The Complete Idiot's Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians [Paperback]

Liz Palika (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 1 pages
• Publisher: Alpha Books (1998)
• ISBN-10: 087605145X
• ISBN-13: 978-0876051450
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,465,448 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Liz Palika has been writing professionally since 1985 when she was first published in DOG FANCY magazine. Since then she has written more than 65 books and more than 1,000 magazine articles and columns. She has been published in DOG FANCY, DOG WORLD, CATS, CAT FANCY, AKC GAZETTE, and other pet publications, as well as NEWSWEEK, THE SATURDAY EVENING POST and WOMEN FIRST.

Her books include PUPPY LOVE and THE KISS GUIDE TO RAISING A PUPPY; both of which are favorites with new puppy owners. THE ULTIMATE DOG TREAT COOKBOOK received rave reviews in magazines and newspapers all over the country, including USA TODAY. ALL DOGS NEED SOME TRAINING was listed by PET LIFE MAGAZINE as one of the ten best training books available to dog owners.

Liz's books have been awarded many honors. THE HOWELL BOOK OF DOGS was awarded Best Reference Book by the Dog Writers Association of America and was nominated as Best Nonfiction Book by San Diego Book Awards. AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD: CHAMPION OF VERSATILITY won Best Breed Book from Dog Writers Association of America and Best Nonfiction Book from San Diego Book Writers. SAVE THAT DOG! won best General Reference Book from Dog Writers and the First ASPCA Pet Overpopulation Answers Award from the ASPCA. Liz's work has also won awards from Cat Writers and Purina, as well as others from Dog Writers. Liz was honored with the San Diego Leadership Award, was a North County Woman of Merit, and in 2005 was awarded Dog Writers Distinguished Service Award.

Liz has an international platform to connect with her readers. Not only is her podcast, "It's a Doggy Dog World" on PetLifeRadio.com the #1 most downloaded show on that site, but she is also a blogger for the PetConnection.com.

Liz has been teaching dogs and their owners in North County San Diego for almost 25 years. Her dog training is based on an understanding of dogs and what makes them tick. Liz is a Certified Dog Trainer (CDT)and a Certified Behavioral Consultant. She is an AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator #4182.

Working in Vista, California (San Diego County), Liz is the owner of Kindred Spirits Dog Training and sees more than a thousand dogs and their owners every year. Liz and her dogs, over the years have participated and trained in many dog sports, including agility, carting, conformation, herding, obedience, search and rescue, therapy dog work, and more.

Liz and her husband Paul share their home with three Australian Shepherds.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Before you get a reptile/amphibian, you MUST read this book, January 16, 2001

By 

"pattern_ghost" (Shadow) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians (Paperback)

If you're considering purchasing a reptile or amphibian pet, get this book first, and read it. The author instructs both on reptile and amphibian husbandry basics, as well as provides a LOT of good information which will help you decide if a herp pet is right for you. The species specific sections are more of an overview and mostly useful for helping the reader decide what kind of reptile/amphibian pet is right for them; a book specific to the chosen species (such as the VMS Herpetological Libray Series) should be chosen to complement this, as the care information is too brief to be an exclusive source.

2.0 out of 5 stars incorrect information, October 15, 2006

By 

Just Me (here and there across the USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians (Paperback)

The author doesn't even know the difference between reptiles and amphibians. She states that herps that live in water are amphibians, which would make a turtle an amphibian. (Amphibians do usually live in water, but this characteristic is not what defines the difference between a reptile and emphibian.) Even though turtles are reptiles, and therefore you would think that they would be included in this book, they are not. For turtle info, she directs you to her turtle book. Most of the rest of the information in adequate, but there are much better books out there. Don't waste your money on this one.