Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico (Paperback)

by William G. Degenhardt (Author), Charles W. Painter (Author), Andrew H. Price (Author), Clay M. Garrett (Illustrator), Roger Conant (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"I heartily recommend this masterful compendium to anyone who cherishes the Land of Enchantment." (Bloomsbury Review )

"...a top quality guide to the herpetofauna of New Mexico." (Environmental Conservation )

Product Description
Amphibians and reptiles thrive in New Mexico's many landscapes and varied environments. In all, the state has 123 species, an assemblage of 3 salamanders, 23 frogs and toads, 10 turtles, 41 lizards, and 46 snakes. In this comprehensive guide, each species is presented in a color photograph and its distribution shown on a map. Technical art supplements, identification keys, and line art complement family descriptions. For each species, the following is provided: type, distribution, description, similar species, systematics, habitat, behavior, reproduction, food habits, and references.

The detailed descriptions add to our knowledge about the region's herpetofauna, which will aid students, herpetologists, and resource managers. The book is also of great benefit to non-specialists, including casual hikers, since the authors write in accessible language that makes for easy identification of species.

"This resource should be in the library of anyone interested in southwestern reptiles and amphibians or the natural history of New Mexico."—The Quarterly Review of Biology

"All students of herpetology should own a copy. This book will be a standard reference for the New Mexico herpetofauna for many years."—Herpetological Review

"Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico will undoubtedly prove an indispensable resource to many herpetologists of the southwest . . . Degenhardt, Painter, and Price have certainly produced what will be the first place to which anyone turns for quality information on the reptiles and amphibians of New Mexico."—Copeia

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 507 pages
• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press (May 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826338119
• ISBN-13: 978-0826338112
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #621,984 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seminal work on NM Herps., October 16, 1998

By	Jerrold J. Feldner (Tempe, AZ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico (Hardcover)

There are many, even myriad, good things about this book. However, there are a few things I did not like and which, if corrected in a future revision, could turn this book into a world beater in the field of herpetology. First the "bad" things: 1. This book needs a topo and political map or several. Places and physical features are constantly mentioned but, other than the tiny range maps associated with each species account, there is only one map at the front of the book which shows the counties and major cities, that is if you consider Animas and Hobbs to be major cities. 2. The glossary needs improvement. There are many terms which are used constantly which should be defined but are not. For instance, in one species account, a lizard is described as having scales which are "imbricate and mucronate." Just for kicks, I looked in the glossary. "Mucronate" is defined - "imbricate" is not. 3. Find another way to arrange the "List of scientific and common plant names used in the text." There is no arrangement whatsoever to the list. Plants are listed alphabetically by genus under the family. However, the family names are haphazard. Thus, if one does not know the family name, one has to peruse the list from top to bottom to find the plant named in the text. Woe be unto the reader who doesn't know that Helianthus is in the family "Compositae," the last named family. Pardon me for saying this but it appears as if the authors used their college botany texts to research the family names. After years of not complying with nomenclatural convention, the botanists finally joined the world and changed family names to agree with convention. Thus, Compositae became Asteraceae and Gramineae became Poaceae, for example. Also, ALL plants mentioned should be listed, even aquatic plants. Plants are keys to finding reptiles and even subtle differences in plant denizens of a habitat may make a great deal of difference in the animals found there. NOW FOR THE GOOD STUFF The standard items are all found at the beginning of the book, e.g., Foreword, Preface, Acknowledgments followed by a concise Physiographic Sketch of New Mexico (Words, not pictures) which in no way can take the place of a good physical map of the state. One of the best features is a "Brief History of Herpetology in New Mexico" in which the authors give insight into the historical aspects of herpetology in the state. This theme is repeated in the text of the species accounts with interesting snippets of history intermixed with the drier facts of science. A checklist of NM herps is provided and this is where disagreements are going to arise. The authors utilize what some would consider "old" or "controversial nomenclature." However, if one reads the species accounts, all disputed uses of nomenclature are explained. Even though I disagree with some of the generic nomenclature used, the authors gave good and valid reasons for using what they did. There are good keys to all the major groups of herps in NM and they appear detailed enough to lead a novice to the right creature, as long as the scales are not imbricate. The species accounts are very well written except for the occasional typo - "then instead of than", for instance -and give loads of information. Virtually everything one would want to know about an animal is in here. The species accounts follow a format similar to the SSAR Catalogue species accounts and that is not at all bad. It might be good if a majority of this type of book were to follow a similar format. A very fine section of glossy photos is found in the midst of the species accounts. It seems that this is the way publishers are going to make books now so, take it or leave it. The photos, by the way, are arranged in the same manner as the text for fairly easy location. Degenhardt, et al, have compiled a magnificent bibliography with everything you ever wanted to know about New Mexico Herps and where to find it. The authors have years of experience in New Mexico herpetology and have used every one of those years in producing an outstanding volume. It's a little large to carry out in the field but it is worth every penny and when in New Mexico, should be at least carried in the vehicle. This book would be a bargain at twice the price.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Blackhead Snake Best Buy, July 15, 2000

By	"blackhead" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico (Hardcover)

This is an excellent state work, with detailed and accurate text, excellent photographs, precise maps, and up-to-date scientific nomenclature. Common names are those standardized nationwide since 1978, with the exception of the names used for snakes of the genus Tantilla. Purchasers of this book should go to page 307 and simply cross out the tongue-twisting "black-headed" and replace it with Blackhead (so much easier pronounced; it just rolls off the tongue -- truly a common name). Highly recommended. Certainly the best book on the subject, and a must for all herpetologists. Buy it quick before they run out of copies.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best resource for NM herps., May 30, 2004

By	W. Paul W. "paulwhite959" (Canyon TX, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico (Hardcover)

This book covers all known New Mexico herpetofauna (circa 1990's). Salamanders, snakes, lizards, etc, it's all here. There may have been some changes in the last decade, but this book is still the best I've found; the information it has is accurate, the diagrams, photos, descriptions, etc. are all clear enough to aid in identifying animals. Habitat descriptions are precise enough to actually be of use, etc. The language isn't full of technical jargon--it's actually accessible and understandable for people who didn't major in biology! All animals are dealt with as thoroughly as possible; sometimes there are gaps, but that's because we just don't know how common some animals are, or what they eat, etc. If the info for the animal is there, this book has it. Feeding, mating, size, range, behaviour, etc. It serves as my main (almost sole) reference for herps in NM. I bought it in the middle-late 90's in a bargin bin in some state park, and have used it to help me plan herping excursions everytime I've been there, and to help me ID dozens of herps. It's been worth every penny.