John James Audubon's last major accomplishment was the creation of 150 drawings of North American animals. Having depicted all the known birds of North America, but still lured by his love of nature and art, he embarked on a final drawing expedition up the Missouri River in the summer of 1843. With the aid of his son, John Woodhouse Audubon, he created the first attempt ever to document and depict all the mammals of North America.

Produced from 1845 through 1848 by the distinguished Philadelphia printmaker, J.T. Bowen, the black and white lithographs were completely hand colored. Lithography proved an excellent medium for depicting the tactile realism of the mammals' fur. These prints were produced in Imperial Folio size, measuring 22 inches by 28 inches.