Customer Reviews

Introduction to Horned Lizards of North America

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

 

 

This book is one of the finest guides to nature I have ever seen. The distribution and life cycles of all the species of Horned Lizards in North America, Mexico and Australia are simply, but amply explained along with oustanding photos. Origins, distribution maps, habits, habitats, ecology, etc. are thoroughly discussed in an easy to understand language suitable for all ages and education backgrounds- from hobbiest to scientist.

A short history of American Indian relations to Phrynosoma is discussed along with photos of their art work depicting horned lizards.

The book format is a sturdy pocket sized field guide and makes for a good example of how all field guides should be constructed- my hats off to Mr. Sherbrooke for this eloquent, informing book!

On the back cover is praise for this edition from Coevolution which pretty much sums it up: "[This is] the horned lizard bible deluxe". I agree!

If you are interested in horned lizards, this is THE book to have. It has excellent species descriptions and very easy to use identification keys for all North American species, background on recent taxonomic revisions and evolution of the group, and excellent description/detail on most aspects of horned lizard biology and ecology. My only complaints about the book may be unique to me; these things may not bother most readers but they bothered me. I would call them distractions, annoyances rather than major flaws.

Except for the final section, I did not find the author to be eloquent. I would use the adjective "adequate". He frequently uses awkward and redundant phrasings. This didnt bother me at first but when it happened over and over it did. For example, in speaking of predation on lizards he mentions that the they will run off then stop and blend in to the background, and the predator has to try and "relocate the lizard again".
That is redundant. He speaks of "behavioral acts" rather than behaviors, which would work just as well, and in speaking about eyesight he refers to "visual images" rather than images. These are only 3 of many such examples. He also uses technical terms then explains them quite succinctly in parentheses, rather than just using the simpler terms or putting technical terms in bold and having a glossary. All of these slow down and needlessly complicate reading of the book. I dont want to overstate them, but I really think a good editor could make this good book a much smoother read for the layperson it is primarily intended for. I thought a lot of the photos or their reproduction could have been much better, and one photo purported to be a lizard getting slammed down by a bird doesnt even show the lizard at all.

But these do not change the fact its a good book with much interesting, useful, and necessary information and it is a must have for horned lizard enthusiasts. With better editing and photos it could easily be a 5 star.

This book is a one of a kind resource on the Horned Lizards of North America. It covers every interesting aspect of these amazing creatures from almost every angle possible. I don't know why it took me so long to get a copy. It is well written and packaged in a nice size for taking to the field. Anyone interested in North American Horned Lizards cannot not afford to be without this handy resource.

The areas where we live and where we vacation abound in horny toads, and this is a fun and useful book to have along. It's field-guide size, and packs alot of information. Highly recommended.