From the familiar painted turtle basking on a log to the majestic long-lived giant tortoises, turtles are among the most fascinating animals on the planet. For many years Franck Bonin, Bernard Devaux, and Alain Dupré have traveled the world together to study turtles in their natural habitats. In this complete guide to the world's nearly 300 species of turtles, the authors reveal intimate, little-known details of these intriguing reptiles in their native habitats: what they eat, where they live, how they behave, and when and where they lay their eggs.
Originally written in French, the text has been translated by one of the world's leading turtle experts, Peter C. H. Pritchard. Note that this book was published for the American market by the John Hopkins University Press (ISBN 9780801884962).
The authors are all experts in their field. Frank Bonin is a vet and a specialist in freshwater turtles. Berbard Devaux is actively concerned with turtle conservation through his books, films and scientific trips. Alain Dupré is an amateur naturalist with a passion for reptiles and amphibians.