Amphibians & Reptiles: Book 87 (Collins New Naturalist Library) - Hardcover

Beebee, Trevor; Griffiths, Richard

9780007308620: Amphibians & Reptiles: Book 87 (Collins New Naturalist Library)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0007308620 ISBN 13: 9780007308620

Publisher: Collins, 2009

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.

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About the Author:

Trevor Beebee and Richard Griffiths are based at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Sussex and the University of Canterbury respectively. They have considerable experience of the British herpetofauna.

Review:

It's always nice when a book is published that enthuses you because it is so inspiring. [...] A number of things struck me as positive. First is that the author convincingly shows how research on captive animals contributes to our knowledge. [...] Second, a lot of attention is paid to the role of schools in the protection of amphibians and reptiles [...] Third, and most inspiring to me, is that the author gives many ideas for future research.[Translation from Dutch review] (Serge Bogaerts RAVON, 1/9/2013)

We can usually expect two things from a new book by Trevor Beebee – the benefit of a lifetime's experience and, of course, clear, well-written text. I think both are delivered here. A non-UK colleague of mine told me he found this book “inspiring”... (John W. Wilkinson Herpetological Bulletin, 4/3/2014)

This Naturalists' Handbook is very easy to read, encouraging those people interested in this aspect of natural history to be able to identify species and make a contribution to citizen science should they want to. (Helen Ashton Reference Reviews, 1/5/2014)

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