In this first-ever landmark study of New Mexico's wild carnivores, Jean-Luc E. Cartron and Jennifer K. Frey have assembled a team of leading southwestern biologists to explore the animals and the major issues that shape their continued presence in the state and region. The book includes discussions on habitat, evolving or altered ecosystems, and new discoveries about animal behavior and range, and it also provides details on the distribution, habitat associations, life history, population status, management, and conservation needs of individual carnivore species in New Mexico.Like Cartron's award-winning Raptors of New Mexico, Wild Carnivores of New Mexico shares the same emphasis on scientific rigor and thoroughness, high readability, and visual appeal. Each chapter is illustrated with numerous color photographs to help readers visualize unique morphological or life-history traits, habitat, research techniques, and management and conservation issues.

Foreword Don E. WilsonPrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroductionAbbreviationsCarnivore MorphologyMapsPART I: Introductory ChaptersChapter One. Carnivores in the Ice Age of New Mexico Arthur H. HarrisChapter Two. Vegetation, Fire Ecology, and Climate of New Mexico's Ecosystems F. Jack Triepke and Timothy K. LowreyChapter Three. Predator Damage Management in New Mexico J. Alan May and Stewart BreckChapter Four. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and Carnivore Management Elise GoldsteinChapter Five. Future Climate-driven Impacts and the Conservation of Carnivores in New Mexico Jean-Luc E. Cartron, F. Jack Triepke, David S. Gutzler, Kassidy M. Steckbeck, and Kenneth C. CalhounPART II: Species AccountsChapter Six. Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis) Jacob S. IvanChapter Seven. Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Robert L. Harrison and Jean-Luc E. CartronChapter Eight. Jaguar (Panthera onca) James N. Stuart and Charles L. Hayes IVChapter Nine. Cougar (Puma concolor) Kenneth A. Logan and Linda L. SweanorChapter Ten. Coyote (Canis latrans) Jean-Luc E. Cartron and Eric M. GeseChapter Eleven. Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) John K. Oakleaf, Phillip S. Gipson, Colby M. Gardner, Stewart Breck, and Tracy MelbihessChapter Twelve. Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) Matthew J. Gould, Jean-Luc E. Cartron, and Gary W. RoemerChapter Thirteen. Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis) Jonathan L. Dunnum and Joseph A. CookChapter Fourteen. Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) Robert L. Harrison, Jean-Luc E. Cartron, and Jonathan L. DunnumChapter Fifteen. North American Red Fox (Vulpes fulva) Jennifer K. Frey, Matthew E. Gompper, and Jean-Luc E. CartronChapter Sixteen. Black Bear (Ursus americanus) Cecily M. CostelloChapter Seventeen. Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) David E. Brown, Matthew J. Gould, and Jean-Luc E. CartronChapter Eighteen. Wolverine (Gulo gulo) Jennifer K. FreyChapter Nineteen. Northern River Otter (Lontra canadensis) Melissa Savage and James N. StuartChapter Twenty. Pacific Marten (Martes caurina) James N. Stuart and Brian J. LongChapter Twenty-One. American Ermine (Mustela richardsonii) Jennifer K. FreyChapter Twenty-Two. Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) Dustin H. Long and James N. StuartChapter Twenty-Three. Long-tailed Weasel (Neogale frenata) Jennifer K. FreyChapter Twenty-Four. American Mink (Neogale vison) Jennifer K. FreyChapter Twenty-Five. American Badger (Taxidea taxus) Robert L. Harrison and Jean-Luc E. CartronChapter Twenty-Six. White-backed Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus) Jerry W. Dragoo and Christine C. HassChapter Twenty-Seven. Hooded Skunk (Mephitis macroura) Christine C. Hass and Jerry W. DragooChapter Twenty-Eight. Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) Christine C. Hass and Jerry W. DragooChapter Twenty-Nine. Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis) and Rio Grande Spotted Skunk (S. leucoparia) Jerry W. Dragoo and Christine C. HassChapter Thirty. Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) Robert C. Lonsinger and Gary W. RoemerChapter Thirty-One. White-nosed Coati (Nasua narica) Jennifer K. Frey and Christine C. HassChapter Thirty-Two. Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Jean-Luc E. CartronChapter Thirty-Three. Free-ranging and Feral Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris) and Domestic Cat (Felis catus) David L. Bergman and Scott C. BenderAppendicesGlossaryCombined Publication Record of Contributing Authors on Topics or Species Presented in Their Respective Chapters