Book Description
This newly designed field guides features detailed descriptions of 595 species and subspecies. The 656 full-color illustrations and 384 drawings show key details for accurate identification.More than 100 color photographs and 333 color photographs and 333 color distribution maps accompany the species descriptions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Great guide
I have had this book for several years and absolutly love it. Not only is it nicely informative, it holds up well in the feild. I can not begin to count the number of times I have slipped (I generally keep it tucked in my waist band) in creeks on outings. After years of abuse, my cover is a worn, spine wrinkled and paged stained, but it's still solidly bound.

Excellent reference!
The book is great.Wonderful range maps, nice pictures, generally good ID characters.Could use some more info on larval amphibian identification though.

Excellent resource
We live on a lake and frequently refer to this book to identify our water and woodland snakes.This book is very user friendly.

FANTASTIC!
This is a wonderful seller. My guide arrived very promptly and in great condition!! Terrific buy!

Useful... not so user friendly
National Audubon's original field guide, and perhaps the most recent one, is much better organized and easier to use in the field. ... Read more

Book Description
This third edition covers all the species of reptiles and amphibians found in western North America. More than 650 full-color paintings and photographs show key details for making accurate identifications. Up-to-date color range maps give species' distributions. Important information on conservation efforts and survival status rounds out the detailed species descriptions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

I would like to see it to be able to review it.
I have never received these books.They were due on June 1-5, 07.It is now July 13th.I placed the order the first week in May.This is slo even for Mexico mail.However, I know the Peterson series and they are usually excellent.

I love this
I love this book because I have the National Audubon Society First Field Guide for reptiles and I would often run in to reptile that the I couldn't Identify. I knew that I needed a bigger better book. So I bought the western and eastern Peterson Field guide for reptiles and amphibians and it had a lot more reptiles and it had amphibians which I never had a book that had information about them before, it has a lot more reptiles and it's shows you were they are each located. It give you a detailed description of each animal and a detailed drawing of each animal. Because of this I have been able to identify reptiles and amphibian that I couldn't before. I don't like that they use drawing of the animals instead of pictures and the drawings just show the heads of the snakes.

must have
great detail & pictures are in color this edition! Maps are in color also! This is helpful when out in the field looking for your "herps". Thanks to Robert Stebbins & all involved in compling all the data needed for the updated guide

A very complete and well illustrated guide
This field guide is very well organized and illustrated.It is quite complete.With over 300 pages of information this is a must for westerners.

Great update to a great field guide
Stebbins does it again.As a biologist who works throughout southern California I find this book indispensable.It is a vast improvement to the last edition (which was very good to begin with) with lots of color photos, many more color plates and the range maps are great too, again with color.It has revised the taxonomy of many species and included a many of the lastest subspecies designations.This book is easy to use from the novice to the advanced and should be in any nature enthusiasts library. ... Read more

Book Description
This comprehensive key for identifying specimens of amphibians and reptiles in the U.S. and Canada--the first since 1983--incorporates the wealth of scientific findings generated by molecular systematics (the study of DNA to determine genetic relationships) and simplifies identification by making geographic origin a leading factor. A dichotomous key (that is, one that gives the user only two choices at each level of morphological scrutiny), it is designed for use in college-level herpetology or vertebrate biology courses. It will be especially useful as an effective tool for teaching the principles of taxonomy and for introducing students to the systematics of amphibians and reptiles. While it can serve to identify specimens in the field, it is intended primarily as a teaching tool for classifying preserved specimens whose geographic origins are known.

The dichotomous keys are supplemented by 257 line illustrations depicting the distinguishing morphological characteristics of salamanders, frogs and toads, turtles, alligators and crocodilians, amphisbaenians (wormlike lizards), lizards, and snakes. The drawings, along with frequent references to the species descriptions, maps, and photographs in the Peterson Field Guide Series, make the key user friendly and increase its appeal to undergraduate and amateur herpetologists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

This is a great overview of herps!!
This book provides an extensive key to amphibians and reptiles in North America. If you are studying herpetology, this book has many diagrams in it that really help with keying out dinstinguishing characteristics. Plus, the book is set up simply in plain English. Other keys that I have used were not as extensive as this one, and they were usually confusing. This key takes away all the ambiguity.

Excellent for serious biologists
This breaks down characters for families very easily.The only draw back to this book is that it doesn't contain common names, but that can always be looked up.I recommend this book to any biologist or herpetologist.It also shows what the basic characters are with pictures.

An excellent dichotomous key for herpetofauna.
This key is a must for anyone that is seriously interested in reptiles or amphibians.For instructors of Herpetology lab this book will prove to be invaluable, the illustrations and current phylogenetic classifications willaid in teaching. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (7)

Almost an encyclopedia
A large, heavy book, even in paperback.Good illustrations (mostly photos), a large quantity of information, not only on the reptiles and amphibians, but on Costa Rica itself, even to including a short political history.Great value for the price!

GREEEEEEEEAT BOOK
Incredible book with very good pictures. It contains identification and biological informations about all the species of Costa Rica.
Simply a must for this type of literature.

The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Herpetofauna between Two Continents, between Two Seas <br />by Jay M. Savage
Super informative, I recommend getting the hard cover binding, as this book is huge and heavy.

Buy it just for the color plates!
It's breadth of knowledge and splendorous photos will greatly increase your travel pleasure, because you really CAN see these animals just casually criss-crossing the country; you don't have to go to a special preserve.

In fact,another book I brought with me to Costa Rica last year, "Costa Rica : The Last Country the Gods Made," had a photo of a giant iguana that was taken literally 5 steps off the sand at the ultra-popular Manuel Antonio beach!

And guess what?I saw one when I was there!

Costa Rica, Reptile Place
I have spent a considerable amount of time in Costa Rica, and I found this book to be both accurate and interesting. The reptiles, the amphibians...they're all there. Costa Rica is a beautiful country, and this is a beautiful book. A+, ... Read more

Book Description
This is the first guide yet produced to the amphibians and reptiles of New York State, a large and heavily populated state that hosts a surprisingly diverse and interesting community of amphibians and reptiles. This much needed guide to the identification, distribution, natural history and conservation of the amphibians and reptiles of New York State fill a long-empty niche. The book is the first comprehensive presentation of the distributional data gathered for the New York State Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project.With more than 60,000 records compiled from 1990-1999, this extraordinary and up-to-date database provides a rich foundation for the book. This volume provides detailed narratives on the 69 species native to New York State. With a heavy emphasis on conservation biology, the book also includes chapters on threats, legal protections, habitat conservation guidelines, and conservation case studies. Also included are 67 distribution maps and 62 pages of color photographs contributed by more than 30 photographers. As a field guide or a desk reference, The Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State is indispensable for anyone interested in the vertebrate animals of the Northeast, as well as students, field researchers and natural resource professionals. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fabulous regional and NY herp guide
The Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State is a very well written, compact, and excellently illustrated account of the species found in the state. The 6 authors are highly respected herpetologists, which lends a greater credence to the book than is often present in books that summarize species' natural histories.I appreciate the citations throughout the text.The colors in the photos are realistic, the photos are sharp enough, and the captions are extremely informative.I appreciate that several photos are shown for most species, including juvenile or alternate color morphologies.The essays, figures, and tables are interesting and succint.This book could be your primary guide to herps of New England, with the caveat that range maps are shown solely for NY state.

Finally
This Book is long overdue for those of us who had to consult with the online herp atlas everytime we needed to find out if a species had been recorded in a certain county.This book is set up and flows very nicely with excellent pictures and species accounts, habitat descriptions, counties of occurance, and so on.I have been very impressed already with this book and how much easier it will make things when I need New York based data for site evaluations and habitat assessment.This book is very informative and well written and my hats off to the authors for compiling all of the data used and keeping it readible.This book is an invaluable resource and is cheap enough to keep it accessible to everyone.A must have for anyone in NY that is interested in herps, some of the information is also valid for surrounding states. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the widely acclaimed, preeminent reference and text on all aspects of amphibian biology, including their life history, ecology, morphology, and evolution. Copiously illustrated with original drawings and photographs and meticulously referenced with more than 2,500 bibliographic entries, it has proved indispensable to professional biologists and students alike. Now reissued in paperback with an updated preface by the authors, Biology of Amphibians remains the standard work in its field.

Customer Reviews (2)

Amphibian overview
This reference provides a solid overview of amphibians, and has long been used as a university textbook on the subject. While other references are more suitable for amphibian neuroanatomy, this reference provides a rich description of amphibian reproductive behavior, development from egg to larvae to metamorphosis, ecology and evolution, as well as a chapter on the musculoskeletal system and another on other anatomical/physiological aspects of amphibians.

Biology of Amphibians
As a herpetologist, I find this book very complete and still up to date.The contents are well chosen and include every single aspect of their biology. The authors succeeded in making a extremely well chosen summary ofthe complex biology of the Amphibians. ... Read more

Book Description
Frogs, toads, newts, salamanders, and the rare caecilians come in a stunning array of colors, shapes, sizes and habitats. They live both in water and on land and move in a great variety of ways from swimming, to hopping and even flying. With a series of specially commissioned photographs, Amphibian looks in close-up at the fascinating natural history of these creatures from the bright green, red-eyed tree frogs to dull, burrowing, worm-like caecilians; from startling black and yellow fire salamanders to tiny transparent glass frogs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Stunning photos!
The Eyewitness books are made for kids, but I would say this book is a must-have for all amphibian fans, including adults. The photos are absolutely stunning, and the text is very good, even for adults. I love this book!

One of the stronger Eyewitness books
For those who are new to the Eyewitness format, it consists of thematically arranged two-page spreads of brilliant photographs on a white background.There is an intro paragraph in the upper left-hand corner, but most of the text is in the captions that go with the photographs.Generally, the biological sciences titles are the strongest in this series, since other topics often need a more organized progression of topics.You'll get a lot of information out of these books, but you won't get a systematic anaylsis.

This is an especially good book.The organization works well for the topic, and there is a great deal of in-depth information not normally covered even in high school-level biology books.Great for any child interested in amphibians!

fun book
My son and I greatly enjoyed this book.It is presented in the typical, and attractive, Eyewitness style, and is packed with information and pictures.I especially enjoyed reading about ancient amphibians.I had no idea that they grew so large in ancient times! ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (2)

A definitive treatment of amphibian ecology
At a moment when amphibians are undergoing declines and disappearances and being held up as indicators of environmental health, the appearance of this book could not be more timely.While there area number of textbooks that capably treat the biology of amphibians, their coverage of behavior and ecology is usually brief and superficial.

Neither adjective fits this well organized book.I am sure some will end up usingit in support of graduate and upper level undergraduate courses, however I would hesitate to call it a textbook.Instead it reads much more like a literature review, or really a set of literature reviews.Each is enormously comprehensive and all are written accessibly given their subject matter.In the areas I know best, the author has gone to great lengths to be both thorough and balanced in his presentation of competing evidence and shows shrewd judgment in his conclusions.The frequent use of figures and other graphics from primary literature is also effective.

It is increasingly uncommon for an academic to dedicate this degree of effort to a single publication.The scholarship is extraordinarily thorough and the writing invites the reader to plunge ahead.Even specialists will find it amazing how much work is being done on amphibians and in such a wide array of topics.That one person could master all of this literature is staggering.For the rest of us that have not, this book is a tremendous bootstrap to amphibian literacy.

If you are interested in the ecology and behavior of amphibians this is the book.

Spectacular!
Have you ever thought about why the bullfrogs in your garden pond croak all summer long but the wood frogs in the vernal pool down the road are only noisy for a week?Ever spot a salamander walking around on the bottom of an ice-covered pond and wonder how he could possibly do that?Such is the depth of the information you will find in this book.From the global scale to the details of physiology, Kentwood Wells has covered it all. With a smooth and easy-to-read writing style, excellent use of photographs to highlight and clarify concepts and clear interpretations of scientific research this book should appeal to the layperson just as much as it will appeal to academics.Truly a work that should be on the shelves of every life science academic, naturalist or backyard nature-watcher. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Outstanding Book
I would like to say that I am extremely happy with this book.The pictures are huge and are printed on extremely high quality glossy paper.I would recommend this book to everyone that lives in Florida or is considering moving here.

Surprisingly informative, and "fabulous" photos
My kids and I went on a kick of reading reptile books at a difficulty level similar to this one.After a week of going through various titles, I was surprised to learn more about alligators from the short section in this book than I had learned from all the previous stuff we had read together!Ditto for cottonmouths, and other reptiles.

The photographs are superb, and there are enough pictures of each species to give a true feel for what it looks like instead of a single profile view of each.

the perfect resource for your children
we LIVE in central florida and my nature loving kids are constantly bringing home wildlife. the vivid accurate photos in this book allow them to ID their living treasures with confidence. (then they get additional info from the internet). the book is also full of useful info, and conservation topics.

Must have for FL relos
This book was given to me when I relocated to Florida, and I have thanked my benefactor many times over. Living in Florida means living with and respecting the wild critters, who are part of the beauty of this wonderful state. The colorful photos make it easy to identify the animals who slither through my new world and give me valuable information about which ones I should admire from afar.

Just wonderful!
If it's slithering, clawing or hopping around your Florida yard you'll find it in this book.The photographs are very well detailed for easy identification.I also recommend Florida's Fabulous Insects for other creepy crawlies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

My Grandfather
I am the Grand daughter of Bernard Martof!!!! I have liiked a the book. It has beautiful photographs. Great facts too!! If you need a reptile question answered you should look at this book!!! If I ever do a reptile study I think I will look in this book. I like the frog on the cover too!

Terrific resources as field guide or reference
Excellent book!It's a little more detailed that a typical field guide but what I like most about it is that its specific to our area.So, while I have a larger field guide (for the region) I also really love having this one because it's more focused.In the beginning of the book there's an introduction to habitat with great pictures showing what the habitats look like.The book then goes into the specific species - I was particularly interested in the salamanders and amphibians but the sections on snakes, turtles and lizards are super too.The pictures are great, descriptions cover approx. size, colors/patterns, species that they could be confused with, habitats, and egg laying (timing, incubation etc).Great book to have on hand.

Highly recommended
I've had and used this book since it came out in 1980. I always recommend it to all of the classes and seminars I give on reptiles and amphibians and to all of the people who ask for a good field guide because, for the size and cost, there are none better for this part of the country. Well worth the money if a handy, accurate, well-done field guide with great photos and range maps is what you want.

Great way to learn about what you see
I love this book. We see a snake in the woods, and take note of as many characteristics as we can, then look it up later to learn more about it. Same with frogs, toads, lizards, skinks! The actual information providedfor each reptile is slim but very interesting. This is a great book to haveif you spend any time in the wild in Virginia. ... Read more

Book Description
Why are some frogs able to freeze solid and still survive? How can secretions from amphibians offer scientists clues for treating human ailments? What allows reptiles and amphibians to regenerate their limbs? Reptiles & Amphibians, an exciting new Explore Your World&#8482; handbook, incorporates the Discovery Channel's unique authoritative approach and acclaimed visuals to answer these and other questions in a captivating blend of information and entertainment.

Reptiles & Amphibians features:
¸Background information on evolution, anatomy, physiology, habitats, and life cycles of a range of reptile and amphibian families.
¸A detailed look at how reptiles and amphibians survive-how they eat, move around, defend themselves, and combat temperature extremes.
¸Examinations of metamorphosis, growth and longevity, and vocalization techniques.
¸Practical advice on how to responsibly study reptiles and amphibians in the wild or care for them as pets.
¸An identification guide to more than 160 of the most fascinating herpetological species from around the world, organized by environment.
¸More than 300 full-color photos and illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

time for an informational update
As with all the Audubon field guides, the strong enduring points are the quality of the photos; the durable binding and leatherette cover; and the index that is organized and cross-referenced to the photos.

The descriptions are pretty staight forward; but, the summaries are woefully inadequate, even when this book was current. The anatomy, life cycle, and habitats are discussed for each species, albeit vaguely.

In the eventuality that there is an update . . . the details need to be fleshed out more; the range and distribution maps made more concise; and the descriptions of new species discovered plus expanded summations of each species would correct the deficiencies.

This field guide still has its place in the naturalists library, if only for the quality of the photos. For better information, however, you may want to look at the Peterson's guide.

Extracts: A Field Guide for Iconoclasts

The Cloud Reckoner

Reptiles and Amphibians Field Guide
I love these books and can't say anything else than that!

Good For Wilderness Getaways
Though I agree with others a revision is long overdue, and there have been a few new species discovered over the years; namely salamanders. I still find it quite helpful though, in identifying the lizard that just ran across the trail, or for that possible snake sighting. And as bad as my eyes are (Keratoconus), yes the maps could be larger, but I don't find them particularly hard to read. Except for certain species that have very small and restricted ranges. Then finding the little dot can be near impossible. Beautiful photographs. Gives one a better appreciation of these animals; that, along with years of watching the "Crocodile Hunter" God rest his soul.

good for casual use
I have a soft spot for these Audubon guides because the first field guide I ever owned was an Audubon, and it got a lot of use.However, I currently use the Peterson Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, and I have found that it is easier to use, and more descriptive than this one.There are two main reasons for this:
1) The Peterson guide has a brief description of each animal on the page facing the image of the animal and points out, sometimes with the aid of small arrows, the most useful identifying characteristics.Like the Audubon guide, it also has a page number you can flip to for more details about the life history etc.
2) The distribution maps in these Audubon guides are fairly small and vague, while the Peterson has a separate section for maps in the back that are much larger and more accurate.Of course it's impossible to say exactly what the range of almost any animal is, but I feel that this Audubon guide definitely has room for improvement.I do enjoy the photography, though; the Peterson uses illustrations, some of which are black and white.

Edition needs refining.
The contemporary edition of the Audubon Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians is decades old. Though it covers many species of snakes, salamanders, newts, etc., it is underrated because of the lack of updating. Some species names are known to be out of date, or invalid. However, even this cannot override the true quality of all the Audubon guides, including this book. Even though a newly revised and updated edition is way overdue, it still presents spectacular photographs of various species. The system is the same, with the description in the back of the book. The Audubon Guide to Weather has been revised and updated over the years and hopefully, this one will be also. ... Read more

Book Description

This lightweight and portable guide covers the 150 reptiles and 80 amphibians you are most likely to encounter across the five countries of East Africa--Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. Encompassing a wealth of landscapes rare in tropical Africa, from deserts to rain forests to snow-capped mountains, this vast region is home to such famous national parks and game reserves as the Serengeti and the Selous in Tanzania and the Tsavo and the Maro in Kenya. Here you will find a corresponding wealth of secretive yet often unwittingly conspicuous tortoises, lizards, crocodiles, snakes, and frogs. Reptiles and Amphibians of East Africa offers concise and accessible, identification-oriented text, color photographs, and color distribution maps for each species.

Distilled and adapted in part from the highly acclaimed A Field Guide to the Reptiles of East Africa by the same authors, this new guide is pocket-size, easy to use, and affordably priced. Reptiles and Amphibians of East Africa is an indispensable resource for any ecotourist, anyone on safari, and even the casual visitor to the region, all of whom will see many of these species without even hunting for them.

Book Description
World-renowned experts provide a thorough, science-based understanding of the alarming amphibian crisisFrom deep in the rain forests of Central America to the backyard ponds of Minnesota, alarming accounts of disappearing and deformed populations of amphibians keep surfacing in the media. The amphibian crisis has been headline news from New York to Europe to Australia, featuring pictures of grotesque frogs and reports from scientists visiting once healthy ponds only to find them absent of amphibian life.

What about these stories is real and what is media hype? Should valuable time and resources be allocated to uncovering why some populations produce five-legged frogs&#151;or is it a natural aberration? Is the loss of ozone a threat to amphibians globally or can depleted populations be explained by other factors? Leading amphibian biologist Raymond D. Semlitsch has assembled experts from around the world to tackle these timely and sometimes tricky issues. What were once seen as likely causes now appear to be inadequate explanations, and Semlitsch and his colleagues take us closer to the truth as they explore the amphibian crisis point by point. Every environmentalist will find Amphibian Conservation an accessible and deeply informative examination of what many scientists have called one of the major threats to the world's biodiversity. ... Read more

Book Description
The most accessible recognition guides. A systematic approach, authoritative text, and clear photographs make the Smithsonian Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians the most comprehensive and easy--to--use pocket guide to the reptiles and amphibians of the world. Packed with over 600 color photographs of more than 400 species, this handbook is designed to enable you to recognize each species quickly and easily. Expertly written, each entry combines a precise description with fully annotated photographs to highlight the chief characteristics and distinguishing features of each species. A comprehensive introduction describes the anatomy, lifecycle, and behavior of the major groups of reptiles and amphibians, while the initial steps of identification are facilitated by a clear visual key. Each entry in the Smithsonian Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians is accompanied by a map showing the geographical distribution of the species while the text and color--coded bands give the internationally accepted scientific name and provide at--a--glance information on size, diet, habitat, reproduction, and population status. A concise glossary explains all technical and scientific terms used in the book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

a useful book
I've the same book but a french one, it is the most useful book a reptiles' lover must have. It is simple to read, to understand. There's a good introduction to reptiles classifications (which is not obvious for begginers), the "identity card" for each animal is well conceived.
A good book to bring for travelling.

One great book.
Like all the books in this series "Reptiles and Amphibians" gives a species by species look at a huge variety of creatures.From Chameleons to Cobras this book has a great selection.There are not many field guides out there with such fantastic and detailed photos so I suggest it for anyone who loves the to some "unlovable" slimy or scaly creatures of our world. ... Read more

Product Description
This circular is a complete revision of Ferner's 1979 Marking Techniques Circular.Techniques covered range from tow clipping, shell notching and paint marking to PIT tagging and Radio Telemetry.This is the only up-to-date marking manual currently available. A must for any herpetologist or field biologist. ... Read more

Book Description
This field guide at last provides an authoritative and handy source for identifying amphibians and reptiles of Costa Rica's renowned Atlantic lowland tropical forests. Colorful frogs, lizards that can run across water, snapping turtles, spotted geckos, boa constrictors, crocodiles, and many other fascinating yet secretive species of amphibians and reptiles flourish in the region's myriad microhabitats. The La Selva Biological Station, a protected reserve, boasts a rich biota, making it and the surrounding area one of the most visited tropical forest sites in the world.
For travelers, ecotourists, and biologists, this comprehensive guide, written by two distinguished experts on the area's amphibians and reptiles, will be an essential resource while visiting La Selva and the surrounding tropical forests of Costa Rica. In addition to providing reliable field identification, it will help visitors to this area better understand the overall role of Central American amphibians and reptiles in the natural world as well as conservation efforts now being undertaken to ensure the survival of these intriguing creatures.
* 138 frogs, lizards, snakes, and crocodiles are included in keys based primarily on color patterns for easy identification
* Each species is illustrated with a color photograph; the guide also features range maps and black-and-white drawings
* Includes an overview of the natural history of each amphibian and reptile and gives helpful tips on where to observe them ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good if you stay in La Selva, Costa Rica
Nice compact book.The only trouble is that it is so specific to one little area that it misses species that may be just down the road or just less common in this area. Nice for a quick reference for common species but not as extensive as I would like.The keys are useful.It is not always easy finding a field guide with good keys!

Great book, great price
I took thisbook on a recent research trip to a preserve near La Selva, and used it daily. Not just a field guide with pretty pictures, this book contains a key to the species. Since it is specific to this area of the country, it cut down on the amount of material that had to be sorted through to ID organisms. I could quickly key out species without having to worry about whether or not this was the right area for that particular species. The photos were clear and beautiful, with different color phases and sexual dimorphisms illustrated. If you are traveling to this specific area of Costa Rica, this book is really useful. It's small, lightweight, easy to use, and CHEAP! ... Read more

Product Description

A hidden world of amphibians and reptiles awaits the outdoor adventurer in Georgia's streams, caves, forests, and wetlands. Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia makes accessible a wealth of information about 170 species of frogs, salamanders, crocodilians, lizards, snakes, and turtles. Throughout, the book stresses conservation, documenting declines in individual species as well as losses of local and regional populations.

Book Description
This benchmark volume documents in comprehensive detail a major environmental crisis: rapidly declining amphibian populations and the disturbing developmental problems that are increasingly prevalent within many amphibian species. Horror stories on this topic have been featured in the scientific and popular press over the past fifteen years, invariably asking what amphibian declines are telling us about the state of the environment. Are declines harbingers of devastated ecosystems or simply weird reflections of a peculiar amphibian world?
This compendium--presenting new data, reviews of current literature, and comprehensive species accounts--reinforces what scientists have begun to suspect, that amphibians are a lens through which the state of the environment can be viewed more clearly. And, that the view is alarming and presages serious concerns for all life, including that of our own species.
The first part of this work consists of more than fifty essays covering topics from the causes of declines to conservation, surveys and monitoring, and education. The second part consists of species accounts describing the life history and natural history of every known amphibian species in the United States. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Classic Amphibian and Conservation Reference
Every species of amphibian in the U.S. has a detailed species account in the latter 55% of this book."Amphbian Declines" therefore rivals Petranka's (1998) "Salamanders of the U.S. and Canada" with its species accounts.Amphibian Declines has accounts that are more up to date, contain pertinent conservation information, and includes anuran species.The first 45% of the book contains essays on interesting topics, however, I confess I have not read most of them (yet) perhaps because the sheer volume is daunting.There is no other book like this one.It is well worth the money for any researcher, manager, or conservation biologist interested in amphibians. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Indispensible book for herpetologists and other scientists
This book is without a doubt one of the most beneficial books for any researcher working with amphibians.It is very frequently cited in the literature and contains many well described techniques for monitoring and assessing amphibian populations.

A "must have" resource
No amphibian researcher should be without this resource.This book has been an indispensable tool, and I am sure it will continue to be for quite some time.Large chunks of my dissertation research were designed using this book, and I recommend it to all new grad students interested in working on herp-related projects.

Each chapter is written by one or more of the field's leading experts.They share their knowledge freely and point the reader towards the development of repeatable projects that provide reliable data.Measuring and Monitoring Biodiversity represents a major step forward in the field of amphibian research.

Best Source on the Subject
Excellent source for both students and professionals on monitoring for amphibians. ... Read more

Book Description
Amphibian means "two lives" since these animals spend thefirst part of their life underwater and the rest on land. From flying treefrogs to slithering caecilians, kids will be captivated by this "slimy"animal group in What is an Amphibian? Young readers will discover:

-- the amphibian family tree
-- an amphibian's body
-- special skin and senses
-- how they move and what they eat
-- water- versus land-dwelling species
-- their life cycle and parental care
-- defending themselves ... Read more