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Peterson Field Guides #12

Peterson Field Guide To Reptiles And Amphibians Eastern & Central North America: The Definitive Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America

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A completely updated edition, including 122 newly recognized or recently established non-native species of reptiles and amphibians.

The new edition of this definitive guide reflects 25 years’ worth of changes in our knowledge of reptiles and amphibians. It includes descriptions of 122 newly recognized or recently established non-native species, updated maps, and new figures and photos. Color illustrations and drawings show key details for accurate identification. More than 100 color photographs and 322 color distribution maps accompany the species descriptions. Clear and concise species accounts provide key characteristics, similar species, habitats, and ranges, as well as subspecies, voice descriptions, and conservation status. This edition will be a crucial resource for professional and amateur herpetologists, naturalists, outdoor enthusiasts, and students.    


512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

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Robert Powell

7,963 books20 followers

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5 stars
244 (56%)
4 stars
127 (29%)
3 stars
48 (11%)
2 stars
10 (2%)
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5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Davis Winn.
15 reviews
September 28, 2023
I “terrapin” her “cooter” and that shit “skink”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Alex Tsiatsos.
Author 1 book
July 6, 2017
plates are too dark and indistinct and range-based species selection is odd. It covers species almost to the west coast but not quite all the way
Profile Image for James Zaworski.
25 reviews27 followers
January 6, 2021
The Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians is an extremely handy guide to the identification and ranges of the various species in the eastern and central part of the United States. It's a great general guide, and the illustrations and keys are great. I used my copy so much in the past that I had to buy an extra copy for home use, as the one used in the field got rather beat up and worn out.
Profile Image for Ben Whorton.
4 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2020
Good general reference, but there are other guides with better photos and more specificity.
Profile Image for Melanie.
57 reviews
June 15, 2022
I don’t think I retained much of this information, but it is an excellent book to keep on-hand.
Profile Image for Jessie (saxgrl1).
34 reviews3 followers
August 2, 2009
Not my favorite field guide, but there are few Reptile and Amphibian guides out there. The description of Mudpuppies is slightly offensive to the southerner. "...but southerners, not to be outdone in coining colorful names, refer to it and all its relatives as "waterdogs." Throughout much of Dixieland, "mudpuppy" is also used by contry folk..." Is any of the elaborate discription necessary? How about "In the south, it is commonly referred to as a "waterdog."
Aside from that, an ok field guide. Slightly better than The National Audubon Society's Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians in that there are more descriptive pictures rather than just pretty photographs.
Profile Image for Scott Cox.
1,160 reviews24 followers
January 18, 2016
This is a very comprehensive field guide to Eastern/Central North America reptiles and amphibians. My only recommended suggestion (common to many of the Peterson Field Guide series) is that I wish the range maps were included with the species rather than being separate in the back of the book. However, this guide is extremely helpful for field identification. I have used it mostly in Florida, but I have found it helpful as far west as Big Bend National Park in Texas.
Profile Image for Clif.
34 reviews3 followers
May 5, 2017
This has a different cover than the version I have.

I read this book all the time when I was growing up, hoping I could tell which snakes we would have to avoid while on vacation in Florida and the like. Still one of my favorites!!
Profile Image for Alan.
38 reviews6 followers
August 21, 2009
love it love it love it. All that information on all those southern endemics! Biogeography the same as the plants!

I've known this book since its first edition. It just keeps getting better... arguably the best of all the Peterson field guides.
Profile Image for Darinda.
9,195 reviews157 followers
November 25, 2024
A decent field guide on reptiles and amphibians. This field guide covers the eastern and central North American reptiles and amphibians (crocodilians, turtles, lizards, amphisbaenians, snakes, salamanders, toads, and frogs.
9 reviews
April 14, 2009
This field guide was actually first published in 1958, and has been continuously updated since then. Any field herper in their right mind should have this in their collection.
Profile Image for Sheri Fresonke Harper.
452 reviews17 followers
October 14, 2012
Useful book for identifying all those creatures you run into in the backyard and out in the National Parks. Good photographs and descriptions. Regional maps are at the back.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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