Field Book Of Snakes Of The United States And Canada

"We have placed particular emphasis on life history, habits, behavior, and ecology. Description has been restricted to what is necessary for identification of specimens." Preface.

For years Albert Hazen Wright and Anna Allen Wright traveled extensively, attempting to observe every species of snake in its natural surroundings and collecting data and live specimens. Their exhaustive research resulted in a famous two-volume source book, first published in 1957. Abundantly and painstakingly illustrated by the authors, this personalized natural history organizes for ready reference a wealth of information on American and Canadian snakes. Jonathan A. Campbell, a leading expert on snakes, supplies an informative new foreword. Accounts of more than three hundred species and subspecies - accompanied by photographs, drawings, distribution maps, and keys - form the main part of the work. In the introductory section the Wrights cover names of snakes, range, size, longevity, distinctive characteristics, color, habitat, period of activity, breeding, ecdysis, food, venom and bite, enemies, and authorities. Generous excerpts from the authors' field journals give the reader a vivid feeling of some of the satisfactions and conclusions of their search. Albert Hazen Wright was Professor of Zoology, Emeritus, at Cornell University. Anna Allen Wright was a recognized authority on the ecology and natural history of amphibians and reptiles.

Amphibians and reptiles (herpetofauna) are a significant but much-neglected component of the natural economy of the province of Alberta. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Alberta, Second Edition continues both as a field guide and a comprehensive natural history, builds on the strengths of the first with a richly illustrated text and colour photographs of the species taken by renowned wildlife photographer Wayne Lynch. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Alberta, First Edition won an Emerald Award for Environmental Excellence and an award from the Book Publishers Association of Alberta. This second edition has been thoroughly revised and updated. Nomenclature has been changed to reflect current thinking in the field. New photographs have been added, and maps and illustrations have been updated. This is the essential reference for Alberta herpetofauna.

Herping is the observation of amphibians and reptiles for recreation or for the production of citizen science—the cold-blooded equivalent of birding. The Field Herping Guide: Finding Amphibians and Reptiles in the Wild is the first book to explore the fun and fascinating world of observing herpetofauna across North America. The natural world holds an amazing diversity of herps, some as close as our own backyards. This guidebook is geared toward new field herpers and uses proven methods from professional herpetologists Mike Pingleton and Joshua Holbrook. The guide addresses basic questions new field herpers have about amphibians and reptiles: What do I need to know about their biology? Where do I look for them, and when? These topics are covered in a straightforward manner, with images, a glossary of essential terms, personal anecdotes, and informational vignettes that support the subject material. TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE: Getting Started Understanding Herp Behavior Finding Herps Catching and Handling Herps Safety in the Field Ethics and Etiquette, Rights and Responsibilities Classification, Taxonomy, and Species Identification Citizen Science and Data Collection Herp Photography Social Aspects of Field Herping A History of Field Herping