United States
£ GBP
The Firefly Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians covers every family, ranging from large, predatory constrictors and crocodilians to miniature tree frogs and salamanders. This third edition adds 32 extra pages to incorporate numerous important updates based on the latest scientific findings and interpretations.
The comprehensive coverage includes:
- Big increases in the number of known families and species: 17 new families of amphibians and 18 new families of reptiles; Amphibian species are up from 6,182 to 7,387; Reptile species are up from 8,726 to 10,038. Frogs alone have gone up from 5,453 species to the currently agreed 6,508.
- Maps for all families of salamanders, frogs, turtles, lizards, snakes, and crocodilians
- More than 320 stunning full-colour photographs and illustrations
- Information on current conservation and environmental concerns
- Extinctions and Declining Amphibian Populations section and map
- Updated family trees.
Straightforward expert text, over 320 illustrations (including photographs, anatomical drawings, renderings and maps), species tables, graphs, distribution maps, Factfiles, Special Features, Photo Stories, a Glossary, Bibliography, Further Reading and Useful Websites – all at an affordable price – speak to the extraordinary value of this reference.
Since 2002, this highly acclaimed encyclopedia has provided specialists, educators and general readers with an authoritative and comprehensive overview of the world's reptiles and amphibians. Universally praised and cited widely in scholarly and lay publications, it belongs in all collections.
General editor Chris Mattison has an honours degree in zoology from the University of Sheffield and specializes in the natural history of reptiles and amphibians. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and a member of several herpetological societies. He has travelled worldwide to study and photograph reptiles and amphibians in the wild. He lectures widely to audiences in Europe and North America and has authored magazine articles and more than 20 books on the subject.
"This timely third edition combines the latest advances with traditional knowledge. The large format is necessitated by the wonderful photographs and drawings that highlight each page. Mattison, a photographer and naturalist with numerous accomplishments in the field, explains why reptiles and amphibians, separate classes of animals, are grouped together in the science of herpetology (meaning "to creep," derived from the Greek). This book is truly encyclopedic in coverage; in fact, it is hard to find a facet not included. The "Special Features" sections in which contributors discuss their research – canary in the coal mine analogy, venomous snakebite, sex-free reproduction, etc. – are fascinating. Hopefully, this volume will engender a better, more positive appreciation of these oft-misunderstood or feared fellow inhabitants of the planet. Highly recommended. All library collections."
– D. M. McKinstry, Choice on 01/05/2016
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