Wild New Hampshire
Wildlife Myth-conceptions
Marilyn Wyzga, Wildlife Educator NH Fish & Game Department October 2002
Recommended Resources
Owls Aren't Wise and Bats Aren't Blind: A Naturalist Debunks Our Favorite Fallacies about Wildlife
Warner Shedd, Three Rivers Press, NY, 2000. ISBN 0-609-80797-8
Delightfully written by a Vermont naturalist, who gathered the information from a variety of sources including first-hand. Each chapter discusses a specific species or group, and starts off with a list of the common myths about them. Includes a wealth of natural history information, as well as anecdotes and stories. Beautifully illustrated. Amazon Barnes and Nobles
New England Wildlife: Habitat, Natural History and Distribution
Richard M. DeGraaf and Mariko Yamasaki, University Press of New England, Hanover, NH, 2001. ISBN 0-87451-957-8
A standard resource for wildlife in the region. Includes entries for all New England species of reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals, arranged by subheadings of distribution, food habits, status, habitat, breeding, etc. Each entry is accompanied by an illustration. The book also organizes the animals into habitat type matrices, with a description of each matrix. Amazon Barnes and Nobles
The Kids' Wildlife Book: Exploring Animal Worlds through Indoor/Outdoor Experiences
Warner Shedd, Williamson Publishing, Charlotte, VT, 1994. ISBN 0-913589-77-2
This is written for children, but can be used well in the classroom as a reference book. Includes mammals, birds and amphibians, mostly common to the northeast. Each entry describes the animal, dispels common myths, and includes activities kids can do to learn about the behaviors and adaptations of the animal. Amazon Barnes and Nobles
Wild Mammals of New England
Alfred J. Godin, DeLorme Publishing Co., Yarmouth, ME, 1977. ISBN 0-89933-012-6
This is one of the standard references on mammals use in the field. It includes an illustration of each animal with description, ecology, behavior and distribution. Godin groups animals by common behaviors such as gnawing animals" and "meat eaters". Cross-reference this information with more recent guides; some information may have since been updated. Amazon
Tracking and the Art of Seeing: How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign
Paul Rezendes, Camden House Publishing, Inc., Charlotte, VT, 1992. ISBN 0-944475-29-9
The focus is mammals. In addition to the tracking information, it includes natural history of each species or group, and anecdotal references about observed behaviors. Amazon Barnes and Nobles
Amphibians and Reptiles: Stokes Nature Guide Series
Thomas F. Tyning, Little, Brown and Company, Boston, 1990. ISBN 0-316-81713-9
My favorite reference on the subject. Tyning begins each chapter with a story of encountering the species in the wild. Thirty two species from around the country are covered, with information on how to recognize them, what behaviors to look for and observe, where to find them, a quick reference chart, and beautiful pencil illustration. Amazon Barnes and Nobles
