These are Vladimir Dinet's choices for the "50 best mammals in the world" using the same general criteria set out in my BEST BIRDS IN THE WORLD. Vladimir is a widely traveled naturalist whose foremost passion is mammals (photo, right, in the Godi Desert). He has his own fabulous web site with many stories of his adventures around the world, liberally illustrated with his own photos.

1. Blue whale (widespread): "#1 only with underwater view," says Vladimir
2. Snow leopard (Asia)
3. any Gorilla (Africa)
4. Giant panda (China)
5. Killer whale (widespread)
6. Wild camel (China, Mongolia)
7. Polar bear (Arctic)
8. Giant anteater (Neotropics)
9. Narwhal (widespread)
10. Sumatran rhino (SE Asia)
11. Jaguar (Neotropics)
12. Okapi (Congo-Kinshasha)
13. Marsupial mole (Australia)
14. Aye-aye (Madagascar)
15. Dugong (widespread)
16. Clouded leopard (SE Asia)
17. Mountain beaver (US, Canada)
18. Sao la (Vietnam, Laos)
19. Chinese river dolphin (China)
20. any golden cat (Asia, Africa)
21. any solenodon (Cuba, Espaniola)
22. Fossa (Madagascar)
23. Pygmy chimp or Bonobo (Congo-Kinshasa)
24. Tasmanian devil (Tasmania)
25. Wolverine (widespread Holarctic)
26. any Mesoplodon beaked whale (widespread oceans)
27. Takin (Asia)
28. any striped rabbit (SE Asia)
29. Starnose mole (US, Canada)
30. Maned wolf (Neotropics)
31. Chiru (China)
32. Monte opossum (Chile)
33. Ribbon seal (Russia, Alaska)
34. African wild ass (Ethiopia)
35. Naked bat (SE Asia)
36. Golden monkey (China)
37. Pallas' cat (Asia)
38. Mountain tapir (Andes)
39. Long-eared jerboa (China, Mongolia)
40. Russian desman (Russia, Ukraine)
41. Pygmy marmozet (Amazon Basin)
42. Spectacled bear (Andes)
43. any Crateromys cloud rat (Philippines)
44. Franciscana (Argentina, Uruguay)
45. Giant otter shrew (Africa)
46. Ross' seal (Antarctica)
47. New Zealand bat (New Zealand)
48. Andean cat (Andes)
49. Golden potto (Africa)
50. any pudu (Andes)

Or return to the "top 30" intro:

• the photo of Vladmir Dinets is from his web site