Smithsonian Handbooks Reptiles and Amphibians The Clearest Recognition Guides Available

Smithsonian Handbooks are the most visually appealing guides on the natural world in the book marketplace. Featuring more than 500 full-color illustrations and photographs, along with detailed annotations, Smithsonian Handbooks make identification easy and accurate.The most accessible recognition guides. A systematic approach, authoritative text, and clear photographs make the Smithsonian Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians the most comprehensive and easy-to-use pocket guide to the reptiles and amphibians of the world. Packed with over 600 color photographs of more than 400 species, this handbook is designed to enable you to recognize each species quickly and easily.Expertly written, each entry combines a precise description with fully annotated photographs to highlight the chief characteristics and distinguishing features of each species. A comprehensive introduction describes the anatomy, lifecycle, and behavior of the major groups of reptiles and amphibians, while the initial steps of identification are facilitated by a clear visual key. Each entry in the Smithsonian Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians is accompanied by a map showing the geographical distribution of the species while the text and color-coded bands give the internationally accepted scientific name and provide at-a-glance information on size, diet, habitat, reproduction, and population status. A concise glossary explains all technical and scientific terms used in the book.Table of Contents: Authors' introduction - How this book works - What is an amphibian? - What is a reptile? - Amphibian reproduction - Reptile reproduction - Amphibian feeding habits - Reptile feeding habits - Movement and activity - Defense - Distribution and habitat - Conservation - Studying and keeping - Identification key - Reptiles : Turtles and tortoises - Tuataras - Lizards - Snakes - Crocodilians - Amphibians : Newts and salamanders - Caecilians - Frogs and toads