The Golden State is blessed with a diversity of wildlife unrivaled anywhere on Earth. From coastal tidepools to high desert, and from mountain forests to fertile valleys, the ecosystems of California teem with a vast array of species. This encyclopedic guide, written by Tom Stienstra in collaboration with the California Department of Fish and Game, profiles over 100 animals, from the formidable black bear and majestic gray whale to river otters, bald eagles, and great horned owls. The guideis cross-referenced and has been reviewed for accuracy by professional biologists.