A Field Guide to the Mammals of Borneo
By Junaidi Payne & Charles M. Francis – (2007: 4th reprint)
332 pages; matt art paper, with 2 monochrome photos, 361 colour and 2 monochrome illustrations on 60 plates, 44 monochrome plates & 5 maps.
Soft Cover: 20.4cm x 13cm.
ISBN: 967-99947-1-6
The Sabah Society Kota Kinabalu
This marvelous book first came into print in 1985 and has been a best seller in its field ever since. It is now in its 4th reprint and still the essential guide to the ‘Mammals of Borneo’. It is very well researched and covers all 221 species of land and sea mammal known to Borneo and surrounding islands.
The introduction and opening pages deal with history, forest types, mammal diversity, species numbers and classification orders, distribution, explanation of body parts, study methods, geography and forest types, conservation and the serious human induced threats to the longevity of Borneo’s mammals and forests, locations to observe mammals and a list of selected designated parks and reserves. This is followed by the magnificently illustrated colour plates (by Karen Phillipps) of the mammal species before the text descriptions and systematics of each species. The text for the species following the plates takes up the remainder of the book. The mammals are grouped in orders, then families then genus.
Each species has its common name, scientific name, body measurements, identifying description, comparison with similar species, behavior, feeding ecology and habitat. The notes on distribution are both global and local with detail on some specific locations within Borneo. The monochrome plates at the back of the book are the tracks (foot/hoof prints) of numerous mammals, with 1-7 species per plate.
As already mentioned, this is a great book and the essential reference to the mammals of Borneo. It has been produced so anyone can understand and use it for both the professional biologist and the general public alike. This excellent book is light weight and compact in size, hence providing great company to read on the plane while travelling to Borneo and also easy to carry and use while in the field.
Rod Rice
Principal Reviewer
Nature & Travel Books