Critters of Michigan: Pocket Guide to Animals in Your State (Wildlife Pocket Guides for Kids) - Softcover

Troutman, Alex

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1647553512 ISBN 13: 9781647553517

Publisher: Adventure Publications, 2023

Synopsis

Get the perfect kids’ introduction to Michigan’s mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Put nature in the hands of children! Critters of Michigan is your wildlife pocket guide that’s informative, concise, and easy to use. Written by wildlife biologist and debut author Alex Troutman, this handy book presents 63 critters of the Great Lake State—if an animal is in this book, it’s found in Michigan.

Each species is showcased in a professional-quality photograph that’s paired with such neat-to-know details as habitat, range, and preferred food sources. Illustrations of the critter’s tracks complement the information, and a “Did You Know?” paragraph provides fascinating trivia worth sharing with family, friends, and teachers. Critters of Michigan includes important-to-know mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Book Features:

• 63 critters—only Michigan animals
• Full-color photos of every species
• Concise descriptions and interesting “Did You Know?” facts
• Attractive layout with kid appeal

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book benefits Wildlife Forever to support their conservation efforts.

About this title

About the Author

Alex Troutman is a wildlife biologist, birder, nature enthusiast, and science communicator from Austell, Georgia. He has a passion for sharing the wonders of nature and introducing the younger generation to the outdoors. He holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in biology from Georgia Southern University (the Real GSU), with a focus in conservation. Because he knows what it feels like to not see individuals who look like you, or come from a similar background, doing the things you enjoy or working in the career that you aspire to be in, Alex makes a point not only to be that representation for the younger generation but also to make sure that kids have exposure to the careers they are interested in and the diverse scientists working in those careers.

Alex is the co-organizer of several Black in X weeks, including Black Birders Week, Black Mammologists Week, and Black in Marine Science Week. This movement encourages diversity in nature, the celebration of Black individual scientists, awareness of Black nature enthusiasts, and diversity in STEAM fields.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Black Bear
Ursus americanus

Size: 5–6 feet long (nose to tail); weighs 200–600 pounds; males are usually larger than females

Habitat: Forests, lowland areas, and swamps

Range: In Michigan, they can be found throughout the state. In the Upper Peninsula area of the state, the population is rapidly increasing.

Food: Berries, fish, seeded crops, small mammals, wild grapes, tree shoots, ants, bees, beavers, and even deer fawns

Den: Denning usually starts in December, with bears emerging in late March or April. Dens can be either dug (out of a hillside, for example) or constructed with materials such as leaves, grass, and moss.

Young: Two cubs are usually born at one time (a litter) from August to November. Cubs are born furless and blind, with pink skin. They are often born in January and weigh 8–16 ounces.

Predators: Humans and other bears. Sometimes, other carnivores, such as wolves, coyotes, or even bobcats, will prey on Black Bears. Cubs are especially vulnerable.

Tracks: Front print is usually 4–6 inches long and 3.5–5 inches wide, with the hind foot being 6–7 inches long and 3.5–5 inches wide. Both feet have five toes.

Black Bears are usually black in color, but they can be many different variations of black and brown. Some even have grayish, reddish, or blonde fur.

Did you know?

Female bears weigh between 90 and 300 pounds and are smaller than the average adult human male in the US. But don’t let their small size fool you; with a bite force around 800 pounds per square inch (PSI) and swiping force of over 400 pounds, these bears are not to be taken lightly.

Edition details

• Publisher: Adventure Publications
• Publication date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1647553512
• ISBN 13: 9781647553517
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 144