Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles, Second Edition (Hardcover)

by George R. Zug (Author), Laurie J. Vitt (Author), Janalee P. Caldwell (Author) "Herpetology is the study of amphibians and reptiles, two distinct clades of vertebrates (Table 1.1)..." (more)
Key Phrases: lingual scales, keratinized mouth parts, nerve ganglia fuse, North America, South America, Classification Reptilia (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"...an impressive volume...intellectually satisfying in its scope and detail... will be a standard herpetological reference for years to come.", -- Julican C. Lee, University of Miami for Herpetological Review, 2002

From the Reviews of the First Edition
"...a must for anyone just starting into the field of herpetology ..."
Canadian Field Naturalist

"Zug's text contains new chapeters with new text references and new color illustrations that will keep this book on the top…"
—Dave Hyatt for THE TUSCON HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY (Nov 2003) -- Review

Review
"This second edition of the popular textbook provides a broad overview of amphibian and reptilian biology, taxonomy, evolution, behavior, and conservation. It is well-suited for an undergraduate-level herpetology course in biology, evolution, or taxonomy. It is invaluable also as a reference for professional herpetologists...well illustrated throughout with photographs (some in color), line drawings, and distribution maps. Provides up-to-date information on all of the major groups, and includes an extensive taxonomic index, as well as a glossary."
-SOUTHEASTERN NATURALIST

"Taken as a whole, Zug et al. (2001) is an impressive volume, at once visually pleasing for its attractive layout and high production values, and at the same time, intellectually satisfying in its scope and detail. It is well-suited as a textbook for senior undergraduates and graduate students, and it will be a standard herpetological reference for years to come."
-Julican C. Lee, University of Miami for HERPETOLOGICAL REVIEW

Praise for the First Edition:
"This will be a valued, and oft-consulted, addition to any naturalist's or conservationist's library for its up-to-date and comprehensive overview of these ecologically important groups and their role in the contemporary environment; it is a must for anyone just starting into the field of herpetology..."
-CANADIAN FIELD NATURALIST

"Zug's text contains new chapeters with new text references and new color illustrations that will keep this book on the top...you couldn't do better for serious herpetological biology education than to read this book."
-Dave Hyatt for THE TUSCON HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 630 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 2nd edition (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 012782622X
• ISBN-13: 978-0127826226
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #713,246 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Still Missing Some Details and Organization (otherwise very good), February 20, 2007

By	gradstud07 "gradstud07" (AZ) - See all my reviews

This is generally a VERY good book! Still, given minimal initial knowledge of Herpetology, the book can be somewhat ambiguous and disorganized and is missing a few essential details such as habitat and food for families of reptiles and amphibians in the necessary chapters. It requires more photographs and better taxonomic organization for clarity.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Educational, February 21, 2005

By	Cody ~ Snakeboy (Texas) - See all my reviews

This book covers everything from the basics of herps, to the more advance steps in classification, breeding, and observing. In the most case this book is not a good reference guide for those with a minor understanding of the biology of reptiles, however, for those who know the basics, and are interested enough to continue their learning experiance on an advnaced level, this book is a must. Used in colleges as college text, anyone in the herpetological field in college needs this book!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, March 25, 2001

By	Tyler (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles (Hardcover)

This book is for expierienced herpers only .It has almost evrything you need to know.If you are interested in learning more about herps.I give this a 5 if you are a expiereienced reader.