With lush color photographs and lavishly detailed illustrations, this encyclopedia presents a striking abundance of information at a glance. Also noteworthy is the scholarly text, a comprehensive overview of these frequently studied phyla.
A major article introduces the main classes: amphibians and reptiles. Articles pertaining to specific species follow. Entries vary in length, depending upon the complexity of the species. All articles--penned by authorities in the field of biological study--provide current scientific information and research findings relating to physiology and to behavior.
Several valuable features are standard in each article. Most significant are the "Factfiles," which provide a quick summary of valuable statistics, including the order, class, physical features, life cycles, population, habitat, color, reproduction habits, and longevity of the species. Conservation status, a key consideration for many researchers, is also noted, using IUCN (World Conservation Union) categories as a descriptor. Boxed "Special Feature" (for example, "Decoding the Frog Chorus") and "Photo Story" (such as "Harvesting Snake Venom") articles supplement the erudite text with fascinating sidelights concerning behavior, morphology, and economic and medical importance, among other topics.
Although a glossary of biological terms are included, sidebars defining these terms on the pages on which they appear might have been a better placement because most students will not turn to the ends of the volume. A bibliography of sources and an index completes the book.
One thinks short and concise when perusing an encyclopedia. Such is not the case with this resource, which is strongly recommended for high-school, public, and academic libraries. For students, Marshall Cavendish's multivolume Reptiles and Amphibiansf [RBB F 15 03] offer less scholarly but equally attractive coverage. RBB
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Review
Illustrations are generous and of excellent quality ... extremely detailed presentation. (Gillian Richardson
Canadian Materials 200301)
Excellent sidebars ... photographs (all in color) are simply excellent ... highly recommended. (Johnson Thane
Library News for Zoos and Aquariums 200301)
Visually stunning ... over 300 flawless color photographs ... highly recommended. (
E.Streams, Vol. 6, No. 4 200305)
A great classroom reference ... will wind up on a teacher's wish list because it is attractive and scientific. (Rachel Forman
Science Teacher 200304)
Most highly recommended, this book provides a wealth of information to anyone interested in ... amphibians and reptiles. (Michal Kubik
Wildlife Activist 2004)
A superbly attractive, authoritative, and highly informative sourcebook... superb color photographs and vividly rendered artwork. (Edmund Keiser Jr.
American Reference Books Annual, Volume 35 200312)
Extremely useful both in terms of its relative completeness and its up-to-date facts. (Neil B. Ford and David F. Ford
Quarterly Review of Biology 200301)
Topical arrangement and captivating photos ... this book is plenty fine. (T.R. Faust
Choice 20021123)
Beautifully illustrated encyclopedias ... provide a wealth of information about how these creatures interact with one another and people. (
Science News 20030415)
A striking abundance of information at a glance ... strongly recommended for high-school, public and academic libraries. (
Booklist 20021123)
Dramatically photographed and with a surprisingly informative text. (
Globe and Mail 200302)
A fine reference source and its visual images are aesthetic delights that will be returned to many times. (Jay M. Savage
Herpetological Review 200312)
Wonderfully illustrated... a highly readable and thoroughly fascinating introduction to the biology, diversity, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. (David Seburn
Canadian Field Naturalist )
