Language: English
This book covers sixty-nine species of Indian herpetofauna that you are likely to see in nature. Of these, 18 are amphibians, 16 are lizards, 31 are snakes, three are turtles / tortoises and one is a crocodile. The book features only those species that are fairly widespread in peninsular India (generally referred to in the book as ‘throughout India’) and excludes species confined to certain parts of India like the Western Ghats, the Northeast, the Himalayas, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Thar desert and also marine forms since these are unlikely to be seen by most people. Earlier books on the subject have covered more numerous species including the rarer, range-restricted forms. Although such works are more comprehensive the inclusion of more species complicates field identification.
This book furnishes information on body form, identification characters, habits, habitats, breeding, feeding, geographic range (in India) and wherever necessary, other information. Every one of the species is illustrated with photographs in colour, and some with line-drawings as well. Important features that are useful for identification are also illustrated with labeled line drawings. The terminology used in the text is explained in a glossary.