Turtles of the Southeast ( Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book) (A Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book) [Paperback]

Kurt Buhlmann (Author), Tracey Tuberville (Author), Whit Gibbons (Author)

Book Description

Series: Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book | Publication Date: February 1, 2008

Seventy-five percent of the turtle species in the United States can be found in the Southeast. In fact, the region is second only to parts of Asia in its number of native turtles. Filled with more than two hundred color photographs and written with a special focus on conservation, this guide covers forty-five species of this nonthreatening, ancient lineage of long-lived reptiles.

Heavily illustrated, fact-filled descriptions of each species and its habitat comprise the heart of the book. Species accounts cover such information as descriptions of adults and hatchlings; key identifiers including size, distinctive characters and markings; land, river, pond, and wetland habitats; behaviors and activities; food and diet; reproduction; predators and defense; and conservation issues.

Also included is a wealth of general information about the importance of turtle conservation and the biology, diversity, and life history of turtles. Discussed are distinguishing turtle characteristics; differences among turtles, tortoises, and terrapins; shell structure and architecture; reproduction and longevity; turtle predators and defense mechanisms; and turtle activities such as basking, hibernation, aestivation, and seasonal movement. Useful information about the interactions of humans and turtles is also covered: species that are likely to be commonly encountered, turtles as pets, and more.

Clearly written, cleanly designed, and fun to use, the guide will promote a better understanding of the habitat needs of, and environmental challenges to, this fascinating group of animals.

Features:

- In-depth descriptions of the forty-two native species

- Conservation-oriented approach

- More than two hundred color photographs

- Nearly forty distribution maps

- Clear descriptions of each species, including differences in the appearance of young and mature turtles

- "Did You Know?" sidebars of interesting turtle facts

- Size charts; key identifiers; and information about habitat, behavior and activity, food and feeding, reproduction, predators and defense, and conservation

Editorial Reviews

Review

[An] exquisite book...on the herpetofauna of the southeastern United States.... [H]igh-quality, clearly written, with an attractive layout.... [H]as solid introductory information, detailed species descriptions, excellent range maps and color photographs, line drawings showing defining features, and a strong conservation message. There is an explanation as to how to use the species accounts which will be of value to the lay reader. --Herpetological Review, Fall 2008

About the Author

Kurt Buhlmann is a research scientist at the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL). Tracey Tuberville is a research coordinator at SREL. Whit Gibbons is a professor of ecology at the University of Georgia and Senior Research Ecologist at SREL. He is coauthor of Snakes of the Southeast (Georgia).

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: University of Georgia Press (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0820329029
• ISBN-13: 978-0820329024
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #678,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE new book on US Turtles, April 25, 2008

By 

Michael B. Anders - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Turtles of the Southeast ( Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book) (A Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book) (Paperback)

"Turtles of the Southeast" is a great book for many audiences, from those just casually curious about turtles to those who work with them every day as a profession.

The book's layout is very useable. Turtle species are arranged according to the kind of habitat in which they are most commonly seen. Photo quality is generally very good, although the placement of the wood turtle plastron photo will make comparative identification tricky. Photos never do well when placed between pages. But, you see, it must be petty critiques as this if there are to be any for this book. This is the kind of book needed on every bookstore shelf to get the layperson excited about the great richness of turtles we should better enjoy outdoors in the southern United States - a more tranquil option than our current allowance for the exportation of hundreds of thousands of wild-collected turtles to Asian food markets each year from southern states including AR, LA, TX, OK, FL, and GA.

The range maps may not be so accurate as county maps or dot locality maps, but they'll get the general idea across. Not all subspecies are pictured such that identification will come readily, but the text descriptions will fill in for this. Habitat photographs, such a rarity in many publications that prefer to separate turtles from their environments, are in abundant supply here. As an added treat, the end of this book briefly showcases every species of turtle native to the US but occurring completely outside of the range considered in this book.

This book's construct is great. It's got stiff boards like the Sibley Guide to Birds and other such softcovers built for USE. Binding is very solid and seems as though it'll hold up for many busy years. "Turtles of the Southeast" is one of the nicest general-audience turtle books to date, and it's priced such that everyone who goes outdoors should enjoy a copy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have, October 14, 2009

By 

GJM (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Turtles of the Southeast ( Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book) (A Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book) (Paperback)

Must Have Book, Great Photos of each Turtle, and Very Descriptive of their Natural History. I go back to this book as a reference all the time.

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a Field Guide, July 5, 2009

By 

William James (Alabama) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Turtles of the Southeast ( Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book) (A Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book) (Paperback)

This is not a field guide. However, it is a wonderfully brief synopsis of turtle species found in the Southeast. It is well illustrated, easy to use, and very informative, especially for a delightfully concise package. I also have, and enjoy very much Snakes of the Southeast; Frogs & Toads of the Southeast; and, Lizards & Crocodilians of the Southeast. They are all really good books.