excellent photographs + some interesting information + confusing

books:


	• The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY Knopf, 1979 - 744 pages average customer review:based on 24 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

excellent photographs + some interesting information + confusing

This photographic guide features excellent images of probably almost all North-American reptiles and amphibians, including many subspecies and some introduced species. However, these photographs are often arranged confusingly, and only labelled with the common, not the scientific names. This reduces the uselfulness of this book as a field guide in my view considerably, together with the separate position of the range maps.
The species accounts are quite short, but contain usually information about (1) the outer appearance, (2) the voice, (3) breeding, (4) habitat, (5) range, (6) behaviour/interesting details. However, often there is information lacking or given only in very comprised form, which could be expected to be presented in more detail (cf. breeding biology of Aneides aeneus). The species accounts are table-like and therefore very clear.
In the range maps, the subspecies are not discriminated.
The binding of the eight printing (1989) was quite good, hard-back like but with plastic soft-cover.
The index appears somewhat confusing to me, but this may be only a first impression.
Missing are in my view also sections about the general biology of herps, including their anatomy and systematics, about herpetology and the handling of these animals, and a list with useful addresses.

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Good For Wilderness Getaways

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

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Audubon book

The books arrived in time for our field trip and gave us a good guide to identify some of our NC salamaders. Great, thanks.

Reptiles and Amphibians Field Guide

I love these books and can't say anything else than that!

time for an informational update

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

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

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

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

Extracts: A Field Guide for Iconoclasts

The Cloud Reckoner

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

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

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

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