Wildlife: reptiles and amphibians: general interest Books

Book SynopsisThe first treatise to be published in thirty years on the 58 snakes found in eastern North America, Snakes of Eastern North America provides a current summary of the taxonomy, ecology, and behavior of each species.Trade ReviewErnst and Barbour have created a milestone publication that will be an indispensable reference for anyone interested in snakes. -- C. J. McCoy, Curator, Section of Amphibians and Reptiles, Carnegie Museum of Natural HistoryThe book is chock-full of information... -- Douglas A. Rossman, Louisiana State University...this is the most detailed single source on eastern US snakes since A.H. and A.A. Wright's Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada (1957)....The book is well written, authoritative, and accurate. Technical terms are abundant but mostreaders will easily comprehend the narrative. Highly recommended for all libraries. -- Douglas A. Rossman, Louisiana State University * CHOICE *...the authors are to be commended for their effort....all readers can get some valuable information from the book.... -- Douglas A. Rossman, Louisiana State University * The Canadian Field-Naturalist *...the accounts are authoritative and current. They are clearly written.... -- Douglas A. Rossman, Louisiana State University * American Reference Books Annual *Up-to-date...provides us with an appreciation for what is known about the biology of each species. This book is a must addition to the shelves of everyone interested in snakes....It will be a constant reference source and identification guide for those who study snakes or keep them as pets. -- Joseph C. Mitchell, Department of Biology, University of RichmondErnst and Barbour have created a milestone publication that will be an indispensable reference for anyone interested in snakes. -- C. J. McCoy, Curator, Section of Amphibians and Reptiles, Carnegie Museum of Natural HistoryThe book is chock-full of information... -- Douglas A. Rossman, Louisiana State University...this is the most detailed single source on eastern US snakes since A.H. and A.A. Wright's Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada (1957)....The book is well written, authoritative, and accurate. Technical terms are abundant but most readers will easily comprehend the narrative. Highly recommended for all libraries. -- Douglas A. Rossman, Louisiana State University * CHOICE *...the authors are to be commended for their effort....all readers can get some valuable information from the book.... -- Douglas A. Rossman, Louisiana State University * The Canadian Field-Naturalist *...the accounts are authoritative and current. They are clearly written.... -- Douglas A. Rossman, Louisiana State University * American Reference Books Annual *

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Book Synopsis"For families wanting to explore their local wildlife as well as an engaging read for those with a general interest in the subject.” —Booklist The American West is home to a wide array of reptiles and amphibians-from the rare and curious to those that can be found in parks and backyards. With this user-friendly guide in hand, discover the most likely-to-be-encountered lizards, snakes, turtles, and amphibians native to Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, plus the western parts of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. Whether you are a dedicated herper or simply have a keen interest in wildlife and natural history, Sea Turtles to Sidewinders—from Charles Hood, Erin Westeen, and Jose Gabriel Martfnez-Fonsec—will help you appreciate and celebrate the amazing diversity represented by reptiles and amphibians of the West.

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Book SynopsisThe second edition of the Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Illinois offers up-to-date information on the state's 102 species of frogs and toads, salamanders, turtles, lizards, and snakes. Detailed descriptions by the authors include habitats, distinguishing features, behaviors, and other facts, while revised range maps and full-color photographs help users recognize animals in the field. In addition, an identification key and easy-to-navigate page layouts guide readers through extensive background material on each species' population, diet, predators, reproduction, and conservation status. A one-of-a-kind resource, the Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Illinois is a definitive guide aimed at biologists, teachers, students, wildlife specialists, natural resource managers, conservationists, law enforcement officials, landowners, hobbyists, and everyone else eager to explore herpetology and nature in the Prairie State.Trade Review"A fantastic resource for all seeking to study the 102 herpetofauna species found in Illinois." --Midwest Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation"The second edition of the Guide is an attractive, up-to-date contribution to our understanding of Illinois’ herpetofauna, and is well worth the modest price." --Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society"With thoughtfully revised descriptions, expanded natural history accounts, and updated range maps and photos, this guide offers something for everyone and will be a relevant resource for natural historians and herp enthusiasts alike."--Bill Peterman, The Ohio State University"Regardless of your level of knowledge regarding Illinois's reptiles and amphibians, you'll definitely want a copy of this in your backpack or on your bookshelf. " --Illinois Outdoor News

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Book SynopsisEric Pianka recounts more than thirty years of adventures in reptile studies.Trade ReviewThis is a strange and interesting book by the well-known ecologist, Eric Pianka. As an episodic treatment of Pianka's early life and extensive fieldwork in Australia and Africa, it combines childhood experiences, travelogue, lizard biology, field anecdote, social commentary and the occasional rant.... As it turns out, Eric Pianka is the interesting story here, not the lizards he studies.... We are given tantalizing glimpses into what makes this field ecologist tick, and it is this that keeps us reading. * Quarterly Review of Biology *This book, with its mix of adventure, natural history, human interest, and social commentary, is likely to be enjoyed by a wide audience. Pianka’s talents as a scientist and writer are so evident that I can only hope that in the near future he extends his interests to the eastern tropical rain forest regions of the fascinating Australian continent, perhaps providing a sequel to The Lizard Man Speaks. * Bioscience *Table of Contents Preface 1. Beginnings 2. Traveling 3. Lizarding 4. Lizard Natural History 5. History 6. Lost 7. Bush Flies 8. Bush Fires 9. Australian Aborigines 10. Kalahari and Namib 11. Events and Afterthoughts References Index

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Book SynopsisIn 2005 Jackson ventured into the remote swamp forests of the Congo to collect reptiles and amphibians. This book is an account of her research on the front lines of the biodiversity crisis—coping with endless delays in obtaining permits, learning to outrun army ants, subsisting on Spam and manioc, and ultimately falling in love with the forest.Trade ReviewIndiana Jones, step aside! Kate Jackson is an intrepid adventurer and explorer, and her passion for research, discovery, and snakes resonates from every page of this gripping account of a woman in science. -- Meg Lowman, author of Life in the Treetops and It's a Jungle Up ThereThis is the sort of book that makes hardcore field biologists cry out, "take me to the rainforest." For the rest of you, enjoying the sanity and comforts of the armchair adventurer, I suggest you hang on and enjoy the ride. -- Mark W. Moffett, Research Scientist, Smithsonian Institution and recipient of the Lowell Thomas Medal of the Explorer's ClubKate Jackson's field memoir detailing her experiences in the Republic of Congo is a delight that thrills and informs the reader. In relating her adventures conducting a herpetological survey and collecting venomous snakes, she brings to vivid life the harsh realities of fieldwork with its frustrations and disappointments. We're with her as she battles loneliness, parasites, and uncertainties and adapts to a foreign culture. And we share her personal highs and the swamp forest's allure. Bravo to this intrepid herpetologist! -- Marty Crump, author of Headless Males Make Great Lovers and Other Unusual Natural HistoriesThis is what exploratory natural history in a remote place, embedded in a very different culture, is really like--frustrating, confusing, scary, and fraught with prospects for failure. Jackson tells the truth even when it doesn't necessarily reflect well on her, and did I mention she's a small woman working in places where, I'm not kidding, most male herpetologists wouldn't dare to go? Mean and Lowly Things is genuine adventure, without the swashbuckling! -- Harry W. Greene, Cornell University Professor and author of Snakes: The Evolution of Mystery in NatureIt is always exciting to read about remote, natural places in the world and even more so when the story is told by a field researcher. In the tradition of Jane Goodall...Jackson has written a fascinating, adventure-filled memoir, describing how her love of snakes led her to become a herpetologist. She was eventually able to raise money for a survey of reptiles and amphibians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, specifically in the flooded forest habitat around Lac Télé. Drawing from her journal entries, Jackson takes us through the planning, permits, and travel, as well as her actual time in the field catching animals. Jackson learns to work with her native field staff during her two collecting trips and shows appreciation for all the local people she meets and employs. -- Margaret Henderson * Library Journal *Herpetologist Jackson is candid, funny, and precise as she chronicles her demanding and illuminating experiences collecting snakes, frogs, and toads in the flooded forests of the Congo... Sharply observant, considerate, and rough, Jackson is immensely entertaining in her exuberantly detailed descriptions of swarms of termites, ants, and mosquitoes; unpalatable food; and painfully rugged campsites. Add to that nearly surreal negotiations with officials, confounding relationships with guides and assistants, medical misadventures, and moments ludicrous and dramatic as she chases down poisonous snakes, handles animal remains, and snuggles to preserve and identify priceless specimens and forge cross-cultural scientific partnerships. Jackson is a dynamo, and her riveting, amusing, and revealing tales from the biodiversity front line awaken fresh appreciation for hands-on scientific inquiry and the wonders of nature. -- Donna Seaman * Booklist *In our age of Google Maps, it's comforting to learn that a few places remain relatively impenetrable to the outside world. Nowhere is this more true than the Congo, which has long held a fascination for explorers and scientists and continues to guard its secrets...Descriptions of ant invasions, maggots under the skin, sleepless nights, bad food and even the odd venomous snake bite all keep the pages turning. Against the odds, Jackson's efforts in the Congo eventually pay off--not only does she discover a new species, she also finds romance. This intriguing blend of science and human interest, related in a matter-of-fact style, brings to life a little-known part of the world. -- Dan Eatherley * BBC Wildlife *This book will serve as an inspiration to future field biologists. It is also an exciting adventure story for those who would rather avoid the ants, termites, wasps, and the fly maggots that burrow into the biologists' skin and grow larger there. -- M. P. Gustafson * Choice *Fieldwork is very important but unsung. Jackson deserves respect for her drive, ability to organize and manage her fieldwork alone, train local students, and to learn the local language without losing sight of the scientific aims...She is refreshingly honest about the failures, mistakes and difficulties of her fieldwork as well as the successes...Mean and Lowly Things is full of incident and cultural as well as scientific insight that should carry non-scientific readers right to the end. -- David J. Gower * Times Literary Supplement *As a travel book, Kate Jackson's account of snake collecting in the tropics is both humorous and dramatic...As an account of biological fieldwork under trying conditions, however, Jackson's book is both elegant and appealing...There are probably only a few specialists who can fully appreciate the professional journal articles on the biodiversity of the Congo forest that resulted from Jackson's expeditions. And only a few adventurous readers may share her "irrational longing to return" to the Lac Télé forest, which, judging from her online blog, she did in the summer of 2008. But we can all hope that she will continue writing, and that we won't have to wait too long for the next installment of Kate Jackson's Excellent Adventures, wherever they may lead. -- Laurence A. Marschall * Natural History *Table of Contents* Prologue * How It All Started * Back to the Congo * In Limbo * The Flooded Forest * Neighbors, Nets, and Nothing * The Red Snake * A Bottle of Snakes * A Day of Monsters * Time to Go * Red Tape Revisited * Planning My Return * Back to the Likouala * This Is Impongui * Snake Medicine * Making Herpetologists * The Home Stretch * A Stressful Day * Kende Malamu * Epilogue * Acknowledgments * Index

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Book SynopsisTwice a year numerous species of reptiles and amphibians, particularly snakes, migrate between the LaRue Pine Hills' towering limestone bluffs and the Big Muddy River's swampy floodplain in southern Illinois. In this engaging guide, author Joshua Vossler details what to expect and how to make the most of a visit to ‘Snake Road’.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe captivating and beautifully illustrated true story of snakes in America. 125 million years ago on the floodplains of North America, a burrowing lizard started down the long evolutionary path of shedding its limbs. The 60-plus species of snakes found in Sean P. Graham's American Snakes have this ancestral journey to thank for their ubiquity, diversity, and beauty. Although many people fear them, snakes are as much a part of America's rich natural heritage as redwoods, bald eagles, and grizzly bears. Found from the vast Okefenokee Swamp to high alpine meadows, from hardwood canopies to the burning bottom of the Grand Canyon, these ultimate vertebrates are ecologically pivotal predators and quintessential survivors. In this revelatory and engaging meditation on American snakes, Graham, a respected herpetologist and gifted writer, explains the everyday lives of American snakes, from their daily routines and seasonal cycles to their love lives, hunting tactics, and defensive repertTrade ReviewBrimming with intriguing and unusual storiesof hognose snakes that roll over and play dead, blind snakes with tiny vestigial lungs, rainbow-hued dipsadines, and wave-surfing sea-snakesthe text is interspersed with scores of gorgeous full-color images of snakes, from the scary to the sublime. This proud celebration of a diverse American wildlife group will make every reader, no matter how skeptical, into a genuine snake lover.—Birdbooker Report[American Snakes] is an authoritative yet accessible guide that makes the world of American snakes attractive to even non-scientist readers.—Donovan's Literary ServicesThis is an excellent book about snakes, well worth the price, and worthy of finding a home in the libraries of herpetologists and all naturalists. I anticipate pulling my copy off the shelf again and again.—Robert Powell, Amphibian & Reptile ConservationA valuable resource for a range of audiences. It is an attractive introduction to snake biology for beginning herpetologists and curious readers, yet even seasoned professionals will likely find items to interest them. Recommended for general and undergraduate collections as well as herpetology research collections.—K. M. Sheffield, Clemson University, ChoiceAmerican Snakes is a wonderful book to read because it is replete with snake stories, personal stories, and stories about other herpetologists. It also has a lot of science about snakes in it. Sean Graham is a fine storyteller. He starts each chapter with a story that reveals something about human behavior, usually his, and snake behavior. The way he writes reads like his oral presentations to live audiences. His stories are engaging whether written or oral.—CopeiaThis thoroughly enjoyable book lets readers absorb the excitement of being a herpetologist who works with snakes while learning about the general and specific biology of the creatures. Any nascent or veteran field biologist will learn something new about snakes, and this volume is especially suitable for anyone who needs to be convinced that American snakes are an ideal group to focus on for a career.—J. Whitfield Gibbons, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, Quarterly Review of BiologyExtremely pleasant to read . . . very profound, cutting-edge, exciting, and interesting . . . The highly recommended work is aimed at a very wide audience, from the layman interested in reptiles to the expert.—Kriton Kunz, ReptiliaTable of ContentsForeword, by Rick ShinePrefaceAcknowledgments1. Introduction2. Form and Function3. A Day in the Life of a Snake4. A Year in the Life of a Snake5. Snake Sex6. Snake Food7. Snake Eaters8. Snake Defense9. Dangerous Snakes10. Snake Invaders11. Snake ConservationEpilogueReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisThe most thorough, updated guide to frogs and toads in the United States and Canada available. A stunning diversity of frog species can be found from coastal swamps to lofty mountain peaks, and from the Florida Keys to the Arctic Ocean. They live in subtropical lowlands, grassland prairies, deserts, and alpine-tundra habitats. Some species have restricted habitat requirements, whereas others occur contiguously from the arid plains or humid southeastern forests to the high tundra. In this new edition of Frogs of the United States and Canada, C. Kenneth Dodd Jr. tours the reader through the marvelous world of North American frogs. Covering 114 native and introduced species from all US states and Canadian provinces, this comprehensive reference on the biology, behavior, and conservation of the Order Anura includes detailed and updated information on past and present distribution life history and demography reproduction and diet landscape ecology and evolution diseases, parasites, and

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Book SynopsisWith species ranging from the legendary, fear-inspiring western diamond-backed rattlesnake to the tiny threadsnake, Texas has a greater diversity of snakes than any other state in the country. This fully illustrated field guide to Texas snakes, written by two of the state's most respected herpetologists and updated by their student and later colleague, gives you the most current and complete information to identify and understand all 111 species and subspecies. Texas Snakes: A Field Guide has all the resources you need to identify snakes in the wild and in your own backyard: 113 full-color, close-up photos that show every snake, as well as, 39 detailed line drawings 113 range maps Up-to-date species accounts that describe each snake's appearance, look-alikes, size, and habitats A checklist of all Texas snakes with a key to the species Reliable information on venomous snakes and prevention of or initial treatment for snakebite Concise discussion of conservation, classification, andTrade Review[Texas Snakes] gives a good basic education on the habits of snakes and why they are so important to the environment. By far the larger content of the book is given to non-venomous snakes to be found in Texas and illustrated with excellent color plates. Perhaps reading this book might just save your life and a snake's life too. * Rock Rose *Table of Contents Preface to the Revised Edition Preface to the First Edition Acknowledgments Introduction Conservation Venomous Snakes: Their Venom and Bite Snake Classification and Identification Defining the Snake Making an Identification Aberrant Snakes Naming The Snake Taxonomic Issues Organization of Species and Subspecies Accounts Description of Families Arrangement of Species and Subspecies The Maps Citations Checklist of Texas Snakes Key to the Species of Texas Snakes Species and Subspecies Accounts Family Leptotyphlopidae Threadsnakes New Mexico Threadsnake Plains Threadsnake South Texas Threadsnake Trans-Pecos Threadsnake Family Typhlopidae Blindsnakes Brahminy Blindsnake Family Colubridae Colubrids Kansas Glossy Snake Texas Glossy Snake Painted Desert Glossy Snake Trans-Pecos Ratsnake Western Wormsnake Northern Scarlet Snake Texas Scarlet Snake Buttermilk Racer Tan Racer Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer Mexican Racer Southern Black Racer Tamaulipan Black-striped Snake Prairie Ring-necked Snake Regal Ring-necked Snake Mississippi Ring-necked Snake Texas Indigo Snake Speckled Racer Baird’s Ratsnake Great Plains Ratsnake Southwestern Ratsnake Western Ratsnake Slowinski’s Cornsnake Western Mudsnake Tamaulipan Hook-nosed Snake Chihuahuan Hook-nosed Snake Mexican Hog-nosed Snake Plains Hog-nosed Snake Dusty Hog-nosed Snake Eastern Hog-nosed Snake Chihuahuan Nightsnake Gray-banded Kingsnake Prairie Kingsnake Speckled Kingsnake Desert Kingsnake Louisiana Milksnake Mexican Milksnake New Mexico Milksnake Central Plains Milksnake Cat-eyed Snake Eastern Coachwhip Western Coachwhip Schott's Whipsnake Ruthven's Whipsnake Central Texas Whipsnake Gulf Saltmarsh Watersnake Mississippi Green Watersnake Blotched Watersnake Broad-banded Watersnake Florida Watersnake Brazos Watersnake Concho Watersnake Diamond-backed Watersnake Midland Watersnake Rough Greensnake Smooth Greensnake Sonoran Gophersnake Bullsnake Louisiana Pinesnake Graham’s Crayfish Snake Gulf Crayfish Snake Long-nosed Snake Big Bend Patch-nosed Snake Mountain Patch-nosed Snake Texas Patch-nosed Snake Variable Groundsnake Southern Texas Groundsnake Marsh Brownsnake Texas Brownsnake Florida Red-bellied Snake Mexican Black-headed Snake Trans-Pecos Black-headed Snake Flat-headed Snake Smith’s Black-headed Snake Plains Black-headed Snake Western Black-necked Gartersnake Eastern Black-necked Gartersnake Checkered Gartersnake Orange-striped Ribbonsnake Arid Land Ribbonsnake Gulf Coast Ribbonsnake Red-striped Ribbonsnake Plains Gartersnake Eastern Gartersnake Texas Gartersnake Red-sided Gartersnake Texas Lyresnake Northern Lined Snake Central Lined Snake Texas Lined Snake Rough Earthsnake Western Smooth Earthsnake Texas Venomous Snakes Family Elapidae Coralsnakes and Their Allies Texas Coralsnake Family Viperidae Vipers Southern Copperhead Broad-banded Copperhead Trans-Pecos Copperhead Western Cottonmouth Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake Timber Rattlesnake Mottled Rock Rattlesnake Banded Rock Rattlesnake Northern Black-tailed Rattlesnake Mohave Rattlesnake Prairie Rattlesnake Desert Massasauga Western Massasauga Western Pygmy Rattlesnake Glossary References Index of Common Names Index of Scientific Names

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Book SynopsisMany people have a great fear of snakes. This fear affects their peace of mind, their enjoyment of a holiday in the country, and even their pleasure in their own suburban gardens. It leads to the senseless destruction of one of our valuable natural resources. The morbid fear of snakes can only be dispelled by learning the true facts about these fascinating creatures. This book is addressed to anyone who wishes to learn about the natural history of snakes, or to identify those found in Ontario, but the author speaks particularly to young people, who, unless they have been prejudiced, have a natural interest in all living things. In an easy, conversational manner, the author gives a general account of snakes--what they are, how they travel, their instinct and intelligence, how they feed, their reproduction, hiberation, shedding of the skin, defences usefulness--and discusses popular beliefs and fear of snakes. The separate species are fully described in a simple, non-technical and re

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Book SynopsisAmphibians of Costa Rica is the first in-depth field guide to all 206 species of amphibians known to occur in Costa Rica or within walking distance of its borders.Trade ReviewAmphibians of Costa Rica: a Field Guide is one of the best books of this kind published thus far for Costa Rica. * HERPETOLOGICAL REVIEW *

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Book SynopsisFor years Albert Hazen Wright and Anna Allen Wright traveled extensively, attempting to observe every species of snake in North America in its natural surroundings and collecting data and live specimens. Their exhaustive research resulted in a famous two-volume sourcebook, first published in 1957. Abundantly and painstakingly illustrated by the authors, this personalized natural history organizes for ready reference a wealth of information on American and Canadian snakes.Across the two volumes of Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada are accounts of more than three hundred species and subspecies, accompanied by photographs, drawings, and distribution maps. Generous excerpts from the authors'' field journals give the reader a vivid feeling of some of the satisfactions and conclusions of the Wrights'' search.Volume I features an introductory section in which the Wrights cover snake names and such features of their biology and behavior as range, size, longevity, disTrade ReviewThoroughness, precision, and enthusiasm are traits that shine through the pages of this inspiring summation of a lifetime of experience. * Nature *

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Book SynopsisBoas of the West Indies is a comprehensive survey of boid snakes, commonly known as boas, found on the islands of the Lucayan Archipelago, the Greater Antilles, and the Lesser Antilles. Bringing together the expertise of leading herpetologists R. Graham Reynolds, Robert W. Henderson, Luis M. Díaz, Tomás Michel Rodríguez, and Alberto R. Puente-Rolón, this volume synthesizes established knowledge and new findings on the evolutionary biology, natural history, and conservation statuses of these iconic snakes.One of the most ecologically diverse snake families, boas have inhabited the West Indies for millions of years. From the Cuban boa, which in many folk legends may grow to over twice a person''s height, to the Hispaniolan vineboa, discovered only in 2020 and known to measure less than a meter long, Boas of the West Indies examines the eighteen species extant on these islands along with several others now extinct. Species accounts include details such as phTrade ReviewUltimately, what stood out to me while reading the book was the obvious dedication that the authors have for studying and conserving West Indian boas. This dedication is manifested in this excellent body of work that represents a leap in knowledge over the last 30 years. * Herpetological Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. The Shared History of Boas and Humans in the West Indies 2. Comparisons between West Indian and Neotropical Mainland Boas 3. Boas as Invaders in the West Indies and Beyond 4. Conservation of the West Indian Boa Fauna 5. Species Accounts 6. A Brief History of the Study of West Indian Boas Epilogue

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Book SynopsisThe alligator gar belongs to a family of fish that has remained fundamentally unchanged since the Cretaceous, over 100 million years ago. Its intimidating size and plethora of teeth have made it demonized throughout its range in North America, resulting in needless killing. Massive oil spills in its breeding range have not helped its population either. Interspersing science, folklore, history, and action-packed fishing narratives, Spitzer's empathy for and fascination with this air-breathing, armored fish provides for an entertaining odyssey that examines management efforts to preserve and propagate the alligator gar in the United States.Spitzer also travels to Central America, Thailand, and Mexico to assess the global gar situation. He reflects on what is and isn't working in compromised environments, then makes a case for conservation based on personal experience and a love for wildness for its own sake. This colorful portrait of the alligator gar can serve as a metaphor and measurement for the future of our biodiversity during a time of planetary crisis.

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Book SynopsisThis book is an in-depth look at the natural history of each snake and lizard species/subspecies found in Iowa. Each of the thirty-three species accounts includes a sampling of the common names the species has been known by in the past, the first specimens collected in the state, and a brief history of the early Iowa literature related to the species, along with a complete description and a discussion of similar species, distribution in the state, habitat, behavior, threats, foods and feeding, and reproduction. While readers will be able to identify Iowa’s snakes and lizards through its species accounts, identification keys, and beautiful photographs and illustrations, this book is intended to be more than a field guide. What makes it truly unique is the comparison of historic data collected by Iowa herpetologists in the 1930s and 1940s with data collected by the author, along with James L. Christiansen and others, since 1960. Custom maps show the reader how species’ distributions have changed over time.

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Book SynopsisReptiles are intrinsic to the mystique of the Galápagos Islands, and A Paradise for Reptiles: Lizards, Snakes, and Giant Tortoises of the Galápagos Islands tells the story of these iconic animals and details the early encounters with each species, including the route by which they were recognized and named. Robert H. Rothman draws from a wide range of scientific literature to present an accessible, comprehensive account of the research on the natural history, behavioral ecology, physiology, genetics, and conservation of each major group. It is richly supplemented with thirty years of photographs taken by the author during annual trips to the Galápagos. Volume 1: Tortoises, Geckos, and Snakes covers the legendary giant tortoises and the lesser-known geckos and snakes. It also presents an overview of the complex geological history of the Galápagos, which is essential to understanding the course of colonization and the evolution of reptiles in the archipelago. Robert H. Rothman, PhD, is Professor Emeritus, Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. He initiated, taught, and led thirty-two annual trips to the Galápagos Islands for science and nonscience RIT students.Table of ContentsTable of Contents for A Paradise for Reptiles Forewordix Prefacexi 1. THE MOST STRIKING FEATURE OF THESE ISLANDS1 1.1 Reptiles and the Discovery of the Galápagos Islands1 1.2 Early Encounters with Tortoises3 1.3 "Turpining"5 1.4 Endangered Reptiles7 1.5 Famous Tortoises7 1.6 Reptiles and the Origin of the Galápagos Islands8 1.7 A Paradise for Reptiles10 2. A CONGENIAL HABITATION13 2.1 Reptiles and the Origin of the Galápagos Islands13 2.2 Plate Tectonics and the Formation of the Galápagos Islands16 2.3 The Age of the Galápagos Islands19 2.4 Galápagos Land Revisited21 3. GIANT TORTOISES: CHELONOIDIS27 3.1 The Last of His Kind27 3.2 A Tortoise by Any Other Name28 3.3 A Multiplicity of Species35 3.3.1 Questions of Provenance37 3.3.2 The California Academy of Sciences Expedition and Problematic Species42 3.4 Species or Subspecies?47 3.5 Domes and Saddles48 3.6 Natural History54 3.6.1 Daily Routine54 3.6.2 Diet59 3.6.3 Seed Dispersal and Climate Change62 3.6.4 Predators and Parasites63 3.7 Reproduction66 3.7.1 Mating66 3.7.2 Hormonal Cycles68 3.7.3 Nesting71 3.7.4 Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination72 3.7.5 Growth Rates, Age to Sexual Maturity, and Life Span73 3.7.6 Reproductive Biology and Mutation Rate76 3.8 Evolution and Colonization77 3.8.1 Mainland Origins77 3.8.2 Genetic Analysis79 3.8.2.1 Early Attempts at Genetic Analysis79 3.8.2.2 Modern Genetic Analysis81 3.8.2.3 Tortoises of Santa Cruz83 3.8.2.4 Tortoises of Volcán Wolf86 3.8.2.5 Tortoises of Volcán Alcedo87 3.8.2.6 Tortoises of Southern Isabela88 3.8.3 Phylogeny91 3.8.4 Patterns of Colonization95 3.8.5 Giant Tortoises and Evolutionary Hot Spots97 3.9 The Human Factor97 3.9.1 Tortoises as Commodities97 3.9.2 Feral Animals103 3.9.3 Restoration of Tortoise Populations104 3.9.3.1 The Pinzón Head-Starting Program105 3.9.3.2 The Española Captive Breeding Program108 3.9.3.3 Volcán Wolf and the Recovery of Pinta and Floreana Tortoises114 3.9.3.4 Floreana Tortoises116 3.9.4 The Rewilding of the Galápagos118 3.9.5 Continuing Threats120 Tortoise Update125 4. GECKOS: PHYLLODACTYLUS127 4.1 The Endemic Species 127 4.2 Evolutionary Relationships129 4.3 Natural History134 4.4 Introduced Geckos134 5. GALÁPAGOS RACER SNAKES: PSEUDALSOPHIS139 5.1 Recognizing Diversity139 5.2 Evolutionary Relationships146 5.3 Natural History149 6. AFTERWORD153 6.1 Early Encounters153 6.2 Changing Taxonomies153 6.3 Life Histories154 6.4 Evolution154 6.5 Colonization155 6.6 Conservation156 6.7 Concluding Remarks157 References159 Index179

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Book SynopsisThe island of Madagascar hosts a large number of frogs with at least 315 described species, and many others still to be named. Northern Madagascar is rich in species, due to the heterogeneity of landscapes, including a large number of habitat types and ecosystems. These species are threatened by many factors, including environmental degradation and capture for wildlife trade. The amphibian species that live in the northern part of Madagascar are presented in this book, including aspects of their identification, ecology, natural history, and vocalizations. Illustrated in color throughout, this French-language guide is intended for researchers engaged in fieldwork and conservation projects, as well as tourists visiting the island.

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Book SynopsisGo on a fascinating nature hunt to find the camouflaged turtle, snakes, iguana, and other intriguing reptiles hiding in the brilliantly-painted pages of this book.

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Book SynopsisWritten for the millions of turtle lovers and nature enthusiasts who will find answers to their questions within its pages, this book is bound to become the standard reference for years to come.Trade ReviewThis book is a gem... it will be considered a classic very quickly. People will snatch this book up faster than a box turtle devours a night crawler! Marmorata In their new book, Turtles of the World, Franck Bonin, Bernard Devaux and Alain Dupre seek to loft turtles into the limelight by showcasing the group's diversity-its beauties, its goofies, its gargoyles. -- Natalie Angier, Science Times New York Times A guide to all the world's nearly 300 species of turtles... quite an undertaking. Wildlife Activist The volume's value lies in its up-to-date coverage of species... all readers will appreciate the wonderful color photographs, which make the book a pleasure to browse. Library Journal This superb sourcebook is the most current summary of world turtle nomenclature. Essential. Choice College-level holdings, many an aquarium shop, and any serious natural history collection must have Turtles of the World... Color photos pack every page and its information is well-rounded and key to any serious turtle researcher. Midwest Book Review A comprehensive reference. Southeastern Naturalist If you would like an illustrated guide to the turtles of the world, this is the book for you! Aquatic Mammals A significant book in turtle biology. Canadian Field-Naturalist Incredibly complete guide to the world's nearly 300 species of turtles... A superb standard reference. Compendium Newsletter The publishers should be complimented on producing another attractive book for both the novice and professional herpetologist alike. -- Harlan Walley Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society

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Book SynopsisUltsch, University of Alabama; Nigel H. West, University of SaskatchewanTrade ReviewBiology of the Snapping Turtle is a well-executed volume filled with useful information. Herpetological Review 2008

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Book SynopsisPresenting the latest research on venomous reptiles in the United States, Canada, and northern Mexico and featuring an extensive bibliography of literature on the subject, this volume contains a wealth of information for anyone with an interest in venom, snakes, or herpetology in general.Trade ReviewA well written and detailed reference book... covering topics of great interest to both reptile enthusiast and the professional herpetologist alike. -- Daniel P. Madigan, Indianapolis Zoo This book has more information on these reptiles than I have ever seen in a book. Carl Ernst and Evelyn Ernst were great in compiling the information to make this book into an amazing and informational read. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. Cybertron Reviews These fascinating books cover all the venomous lizards and snakes... An essential purchase for academic and large public libraries, and a very worthwhile acquisition for smaller libraries. -- Frederic F. Burchsted American Reference Books Annual The second volume of the comprehensive herpetology reference Venomous Reptiles of the United States, Canada, and Northern Mexico is a 'must' recommendation for any college-level science holding serious about herpetology. Midwest Book Review Venomous Reptiles of the United States, Canada, and Northern Mexico: Crotalus, Volume 2 completes this invaluable reference work. It will be the standard reference for herpetologists, and a source of fascination for enthusiasts. -- Steven Winchell Reptilia This two-volume set is by far the most complete, thoroughly researched, and accurate work on North American venomous reptiles yet published... Essential. Choice Venomous Reptiles of the United States, Canada, and Northern Mexico represents the latest research on these animals and includes the most extensive bibliography of literature on the subject. Anyone with an interest in venom, snakes, or herpetology in general will find a wealth of information within the pages of these impressive volumes. Southeastern NaturalistTable of ContentsPrefaceIntroductionList of AbbreviationsVenomEnvenomation by North American ReptilesTreatment of Envenomation by ReptilesConservation of Venomous North American ReptilesIdentification of the Venomous Reptiles of Canada, the United States, and Northern MexicoKey to the Families of North American Venomous ReptilesHelodermatidae: Beaded Lizards and Gila MonstersHeloderma horridum, Beaded LizardHeloderma suspectum, Gila MonsterElapidae: Elapid SnakesMicruroides euryxanthus, Western CoralsnakeMicrurus distans, West Mexican CoralsnakeMicrurus fulvius, Harlequin CoralsnakeMicrurus tener, Texas CoralsnakePelamis platura, Yellow-bellied SeasnakeViperidae: Viperid SnakesAgkistrodon bilineatus, CantilAgkistrodon contortrix, CopperheadAgkistrodon piscivorus, CottonmouthAgkistrodon taylori, Taylor's CantilSistrurus catenatus, MassasaugaSistrurus miliarius, Pygmy RattlesnakeGlossary of Scientific NamesBibliographyIndex to Common and Scientific Names

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Book SynopsisThe story of an ancient sea turtle and what its survival says about our future, from the award-winning writer and naturalistThough nature is indifferent to the struggles of her creatures, the human effect on them is often premeditated. The distressing decline of sea turtles in Pacific waters and their surprising recovery in the Atlantic illuminate what can go both wrong and right from our interventions, and teach us the lessons that can be applied to restore health to the world''s oceans and its creatures. As Voyage of the Turtle, Carl Safina''s compelling natural history adventure makes clear, the fate of the astonishing leatherback turtle, whose ancestry can be traced back 125 million years, is in our hands.Writing with verve and color, Safina describes how he and his colleagues track giant pelagic turtles across the world''s oceans and onto remote beaches of every continent. As scientists apply lessons learned in the Atlantic and Caribbean to other e

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Book SynopsisThe book leaves us with options: embark on the conservation strategy laid out within its pages and save one of nature's most splendid creations, or watch yet another magnificent species disappear.Trade ReviewDespite the dire issues facing the Leatherback, the book shows tremendous respect for its subject and a genuine, educated commitment to save the remarkable Leatherback. American Reference Books Annual The Leatherback Turtle provides a global reference for a globally distributed species and fills any number of data gaps for biologists, managers and citizen-scientists, especially in places such as the southeastern United States that are documenting an increasing trend in leatherback nesting. Herpetological ReviewTable of ContentsList of Contributors PrefacePart I: Biology Chapter 1. Introduction: Phylogeny and Evolutionary Biology of the Leatherback TurtleChapter 2. Phylogeny, Phylogeography, and Populations of the Leatherback TurtleChapter 3. Diving Behavior and Physiology of the Leatherback TurtleChapter 4. Anatomy of the Leatherback TurtlePart II: Life History and ReproductionChapter 5. Reproductive Biology of the Leatherback TurtleChapter 6. Nesting Ecology and Reproductive Investment of the Leatherback TurtleChapter 7. Egg Development and Hatchling Output of the Leatherback TurtleChapter 8. Sex Determination and Hatchling Sex Ratios of the Leatherback TurtlePart III: Population Status and TrendsChapter 9. Leatherback Turtle Populations in the Atlantic OceanChapter 10. Leatherback Turtle Populations in the Pacific OceanChapter 11. Leatherback Turtle Populations in the Indian OceanPart IV: From Egg to AdulthoodChapter 12. Leatherback Turtle Eggs and Nests, and Their Effects on Embryonic DevelopmentChapter 13. Leatherback Turtle Physiological Ecology: Implications for Bioenergetics and Population DynamicsChapter 14. Movements and Behavior of Adult and Juvenile Leatherback TurtlesChapter 15. Relation of Marine Primary Productivity to Leatherback Turtle Biology and BehaviorPart V: The Future of the Leatherback TurtleChapter 16. Warming Climate: A New Threat to the Leatherback TurtleChapter 17. Impacts of Fisheries on the Leatherback TurtleChapter 18. Conclusion: Problems and SolutionsIndex

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Book SynopsisHandy, authoritative, and easy to read, National Geographic's series of beginners field guides continues to build its presence in the natural history field guide category with the release of a Pocket Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians.

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Book SynopsisThis guide to the snakes, frogs, turtles, and salamanders of North America aids in the identification of 212 species. Learn:- How to tell the difference between reptiles and amphibians- How and where to find them- How to separate fact from fableReptiles and Amphibians includes full-color illustrations, up-to-date range maps, and a host of fascinating facts about these interesting and unusual animals.Using clear text and detailed illustrations, Golden Guides from St. Martin''s Press present accurate information in a handy format for the beginner to the expert. These guides focus on what your students are really going to see. They are easy to use: detailed, full-color illustrations, text, and maps are all in one place. They are easy to understand: accurate, accessible information is simplified without being misrepresented. They are authoritative, containing up-to-date information written experts and checked by specialists. And they are portable: handy and lightweight, designed to fit in a pocket and be carried anywhere.

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