This world-renowned text describes the anatomy of the major structural and behavioral groups of vertebrate animals, interpreting their form in terms of evolution and adaptation to habit and habitat. The presentation is sound and solid yet not so long and detailed as to overwhelm students. Designed for use in a one-term course in the structural analysis of vertebrates.

Milton Hildebrand is extremely well known in the field especially for his collection of specimens that are now housed at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at UC Berkeley. The chapter opening photos in the text are of these specimens from the collection. The photographs were taken by a National Geographic photographer.