The Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State: Identification, Natural History, and Conservation

Book Description

This is the first guide yet produced to the amphibians and reptiles of New York State, a large and heavily populated state that hosts a surprisingly diverse and interesting community of amphibians and reptiles. This much needed guide to the identification, distribution, natural history and conservation of the amphibians and reptiles of New York State fill a long-empty niche. The book is the first comprehensive presentation of the distributional data gathered for the New York State Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project. With more than 60,000 records compiled from 1990-1999, this extraordinary and up-to-date database provides a rich foundation for the book. This volume provides detailed narratives on the 69 species native to New York State. With a heavy emphasis on conservation biology, the book also includes chapters on threats, legal protections, habitat conservation guidelines, and conservation case studies. Also included are 67 distribution maps and 62 pages of color photographs contributed by more than 30 photographers. As a field guide or a desk reference, The Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State is indispensable for anyone interested in the vertebrate animals of the Northeast, as well as students, field researchers and natural resource professionals.

Customer Reviews:

Finally .......2007-04-02

This Book is long overdue for those of us who had to consult with the online herp atlas everytime we needed to find out if a species had been recorded in a certain county. This book is set up and flows very nicely with excellent pictures and species accounts, habitat descriptions, counties of occurance, and so on. I have been very impressed already with this book and how much easier it will make things when I need New York based data for site evaluations and habitat assessment. This book is very informative and well written and my hats off to the authors for compiling all of the data used and keeping it readible. This book is an invaluable resource and is cheap enough to keep it accessible to everyone. A must have for anyone in NY that is interested in herps, some of the information is also valid for surrounding states.

Turtle Summer: A Journal for My Daughter

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Children love it
Teach the Children
A spectacular book for outdoor education!
A delightful idea - scrapbooking at the seashore!
Loggerhead Sea Turtles

Turtle Summer: A Journal for My Daughter
Mary Alice Monroe
Manufacturer: Sylvan Dell Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0977742350

Book Description

This is a companion book to Mary Alice Monroe's adult novel, Swimming Lessons, (Mira), the sequel to The Beach House. In the novel, the readers witness a young mother, Toy, writing a journal for her daughter, Little Lovie. Turtle Summer: A Journal for my Daughter is the journal Toy is writing. Using original photographs, this scrapbook journal explains the nesting cycle of sea turtles and the natural life along the southeastern coast, including local shore birds, shells, and the sea turtle hospital. Adults and children will enjoy the images, information and journal with or without the novel.

Customer Reviews:

Children love it.......2007-10-09

We gave the book to our Grandaughter, who is a first-grade teacher, and the children absolutely loved it.
It was an excellent introduction to conservancy of species.

Teach the Children.......2007-08-24

Turtle Summer is an excellent book for teaching children about the great loggerhead turtles and the people who care about the turtles and help take care of them.

A spectacular book for outdoor education!.......2007-06-05

The perfect "nature awareness" book! The format of appearing like a scrapbook is captivating. I used this in my 4th grade classroom... much to my students' delight. They loved it! If you plan on going to the beach this summer, especially in the southeast, it is a must!
Ms. Monroe also has some adult novels that are terrific! The Beach House

A delightful idea - scrapbooking at the seashore!.......2007-05-23

Turtle Summer, a Journal for my Daughter

This book presents a charming idea for a parent and child: to keep a nature scrapbook. Mary Alice Monroe has written and illustrated this enchanting journal of a mother and daughter's summer surveillance for loggerhead sea turtles on their beach. While watching the turtle nests, they observe and sketch nature's other offerings at the seashore. Like a family photo album, it is an intimate book.

Photographer Barbara J. Bergwerf teamed with Mary Alice Monroe to add exceptional and informative photos, including one of Carolina from the previous Sylvan Dell book, Carolina's Story: Sea Turtle's Get Sick Too! This is a splendid mixture of photos, drawing, and text. Children, ages 4 - 9 will relate to this book and its activities, hopefully clamoring to create a similar journal with their siblings and parents.

Loggerhead Sea Turtles.......2007-05-10

Turtle Summer is an outstanding book which can be enjoyed by all ages, even though it is geared for children. The text is very accurate having been written by bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe and the pictures are something to behold. Barb Bergwerf is a superb photographer. Turtle Summer will be a book you will treasure and one you will want to give to all your friends who are interested in nature and our environment. It is a wonderful learning tool for children, too!

Biology and Conservation of Ridley Sea Turtles

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Biology and Conservation of Ridley Sea Turtles

Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0801886112

Book Description

The smallest of the sea turtles, olive and Kemp's ridleys are the only marine turtles to exhibit mass-nesting behavior, known as arribadas. This fascinating phenomenon, during which one could literally walk shell-to-shell across a beach, is considered one of the most amazing wonders of nature.

In Biology and Conservation of Ridley Sea Turtles, Pamela T. Plotkin brings together the world's experts on the genus Lepidochelys to present the first comprehensive, book-length examination of these fascinating animals. Featuring the writings of noted experts including Peter C. H. Pritchard, Jack Frazier, Rene Márquez-M., and Donna J. Shaver, the volume synthesizes over a half century of research. With chapters focused on evolution, development, genetics, physiology, reproduction, migration, and conservation, this book combines a wealth of knowledge and describes an agenda for further research.

An integral part of oceanic ecosystems, ridleys present challenges for conservation. Olive ridleys are abundant in some areas and declining in others, whereas Kemp's ridleys are endangered but slowly recovering. Both face beach-based threats and are prone to capture by commercial fisheries. Here Plotkin and her colleagues reveal the nature of these species and the steps needed to make sure they remain a permanent part of the marine environment.

The Alligator Snapping Turtle: Biology and Conservation

Average customer rating:

An indispensable addition

The Alligator Snapping Turtle: Biology and Conservation
Peter C. H. Pritchard
Manufacturer: Krieger Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1575242753
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Product Description

Pritchard's monograph on the alligator snapping turtle, one of the world's most impressive, dangerous, and celebrated turtles, was first published in 1989. The initial small print run quickley sold out and has become a valuable rare book. This reprint edition duplicates the text of the original, but also includes a major new section outlining progress that has been made on the science and conservation of this species in the last 17 years.

Customer Reviews:

An indispensable addition.......2006-10-04

Originally published in 1989 and out of print for several years, the Krieger Publishing Company's new reprint of zoologist Peter Pritchard's classic monograph, "The Alligator Snapping Turtle: Biology And Conservation", is an informed and informative introduction to one of nature's most impressive, dangerous, and famous of the turtle species. This new edition of "The Alligator Snapping Turtle" is enhanced with a major new section detailing the zoological progress made on the science and conservation of this species over the last seventeen years and is therefore a fully up-to-date, profusely illustrated treatise that includes the Snapping Turtle's geographic distribution, diet, reproduction cycle, natural history, exploitation and captivity, population status and trends, and so much more. With the addition of a comprehensive Index, a list of supplemental material, Reviews and Responses, Protection and Legislation, and more, "The Alligator Snapping Turtle" is an indispensable addition to professional and academic library Biology and Natural Science reference collections in general, and the supplemental reading list of turtle enthusiasts and wildlife conservationists in particular.

The Ecology, Exploitation and Conservation of River Turtles (Enviromental Science)

Average customer rating:

This title does belong on the shelf
An important new book in herpetological conservation

The Ecology, Exploitation and Conservation of River Turtles (Enviromental Science)
Don Moll , and Edward O. Moll
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0195102290

Book Description

The underlying theme of this book is that a widespread, taxonomically diverse group of animals, important both from ecological and human resource perspectives, remains poorly understood and in delcine, while receiving scant attention from the ecological and conservation community. This volume proposes a comprehensive overview of the world's river turtles' ecology, conservation, and management. It begins with a categorization of taxa which inhabit flowing water habitats followed by information on their evolutionary and physical diversity and biogeography. Within the framework of ecology, the authors discuss the composition of river turtle communities in different types of lotic habitats and regions, population dynamics, movements, reproductive characteristics and behavior, predators, and feeding relationships. In a conservation and management section, the authors identify and evaluate the nature and intensity of factors which threaten river turtle survival--almost all of which involve direct human exploitation or indirect effects of human induced habitat alteration and degradation. They then list and evaluate the various schemes which have been proposed or employed to halt declines and restore populations, and make recommendations for future management plans for specific species and regions. In closing, they state their viewpoint concerning future research directions and priorities, and an evaluation of future prospects for survival of the world's river turtle species.

Customer Reviews:

This title does belong on the shelf.......2005-10-10

of every individual with an investment or interest in freshwater turtle biology and conservation. "The Ecology, Exploitation, and Conservation of River Turtles" is a nice extension of the entry on the topic these authors contributed in Michael Klemens' "Turtle Conservation" (Smithsonian, 2000).

The outlay of the book is very functional, the many research references made are well-chosen, and the tone of the text intersperses encouragement for change and hope throughout. It must be noted that exploitation and conservation measures are much more heavily discussed than is ecology, which is even less uniform across the species covered than the former two aspects. Case studies do figure heavily in this book, which makes it somewhat biased towards species considered, but this can only be expected due to the paucity of literature on actual implementations (for direct river turtle exploitation and conservation).

The third chapter alone, which features major river turtle guilds of the world, is worth the purchase price in and of itself. The functional summarization-nature of this book, as with the previous title of paralleled nature noted above, will likely cause it to remain an important volume for decades to come.

One star was subtracted in this review, mostly to get your attention. The "technical" reason is because of the confusion that will potentially be created in lieu of the authors attempting to make the work more accessible. Scientific names and "common" English names are used interchangeably. In most cases, the scientific name is given once in company of the common name, and then the common name is used through the remainder of the book. For a work of this nature that deals with many species foreign and cryptic enough to elude use of common English names (which, in many cases, are so similar from one species to the next as to cause confusion - Mexican mud, Mexican rough-footed mud, Mexican giant musk, etc.), it would have been far simpler for the sake of clarity to have stuck with scientific names throughout, regardless of the dificulty in pronunciations and seeming lack of characterization. That minor, personal opinion-rooted shortcoming aside, the book's delivery mandates its inclusion in the book list of every individual concerned with this topic.

An important new book in herpetological conservation.......2005-03-09

Don Moll and Ed Moll's book has a welcome focus on freshwater turtles-the great majority, after all, of the world's turtle species live in freshwater-and is further focused on those species that inhabit the medium to large rivers where many of the world's most spectacular species and most diverse assemblages are found. Unfortunately, as this book makes all too clear, these species are among those most endangered, both by direct exploitation and by anthropogenic modification of their habitats. As the authors point out, the global decline in river turtle species is just as dire a situation as the much-ballyhooed global decline in amphibians, only in the case of turtles there is less uncertainty about the underlying causes. The brothers Moll bring extensive experience with river-dwelling turtle faunas to their effort. In addition to having both worked many years with turtles in the Midwestern United States, Don Moll has worked with sliders in Costa Rica and narrow-headed softshells in Thailand, while Ed Moll has been most active in his work with various Asian species, in particular the river terrapin, which figures prominently in this book. Some of their experiences form the basis for the "profiles" that begin each chapter, short entertaining vignettes on river turtle assemblages of the past and the present. The book begins with an introduction to the major riverine turtle assemblages of the world, a nice complement to past geographic reference works like John Iverson's 1992 book of range maps, in that turtle biologists now have a source to consult to quickly identify the species that co-occur in any of the major rivers of the world. A short chapter on exploitation of turtle populations in traditional societies is followed by a much lengthier chapter on current trends in exploitation of turtles for meat and other uses. Overexploitation of Asian, South American, and North American species is extensively covered, while information on African species is notably sparser, although perhaps not due to fault of the authors. The next chapter, on indirect threats to river turtles, focuses on alterations to rivers and their catchment basins that cause declines in native fauna, but also includes a short section on the role of exotic species in altering river turtle habitats. The book concludes with a thoughtful analysis of in situ and ex situ conservation techniques that are being applied to river turtles around the world. The authors describe a conservation philosophy that emphasizes the primacy of the former while still finding accessory roles for the latter. Overall, the book is an engaging and thoughtful look at the current conservation status of turtles in medium and large rivers, with much information not readily available in other sources. It is bound to be referenced frequently in coming years by workers in freshwater turtle ecology and conservation.

Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation

Average customer rating:

EVERYTHING You need to know about Sea Turtles
Superb book
Beautiful and educational
Sea Turtles
Sea Turtle Lovers: Your Book Has Arrived!

Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation
James R. Spotila
Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0801880076

Book Description

For more than a hundred million years, sea turtles have been swimming in the world's oceans. These magnificent, long-lived creatures spend their lives in the water, coming ashore to lay their eggs. Upon hatching, the baby turtles leave the nest and enter a dangerous world of storms and predators. The females will return to the same beach to lay their own eggs when they reach maturity a decade later. Today, there are seven species of sea turtle: the grass--eating green turtle; the sea sponge--eating hawksbill; the olive ridley; the Kemp's ridley, which is the smallest species; the loggerhead; the flatback of Australia; and the giant leatherback. Having escaped the mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs, these ancient reptiles today face new dangers that threaten their survival: pollution, hunting, and the destruction of their nesting grounds. Will this century be the last to witness their majesty? Will succeeding generations live in a world devoid of their graceful presence?

Marine biologist James R. Spotila has spent much of his life unraveling the mysteries of these graceful creatures and working to ensure their survival. In Sea Turtles, he offers a comprehensive and compelling account of their history and life cycle based on the most recent scientific data -- and suggests what we can do now to save them. From the Kemp's ridley, which nests on a single beach on Mexico's Gulf Coast, to the nomadic leatherback, which can weigh up to a ton and is in the most imminent danger of extinction, Spotila offers a vivid description of their diets and mating habits, and the conservation efforts being made on their behalf. Illustrated with stunning color photographs by the world's leading nature photographers, Sea Turtles will inform and inspire readers of all ages everywhere.

Customer Reviews:

EVERYTHING You need to know about Sea Turtles.......2007-05-23

I purchased this book for my High School Freshman as a Honors Lit non-fiction book project. She made a beautiful powerpoint presentation and Website with quizzes. This book was fabulous. At first I thought it would be a tough kind of informational book to read, but it was not! It was written in layman terms and easy to read. The pictures are nothing less than gorgeous. There is so much information packed in this book it was hard to decide what to leave out! Also this book would be a beautiful coffee table book because the quality and pictures are wonderful. There was plenty of information about conservation and even though my daughter has always loved turtles now she is an activist and has joined a save the sea turtles foundation. This book was a godsend and a pleasure to read.

Superb book.......2006-11-05

This book is full of fantastic photos and a wealth of detailed information. A must for anybody interested in sea turtles.

Beautiful and educational.......2006-07-30

This book is beautiful. From one of the top sea turtle conservationists. It covers almost everything there is to know about sea turtles. The diagrams of turtle anatomy really help to understand these creatures. It is also great that Spotila profiles some of the dedicated conservationists working to protect the turtles. The pictures are stunning. The books large pages do the pictures and the turtles justice. After reading the book, you feel as if you have been initiated into the world of sea turtles. And, an added bonus, a portion of the royalties will be donated to Leatherback Trust. In short, if you like sea turtles, buy this book.

Sea Turtles.......2006-02-22

I am a biologist and found this book filled with inspiration because it offered so many ways we all can help with saving the sea turtles. I plan to do my part, how about you?

Sea Turtle Lovers: Your Book Has Arrived!.......2005-09-10

James Spotila has produced one of those "labor of love" books that belongs on the shelf or coffee table of anyone who has ever enjoyed viewing a sea turtle.

Up to now these poorly understood gentile reptiles have been exploited to near extinction. Hopefully now the new understanding that these are wonderful sea creatures that deserve protection and respect is here to stay. Mr. Spotila's book will make a turtle lover out of anyone and I hope that it is widely read and becomes that classic natural history book on the 7 species of sea turtle that it should be.

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Amazing Snakes! (I Can Read Book 2)
Sarah L. Thomson
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0060544643
Release Date: 2006-12-26

Book Description

If you were a snake, you could . . .

sleep all winter!
grow as long as a school bus!
swallow your food whole!
crawl out of your skin!

Featuring stunning full-color photographs from the Wildlife Conservation Society, this is the latest title in an exciting I Can Read Book series that takes readers into the amazing world of animals.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Status and Conservation in Florida

Average customer rating:

A wealth of information on specialized biological investigations in Florida's uplands, wetlands, rivers, and estuarine systems

Amphibians and Reptiles: Status and Conservation in Florida

Manufacturer: Krieger Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Conservation | Environment | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1575242516
Release Date: 2005-06-01

Product Description

For the first time a broad cross-section of distinguished researchers come together to address the conservation of Florida's rich but imperiled herpetofauna. The 27 contributions represent original research, essays, and reviews that identify contemporary threats to amphibians and reptiles and to the system that supports them. In the Synthesis of the book, Meshaka and Babbitt draw from these works and from prior discussions with the contributors to provide consensus regarding the most important threats facing the conservation of Florida's herpetofauna and proffer clear courses of action to ensure a viable future for this segment of Florida's natural legacy. Ultimately, the reader will see convincingly that conservation of Florida amphibians and reptiles can be achieved at several levels. Readable in style, contemporary in subject matter, this work is a snapshot of the present and a blueprint for the future of conservation action in Florida.

Customer Reviews:

A wealth of information on specialized biological investigations in Florida's uplands, wetlands, rivers, and estuarine systems.......2005-11-14

Jointly compiled and edited by Walter E. Meshaka Jr. (Zoology and Botany, State Museum of Pennsylvania) and Kimberly J. Babbit (Department of Natural Resources, University of New Hampshire), Amphibians And Reptiles: Status And Conservation In Florida is a compendium of articles of Floridian herpetofauna. From "The Florida Herpetofauna in a Changing Environment" by Walter Meshaka and Ray E. Ashton, to "The Value of Dead Tree Bases and Stumpholes as Habitat for Wildlife" by D. Bruce Means, to "The Conservation of Box Turtles on Public Lands in Florida" by C. Kenneth Dodd and Marian L. Griffey, Amphibians And Reptiles presents a wealth of information on specialized biological investigations in Florida's uplands, wetlands, rivers, and estuarine systems. Also included are three ground-breaking articles addressing issues in the commerical harvesting and Florida's herpetofauna, and two excellent pieces on exotic species and the Floridian herpetofauna. Concluding this outstanding collection is a "Synthesis" summary. Enhanced with a bibliography of cited literature and an appendices ("County Records of Native Amphibian and Reptile Species in Florida), Amphibians And Reptiles is a welcome and seminal contribution to herpetofauna in general, and Floridian amphibians and reptile wildlife in particular.

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LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES
Bolten Ab
Manufacturer: Smithsonian
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1588341364

Book Description

The world's leading sea turtle biologists explore the biology of a species threatened with extinction.

Sea turtles have been the focus of research and intense conservation efforts for decades and the loggerhead sea turtle, currently listed as a threatened species, is arguably one of the best studied of the seven species. Loggerhead Sea Turtles brings together, for the first time, international experts to synthesize the knowledge of loggerhead biology and conservation and sets the stage for future ecological, biological, and conservation research. Highly detailed coverage includes diet, growth, nesting, migration, habitat selection, and conservation. 87 b/w illustrations.

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Success with Cichlids from Lake Malawi

Beautiful Pictures!

Excellent book for new african cichlidists!

Not Much Success With CICHLIDS !

A moment from our sponsor(s)

Success with Cichlids from Lake Malawi & Tanganyika
Sabine Melke
Manufacturer: TFH Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Lake Malawi Cichlids (Complete Pet Owner's Manuals)

The Guide to Owning Malawi Cichlids

Lake Tanganyika Cichlids (Complete Pet Owner's Manuals)

Cichlids (Complete Pet Owner's Manual)

African Cichlids II: Cichlids from Eastern Africa : A Handbook for Their Identification, Care and Breeding

ASIN: 0866224890

Customer Reviews:

Success with Cichlids from Lake Malawi .......2006-12-25

This book has some good photos and provides a light overview for people that are new to the hobby. However, if you are new to aquariums you should not try to care for these fish. For anyone experienced this book doesn't provide much useful information. I was trying to get information on breeding African Cichlids and this book provided no useful information that subject.

Beautiful Pictures!.......2006-06-20

I just want to leave a notation for all who get this book. BE CAREFUL OPENING PAGES! The photos on each page are actually on photographic paper! This makes each photo excellent in detail and color, but this book needs to have pages turned with the care of a photo album, and not the casual nature of a book.

Excellent book for new african cichlidists!.......2003-05-15

Despite all the other bad reviews I think this is a great book to dive into African Cichlids. I have owned an aquarium maintenance service for years and have had only one african cichild tank. I bought a bunch of them and threw them all in a 55 gallon tank. It looked great until the fish grew up. After a year or so I only had a couple fish left, most killed by a large pseudotrophus sp. This book explained why and I was finally able to understand these fish. The book goes into species compatibility and their social behavior and explains why you mix certain species, male/female ratios, numbers of each species required, size of tank and how to keep aggressive ones. I feel the topic is so vast with over 1500 species that no one book can cover everything. I'm finding the most difficult part of African Cichlids is the scientific names - some are very difficult to say much less knowing which ones you can house together! If you have had aquariums in the past and know nothing about African Cichlids I would recommend this as your first book! It really informs the reader of the broad overview of what you are getting into and the problems associated with it. It leaves you informed and, if interested, wanting to buy another book or two, specifically one with photos of all the species like Pablo Tepoot's "Pictoral Guide".

Not Much Success With CICHLIDS !.......2002-11-17

More time is spent on discussing basic aquarium set-up and care, than on Malawi Cichlids. Must have had commercial sponsers, they are mentioned throughout. Other than a beginner at cichlids, nothing much new to be learned. Scientific names are outdated, but in the fast changing world of Malawi Cichlids that's not surprising. Better be up on your metric system, there's not an inch, foot, yard, pound or gallon in the book!

A moment from our sponsor(s).......2001-09-10

I felt as though I was reading an info mercial. While it is nice to have info on product availability it was more than I wanted to sort through. I also found it not well organized. Cichlid identification for the purpose of appropriate care and breeding is daunting enough without adding more confusion.

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