Connecticut Wildlife: Biodiversity, Natural History and Conservation

Rating:
Summary: A lot of info for a little state
Review: This is a great reference book for Connecticut wildlife, from deer to aphids, and trees to lichens.

Many of the entries are written in a conversational tone, with the author sharing his experiences with that species in Connecticut. He will say something like, "I have often seen this species breeding in shallow pools of Milford in April" or "This species is limited to the traprock ridges of central Connecticut". That is what makes this book different from so many other reference books out there.

The book is not necessarily an identification key, although it would certainly be helpful when trying to identify a species. It is more a description of the species found in the state and how they live. That is certainly handy when all you've got is a guide for, say, trees of North America and many of the trees shown do not even live in Connecticut. Here you would find out that Chinquapin oak or yellow oak are rare on limestone ridges and ledges in western Connecticut, that scarlet oak is shade intolerant, and black oak is typical of dry, sandy soils.

There is also general information about wildlife and the many types of ecosystems found in Connecticut. You can use this book to learn about vernal pools, salt-marshes, or the Connecticut River. There is a discussion about how insects tolerate being frozen and another on how galls are made.

There are a lot of pictures in the book, but there is not a picture of each species listed, which I think is a drawback.

Entries are organized by biological classification, for example, 'segmented worms', with a brief introduction of that group.