Customer Reviews

A Field Guide To Amphibians and Reptiles in Arizona

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

 

 

I bought this book on the first day of my most recent trip to Arizona. Although I was already armed to the teeth with various other field guides, a glance through this then-brand new guide and the price were enough to get me to buy it.
And I'm glad I did.
Given the slimness of this guide, the authors manage to cover most of the necessities of any good field guide, with basic but very good info regarding natural history, biotic regions,habitats, etc.
The color photos are excellent, with diagnostic characteristics for each species indicated with arrows, and range maps located on the facing pages of the plates ( we like this ),along with text on identification and habits.
This guide also has two things that I, personally, always love in a field guide - a good glossary and a check-list in the back. Not necessities, but I always love 'em.
I have only two minor complaints - first, that the range maps don't delineate between sub-species, and second, that there are no photos of ventral scales for the snakes and lizards, though these are described in the text where the authors find it helpful. Given the limited space available, it's understandable why ventral scale photos were omitted.
This guide is compact enough to take in the field, but as is usually the case, is best used in tandem with other field guides. I recommend The Peterson Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, by Robert Stebbins,( still THE herp guide for western herps!), and Snakes of North America - Western Region, by Bartlett and Tennant.
If only every state had a guide like this.
A great guide for beginners and seasoned veterans.
Highly recommended!

Basics: 2006, softcover, 150 pages, 132 species, 194 color photos, 15 habitat photos, range maps

This is a nicely done photo guide covering all the reptiles and amphibians of Arizona. The specimens in the photograph have been digitally removed from their backgrounds and placed onto a blank white page. These photos are of very good color, quality, and size.

Each species is typically shown with just one photo; although some receive two photos where there is distinct differences in age, subspecies, or to show the ventral coloration of some of the earless lizards. Another 20+ black-and-white illustrations are included to show unique scale designs on the head of the Crotalus or on the sides of various lizards.

Extra effort went into the range maps to show detail. This detail makes it obvious as to where the various mountain sky-islands, rivers, or arid desert habitats are located for the niche-specific species.

Each page reviews 2-4 species with text that is mostly dedicated to identification and field marks. Brief, but descriptive text is also given for the habitats and behavior.

This book will help the herpetologist identify most of the species encountered in Arizona. I say "most" because the great variation in the whiptails is one of the weaknesses of this book. Only one of the 11 species has more than one photo. There can be notable differences with the extent or boldness of the spotting and striping of this group, affected by age, range, and individual variation. None of this variation is shown in the book and is only briefly noted in the text.

Overall, this is very good book and should be added to your libary.

I've listed several related books below...
1) The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians
2) Amphibians and Reptiles of Maricopa County, AZ by Brennan/Holycross
3) A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians by Stebbins
4) Handbook of Lizards of the US and Canada by Smith

Whenever I found an unidentified critter in my yard I would go to the local Forest Service office with a photo. If it was an amphibian or a reptile, the on-duty biolgist would usually identify it using this book. Consequently I figured if it was good enough for the professional biologist, it was good enough for me. I have been very satisfied with both the descriptions and photos. Easier to use then some others I have tried.

Purchased a copy of this for my son for a class he's taking. I was so jealous, I purchased a copy for myself. Now when we have lizards running around, I'll be able to identify them. Not sure if I ever want to actually see some of the snakes, etc. featured in the book, but the information is thorough and well presented, and the pictures are great.