by Halsey Berryman Pests and so-called nuisance animals get a bad rapbut each and every one of them serves a purpose in their ecosystem. Learn how helpful, intelligent, and fascinating these creatures can be in this lushly illustrated exploration of North American wildlife.Armadillos dig holes in backyards, but did you know that they also consume many troublesome species like fire ants, yellowjackets, and cockroaches? Or that prairie dog burrows provide other animals with much needed shelter? From the deserts of the Southwest to the city streets of the East Coast,Pests & Other Friendscelebrates the unique ways in which these underappreciated animals benefit their individual environments.Halsey Berrymans beautifully detailed, whimsical artwork captures the distinctive traits of these regularly slandered critters, ensuring youll never look at pigeons, skunks, or alligators the same way again.