Amphibians And Reptiles Collins New Naturalist Library Book 87

Building on the solid foundations established by the two earlier New Naturalist volumes on this subject, eminent herpetologists Trevor Beebee and Richard Griffiths have brought together a wealth of new and fascinating information on the British amphibians and reptiles.

The British Amphibians and Reptiles is the standard work on our islands��e�(tm) rather neglected newts, frogs, toads, slow-worms, lizards and snakes. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com This book fills an obvious gap in the literature of British natural history. Many years have passed since a work of any kind has been published on our amphibians and reptiles, and indeed no other book at all has been written that deals with every known aspect of their structure and behaviour. Dr. Smith has been collecting his material for a third of a lifetime, during which he has become the acknowledged authority on the herpetology, not only of Britain but of Western Europe. His association with the British Museum and his years of expeditions and field observations make him a combination of ecological naturalist and museum man ��e�" and surely he is the best kind of naturalist who knows his way about the fields, woods and streams, as well as he knows his way about the intricacies of description, measurement and bibliography. There are many signs now that the study of our islands��e�(tm) rather neglected newts, frogs, toads, slow-worms, lizards and snakes is receiving ever-increasing attention among naturalists, both amateur and professional. We believe that this scholarly and interesting book will remain the standard work on the subject for a generation or more.

A detailed picture of reptile and amphibian ecology in Britian. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com Britain has six native amphibian species of which two are on the danger list. The same is true of our six reptiles. Even an animal once familiar to every schoolchild, such as the common frog, is no longer as ubiquitous as most people believe. A greater understanding of reptiles and amphibians can only help to ensure their survival. For over thirty years the New Naturalists earlier book, British Amphibians and Reptiles by Malcolm Smith, was an unchallenged standard work on the subject; but so many changes affecting these animals have been wrought on the British countryside since the 1950s, and so much new research undertaken, that the time has come for this completely new volume in the series to appear. It has been written by Dr Deryk Frazer, who was responsible with Dr A dA Bellairs for previous revisions of Dr Smith's book, to which it becomes a worth successor. Dr Frazer describes all those species of reptiles and amphibians native to Britain and others, once alien to our islands, which have been introduced. He makes use of the latest field discoveries, his own accumulated research and that of many other distinguished herpetologies, to present a detailed picture of reptile and amphibian ecology in Britain. An introductory first chapter deals with anatomy and physiology of herptiles and their evolution, ending with a brief look at the way in which their ecology may be studied. Succeeding chapters each give details of particular families and their species: frogs and toads, newts, lizards, snakes and chelonians. A final chapter discusses conservation of herptiles in Britain, especially of those species which are in danger. Appendices present a detailed taxonomy, and information on the law relating to these animals, and a bibliography provides reference to all sources quoted in the book.

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A wealth of fascinating information on the British amphibians and reptiles. This edition is exclusive to newnaturalists.com Building on the solid foundations established by the two earlier New Naturalist volumes on this subject, eminent herpetologists Trevor Beebee and Richard Griffiths have brought together a wealth of new and fascinating information on the British amphibians and reptiles. An introductory chapter looks at the subject of biogeography and how factors such as geological history, latitude and climate affect ecology, life histories and behaviour. The authors then go on to discuss historical interest in amphibians and reptiles, from how they have featured in witchcraft and legends to modern perspectives. A third chapter covers basic biology of amphibians and reptiles, before each of the main groups - newts, frogs and toads, lizards, snakes and chelonians - are examined in further detail. A comprehensive account for each species covers behaviour, life history, reproduction and distribution, as well as ecology and conservation status, areas in which significant discoveries have been made in recent years. There is also a chapter with important new information on the burgeoning number of introduced species in Britain, such as bullfrogs, alpine newts and wall lizards. During the last half century, amphibians and reptiles have been among the most serious casualties of the changing way of life in the British countryside. In recognition of the threats they continue to face, Beebee and Griffiths rightly dedicate a final, substantial chapter to the increasingly important issue of conservation and discuss the measures needed to be taken to ensure the future survival of the British herpetofauna. With over 100 black and white line drawings and illustrations, and an 8-page colour section, this is an authoritative work on a subject of great natural history interest.