Product Description
Freshly updated with new photos, new data, and newly included species, this pictorial identification guide and basic husbandry manual covers more than 250 species, subspecies, and color morphs of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. The authors advise on what to look for when purchasing these animals and discuss proper caging and feeding. Each profile includes the animal's original natural habitat, its size from hatchling to adult, its lifespan, and its general behavior traits. The wide array of animals covered includes snakes, lizards, skinks, geckos, turtles and tortoises, frogs, toads, salamanders, tarantulas, scorpions, mantids, crabs--and even cockroaches. Hundreds of color illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

never received my order
I would like to review this book but it never arrived.
Have sent multiple emails to source but no success.

Bible for herpers
GREATEST book ever written for herpers. I call this my bible for reptile buying, keeping or just plain informational. So many uses and so quick for referencing a reptile before buying.

Pass on this book
Although I wasn't expecting much from this book beyond some quick simple information on various species, I was still dissappointed. The care information is poor in many cases when I compared it to several other expert sources. Basic care info is missing like temperature and humidity requirements. My main reason to get this book was for the photos and species identification and in some cases that was incorrect. For example the what is supposed to be a photo of a Forest Hinge-back Tortoise looks more like a Home's Hinge-back Tortoise [...] I can't recommend this book to anyone looking to provide good quailty care to their pet. Or to help identify a species. Pass on this book.

Great to Have if You Go to Reptile Shows
If you really like to go to reptile shows to get your pets, this book is really great to carry with you. It consists of numerous one page entries on individual species. It includes nearly all of the reptiles (including snakes) and amphibians that you would encounter in the pet trade. Although I wish it had more information on whether or not a certain animal was easy to handle or good for beginners/experts, etc, it's a good "shotgun" herp book to have since it details lots of different species not just a select few. So if you ever have wondered how long a long-tailed lizard gets when you are at your local herp show, you can easily look it up in this book.

Reptiles, Amphibians, and Invertebrates An Identification an
I liked nearly everything about this book. The format of one species per page with a high quality color photo made it wonderful to use.This info is for all the popular animals kept in captivity.The content of information was great, with one exception.I wish the temperature ranges for species were given, but the author directs the reader to other book titleswith this and more detailed information. ... Read more

Product Description
The first volume in William L. McGee's acclaimed Pacific war trilogy is a detailed history of the revolutionary World War II landing craft and the unsung heroes who manned them. Exhaustive research, hundreds of interviews, and a point-blank writing style capture the very essence of the amphibious assignments in the World War II 'Gator Navy.

From the Back Cover
The primary objective of Volume I is to provide a close-up look at the most prevalent of the revolutionary World War II shore-to-shore landing craft and the unsung heroes that manned them:

• Puts the reader aboard the landing craft specifically designed and built to speed assault troops directly to the beach.
• Provides a brief history of amphibious warfare from the Revolutionary War to the 1942 Guadalcanal and North Africa campaigns.
• Profiles the famed "Green Dragons," the high-speed destroyer transports that filled a pressing Marine Corps need for ship-to-shore delivery prior to the availability of the new landing craft.
• Focuses on the "Earlybird" Flotilla Five LCTs, LSTs and LCIs and their crews -- from landing craft design and construction, to amphibious training and crew and flotilla formations, to on-the-job warfare training in the Southern Solomons -- all in preparation for their first invasion of enemy-held territory, Operation TOENAILS.

Customer Reviews (4)

gift for my dad
Gave this book to my Dad for his 86th birthday.He served in WW II in amphibian LCT 5 in Pacifics.he really was thrilled with this book.Arrived in great shape and in timely manner.

READERS' PRAISE for THE AMPHIBIANS ARE COMING!
"Amphibians Are Coming! describe miracles -- bringing LSTs and other landing vessels into high production in a short time; bringing together untrained officers and men to perform tasks which should have taken months of training; making all this work under unbelievable combat conditions.
--Mel Barger, author, "Large Slow Target"

"If your children or grandchildren have ever asked, `What did you do in the war?' point them to McGee's books. Throughout you will find yourself saying, `Yup, that was us,' and I guarantee you'll have renewed respect for the guy you see in the mirror every morning."
--Howard Clarkson, USS LCI National Association

"Your books brought tears to my eyes. A `must read' for all sea services veterans and their descendants."
--Charles C. Espy, Lt (jg), USNR, SS Thomas Nelson, Armed Guard C.O.

"To say Bill McGee is a serious naval historian is an understatement. As they say in the Navy, well done!"
--W. C. Hilderbrand, Capt, CEC, USN (Ret), CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation

"Amphibians Are Coming! is a `must read' for all Armed Guard and merchant mariners and their families. --C.A. Lloyd, Chairman, USN Armed Guard Veterans of WWII

"Having experienced a full measure of life at sea during WWII, I find your military histories detailed, vivid, accurate. They capture the essence of that war."
--Anthony P. Tesori, USNR, Gunnery Officer, LST-340

"One of the best books I've ever read on WWII. I was impressed with the scholarly effort the author put forth. I'm a former Marine and didn't know the kind of detail that occurred in that sector of the campaign, but I sure do now."
--Jim Comiskey, author, "Academic Innovations"

"I heard about this book from my cousin, John A. McNeill Sr, skipper of the LCT-159 of the Solomons campaign. I was a sailor on USS LSM-342 which evolved out of the LCT in 1943 and first hit the beaches in the Philippines in 1944. Thank you for this great history of the `Gator Navy."
--Royce McNeill, LSM-342

"Having done my own research for the famed `Green Dragons'--the history of the Four Stack APD (Destroyer Transports) in WWII--I consider your Amphib's book a must read for anyone interested in the history of our great amphibious navy that was so instrumental in winning WWII."
--Curt Clark, Secretary, The Four Stack APD Veterans

"A masterful job in dealing with the wide range of Amphibians. You included just the right amount of detail to make the book very readable."
--Alfred J. Ormston, Skipper, LCI-334

"My father, a Flotilla Five veteran, pulled rank and read the book first. It's filled with many personal accounts of the pioneering men of Flotilla Five and gave me an idea of what life was like in those days of the war in the South Pacific. For my father, it brought back many memories."
--Richard Fox, Webmaster, LCT Flotillas of WWII

"Excellent reading."
--"Frenchy" Maurais, Duty Yeoman, USS McCawley (aka "Wackymac")

"Truly comprehensive."
--Robert M. Carr, Skipper, LCT-364

"I went into the Amphib fleet after I saw the Missouri go out of commission in 1955. I'm fascinated with small craft of the Navy and thank you for the wonderful contribution you are making to keep this history alive."
--Herbert Fahr Jr, President, 1998-2000, USS Missouri (BB-63) Association

"Every `amphib' needs to have all three volumes of William McGee's series, Amphibious Operations in the South Pacific in WWII so the next generation can read and learn what their loved ones went through."
--Royce N. McNeill, USS LSM-LSMR Association

"I was on LCT-146 that was transported to Noumea, New Caledonia on LST-399 as narrated in your book. I am still in close contact with a navy buddy who was on LST-398 that transported his LCT-145 as narrated on page 162 in your book. I would like a copy of your book sent to him as a gift."
--Howard Breckenfeld, USN

"Amphibians Are Coming! is a long-awaited dream since it deals with my kind of war. You've brought great pride and joy to thousands who were there and to future generations who will learn how America fought in World War II."
--John A. McNeill Sr., USNR, Officer-in-Charge, LCT-159

"Your book reminded me of how easy it was to lose one's life then. Your story of the ship's gun crew firing at planet Venus gave me a chuckle. Some gun crews were really trigger-happy and dangerous."
--Paul Clodfelter, First Special Naval Construction Battalion

"Being an `old amphib', I never really knew how much I didn't know about the new landing crafts' humble beginnings. I look forward to Volume II and highly recommend not only amphib sailors read it, but all those interested in the Navy and WWII. Great stuff!"
--Bill Bartz, Capt., USNR-R, President, ACU Veterans Group

"Dad, What did you do in the war?"
If your children or grandchildren have ever asked, "What did you do in the war?" then point them to this book.

Bill McGee, a prolific author and veteran of naval service in the South Pacific, has written a book that will do any "Amphibian" proud. He has managed by dint of exceptional research and extensive interviews to perfectly blend the historical development of naval amphibious forces with humorous anecdotal references. You will find yourself chuckling and nodding in the affirmative as you recall your own moments of terror, mind-numbing boredom and outrageous pranks.

McGee tells his story by following the formations of the Flotilla 5 LCTs, LSTs and LCIs from the formation of their crews in the states through their training--or lack thereof--crossing the Pacific, and their arrival and operations in the Solomon Islands group. It is a compelling story of "green" crews, "green" officers, "green" dragons and "green" camouflage.

Throughout this book, you will find yourself saying, "Yup, that was us." Read this book and I will guarantee that you will have a renewed respect for the guy you see in the mirror every morning.

A welcome and informative addition to World War II studies.
William McGee's The Amphibians Are Coming! is a deeply engaging biographical history of World War II ship-to-shore landing craft and their crews. A brief history of amphibious warfare from the American Revolution to the 1942 Gudalcanal and North African campaigns is provided. Specifically designed and built to speed assault troops ashore under enemy fire, these landing crafts were used extensively in both the European and Pacific theaters. The Amphibians Are Coming! also profiles the famed "Green Dragons", the high-speed destroyer transports that filled a pressing Marine Corps need for ship-to-shore delivery prior to the availability of the new and more effective landing craft. Here is also the story of the "Earlybird" Flotilla Five LCTs, LSTs, and LCIs and their crews. McGree ranges from landing craft design and construction to amphibious training and flotilla formations, then concludes with the on-the-job warfare training in the southern Solomons. The Amphibians Are Coming! is a welcome and informative addition to personal, academic, and communitylibrary World War II history and reference collections. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Texas Amphibians & Reptiles
Book arrived in excellent condition and ahead of time.Great service.Would highly recommend the seller.

The ultimate county specific guide to Texas reptiles and amphibians
Dixon's guide is far better than the Peterson, Texas Monthly and Audubon guides when it comes to narrowing down the species/subspecies of a specific county.With many reptiles and amphibians this information alone can decide a difficult identification.Also, the bibliography section has led me to many in-depth reports and studies.If you are only interested in looking at paintings or uncharacteristic photographs of these animals, I encourage you to consult the usual field guides.However, if you are a professional or an amateur willing to put this book to work, there is no other Texas resource like it.

My only complaint is that we could sure use a 2005 update.Also, Dixon's insightful comments under the species accounts (updated in the 2000 edition)would be even better if they were more extensive.

A Ten-Foot Bibliography In a Handy Desk Reference
Dixon's book is an important research tool for professional and amateur herpetologists working with the amphibians and reptiles of Texas who need to 1) refer to a rich bibliography of about 3,500 references that is current as of April 1999 - more than half of which are new since the 1987 first edition, 2) have distribution maps for all the native Texas amphibians and reptiles based on more than 13,000 county records covering more than 110,000 localities, 3) keep current with taxonomic changes, 4) refer to identification keys, and/or 5) understand the problems facing the continued survival of these animals in the face of commercial collecting and habitat destruction.

The book is composed of four major sections - A) keys (40 pages covering salamanders, frogs and toads, amphibian larvae, turtles, lizards, and snakes), B) species accounts (115 pages), C) distribution maps (94 pages with 162 maps), and C) a bibliography (143 pages).There are also shorter sections covering an 86-term glossary, indices of common (about 425) and scientific (about 550) names, and a few (25) black and white photos.

While the book is not suitable, in my estimation, as a field guide; it is nonetheless an excellent, annotated, and comprehensive bibliographic reference for serious students of the full range of Texas amphibians and reptiles.Under each genus and species account, in addition to the comments and distribution maps, a sometimes lengthy list of bibliographic references from among the 3,500 cited in this book is shown for further look-up as desired.This is a very effective way of cross referencing, by species, a shelf of additional material that I grossly estimate to be perhaps ten feet or so wide.I suggest that the most effective use of this thorough and well-researched book is in conjunction with nicely illustrated and somewhat more self-contained guides to Texas herps such as Werler and Dixon's Texas Snakes, Conant's Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians of Eastern & Central North America (Peterson Field Guide Series), or Vermersch's Lizards and Turtles of South Central Texas - for any of which this book is a particularly excellent and useful companion.

As time goes on, the late-1990's content of Dixon's book will need to be updated again (the first edition of this work was released 13 years before the current edition) or it will cease to be as current and useful as it still is even today - some five years after its 2000 publication.On the other hand, even if not timely updated, this book will remain an excellent and vital snapshot in time of the literature and known distribution of the Texas herpetofauna.Anyone wishing to enhance or complete their knowledge of specific Texas herps should certainly refer to this book or consider adding this excellent, moderately priced book to their herp library depending upon how often they wish to refer to it.

As an afterword, it is interesting to note that most books - certainly those able to pass the rigors of marketing scrutiny that commercial publishers require today before a book is accepted for publication - don't need operating instructions; one just needs merely to read the book.Unfortunately, however, this book is different.Because of its rather unusual style and content, the appearance of the book is not "friendly", and at first blush it seems to contain a lot of arcane tabular data and mysterious code without adequate plain English text to "decode" it.Of course this is not the case. This tabular information and code is the meat of Dixon's book, being the wealth of the distribution data and the excellent, cross-referencedbibliographic references.One should try to visualize that with the use of this book there is a ten-foot long shelf of accompanying reference material stretched across a library table, and that this book is the codex that translates between that wealth of outstanding reference material and shorter, more user-friendly herp reference books.With this understanding, the true value of Dixon's book can be appreciated.

Just note that although the book has been in print for nearly four years as of the time of this writing, there has been only one short review of this book on Amazon.com, titled "Book Not For Amateurs", which states that "Unless you are a serious student of herpetology, do not buy this book.It does not contain photos or descriptions intended for the use of the general public, but tables and numbers that mean nothing to me. If you don't know what you are looking for, you are certainly not going to find it here. This was an expensive lesson for me to learn. I hope this prevents someone else from doing the same."

How sad to read that poor Amazon.com review: I can only hope it didn't discourage anyone who could have benefited from reading/usingDixon's fine book.Proof positive of the absolute need for this book review!
END

Book Not For Amateurs
Unless you are a serious student of herpetology, do not buy this book. It does not contain photos or descriptions intended for the use of the general public, but tables and numbers that mean nothing to me.If you don't know what you are looking for, you are certainly not going to find it here.

This was an expensive lesson for me to learn.I hope this prevents someone else from doing the same. ... Read more

Product 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—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

Product Description
Detailed, specially drawn full-color illustrations of 230 species of mammals, 300 reptiles, and 200 amphibians in natural, realistic settings. At-a-glance identification capsules pinpoint behavior patterns, field characteristics, coloring, habitat, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Just what I needed
This book is full of the info on the animals and reptiles I was looking for. Would recommend it for anyone who is interested in watching wildlife.

Reader's Digest N. Am. Wildlife
I really like this book. I am a nature lover, enjoying nature walks, gardening, my fish pond, and bird watching at all my feeders. I have a lot of individual books on specific studies--birds, nests and eggs, trees, flowers, etc., but I enjoy this book because there is so much information on ALL forms of nature life, both plant and animal, all under one cover. I ordered two books so I could give one to a friend. One was ordered from seashellbooks, which I received within two weeks. The other was ordered from keen_northwest at the same time. I would suggest you do not order from them, as I still have not received my book from them.Today is March 4th, and I ordered the books on January 31st. I was not able to tag this below, but would definitely RECOMMEND.

A Great Beginner's Guide to Wildlife in North America
I bought this for a young girl who is interested in wildlife. I loved the detailed illustrations and the information included. I would not suggest this book for an adult, but it was a big hit with the recipient.

Excellent wildlife book
Excellent book on Wildlife in North American.The picture are very true of the real animal dipicted.

A Good Field Guide
This is our first family field guide that we picked up at a used book sale.It is not comprehensive, but covers more than the basics well.The color illustrations are great and we have learned much from the book so far in the year that we've owned it. ... Read more

Product Description
Amphibians are the extant descendants of the first vertebrate class to successfully colonize terrestrial environments; hence they occupy a unique position between fish and reptiles. Amphibian skin provides essentially no resistance to evaporative water loss, and consequently daily water turnover rates are an order of magnitude greater than in other terrestrial vertebrate groups. This has led to a suite of physiological, morphological and behavioural adaptations that have allowed a successful terrestrial existence in spite of this apparently spendthrift water retention strategy.

Ecological and Environmental Physiology of Amphibians provides a synthesis of current research on the comparative physiology of amphibians with a particular emphasis on water balance. It adopts a strong environmental perspective and includes a wealth of information on ecology, phylogeny and development. As with other books in the Ecological and Environmental Physiology Series, the emphasis in this book is on the unique physiological characteristics of the amphibians, although the latest experimental techniques and future research directions are also considered. This accessible text is suitable for both graduate students and researchers in the fields of amphibian comparative physiology and physiological ecology, including specialist courses in amphibian ecology. It will also be of value and use to the many professional herpetologists requiring a concise overview of the topic. ... Read more

Product Description
This series of volumes represents a comprehensive and integrated treatment of reproduction in vertebrates from fishes of all sorts through mammals. It is designed to provide a readable, coordinated description of reproductive basics in each group of vertebrates as well as an introduction to the latest trends in reproductive research and our understanding of reproductive events. Whereas each chapter and each volume is intended to stand alone as a review of that topic or vertebrate group, respectively, the volumes are prepared so as to provide a thorough topical treatment across the vertebrates. Terminology has been standardized across the volumes to reduce confusion where multiple names exist in the literature, and a comprehensive glossary of these terms and their alternative names is provided.

* A complete, essential and up to date reference for research scientists working on vertebrate hormones and reproduction - and on animlals as models in human reproductive research.
* Covers the endocrinology, neuroendocrinology, physiology, behaviour and anatomy of vertebrate reproduction.
* Structured coverage of the major themes for all five vertebrate groups allows a consistent treatment for all.
* Special chapters elaborate on features specific to individual vertebrate groups and to comparative aspects, similarities and differences between them.


... Read more

Product Description
Is an ostrich a bird, even if it doesn't fly? The basic classes of the animal kingdom are explained in simple yet engaging text in these beginning books on animal classification. ... Read more

Book Description

Product Description
A beautifully done first publication on amphibians and reptiles of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. In addition to the species accounts there is a chapter covering the geography and climate, biogeography, historic and present herpetological research, observing and collecting specimens, relationship in the cultural heritage, status and conservation, and venomous snakes and snakebite. Each of the species account includes scientific and common names, systematics, general and local distribution, habitat, biological notes and references. 260 full-color photographs, b/w photographs and illustrations, keys, and distribution maps. ... Read more

Product Description
For over 350 million years, thousands of species of amphibians have lived on earth, but since the 1990s they have been disappearing at an alarming rate, in many cases quite suddenly and mysteriously. What is causing these extinctions? What role do human actions play in them? What do they tell us about the overall state of biodiversity on the planet? In Extinction in Our Times, James Collins and Martha Crump explore these pressing questions and many others as they document the first modern extinction event across an entire vertebrate class, using global examples that range from the Sierra Nevada of California to the rainforests of Costa Rica and the Mediterranean coast of North Africa. Joining scientific rigor and vivid storytelling, this book is the first to use amphibian decline as a lens through which to see more clearly the larger story of climate change, conservation of biodiversity, and a host of profoundly important ecological, evolutionary, ethical, philosophical, and sociological issues. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Complete coverage of a complex phenomenon
The authors have accomplished something spectacular here.They have taken a very disturbing and complex story---that has its share of intertwined controversies, to be sure---and assembled a remarkably objective and even-handed summary.The book doesn't foolishly proclaim to have solved all the mysteries, nor offer a silver-bullet panacea for the amphibian crisis.Rather it presents a fully readable retrospective and current review of the crisis of amphibian declines and extinctions and an interesting perspective on how science as a process, and the scientists as people, responded to an unprecedented set of circumstances.The authors do an especially good job at maintaining full objectivity in the face of ongoing controversies and disagreements among scientists.Similarly, to treat fairly the scientists and hypotheses that time has shown to have been "wrong"---or, better said, the ideas and conclusions that are not supported by all of the accumulated data.The nice style adopted by the authors throughout the book is to simply point out which hypotheses are the best supported by the data.There are no "winners" or "losers" among the people and ideas presented in this book, as the authors imply that all contributions to the amphibian crisis have been important.
We have a long way to go in understanding and confronting the ecological catastrophe of global amphibian declines and extinctions.But this book is a complete summary of where we've been and where we are positioned today in this phenomenon.Importantly, the authors also pay especial attention to how we got to our current position of knowledge and conservation action.This aspect of the book makes for a fascinating study of how a completely unorganized cohort of scientists responded when the found themselves suddenly in the face of an overwhelming conservation challenge.In retrospect, the scientists responded quite slowly.But after reading this book, you will realize that no other response was possible.
I hope this book is read carefully by scientists, conservationists, and policymakers working on other aspects of the global environmental crisis.This case study of the amphibian crisis offers many lessons applicable to other biodiversity crises, be it fungal infections in bats or die-offs of coral reefs.The book also offers a complete overview of the phenomenon of amphibian extinctions.I wish all reporters and science writers covering the subject would give this a careful read before beginning their stories! Kudos to the authors for a remarkable and easily absorbable synthesis of a very complex story. ... Read more

Product Description
Some 360 million years ago the ancestors of today's reptiles and amphibians emerged from the sea to take on the challenge of land. This successful venture climaxed in a spectacular 140-million-year domination of the Earth by the dinosaurs. Today there are more than 11,000 species of reptiles and amphibians living in all parts of the world. Their behavior and physiology are as complex as those of birds and mammals, and they are equally well-adapted to the astonishingly varied environments they inhabit. Only through a greater understanding of the fragile balance that exists between the species and their habitats will it be possible for us to ensure their survival.
This Second Edition of Reptiles and Amphibians is a magnificently illustrated book, with highly comprehensive and authoritative text, written by the world's leading herpetologists. The book has more than 200 superb color photographs and 100 original paintings, maps, and diagrams. It is an up-to-date and definitive volume that chronicles the life-histories of some of nature's most secretive yet remarkable creatures.

Key Features
* Magnificently illustrated in full color
* Includes hundreds of color photographs and meticulously researched diagrams and maps
* Written by an international team of world recognized authorities ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A fine reference
I am not trained in zoology and approach this subject as a complete amateur and a beginner amateur at that. This book is lavishly illustrated with expert and precise drawings as well as breathtaking photography that is more than adequat in conveying the beauty and complexity of the book's subject matter.

The "Key Facts" corner of every chapter gives useful basic information, e.g. the biggest and smallest of snakes, lizards or whatever - and how many are endangered. One cutaway view of a rattlesnake's rattle is particularly fascinating, though it only leaves me asking for more internal anatomical views.

While the writing is generally good, it sometimes lapses into a specialist's jargon that leaves us amateurs scratching our heads. Even when words like "lamellae" and "setae" are explained, might it just suffice to call them "overlapping plates" and "projections" respectively when discussing how geckos can "stroll on the ceiling"? I found myself looking back to check on what term meant what. Also, rather than a photograph, a drawing of the gecko foot might be more revealing - and there the scientific terms could be introduced.

But this is a minor complaint. I have no regrets whatsover about purchasing this book. it is a brilliant and spectacular tribute to the animal world's great wonders.

A Great Book for anyone, from the ameteur to the expert
Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians, Second Edition gave exellent synopsi on many herpetofauna ranging from the common green tree frog, to the care New Caledonian geckos. This encyclopedia will be enjoyed by anyone who has a genuine interest in reptiles and amphibians. ... Read more

Product Description
This text is intended primarily as a field guide to the 100 or so reptiles and amphibians that occur on the islands of the Eastern Caribbean, from Anguilla and Sombrero in the north to Grenada in the south. It is hope that the book will provide an introduction to the biology of these animals for the non-specialist, and that the results of the author's ten years of research into evolutionary ecology in the Eastern Caribbean should be of interest to both amatuer and professional herpetologists alike. The herpetofauna of Dominica, as an example of a virtually intact community, are described in detail. A series of island profiles follows in which the specific features and species of each island portrayed and illustrated by colour photographs. A chapter on conservation emphasises the specific threat to species and habitats. A glossary explains any technical terms and a checklist of species is included for easy reference. ... Read more

Product Description
See the colorful, comical, and creepy characters of the reptile and amphibian kingdom as you've never seen them before. The emperor newt, boa constrictor, prairie king snake, panther chameleon, poison dart frog, and many others come to life in eye-popping stereoscopic detail and dazzling color in this foolproof 3-d viewing experience. Complete with lenses conveniently bound into the front cover at precisely the right viewing distance, Amphibians & Reptiles in 3-d lets viewers safely observe these intriguing creatures as they crawl, hop, and slither right off the page. With informative captions and a fun glossary of terms, this collection of extraordinary photographs will amaze and delight nature lovers of all ages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Amazing Photographs in 3D
We were visiting a museum one day and one of their interactive rooms had Bugs in 3-D. It is like the old stereoscope viewers in that it shows the photos as if they were three dimensional.
The book has a built in double magnifying glass (the glasses are part of the cover that folds out for use). Each page has two pictures of the same reptilian scene. If you hold the book at a 90 degree angle, and look through the "glasses" the photos become three dimensional (and very close up!). You can see amazing detail as if you were inches away. It sounds creepy but it is very interesting!
Using this book gives you the benefit of looking at these reptiles very close up without having to actually have them in front of you. The photos are beautifully done and very colorful. The text that accompanies each page is educational.
I would highly recommend this book as well as any others in this series by Mark Blum. We now have three in the series. If you can't get it new, a used copy is still wonderful.

Awsome Book!
This is a great children's book for both kids and adults. The 3D effect looks great!

Another winner by Mark Blum
It would be difficult to assemble a finer 3-D book. Everything works. Until you see this book, you have not seen a frog, a snake or a gecko. The detail in the eyes, feet and tongues are amaizing. This book really puts things in perspective. For children AND adults.

Amphibians & reptiles in 3-D
Fabulous book with stereo 3-D photos!

I highly recommended this book for school children and adults alike.

I was introduced to one of Blum's books by a friend and liked it so much that I sought out and bought all of his 3D books. I find the price so reasonable that I've since bought more to give as gifts.

I enjoy looking at the 3-D photos as much as my seven year old son so I already know several adults as well as children who will be getting this book as a gift.

The technical quality of the photos and printing of the books is very good. A magnifying, stereo viewer is built into a unique bi-fold cover of the book A little research showed that this idea is well over a hundred years old (like stereo photography) but I still find it very innovative because it is so rare and unusual.

The photographer has an inspired eye and top technical skill. The close-up photography is wild. I wonder how he got those frogs to hold still like that. Some of them are beautifully colored too.

The writing accompanying each image adds to the photos with just the right amount of scientific and general information to serve both young and old reader. I like this book very much and I hope you find this review helpful. I recommend looking for the other 3-D books by Blum. They are all great!

GREAT FUN for ALL Ages!!
Well, I am running out of superlatives for Mark Blum's work! I just have to repeat myself - AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES IN 3-D is simply FABULOUS!! One of the MANY wonderful aspects of this book is how it takes you right INTO the world of these creatures. YOU get shrunk down to the size of a tree frog to meet one! AMAZING!

The content quality is excellent!
The production quality is excellent!
The overall experience is excellent!
And all for this price!?!? How DO they do it?

Can't I give it 10 stars? 20?
BUY IT! ... Read more

Product Description
Amphibian Medicine and Captive Husbandry isdesigned to introduce veterinary practitioners to the diagnosis andtreatment of disease in captive amphibians. Although designed for theveterinary clinician, this text is an essential part of anyherpetologist's library, covering various aspects of amphibian captivehusbandry and propagation while providing a firm foundation thatenables the reader to evaluate a given husbandry routine. Thediagnosis of disease in amphibians by the application of basicclinicopathologic techniques is discussed. Infectious, metabolic,nutritional, neoplastic, and idiopathic disorders of amphibians areexamined in detail. Fully illustrated, this volume contains 243 colorpictures, 317 black and white figures, and 54 tables that enhance theusefulness of the text and will be of interest to zoos and aquariumswith amphibian displays as well as to libraries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Excellent source for a little covered group of animals
This text is an excellent resource for zoo animal vets or small animal vets that are presented with amphibians. The book is very factual in nature, but the authors also offer their own clinical experience. Because their is a dearth of veterinary information on the treatment of amphibians, this is a welcome addition to the veterinary literature

A must book for any enthusiasts on amphibians captive care
A must book for any enthusiasts or veterinarian. It is the first serious book on amphibians medicine. It also covers some interesting chapters on captive care and rearing.

Medical degree needed!
I bought this book when I had a sick newt on my hands and wanted to get some deeper insights as to what may be wrong.Even the vets I took my pet to were mostly unable to help much, so I tried to take matters into my own hands, at least this way when I went to the vet, I'd be able to bring some ideas and understandings to the table.Let me add that I am a science teacher, so I am no dummy with respect to scientific understanding, but my background is NOT in biology, which is what's essential in the understanding of this book.Also, the book is not meant for "lay people", such as myself, but rather veterinary or medical students.Now I see why.The book was very expensive, which I didn't mind if it had helped, and very difficult to underdstand.The book had very little information with respect to newts in general and rather focused on other amphibians such as frogs.There were very few pictures or chapters/paragraphs even devoted to newts.I wish there had been a copy of the book in a library for me to check out beforehand, as I would not have purchased the book if I did.I'm sure for a vet student the book is probably wonderful, but for someone with no biology background trying to search for some specific answers, it fell way short.

An invaluable title for veterinarians
Kevin Wright and Brent Whitaker's Amphibian Medicine And Captive Husbandry is a comprehensive, in-depth, scholarly reference manual designed to introduce and assist veterinary practitioners in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in captive amphibians. However, it also serves as an invaluable, core addition to the library of any herpetologist, breeder or pet owner of an amphibian, for it extensively covers numerous details of the care, feeding, and reproduction of captive amphibians, as well as disease diagnosis, basic clinical techniques for treatment. The many diseases discussed include sicknesses that are infectious, metabolic, nutritional, neoplastic, and idiopathic. 243 color pictures, 317 black and white pictures, and 54 tables greatly enhance the meticulous and highly precise text of this exhaustively complete reference. An invaluable title for veterinarians and/or owners of amphibians.

Comments from co-editor Dr. Kevin Wright
Hello, I am Dr. Kevin Wright, co-editor of Amphibian Medicine and Captive Husbandry.Given the global decline of amphibian populations noted at the end of the 20th century, Dr. Whitaker and I designed Amphibian Medicine and Captive Husbandry to introduce the diagnosis and treatment of disease in amphibians to a wide range of audiences.Although our primary intent was to provide a practical but thorough text for the veterinary clinician, we believe this book will be an essential part of any biologist's library; the topics covered range from amphibian captive husbandry and propagation to the diagnosis of disease in amphibians by the application of basic clinicopathologic techniques.Topics are arranged by etiology.The pathology section is highly detailed and provides the only overview of amphibian pathology published.

Recognizing that the understanding of veterinary medicine is facilitated by illustrations, Amphibian Medicine and Captive Husbandry includes 243 color pictures, 317 black and white figures, and 54 tables.

We highly recommend this book to any individual, institution or organization that works with captive or wild amphibians: veterinary clinicians, comparative pathologists, veterinary students, herpetologists, herpetoculturists, zoos, aquariums, biomedical research facilities, and libraries.

ABOUT THE EDITORS:

Kevin M. Wright, DVM, is currently President of Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital in Mesa, Arizona.(For more hospital information, please see www.azeah.com) He was awarded Exotic DVM of the year in 2008. He is the former Director of Conservation, Science, and Sanctuary at the Phoenix Zoo.A resident in zoological medicine at the Philadelphia Zoo from 1990-1992, he subsequently served as Curator and Veterinarian of Amphibians and Reptiles from 1993-1999 and is an adjunct professor of Clinical Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.He is a past president of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians and a past session chair for the reptile and amphibian lectures at the North American Veterinary Conference.He has published over 120 articles on amphibians and reptiles and has lectured extensively on herpetological medicine at major national and international veterinary conferences.

Brent R. Whitaker, MS, DVM, is Director of Animal Health at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Dr. Whitaker has intensively studied diseases of neotropical amphibians throughout his professional life.He is much sought after as a speaker on amphibian medicine and aquatic medicine in general.He has published extensively on fish, reptile and marine mammal topics in addition to his publications devoted to amphibians.

Drs. Wright and Whitaker are 1988 graduates of the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine. ... Read more

Product Description

The conservation threat posed by invasive alien species has become well-recognized over the past two decades, even as the problem continues to increase rapidly in scope. Research and management attention to this issue has, however, been taxonomically biased toward groups having large, obvious impacts, and the invasive potential of other organisms with subtle or cryptic impacts remains largely unassessed. Alien reptiles and amphibians, although providing a few of the better-known examples of severe invasion impacts, have never been scientifically assessed as a group for their potential invasiveness.

This book examines the means by which alien reptiles and amphibians are transported by humans; surveys their ecological, evolutionary, economic, and health impacts; reviews the management responses taken against them; and summarizes the immediate research and management efforts needed to mitigate the threat posed by these organisms. It also provides a comprehensive database of herpetofaunal introductions worldwide and a bibliography of supporting literature; the database is also provided on CD-ROM so as to facilitate use of the data by researchers. The purpose of the book is to summarize our current understanding of herpetofaunal invasiveness and stimulate additional management and research activities needed to reduce the impacts of these species.

Product Description
In this award-winning short story by the New York Times bestselling author of THE YEAR OF FOG, a pregnant woman witnesses an unsettling act of violence in Golden Gate Park. Inspired by her legendary great-grandfather, a man of strange aquatic gifts who disappeared on Lake Michigan decades before, she embarks upon her own act of heroism. This story won the Mississippi Review Fiction Prize and previously appeared in the Mississippi Review. ... Read more

Product Description
Combining authoritative, easy-to-read essays with exciting illustrations and color photographs, this comprehensive encyclopedia covers all the diverse families of reptiles and amphibians, from chameleons to turtles to tree frogs.

Lively, in-depth articles are illustrated with accurate artworks and color photographs and each species listing has a Factfile of the essential data:
- Scientific Order and population
- Distribution (with a color-coded map) and Habitat
- Size and Color
- Reproduction and Life Cycle
- Longevity
- Conservation Status

Scientists, zoologists and expert researchers have contributed specially commissioned articles. These specialists, all experts in their fields, are actively involved in conducting frontline scientific or behavioral research. The inclusion of their latest findings and interpretations sets this title apart. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great reference book
Very informative with plenty of pictures. Besides excellent information on each species it also contains area maps, anatomy, and some historical information. Great book for animal lovers.

One of the best books on reptiles and amphibians
Ten stars, if possible!! No more words needed, this a superb encyclopedia for all ages. Excellent pictures, diagrams, charts and fascinating information.If I could only own one encyclopedia on reptiles and amphibians, this would be it.Also highly recommended is Firefly "Insects and Spiders"Both are definitely worth the price.

Wonderful Compilation
The Firefly Encyclopedia series are uniformly excellent.There are several current volumes (Reptiles & Amphibians, Insects & Spiders, and Birds).With luck additional volumes will be added (I'd be especially keen to see one on fishes).The series picks up the tradition started with the David Macdonald's "Encyclopedia of Mammals" by having numerous experts contribute information about the organisms they study.Thus, each species or group of organisms is described by the scientists who know them best.The result is a truly amazing compilation of information about each type of organism.

The Reptiles and Amphibians volume contains information from 38 separate contributors about all types of reptiles and amphibians.Contents include:

Amphibians, general information:28 pages
Caecilians:4 pages
Salamanders and Newts:22 pages
Frogs and Toads:34 pages
Reptiles, general information:20 pages
Turtles and Tortoises:10 pages
Lizards:38 pages
Worm-lizards:2 pages
Snakes:32 pages
Tuatara:2 pages
Crocodilians:12 pages

The book is lavishly illustrated.There are tons of amazing photographs and lots of beautifully rendered drawings.The text is well written and generally easy to follow.Some sections are fairly technical (I have a Ph.D. in Biology and got lost a few times), but probably 90% or more should be accessible to anyone. I strongly recommend this book for biologists, naturalists, and people interested in wildlife.It would make an excellent gift for a young person (probably junior high +) who likes animals.

A herpetological classic
Tim Halliday and Kraig Adler deserve much praise for the blend of informative writing and hard science in their Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians which has been in print since the late 1980s.

The illustrations, drawn in many cases from photos, and the photographs which are liberally distributed through the text serve to assist the readers' understanding rather than just being pretty pictures plopped in to fill space.

Both Halliday and Adler are serious scientists and their rigorous devotion to fact shows on every page of this encyclopedia.

I recommend it for everyone interested in reptiles and amphibians.In fact, I recommend all three editions as each is slightly different and shows the progression of their efforts over time.The latest edition, from Firefly Press, has the most color photography and the most up-to-date information. ... Read more