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National Audubon Society Field Guides
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians: North America
Why are some frogs able to freeze solid and still survive? How can secretions from amphibians offer scientists clues for treating human ailments? What allows reptiles and amphibians to regenerate their limbs? Reptiles & Amphibians, an exciting new Explore Your World™ handbook, incorporates the Discovery Channel's unique authoritative approach and acclaimed visuals to answer these and other questions in a captivating blend of information and entertainment.
Reptiles & Amphibians features:
¸ Background information on evolution, anatomy, physiology, habitats, and life cycles of a range of reptile and amphibian families.
¸ A detailed look at how reptiles and amphibians survive-how they eat, move around, defend themselves, and combat temperature extremes.
¸ Examinations of metamorphosis, growth and longevity, and vocalization techniques.
¸ Practical advice on how to responsibly study reptiles and amphibians in the wild or care for them as pets.
¸ An identification guide to more than 160 of the most fascinating herpetological species from around the world, organized by environment.
¸ More than 300 full-color photos and illustrations.
Reptiles & Amphibians features:
¸ Background information on evolution, anatomy, physiology, habitats, and life cycles of a range of reptile and amphibian families.
¸ A detailed look at how reptiles and amphibians survive-how they eat, move around, defend themselves, and combat temperature extremes.
¸ Examinations of metamorphosis, growth and longevity, and vocalization techniques.
¸ Practical advice on how to responsibly study reptiles and amphibians in the wild or care for them as pets.
¸ An identification guide to more than 160 of the most fascinating herpetological species from around the world, organized by environment.
¸ More than 300 full-color photos and illustrations.
744 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 1979
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 15, 2013
As I've noted on my profile, I take a ton of pictures, mostly of insects and wildlife. The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians is my go-to resource when I feel the need to identify something of a creepy, crawly nature.
The book is jam-packed with photos of snakes, frogs, and other scaly critters. In fact, the shear amount of images can be a little overwhelming when you're trying to narrow down the possible species of that frog that just jumped into the water and nearly scared the crap out of you.
Another big plus is that the habitats and range of the particular species are mentioned. There have been a few times when I was trying to identify a snake and though "No, they don't come any farther north than Alabama. Better keep looking."
If I had to pick something to gripe about, it would be that I wish this book would fit in a normal-sized pants pocket. It's kind of fat. Other that that, it's a pretty sweet book.
The book is jam-packed with photos of snakes, frogs, and other scaly critters. In fact, the shear amount of images can be a little overwhelming when you're trying to narrow down the possible species of that frog that just jumped into the water and nearly scared the crap out of you.
Another big plus is that the habitats and range of the particular species are mentioned. There have been a few times when I was trying to identify a snake and though "No, they don't come any farther north than Alabama. Better keep looking."
If I had to pick something to gripe about, it would be that I wish this book would fit in a normal-sized pants pocket. It's kind of fat. Other that that, it's a pretty sweet book.
July 25, 2012
I had this book since I was a child and it has brought great joy throughout the years; well mainly when I was a youngster. This book and all the other field guides that Alfred A. Knopf published are fantastic, I own 4 myself and all are just as great as this one.
April 8, 2018
A handy guide to some often-overlooked animals. I like the photos and thorough descriptions of the animals, their habits and habitats. I find it sometimes inconvenient to flip back and forth between the photos and text sections, but suspect that that was a decision based on publishing techniques and costs so do not hold it too much against the book.
March 12, 2019
I don't like reptiles and amphibians, but somehow I can't stop looking at the Audubon field guide or going to the reptile house at the zoo.
January 27, 2024
Great resource, must have if you are into all things wiggly.
June 4, 2026
Love the pictures and the description of each animal. Good book.
December 3, 2012
This book was my first field guide, aside maybe by a couple golden guides, and it was a welcomed gift I treasured for years. It took me until high school to see how much better Peterson's Reptile and Amphibian guides are. This guide is basic but has a large scope.
North America is a large place with thousands of Reptile and Amphibians species, and it is because of this large scope that this book looses credibility. Because of the large scope, many species are not presented here; subspecies are barely mentioned. Also, this series is in bad need of an serious update. Apparently since my first copy, some almost 20 years ago, not much has changed. Aside from the cover, I can see no updates to this book; same color plates and the same text.
The layout of this book is poor. It is laid out by color and appearances rather then taxonomy. Seriously confusing to look through when you have a species on your mind, 'must think color'.
All in all, it is not a terrible field guide. It is a fair place to start if your inexperienced with Reptiles and Amphibians but Peterson's guides are a even better place to start with more, up to date, information. One should check first, to see if their state has it's own field guide, or region. For the southeast, there are good beginner field guides for Reptiles and Amphibians produced by taxa (i.e., snakes, lizards and crocodilians, frogs, salamanders, and turtles). Plus many of those states have their own field guide, much more enriching to the local reader.
North America is a large place with thousands of Reptile and Amphibians species, and it is because of this large scope that this book looses credibility. Because of the large scope, many species are not presented here; subspecies are barely mentioned. Also, this series is in bad need of an serious update. Apparently since my first copy, some almost 20 years ago, not much has changed. Aside from the cover, I can see no updates to this book; same color plates and the same text.
The layout of this book is poor. It is laid out by color and appearances rather then taxonomy. Seriously confusing to look through when you have a species on your mind, 'must think color'.
All in all, it is not a terrible field guide. It is a fair place to start if your inexperienced with Reptiles and Amphibians but Peterson's guides are a even better place to start with more, up to date, information. One should check first, to see if their state has it's own field guide, or region. For the southeast, there are good beginner field guides for Reptiles and Amphibians produced by taxa (i.e., snakes, lizards and crocodilians, frogs, salamanders, and turtles). Plus many of those states have their own field guide, much more enriching to the local reader.
July 22, 2015
“National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians (National Audubon Society Field Guides)” by National Audubon Society is a fabulous field guide on reptiles and amphibians in North America. With tons of pictures, and TONS of information on EACH reptile and amphibian, you will be able to learn about pretty much any reptile or amphibian you will find in North America. This is a great field guide, and would be great for reference. I would read it again.
2015-Summer-Reading-Review
2015-Summer-Reading-Review
March 4, 2010
I believe this was my favorite book as a child (I was probably 7 or 8 when I got it; I got the bird one later). I loved these Audubon Society field guides (especially this one). It has loads of photographs of reptiles and amphibians with references to information pages about each animal.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes reptiles and amphibians, although it is a little older now—so maybe there's a new edition.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes reptiles and amphibians, although it is a little older now—so maybe there's a new edition.
May 16, 2008
Understandably limited in the amount of information they can cover (due to limited size of the books), the National Audubon Society Field Guides are amazing detailed for the animals they do encompass. I love them and often carry them around to help identify objects of my curiosity.
May 20, 2014
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians by John H. Behler (Alfred A. Knopf 1979)(595.6097) is a field guide to identify North American reptiles and amphibians. My rating: 7/10, finished 2005.
March 12, 2012
As a child, I received this book as a gift (now many years ago) and continue to find it useful today. The lovely pictures offer a great quick reference while the back of the book offers an in depth look at the animals. This is a wonderful book to add to any reference library.
January 23, 2008
Great for identifying those snakes and lizards you find in your yard or along hiking trails.
May 29, 2008
Absolutely essential.
August 12, 2008
The ultimate all-around guide. Comprehensive, full-color and durable. Great for the casual nature buff or the serious herper.
October 6, 2011
a good field resource for children, and parents driven to distraction with questions.
December 9, 2011
Packed with over 200 pages of color illustrations, this book is a good reference book for north american reptiles and amphibians.
January 27, 2016
A great guide, but as usual there seem to be more species out there than they can reasonably fit in the book.
January 10, 2014
Good references for western US reptiles and amphibians.
January 23, 2016
A great little book full of great information and identification pictures. Very useful!
April 17, 2017
Excellent book!
Very informative and well thought out!
This book is easy to use and the pictures are very clear! It's an excellent field guide for anyone into herpetology!
Very informative and well thought out!
This book is easy to use and the pictures are very clear! It's an excellent field guide for anyone into herpetology!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews