Customer Reviews

Amphibians and Reptiles of Baja California

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I disagree with the above rating as that of a consumer. I do not believe Midwest Book Review can be considered a consumer. I am a consumer and I have this book. Although some of the pics are the work of one of the best photogs in herp photography (i.e., John Tashjian), many of the other, unattributed photos could have been sharper. For some species of lizards, both dorsal and ventral views were shown. I feel that many more species should have had ventral views and comparisons between male and female animals. This is a picture book, make no mistake. If you are looking for natural history information or range maps, this may not be the book for you. But, since it is the only recent book out with color pictures, it can be a valuable addition to a herp library. Another slight criticism is the observation that no subspecific designations are used. The way things change in Baja, that may be a good idea, but then, down there, species also change fairly frequently. I do not think it would have hurt to put in presently recognized subspecies. For instance, there are three subspecies of zebratail lizards (genus Callisaurus) in Baja. Two are very similar to each other but the third, Callisaurus d. crinitus of the Vizcaíno Peninsula, has some very unique adaptations and should have been noted and depicted. There should have at least been a table of former names with the relationship to the name used in this book. Many of the names used are proposed names and have not yet been accepted, Chances are the names will be approved but still, the former names are quite familiar while the new ones are going to take some getting used to. The Baja California Peninsula is a land of mystery and new discoveries. This book fills a void that has existed for years. I hope that more informational books are forthcoming in the near future.

I agree with the review of Steven Mlodinow. The book introduction covers the following in a very basic way: Geography, Geology and Diversity in Baja California, Finding Reptiles and Amphibians, Venomous Reptiles, Conservation, Organization & how to use this guide. There is also a section called "Spanish names for amphibians and reptiles" followed by a brief glossary. Then follows the mainsection of the book "Classification and Species Accounts". There is also a "Selected References" section as well as a nice table of the amphibians and reptiles of Baja California, Mexico which is a taxonomic listing that also includes common names. I found this guide useful during my 2 excursions in Baja to quickly identify the amphibians and reptiles I came across.

How one rates this book is dependent on one's expectations. If you want an in-depth natural history of the reptiles and amphibians of Baja California, well this is not the book for you. If you want a book that will help you identify what you are seeing, this would be an excellent choice. And this is not to say that the book is devoid of natural history information, as the basics are included The photos vary from good to superb, with most in the latter category. I agree with a previous reviewer that more attention to subspecific variation (or labeling such) would be nice, but this is somewhat compensated for by giving the date and location of each photograph. Also, this volume is lightweight and easy to take on a trip to Baja, especially given how much information IS included; and the book is relatively inexpensive. I would consider McPeak's tome a must for those interested in identifying what they are seeing.

Color photos of each reptile and amphibian feature Baja residents, with families explained, habits explored, and natural history revealed. This will appeal to a wide audience with a regional interest in the Baja region, from travelers and natural history students to those who want an overview of the creatures to be found in Baja. The details are easily read and the photos are strong identification aids.

I bought thos field guide as a resource when taking several zoology courses for college. This is not an all inclusive guide, but was a helpful guide for learning common species.