The First Edition of "The Mammals of Virginia" (1998) was the first book on the subject and scope of Virginias mammals to have appeared in more than fifty years and, as such, was a major contribution to the literature on Virginia mammals. Twenty-three years later, the Second Edition presents the very latest and updated research on the subject. An Introduction discusses the general characteristics of mammals and their classification. This is followed by a detailed history of mammal investigations in Virginia beginning in 1585 and a discussion of Virginias five physiographic provinces. Individual species accounts have been prepared for each of the 122 species of mammals currently or previously inhabiting the state. Accounts of several new species that were not found in Virginia in 1998 are included. Each account includes a description of the animal, its distribution (including updated national and statewide range maps), habitat, habits, food, reproduction and development, longevity, pelage variations, parasites and diseases, predation, geographic variation, and the location of all known specimens in museum, college, university, or private collections. Some topics specific to one or more species such as white-nose syndrome, hibernation, rabies, and introductions (both successful and unsuccessful) are discussed where appropriate.

Each species account includes a colour photograph and an artists rendering of the skull (dorsal, ventral and lateral views). Diagnostic keys are provided to Orders, Families, Genera and species. A new chapter entitled What May the Future Hold for Virginias Mammals? discusses natural and human-induced changes including urbanisation, climate change, effects of non-native mammals and plants, habitat restoration, wind turbines, pesticides, mining, transmission lines and pipelines. Appendices include a Checklist of Mammals of Virginia, Mammals Whose Type Localities Are In Virginia, Federal and State Endangered and Threatened Mammals, a Glossary, and Credits for Colour Plates. The book concludes with a Bibliography of over 4,400 references, including over 3,600 references to Virginia mammals, the most extensive compilation of bibliographic references ever assembled for Virginia mammals. The Second Edition of The Mammals of Virginia is a valuable resource for everyone -- researchers, students, professors, librarians, federal and state biologists, naturalists, and others -- with an interest in the mammals of Virginia and surrounding states.