In the wake of the dinosaurs’ extinction, a fascinating new era emerged — the age of mammals. Dive into this captivating world with "Prehistoric World: Over 1,200 Incredible Mammals and Discoveries from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic," a groundbreaking book by Aaron Woodruff, the collection manager for vertebrate paleontology at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Accompanied by stunning illustrations from renowned paleoartist Julius Csotonyi, this book is set to spark your imagination and reignite your love for prehistoric life.

Woodruff meticulously profiles a variety of warm-blooded species that flourished once the dinosaurs disappeared. Want to know the secrets of their diets, habitats, and behaviors? This book uncovers it all! While popular species like woolly mammoths and saber-toothed cats grace the pages, it also introduces lesser-known discoveries that will leave readers intrigued.

"Bear-dogs are some of my personal favorite carnivores," Woodruff reveals. Long before the rise of large felines, these ancient predators dominated the Northern Hemisphere and Africa. The text further highlights the impressive prehistoric mustelids, ancestral relatives of modern weasels, badgers, and wolverines, which were significantly larger than today’s versions. Imagine creatures the size of wolves and jaguars hunting animals as large as deer and horses!

The collaborative efforts between Woodruff and Csotonyi breathe life into this long-gone world. "The way [Csotonyi] brought these animals to life was really good," Woodruff comments. His passion reflects through his diligent process over seven months spent researching and writing, all while juggling his full-time role at the museum. The cherry on top? He completed the book on his birthday!

From his childhood fascination with dinosaurs to reconstructing his own illustrated books, Woodruff’s journey is awe-inspiring. Even for lesser-known species lacking extensive documentation, Woodruff utilized Greek and Latin dictionaries to decode meanings and assigned common names based on scientific nomenclature. For instance, the extinct cat Miopanthera lorteti becomes Lortet's cat, while Tremarctos floridanus is affectionately known as the Florida spectacled bear.

Remarkably, paleontologists often rely on fragments, with isolated teeth being key to piecing together the life stories of these extinct mammals. "For a lot of extinct mammals, all we have are just isolated teeth," he explains, pointing out that even such little evidence can inform us about an animal's diet, age, and even sex.

Fans of the majestic world of ancient animals, hold on to your hats! While "Prehistoric World" is officially marketed to children, it promises to captivate enthusiasts of all ages. Woodruff's ultimate hope? That readers will walk away with a newfound appreciation for both prehistoric mammals and their modern descendants.

Don’t miss your chance to explore the incredible diversity of ancient life. Grab your copy of "Prehistoric World" and embark on an unforgettable journey through time!