Product 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 (23)

Herpetologist and Naturalist Must-Have
This book is the "Bible" of Herpetological field guides.It encompasses all of the herp taxa in beautiful, detailed drawings with excellent natural history to accompany each species.It is a bit outdated because there have been many taxonomic changes, but it is still the best available guide out there.If you want to go herping or just familiarize yourself with the amphibians and reptiles in your backyard, this is a must-have book.

VERY HELPFUL
I LIVE IN AN AREA THAT HAS ALOT OF WILDLIFE. THIS BOOK HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN IDENTIFYING WHAT I SEE AROUND HERE.

Great Aid
I love this book. I use it for most of my class and field trips. It is very useful and the pic are colorful and clear. The info is precise and understandable. Great Resource!

herper's bible
By far the best guide for the amateur or professional. No other guide can come close to this one. No fluff, no wasted space. It's been around since 1958 - frequently updated and appended. I can't count how many copies I've acquired over the years.

Excellent for identification of reptiles and amphibians
I live in North Carolina and I have been able to identify all the snakes, lizards, turtles, and frogs that I have found using this book.Good descriptions and photos to help you tell the difference between different species. ... Read more

Product 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 (8)

Superb field guide
This excellent field guide identifies western NA herps down to species level, and rather than photos (which may be misleading), it has excellent generalized pictures, with lines pointing to locations of key diagnostic features.The species accounts in the back are quite useful, and the range maps comprehensive and detailed.Absolutely a critical resource for anyone who likes to catalog animals, or has interest in identifying species.

a must-have
This book is very handy, but very heavy. When i'm out in the field it is hard to carry since its bigger and weighs about 5 lbs but other than that it is a great book to have!

Reptiles and Amphibians of the Western USA
Another excellent Field Guide book! I have the first edition of this book and when one compares how the reptile and amphibian poplulation has changed in our country, it is amazing. If you purchase this book you must also buy the Field Guide to Eastern species.

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. ... Read more

Product 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

Product Description

Customer Reviews (8)

Worth every peso/centavo/colon/dollar to me
I am very pleased with this book which I purchased for an upcoming trip to CR.Granted it is too large to bring with on the plane I have ample time to study ahead and integrate the major concepts into the maps and plans I am making.There is far more information albeit well presented and documented than I as a hobbyist can use, better that than the opposite.The maps and layout have increased my understanding of the various zones within CR.The photos are good.I am fully satisfied with Savage's opus.

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! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (6)

Not Your Average Book on Amphibian Ecology or Behavior
No other book on amphibian ecology or behavior comes even close to the breadth andrigor of this work.The extraordinary wealth of real, peer-reviewed data that the author has gathered is simply staggering, and its seamless incorporation into the material is a testament to Kent Wells' unique grasp of amphibian biology.As amphibian populations face unprecedented challenges globally, it is more crucial than ever that we understand how amphibians interact with their environment, and each other, so that we may better preserve and protect their remaining populations in meaningful ways. I have no doubt that this book will remain the ultimate treatise for this task.

Its value is worth more than its weight in gold (~5lbs)
The author invested more than 20yrs in its making, and I would have to invest equal time to write a review that compliments this book enough!To say this book is too technical blows my mind (other reviewer).I have rarely seen a book that meshes "technical" information in such a readable fashion as Kentwood Wells has done in this monumental volume.

the ecology and behavior of amphibians


chegou 15 dias antecipado ao dia marcado. bem embalado e com o conteudo esperado. fiquei muitooooooooo satisfeita. parabens!!!

a hobbyist's perspective
Amphibians might be considered to be a somewhat neglected sector of the herp hobby, which itself, unfortunately, is still looked upon as being on the fringes by many people. In reality, most types of reptiles and amphibians in captivity are best treated as display animals to be admired as a part of a functioning ecosystem. The challenge in keeping them healthy and content lies in recreating these ecosystems as faithfully as possible, so that the animals, in the most ideal case, do not realize they are in captivity! Some species, like poison dart frogs, may be rather demanding, whereas others, like fire bellied toads or tiger salamanders, may be surprisingly simple to keep. Some, like the tropical palm salamanders (Bolitoglossa) seem to have some very particular requirements that make them difficult captives even for specialists. But in every case, a working knowledge of how they live in the wild can definitely be a great asset to the aspiring herpetoculturist, as well as anyone who likes to observe them in their natural habitats.

This book is divided into chapters on various topics about amphibians such as their classification, geographical distribution patterns, feeding and reproductive behavior, survival strategies, conservation issues, and so on, and does a very good job of compiling all of the latest scientific findings in each of these areas. At first I thought that some of the material went a bit over the head of the average amateur naturalist or herp hobbyist like myself, but upon further inspection I realized that much of it is quite accessible to the average reader. There are quite a few illustrations and pictures demonstrating unusual and provocative behaviors. One disappointing issue to me was the lack of color photos of the animals and their habitats. The pictures are still quite good, but fail to totally do justice to these creatures when it comes to such topics as aposematic coloration, camouflage, etc. Additionally, some color photos might have done more to draw the attention of the average reader to these fascinating creatures, many of which are threatened by various environmental problems, not all of which have yet been clearly identified. The section of the book addressing these problems is compelling reading to anyone interested in these animals, but leaves the reader realizing that there is still a lot to be learned about how to solve them.

In spite of some minor quibbles that I have mentioned, I believe this book is a superb reference, which contains the kind of material you wish you would find under "Amphibians" in the Encyclopedia Brittanica, but wouldn't.

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. ... Read more

Product Description
This practical manual of amphibian ecology and conservation brings together a distinguished, international group of amphibian researchers to provide a state-of-the-art review of the many new and exciting techniques used to study amphibians and to track their conservation status and population trends. The integration of ecology and conservation is a natural outcome of the types of questions posed by these disciplines: how amphibians can and should be sampled, marked, and followed through time; how abundance and population trends are measured; what are the robust statistical methods that can be used in ecology and conservation; what roles do amphibians play in community structure and function; how do animals function in their environment; and what affects the long-term persistence of species assemblages?

Although emphasizing field ecology, sections on physiological ecology, genetics, landscape ecology, and disease analysis are also included. The book describes the latest statistical approaches in amphibian field ecology and conservation, as well as the use of models in interpreting field research. Much of this information is scattered in the scientific literature or not readily available, and the intention is to provide an affordable, comprehensive synthesis for use by graduate students, researchers, and practising conservationists worldwide. ... Read more

Product Description
This guide to the snakes, frogs, turtles, and salamanders of North America aids in the identification of212 species.Learn:

· How to tell the difference between reptiles and amphibians

· How and where to find them

· How to separate fact from fable

Reptiles 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.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

It is really great!
I got this book months ago, and have read the whole thing about two or three times!I absoloutly love it!It has helped me find out what reptiles I have caught.I definatly reccomend it to anyone who wants to know about reptiles.

One of my all time favorite books!!!
The Golden Book on Reptiles and Amphibians is very well written, well illustrated, and is just one marvelous little book.
When I was a young boy, around First Grade, my mom (who was a librarian at the time) got me all of the different Golden Guides on nature, including the one on reptiles. I used to read this snake, frog, lizard book over and over again, and along with the other Golden Guides, it helped shape my life and my lifetime love of nature...especially for snakes...and lizards.
Today as an adult, I still go out to find and see snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles, salamanders, skinks....this little book was the impetus for a lifelong love of reptiles and amphibians.


I am also a writer (Allergy-Free Gardening, Birthday Boy, Safe Sex in the Garden, The Highway Naturalist, etc..), and a former science teacher, and I recommend buying and giving these books as presents to all children.
You might well strike a spark that will trigger a life long appreciation and fascination with nature.
This book might well also be interesting and useful as a first book on snakes for anyone with a budding interest in wildlife, lizards, fishing, nature. But as with all the Golden Guides....these books are wonderful tools to create interest in young kids.

For adults or teenagers I would recommend a reptile/amphibian book such as one of theGuides from Robert Stebbins, but for kids...the Golden Book is a darn good one to start with. Get each youngster his or her own book, and encourage them to write in the book, to make notes, to jot down dates as to when they first saw each species. This is a very fun, fine book!

Guide book
Same book I had as a kid 50 years ago. It was one of my favorites. Now my grandson has a copy.

Another Great Golden Guide for Younger Naturalists
The "Golden Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians" was another of the books in the Golden Guide series, edited by Herbert S. Zim, that influenced my early interest in natural history.The high quality color pictures, cheap price and handy size made this a natural for any youngster interested inthe natural world.Certainly reptiles and amphibians are fascinating to many (if not all) kids of any age.The illustrations are, like many of those from the series, pretty well burned into my brain because I would sit for an hour just perusing the book, while reading about such exotic creatures as hook-nosed snakes, snapping turtles, collared lizards or spade-footed toads.This book expanded my interest in reptiles, which had been initiated by the Ditmar books ("Reptiles of the World" and "Snakes of the World" - both now outdated, but to my young eyes just wonderful books).I was , however, actually more influenced in my choice of a profession by books on insects and spiders and went on to become an invertebrate zoologist.Even so, I will still always fondly remember this neat little book and the fascinating information on cold-blooded land vertebrates that I acquired through its use.

A great starter book for kids interested in herpetology.

Good Reptile Book
This compact book is nicely done and the pictures and commentary an easy reference. ... Read more

Product Description
The newest book in a richly illustrated, always educational series offers a beginner's guide to understanding amphibians. ABOUT AMPHIBIANS FOLLOWS follows the easy-to-read, informative format of Cathryn and John Sill's other About... books. Describing the basic characteristics all amphibians share, as well as the features that distinguish them, the book explores everything from methods of communication to protection against enemies. The simply worded text is a wonderful introduction to the world of frogs, toads and salamanders for young children. The beautifully detailed illustrations by John Sill, a noted wildlife illustrator, help bring the animals to life, further educating young readers about what amphibians are, how they live, and what they do. As in the previous About... books, an afterword provides additional information and will inspire readers to learn more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Delightful!
This is the 5th book in this series that we have purchased for out toddler, and each one is just as good as the last. The illustrations are are phenomenal, the text simple but very informative, and everything comes together beautifully. I am certain that this book and series would be age appropriate for children as old as 8, but certainly are very good for curious toddlers as well. So happy to have found this series! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Superb Book on Herps
This is not only the best book written on Wisconsin reptiles and amphibians, I believe it is the best written for any state or region in the country. I am a lifelong lover of reptiles and amphibians and grew up reading this book over and over again. It is well-written, well-researched, and the author knew his subject with a thoroughness that few naturalists achieve. I have read it more than 30 times. I also have read or own herp fauna books for the Great Lakes, Arkansas, Virginia, Minnesota, Missouri, and this one is by far the most thorough and accurate. Many of the other books for nearby states have simply paraphrased Vogt's accounts. The photos are excellent, too.

If you live in the Midwest, particularly Wisconsin or Upper Michigan, this is the reptile and amphibian book to get, period.

Excellent Research Material
Richard Vogt has written a winner here.This book describes, in detail, amphibians, reptiles, and snakes most commonly found in Wisconsin.He follows their history and leads us right into their everyday lifestyles andmannerisms.His personal insight into the individual species of the bookhad me smiling more than once.I recommend this book to any student,teacher, or writer looking for factual, entertaining reading. ... Read more

Product Description
Lizards, Turtles & Crocodilians is Part Two of an ambitious two volume set comprising The Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians of Florida. Magnificent color photographs, along with species accounts which include descriptions, habitats, similar species, natural history and range charts, identify all of the lizards, turtles, and crocodilians found in Florida. Detailed drawings emphasize characteristics which aid in identification. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Informative-useful to the beginner and intermediate herper
This book provides color photographs as well as a range map for each species listed. The detailed drawings on locomation and the different methods of movement also helps in understanding how snakes do what they do. The brief section on the workings of serpentine anatomy provide relevant information for those interested in the natural history and evolution of snakes. It also provides information for many of the sub-species found in Florida, which is something that other general field guides tent to overlook. This book came highly recommended by an expert florida herpetologist. The beginner will find the detailed photographs as well as the range maps a must for identifying the many species of snakes found throughout Florida. The intermediate hobbyist will find the taxonimic listing as well as natural history indespensible in the field when trying to locate the elusive varieties of serpents. This book is really somewhat of a natural history text, as well as a field guide wrapped up in one. Its small size makes it easy to carry into the field, where it would be used most. It could be considered slightly dated, as the classification of some of the snakes as endangered or species of special concern has changed, the identification information has not. I bought the book used, so an updated version may be out.

An excellent field guide for FL residents & snake lovers.
Provides color pictures, descriptions, range maps, and habitat information for each species of snake in Florida.The authors also describe similar species, natural history, and reproduction for each species.The book contains information (photos/description) of various FL environments (e.g. mangroves, cypress swamps,hammocks, pine flatwoods).Charts included provide abundance of each species in various environments.Good basic description on snake senses & locomotion.I plan to buy parts 2 & 3!

Excellent field guide.
Allowed me to positively identify many species in my area -- far better descriptions and pictures than any other book I've seen. ... Read more

Product 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 (4)

Okay key
Some of the taxonomy in this book is a little questionable but it gets the job done. I do not reccomend it for live IDs but only vouchared specimans.

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

Product Description
This is a book for all readers who want to learn about amphibians, the animal group that includes frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians. It draws on many years of classroom teaching, laboratory experience, and field observation by the authors. Robert Stebbins and Nathan Cohen lead readers on a fascinating odyssey as they explore some of nature's most interesting creatures, interspersing their own observations throughout the book. A Natural History of Amphibians can serve as a textbook for students and independent learners, as an overview of the field for professional scientists and land managers, and as an engaging introduction for general readers.

The class Amphibia contains more than 4,500 known living species. New species are being discovered so rapidly that the number may grow to more than 5,000 during our lifetimes. However, their numbers are being rapidly decimated around the globe, largely due to the encroachment of humans on amphibian habitats and from growing human-caused environmental pollution, discussed at length in the final chapter. The authors focus our attention on the "natural history" of amphibians worldwide and emphasize their interactions with their environments over time: where they live; how they reproduce; how they have been affected by evolutionary processes; what factors will determine their destinies over time. Through the experienced eyes of the authors, who are skilled observers, we come to see and understand the place of amphibians in the natural world around us. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Very good
A very good book and is great for anyone who wants to know more about frogs and other groups.

Superb
Amphibians usually are ignored when speaking about species that are threatened with extinction. Unlike birds and mammals, amphibians are not romanticized in the nature magazines of the popular press, due possibly in part to their physical appearance, which may not garner sympathy as compared for example to a bald eagle or an elephant. But amphibians are fascinating and beautiful creatures, and in this book their biology and evolution is discussed concisely but effectively. Those readers, such as this reviewer, who are not familiar with the subject matter but who are very curious about the biology of amphibians, will find a good introduction here, and many references can be consulted for readers who need more details.

There are many interesting discussions in the book, and many surprises for those who are new to the subject. For example, it is surprising to learn that there are salamanders that can grow to over 1.5 meters, that some amphibians keep their gills throughout their life, instead of losing them, as is typically the case for most of the species, and that amphibians usually drink by dermal absorption. The authors also describe the breathing mechanisms for amphibians, and the reasons why one observes a different frequency between the movements of the throat and the body. Readers with a background in physics in particular will appreciate this discussion, along with others such as the vision capabilities of amphibians (they focus by changing the position of the lens rather than its shape), their extraordinary auditory capabilities, and their hydroregulation. It is also amazing to learn that amphibians can survive freezing of their bodily fluids by converting liver glycogen to glucose in response to the formation of ice in their body tissue. By far the most interesting discussion in the book though is on "shoreline orientation" and what information amphibians need to carry it out.

The book ends with discussions on the survival/extinction status of amphibians, with a list of the threatened species. Convincing arguments are given for the need of the biosphere to maintain the amphibian species, but it will be interesting to see if the author's recommendations are carried out. As a statistical survey might show, humans do not seem to care too much about amphibians, and so it might be more difficult to preserve them than is the case for other animals. But to not hear a coqui frog in Puerto Rico, or to not see hordes of toads coming out in the summer rain would definitely diminish the human quality of life.

Good book, a lttle technical
I don't have a biology background but was (am) very interested in learning more about amphibians since we're setting up a neat frog pond in the back yard.So this was a book I came across and its pretty good for the lay person like me but it does get a bit technical in parts (so its probably better for beginner biology student or someone with the basics already under their belt).There are some really neat drawings in here - like those that show the different toe shapes of different salamanders and then go on to describe the different modes of locomotion.There's interesting behavioral info like territorialism in salamanders (I had no idea! they always seem so mellow!) And there's a fascinating chapter (short unfortunately) on homing and migration.There are lots of neat chapters, those are just a few items that spring to mind.I'm still looking for more books that will give me a good basic understanding of the life and times of amphibians but this was certainly a great start.I highly recommend it since it does have so much info and for the lay person like myself it gave me a chance to expand my knowledge.I'm fascinated by vernal pools and the whole migration/reproduction cycles but this was a good start.

well-written and easy to read
This book is intended for a general audience and is great for anyone who wants to know more about frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians. Despite this fact, I'm sure that even professional herpetologists will find this book interesting and learn something that they do not know. Chapters include: skin, breathing, food habits, voice, reproduction and declining amphibians. Overall, an interesting and highly informative book. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description
Revised and updated to reflect the most current science, and including 30 new species, this authoritative and comprehensive volume is the definitive guide to the amphibians and reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia. The new edition features 189 species of salamanders, frogs, crocodilians, turtles, lizards, and snakes, with updated color photographs, descriptions, and distribution maps for each species. It is an indispensable guide for zoologists, amateur naturalists, environmentalists, backpackers, campers, hikers, and everyone interested in the outdoors.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A few flaws
A very good introductory book, but it should include all subbspecies.There is also room in the coverage of the anole to discuss the "roach" on the back of the neck of breeding males.There needs to be a photo of this, because if you encounter one, you might think it is a different species, as I did this summer (thank goodness for the internet!).One small criticism is the description of the box turtle as having a brown carapace.This should read "brown to jet black".There is definitely a good percentage of Caroilna's box turtles that have BLACK shells !

Just what I wanted
This book is exactly what I wanted to help me identify common reptiles and amphibians in my area.Concise info.Good photos. ... Read more

Product Description
This stunning guide explores the kingdom of snakes, toads, frogs, turtles, lizards, salamanders, and crocodiles, with information on physical appearance, voice, breeding cycles, habitat, range, and status in the wild. Poisonous or otherwise dangerous animals are distinguished with a warning symbol. An essay on observing reptiles and amphibians, and detailed anatomical drawings, round out the coverage in this comprehensive guide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Goats with clothes
I was looking for a Goat breeder with some nice friendly goats. I also needed a goat dealer that was not afraid to dress his goats up in pretty cloths.
I was lucky. I found one in Mexico that would do anything for a buck. My wife said she is horny i have to go.

great field guide
This is a great field guide. I have found with field guides that it is always good to have more than one because they all miss some information, but this is definitely a great one to have.

Reptile handbook very useful
This is the 4th Audobon guide we've bought.The photographs are definitive, the written material is exhaustive, the information is invaluable, as we live in the country and come across snakes all the time -- and we don't want to kill anything that won't kill us, so we needed a manual. I recommend this book (and the series).Includes turtles, lizards, frogs, etc.

Why Do You Need a Field Guide?
Because the pictures in this book are as close as you're likely to get to seeing most of the amphibians and many of the reptiles described herein. The Painted Ensatina? The California Tiger Salamander? The Pacific Giant Salamander? The Yosemite Toad? Even the once-ubiquitous Pacific Treefrog? Gilbert's Skink? The California Legless Lizard? The Coast Horned Lizard? These are species I used to expect to see in California, where I've done a large share of my hiking over my 67 years. Thirty years ago, I could have taken you out to find any of them, with a near certainty of success. Now, looking for any herptile except the blue-bellied fence lizard is like fishing in a swimming pool.

Habitat destruction and pollution, especially from pesticides, would be enough to explain the precipitous decline in population of most herptile species, but anyone who studies these creatures, who knows their historical ranges, will tell you point-blank that climate change is hastening their decimation. Want to talk to an expert? Contact Tree Frog Treks in San Francisco, and speak to Chris! If you're an ideological denier of "global warming", you'll get an earful.

I like these little critters. Over the years, it's given me a lot of pleasure to spot them in nature, to know their names and their family connections, to understand a bit about their habits. Frankly, I'd rather see all the SUVs of America compacted into rust, and all the 42-inch TV screens go black, than see even a single sub-species of garter snake go extinct.

Great book to take on hikes
The best way to find out habitat, breeding seasons and diet of any Reptiles or Amphibians you find. ... Read more

Product Description
Amphibian means "two lives" since these animals spend the first part of their life underwater and the rest on land. From flying tree frogs 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

Customer Reviews (3)

Over-reaching title
I got this book shortly after returning from South America and at first glance I was impressed. The cover is decent, the publishing quality higher than expected, and the intro a good start. Unfortunately, the content is a disappointment. I have three main complaints about this volume, and some background will add perspective to these criticisms. I have been keeping and breeding poison frogs of the family Dendrobatidae for nearly a decade and am familiar with R.D. Bartlett as author of numerous articles for the pet trade. Rather than articles from the hobby, I prefer the scientific literature, journals or texts on various herpetological subjects. I have made nearly a dozen trips to the Neotropics with friends or family in the last 5 years and have seen both the dendrobatids I study as well as over a hundred species of frogs and dozens of species of lizards and snakes.

My experiences in Central and South America have led me to conclude that ecotourist guides are ineffective. Whether they are for plants or animals, these guides are geared for people who are somewhat interested in a particular taxon, but relatively ignorant of the species. I have found that ecotourist guides illustrate a limited number of representative animals. This is justified in regions where there are hundreds of species including some new to science. However, the illustrations or descriptive text are so vague and generalized that they can't be used to identify species. The problem with ecotourist guides is that if you necessarily limit the number of species then you need more detail and information to make sure you are identifying the correct subject. However, most ecotourists want, at quick glance, to know what they saw and rarely require great detail. My first attempts to identify birds from an ecotourist guide were frustrating because of the lack of detail. I now travel with detailed excellent bird guides from various regions. I have been awaiting the herp equivalent of these books but the Bartletts' ecotourist's guide falls well short of the mark.

The information offered is vague, downright silly, or wrong. For each animal there is a species account that includes size, identifying features, voice, reproduction, similar species, habitat/range, and comments. Size is a generalized descriptor but it frequently does not help in distinguishing between similar species. Identifying features usually state the obvious but after reading a number of these one gets the impression that an animal could not be identified based on what the Bartletts have written. Voice descriptions are useless. Frogs usually call in mixed species choruses so one would have to have a calling animal in front of them to ascertain what it sounded like. Many frogs quiet themselves upon human approach so it would take patience to catch a frog species calling. I don't believe the average `ecotourist' would make that effort. The calling description is also difficult to use. What is a "series of peeps", "two syllables often repeated", or "repeated buzzes"? The habitat/range info is equally useless. Take this quote from Platemys platycephala: "Although essentially aquatic, twist-necked turtles wander far overland during the rains and when water levels are high. They may be left high and dry as the waters recede." Does this mean one can find this turtle anywhere in the entire Amazon basin? Numerous ranges are listed as primary, secondary, or edge habitats or entire countries. Well of course! I guess it wouldn't be in the book if it didn't occur in the Amazon!

Ah, but then that would be an incorrect assumption. Dendrobates azureus and D. tinctorius are poison frogs inhabiting the Guiana shield of South America. This geographically distinct region from the Amazon consists of a massive up welled landmass on the northern edge of South America. Take the following account of D. azureus. Voice: "Males produce easily overlooked peeps." The call of a male D. azureus is actually a soft buzz much like the electronic ballast of a fluorescent light fixture. Similar species: "Some dyeing poison frogs (D. tinctorius) are quite similar in color, but they usually sit in a more erect posture and often (but not always) have at least a little yellow on the back." Are the Bartletts suggesting that posture is an identifying characteristic of these species? They seem to think so, as they repeat that stance shortly thereafter under the account of D. tinctorius. Habitat/range: "This poison frog has become quite uncommon over much of its original range and is now found in isolated pockets of pinelands and surrounding rainforest near the Brazilian border in Southwestern Suriname. Of difficult access, this region is technically somewhat north of the actual delineation of the Amazon Basin but is drained by several rivers that do terminate in the Amazon." What exactly was the original range of this species? Difficult access to be sure. An expedition to collect this extremely rare species a few years ago was restricted as the local indigenous community controls the area. This region is not in the Amazon proper, but even more glaring is the Bartlett's stated reason for inclusion that the region has rivers that drain in the Amazon. Aside from the absurdity of that argument most of this region's rivers, the Sipaliwini included, flow north and drain into the Atlantic Ocean. So why are D. azureus and D. tinctorius included in this book? I can only conclude that they make pretty pictures, and like much of his dendrobatid section, are based on their popularity in the pet hobby.

The entire dendrobatid section of this guide is filled with errors. The indigenous people of the Amazon did not use these frogs to "concoct a potent toxin from these compounds with which they coat darts and arrows." Only the Noanamá and Emberá Chocó Indians west of the Andes used frogs for poisoning darts. Most Amazonian hunting poisons are made from plants. The Bartletts frequently start to use locale as a defining characteristic for species but then lists the range as so wide, such as southeast Peru, that species overlap makes this technique useless. In fact they give no range for Dendrobates imitator and to beat that they include an incorrect photo of it. The Bartletts list the range of D. castaneoticus as Northeast Brazil (!), which is a massive area. Caldwell's description of the species specifies a much more restricted region. Under D. quinquevittatus they again say to use range to distinguish it from D. ventrimaculatus, yet the two species do have range overlap. They include an incorrect photo of D. quinquevittatus. They state that D. reticulatus are arboreal and while they are capable of climbing most hobbyists and field biologists know that they prefer a terrestrial lifestyle. Most of his accounts on Dendrobatids seem based on their, or others', hobby/pet trade experience. Many of the poison frog photos are of captive specimens. I wonder why they relied on these instead of in-situ shots of these animals if they were as widely traveled as they claim.

The Bartletts' vague mentality carries on in nearly every aspect of this book. Take the species account of Hyla leali.Bartlett calls it a non-descript frog that can most reliably be identified by what it is not (?!). There are hundreds of species of hylid frogs in the region. His photo of it is a Hyla brevifrons. Writing of vipers, they state that captive Bothriopsis bilineata can kill a lab mouse quickly.They remark repeatedly that nocturnal vipers are more prone to bite after dark. Obviously these comments are fluff and seem to be just words to fill the spaces; perfectly meaningless for identification or natural history.

The errors go on. I thought of listing them but there are simply too many to include here. Not to mention that I'm not being paid to correct the Bartletts' mistakes.

My last critique is of the photos. They are generally good and usually catch the identifying characteristics of the frogs, but the print quality is poor. It seems as if someone went bonkers with the hue/saturation settings in Photoshop, as many of the bright colors come off as garish and inaccurate. Some appear as if printed with a color laser printer. Nonetheless, the photos are the only useful part of this book. In fact this book would be more useful if it were just a collection of photos with species captions. That could certainly limit the number of inaccuracies.

The authors present themselves as Amazonian experts but after reading through this work it seems they just made a number of trips to the Iquitos region, taken a bunch of photos of the region's herps (as indicated by the location captions), and decided to publish a book. I would guess that many of the animals were identified for them; otherwise some research would have produced a deeper knowledge. The topic seems broader than their experience and their facts and natural history information come off as made up or based on limited dealings with the animals. They certainly could have benefited from delving into the literature on ranges, natural history, and other details that scientists have been documenting for years.

If you have herp experience or are serious about these animals then I can't recommend this book. It is inferior to Rodriguez and Duellman's, Guide to the Frogs of the Iquitos Region, Amazonian Peru, and Dixon and Soini's guide to the Reptiles of the Iquitos region. This book does have more photos, some of which prove useful in identifying animals. But if you were to take the Bartletts' advice and travel to the region with any of the South America tour companies, many with herp experts, then those experts will likely identify the animals for you free of charge.

A straightforward listing of species
A lengthy inset section of full-color photographs beautifully illustrates Reptiles And Amphibians Of The Amazon: An Ecotourist's Guide, which is a straightforward listing of species of frog, salamander, turtle, lizard, snake, and more. Each entry describes the species' appearance (with a note in regard to similar-looking species), habitat, reproductive cycle, and much more. Reptiles And Amphibians Of The Amazon an excellent catalogue and reference for field identification. Also very highly recommended is the Bartlett's A Field Guide To Florida Reptiles And Amphibians.

Reptiles and Amphibians of the Amazon: An Ecotourist's Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of the Amazon: An Ecotourist's Guide by Richard D. Bartlett and Patricia P. Bartlett is a 291 page paperback published by the University Press of Florida. Having read several of the Bartletts' guides to herp captive care, I was a bit disappointed by this effort. It appears that the Bartletts' main talent lies in husbandry and less in the realm of writing about field herping. The species overviews are weak and several are misinformed. The Bartletts refer to some species that do not even occur in the Amazon region while leaving several very important and common species out of the guide. This was surprising for a book that aims to furnish information on some of the more common herps throughout Amazonia. As a matter of fact, the majority of the reptiles and amphibians that are illustrated in this book are unlikely to even be seen by an ecotourist. I found the photo quality to be poor and numerous species were misidentified. Furthermore, the title is a bit misleading as most of the species represented in this book are from the Upper Amazon region of Peru, making this guide not as user friendly in other areas of the Amazon. I have traveled extensively, and the Amazon is one of my favorite spots to visit. I was really hoping to finally have a herp guide that would prove useful throughout the mighty Amazon. Looks like my wait continues! ... 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.

Customer Reviews (10)

Great book
Really nice, descriptive, and complete book on reptiles and amphibians of GA.The book gives a nice description, pictures, territory, and habits to help one ID a snake, frog, lizard, etc.I have not had this book long, but have already ID-ed a few critters I've seen in my backyard and while hiking.Highly recommended.

Lovely photos
This book provides a comprehensive overview of a wide range of species in a clear and well organized format.It's not a technical biology textbook, however, so there may not be enough detail for someone with more specialized knowledge of amphibians and reptiles.The book is fairly thick and heavy and not suited to carrying in the field, if that's what you want.However, it's just fine for sitting on a patio and looking up whatever you've seen in your garden or flowerbed.

Outstanding Georgia Amphibians and Reptiles Reference
I found this book to be a comprehensive and outstanding reference book about amphibians and reptiles in Georgia. It's also beautifully presented with a stunning color cover and numerous color photo illustrations throughout.

disappointed
I eagerly added this book to my collection but was disappointed in its brevity in several areas, especially the topic of subspecies. Subspecies, race or geographical variation is an important element of herpetology. Comprehensive it is not. Their format also leaves a lot of wasted space. A nice looking book.

Great Book
This is a terrific book on Southern reptiles and amphibians.The photographs are excellent and the range maps are very helpful.Amazon offers it at a very reasonable price.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A must have, superb regional guide.
Having been involved in field herping for more than 30 years, I have gone through my share of field guides. Amphibians and Reptiles of Delmarva is one of those that I read over and over again. Comprehensive text and outstanding photography make this guide an excellent resource for those who wish to study reptiles and amphibians of the area or for those that just want to be aware of what is living in their backyards.Personal observations by the authors and several of their -more than qualified- associates are depicted within the text.These observations along with expert identification and habitat descriptions are also valuable to those who do not live on the DelMarva Peninsula and those who live in states that share similar herpteofauna.
Truly a must have!

Just what I needed...
I was looking for a guide to reptiles in my area, and this book was recommended by at least two local experts as THE guide to have.They were right...easy to ID the snakes and frogs we find.

A high -class regional guide
Most regional field guides that I've come across are poorly produced, minimally illustrated, and not all that helpful. Not so here. The writing is lucid, the section of color photos is well-reproduced and the text is arranged in an easily accessible manner.

Would that they were all so good.

top marks for the new R and A field guide
Review of Amphibians and Reptiles of Delmarva
By Amy Wendt White and James F. White Jr.

This is the first field guide that I have read from cover to cover - a recommendation in itself. The descriptions of the habitats of Delmarva, the history of herpetology on the Peninsula, and the basics of observing and identifying local amphibians and reptile were all well written and useful.I would have liked a scale (like the ubiquitous quarter or rock hammer) in some of the photographs, but the photos themselves were visually stunning, and with the written descriptions, quite complete. I fully intend to use this field guide often, as a reference for teaching and as a help for identification when I am in the field.

Sally O'Byrne ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
A fascinating world of scientific wonders, the amphibian species is full of unusual and extreme adaptations and is home to numerous unsolved mysteries. "Amphibians" is your guide to these intriguing and diverse creatures.

Often misunderstood, this species which includes frogs, toads, salamanders and newts, surpasses all other vertebrate species in survival and reproduction strategies. In addition, as the stunning photographs depict, amphibians are also creatures of extreme beauty. Many tropical tree -- and poison-arrow frogs are just as dazzling in appearance as some of the world's most colorful birds.

Scientific experts from all over the globe have contributed their knowledge and understanding of amphibians to this comprehensive volume. An excellent resource for both experienced and amateur scientists, "Amphibians," includes information on thousands of amphibian species from throughout the world. This useful reference guide also includes information on the biology, physiology and evolution of amphibians, as well as chapters on Ecology and Ethology, The Meaning of Amphibians for Mankind, and Endangerment and Species Protection. This last section is important as global warming, habitat loss and pesticides have placed many amphibians -- even common frogs and toads -- on the road to extinction.

Fascinating and informative, "Amphibians," is one of the most comprehensive books available on this adaptive and ubiquitous species. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Beautiful, but tough reading
I was actually disappointed by this book.

Each chapter in this book was written by a different person, most of them highly educated academic herpetologists.There's nothing wrong with the information, except if it's become dated since publication.Unfortunately the whole book is just hard to read!The authors wrote for their own educational level; whether the rest of us can follow it or not depends on how interested we are in the material, how good of a herpetological dictionary we have, and our own educational level.

The pictures are beautiful, probably worth the cover price alone.

It's just - as a writer - I know this could have been written so all could read it.My frustration is that people, particularly young ones, would get turned off on herpetology and perhaps even on science after trying to read this book.

Fabulous photos, but so-so text
The photos in this book are undoubtedly its strength. It may be worth buying this book just for the pictures. The problems with the text are as follows. First, it is obviously translated. It has been edited for correct English, but some of it still sounds awkward. The word usage often seems strange. I found a few errors, probably introduced by the translation/editing process. Second, it is not clear who it is written for. The vocabulary is probably too advanced for a non-scientist, but the information is nothing new for the specialist. Third, some of the information is too cursory to be of much value. For example, the chapter on diseases is very general; I don't think anyone would find the information here of much value.

This book is worthwhile, but I would not consider it an essential reference work. Buy it for the photos, but don't expect the text to be excellent.

Very Informative
This has a lot of information in it and pictures, this is a totally awesome book ... Read more