This newly designed field guides features detailed descriptions of 595 species and subspecies. The 656 full-color illustrations and 384 drawings show key details for accurate identification. More than 100 color photographs and 333 color photographs and 333 color distribution maps accompany the species descriptions.
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The first edition was published in 1958, the second in 1975. This third edition of the invaluable field guide features new information, color plates, and new maps. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) (Booknews )
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Roger Tory Peterson, one of the world's greatest naturalists, received every major award for ornithology, natural science, and conservation as well as numerous honorary degrees, medals, and citations, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Peterson Identification System has been called the greatest invention since binoculars. These editions include updated material by Michael O'Brien, Paul Lehman, Bill Thompson III, Michael DiGiorgio, Larry Rosche, and Jeffrey A. Gordon.
Roger Conant was an American herpetologist, author, and conservationist.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was my bible as a boy. For anyone who enjoys watching small creatures in their natural habitats, the life-histories of amphibians and reptiles can be very enjoyable. This book is educational and extremely comprehensive. Even after moving to Europe, I kept my copy of this book, purely for sentimental value (none of the species from back home are to be found over here).
The book is written for those who want a lot of information, yet it is accessible for anyone from a very inquisitive boy or girl, through to university students who want to identify species in the wild. (I know, I used my copy from the age of ten to twenty-five on countless field trips and excursions.)
It's sturdy and affordable, especially considering the amount of information it contains. There are many b/w illustrations within the text showing specific identifying features, and a nice set of colour and black and white plates. More useful than Audubon, if you like these peaceful little animals this book will be with you for a long time.
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Beautiful color photographs, realistic paintings of each species illustrating diagnostic characteristics, and wonderful accounts on each form, from two of the most respected herpetologists to ever live. The color maps are not as good as the original black and white versions, but color photographs by the foremost authority on North American wildlife photography, more than make up for this. The maps are still better than those used in any field guide covering the same geographic area. Every kid should have at least one.
38 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a casual amateur watcher of frogs, turtles, snakes, and lizard-like beasts, I recommend the Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North American. The first part of the book consists of 48 colour plates, each illustrating about 10 similar species. Following the plates, the main part of the book consists of a very readable summary description of each species, together with a map showing its geographical range. Special line drawings illustrate particular features of some of the species, that help in their identification, and add to the reader's appreciation. The volume is well-indexed, and includes a glossary, and a reference list. It is sturdily bound in an attractive cover. I am writing this at a computer in a cold northern January, and I look forward to the spring and summer when I can sortie into the open spaces with my Guide, to enjoy a renewed appreciation of these marvellous creatures. Search as I might, I cannot find anything negative to write about this beautiful book.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By W. Paul W.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the best field guide I've had for herps. The layout is typical; there are color plates of the species and some written commentary and advice on field herping in the front of the book, followed by species accounts and range maps. Fairly typical layout. However, the way in which subspecies were handled is new, at least to me, and incredibly practical and useful. Those subspecies that are readily distinguishable in the field are given full seperate entries and individual range maps, which is particularly nice with certain large species groups (milk and king snakes, Pitouphis, etc.)
My only complaint, and it is minor, is that the taxonomy is old and very conservitive, even given when this book was published. Pitouphis is treated as monospecific genus in the book, whereas it's currently regarded as having several species, and Elaphe is still used for a good many of the colubrids that have since been reassigned. This, however, has little bearing onto the practicality of this field guide, or it's usefullness for ID'ing animals. It's really the best done reptile field guide I've seen, and if you herp the eastern and/or central part of North America, it's a must have. The layout is logical, the subspecies are handled well, the color plates are excellent, and the book is solid enough to actually be used in the field. This continues the Peterson tradition of great reptile guides, and actually improves on it.
My only complaint, and it is minor, is that the taxonomy is old and very conservitive, even given when this book was published. Pitouphis is treated as monospecific genus in the book, whereas it's currently regarded as having several species, and Elaphe is still used for a good many of the colubrids that have since been reassigned. This, however, has little bearing onto the practicality of this field guide, or it's usefullness for ID'ing animals. It's really the best done reptile field guide I've seen, and if you herp the eastern and/or central part of North America, it's a must have. The layout is logical, the subspecies are handled well, the color plates are excellent, and the book is solid enough to actually be used in the field. This continues the Peterson tradition of great reptile guides, and actually improves on it.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There is no other guide which I would consult prior to herping trips. The color plates are fantastic and so well-drawn that I can recall seeing the animals depicted in the field. A knowledge of the arrangement of this guide will make this the most easily perused guide in the field as well.
Any budding herpetologist would be wise to study the book from cover to cover in order to share in the wisdom of Conant/Collins.
The field guide is easy to read (though technical details are necessarily prevalent) and can be understood by even the least herpetologically-inclined person.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book has been a faithfull field companion to countless herpers since the first edition was published in 1958. It is the best selling herp book of all time for a good reason. The text is both concise and comprehensive. The color plates are not only works of art but are designed to highlight markings that are useful for field identification. The images in most competitors are generally the most attractive color photos available. This makes a pretty book but is not always useful for identification. The book is also small enough to be unobtrusive in any backpack or large pant pocket. Many of the "field guides" being produced now are too large and heavy. My copy has stood up to years of abuse remarkably well. This version added excellent color photographs to compliment the original color plates. The one criticism I have is that this version spread the maps throughout the text. Previous editions had the maps bundled together in taxanomic order. Imagine you are trying to identify a skink in Missouri. In the previous editions you could flip open the book to the skink maps and immediately see which species are found in Missouri. In this edition you would have to flip through all of the skink species accounts to get that information. It does not seem like a big difference,unless you have ever attempted to hold onto a skink in Missouri. Overall I would have to characterize this book as a must have for any North American herper young or old.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Guide
This book covers them all, and there really are quite a few. The pictures are clear and the text is helpful. Read more
Published 4 days ago by JS1110
5.0 out of 5 stars
AWESOME
This is a great field guide. I can find a lot of awesome animals. I cannot wait to use it. This is a must for all reptile lovers.
Published 6 days ago by Debbie Kolarik
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good!
Is a great book, i originally purchased this for a field bio class but i am still using this book on a normal occasion, Thank You!
Published 1 month ago by Sucks
5.0 out of 5 stars
Field Guide book
Another very good book. The grandchild we bought this for was very happy with it and it was easy for her to understand.
Published 2 months ago by Loretta A.Spata
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love it!
This book is extremely handy and taken with me on every trip I take! Great illustrations along with descriptions and info!
Published 3 months ago by wil neill
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Basic Guide
This is your basic field guide. It's rugged: the pages are thick and will withstand repeated thumbing through. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Rabid Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome Field Guide
This is a wonderful field guide with great explanations and beautiful pictures. It is a pleasure to thumb through this book. I recommend Petersons field guides to everyone.
Published 4 months ago by L McCain
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for identifying those critters
I got this book to use at work (I work at an aquarium and we feature local reptiles). It has been great! The only downside is it's very thick and heavy to carry around all day.
Published 4 months ago by otter372
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gift
This was a gift to my 15 yr old grandson who wants to be a herpetologist , among other things. He loves snakes.. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Cheryl A. Enyart
5.0 out of 5 stars
VERY Helpful Reference Book
I'm an a budding wildlife photographer. Many snakes & amphibians/flowers/mushrooms I can't identify at a glance. Many look so similar but of a different species. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Morris L Turner
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 62
books:
See all 62 books this book cites
- Field guide by Terry Collins on 5 pages
- The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 1) by Holly Black on 4 pages
- The Amphibians and Reptiles of Missouri by Tom R. Johnson in Front Matter (1), Front Matter (2), and Front Matter (3)
- Reptiles and Amphibians by Rh Value Publishing in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Sea Turtles (Blastoff! Readers: Oceans Alive) by Ann Herriges on page 54, and page 191
See all 62 books this book cites
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