding Rated Title awarded by the University Press Books Committee
• Winner, First Place, Reference Category - New York Book Show
• Short-listed, 2013 Ottawa Book Awards – Non-Fiction category
• Winner, Library Journal Best Reference of 2013 - Sciences
• Winner, ALA - Best of the Best from the University Presses for Public and Secondary School Libraries
• Commended, PROSE Award - Single Volume Reference/Science awarded by Association of American Publishers

“The Natural History of Canadian Mammals tells this country’s story in lively ways that are unexpectedly wonderful and warm-blooded.”

The National Post(January 4, 2013)

‘This glossy-paged comprehensive, stunningly illustrated, updated volume of The Natural History of Canadian Mammals is not just extensive, extremely informative and easy to use, but it can be read and enjoyed by readers all over the planet from inquisitive middle school students and interested adults, to the scientific community.’

American Association of School Librarians

“Naughton writes with the clarity required for a general audience, keeping her language understandable for people without scientific backgrounds.”

Canadian Geographic (December, 2012)

‘The loving work of over a decade, this encyclopedia commands respect and offers the old fashioned security that at any moment I can look up any Canadian mammal.’

Canada's History, Aug-Sept 2013

“The Natural History of Canadian Mammals is a magnificent work”

Kemptville EMC (Dec 13, 2012)

‘A wonderful work by Donna Naughton…In reviewing other published works on the subject there is nothing comparable to The Natural History of Canadian Mammals…I highly recommend this book, it is and indispensable contribution to mammalian literature.’

Reference Reviews - vol 28:01:2014

‘An engaging, beautiful, useful text that while heavier and bulkier than a smart phone, is infinitely more fun to use, taking its readers down a rabbit hole of other worldliness. From one page to the next Naughton’s book is guaranteed to surprise readers… I recommend this book to the widest audience possible – BC Studies readers and beyond – in hopes that it might stir in readers an awe for nonhuman life as deep as Naughton’s.’

BC Studies April 2013 (online)