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Where do turtles hail from? Why and how did they acquire shells? These questions have spurred heated debate and intense research for more than two hundred years. Brilliantly weaving evidence from the latest paleontological discoveries with an accessible, incisive look at different theories of biological evolution and their proponents, Turtles as Hopeful Monsters tells the fascinating evolutionary story of the shelled reptiles. Paleontologist Olivier Rieppel traces the evolution of turtles from o...

This exquisitely photographed, informative, and comprehensive book provides one-of-a-kind details and descriptions of snakes. Graphic sidebars highlight the appearance and behavior of the most unusual snakes.

More than twenty-five experts examine the biology, evolution, natural history, and relations with humans of all twenty-two species of crocodilians.

Beautiful to behold and extremely sensitive to its environment, the snake is nonetheless stigmatized as a serpent, a creature that almost universally inspires fear. At a time when so many animals are endangered, who will speak up for the snake? Snake populations are declining precipitously around the globe, but calls for their conservation are muted by fear and prejudice. Saving Snakes offers a new approach to understanding snakes and preserving their populations--an approach built on respect....

Islands and Snakes contains 13 chapters describing ecological systems with foci on snakes and their ecological roles on islands around the world. Each chapter is written by one or more authors who is an authority on that particular system. Summaries of research on the various islands are written in a narrative manner that includes science as well as personal insights in easily understood language. These varied vignettes of science feature islands around the world, and in all cases, fantastic spe...

This delightful book is one of the first three volumes of Oxford University Press's new Pocket Guide European natural history series. The series fills the need for lighter weight guides for those who want to find out about the common organisms they come across during countryside excursions without having the specialist knowledge required to make detailed species identifications. All the books in the series are attractively designed and generously illustrated with plentiful high quality colour li...

The biology and natural history of this ecologically important group of animals, with information on habitat, conservation status, and unusual behavior.

This easy-to-use identification guide to the 150 reptile species most commonly seen in Sri Lanka is perfect for resident and visitor alike.High-quality photographs from the authors are accompanied by detailed species descriptions, which include size, distribution, habits and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers fascinating information on folklore associated with reptiles, snake topography, how to deal with snake bites and a glossary. Also included is an all-important checklist of all o...

An illustrated hourly guide that follows twenty-four frogs as they eat, find mates, care for their young, and survive our harsh and changing planet.   In this short book, celebrated biologist Marty Crump leads readers on a worldwide field trip in search of frogs. Each chapter of Frog Day covers a single frog during a single hour, highlighting how twenty-four different species spend their time. Our day begins at midnight in Indonesia, with the rustle of leaves above. It’s not a bird, but Wallac...

An interpretive naturalist, writer, educator and reptile specialist from Bend, Oregon, Alan St. John has crafted a richly photographed guide to the reptiles, snakes and turtles found in the Pacific Northwest. Each of the book's 44 accounts features photographs of the animal, as well as range maps and notes on identification, variation, distribution, habitat, behavior and similar species. The guide also has a strongly personal and accessible quality through St. John's field notes of his own encou...