Pests & Other Friends

Celebrate the often maligned pests who populate our world in this cheerfully illustrated compendium of the world's most misunderstood animals. Pests and so-called nuisance animals get a bad rap, but each and every one of them serves a purpose in our ecosystem. In Pests and Other Friends, you will learn how helpful, fascinating, and hilarious these creatures can be. This book explores regions across North America, highlighting specific ecosystems and the animals that draw the ire of the people who live there. From the armadillos in the American Southwest digging holes in backyards, to the sandhill cranes across the Great Plains dining on farmers' crops, you'll learn all about these creatures' troublemaking behaviors as well as their benefits to their ecosystems. By delving into the history and diet of each species and the reasons they are considered pests, you'll never look at pigeons, skunks, or groundhogs in the same way. Mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and the only marsupial in North America, the Virginia opossum, can all be found within these pages. Hopefully, you will be able to appreciate them for what they do for us despite getting into our garbage cans, gardens, and attics.