| Preface | v |
| 1 Bones into stones | 1 |
| 2 Mammals as animals | 11 |
| 3 Bones and teeth | 17 |
| 4 Reptiles into mammals | 25 |
| 5 Insectivores | 44 |
| 6 Carnivores | 62 |
| 7 Paddlers and swimmers | 86 |
| 8 Gliders and fliers | 104 |
| 9 Gnawers | 113 |
| 10 Early rooters and browsers | 130 |
| 11 Mammals on island continents | 160 |
| 12 Hoofed herbivores | 188 |
| 13 Of men and monkeys | 236 |
| Glossary | 249 |
| Further reading | 251 |
| Index | 255 |