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Peterson Field Guides #16
A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians
This guide covers all the species of reptiles and amphibians found in western North America. More than 650 full-color paintings and photographs show key details for making accurate identifications. Color range maps give species' distributions. Important information on conservation efforts and survival status rounds out the detailed species descriptions.
533 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 12, 2012
The Peterson Field Guide series has justly been hailed as one of the great resources to naturalists throughout the world. The founder of the series, Robert Tory Peterson, was an enthusiastic artist and birder. Born on August 28, 1908 in Jamestown NY, Peterson was inspired by a seventh grade teacher to join a Junior Audubon Club. He soon became completely absorbed by the world of birds. His interest wasn’t satisfied just watching birds. He became obsessed with identifying them. He began to make sketches of the birds he observed, and soon decided to pursue a career as an artist.
Following high school, Peterson went to New York City to attend the Art Students League (1927-1928) and the National Academy of Design (1929-1931). While in school, his interest in birds continued unabated and he was able to meet many of the leading ornithologists of his day. He became an instructor of art and science at the Rivers School in Brookline MA. During his tenure there, he began sharing his passion with his students. One of his students, Elliot Richardson, later the Attorney General of the United States under President Richard Nixon, nominated Peterson for Outstanding Teacher of the Year. This was only one of many awards Peterson was to receive during his life. His artistry and bird identification skills culminated in the publication of A Field Guide to the Birds in 1934. It was an immediate success. In 1941, he published his second field guide, A Field Guide to Western Birds. From there, the series greatly expanded with field guides covering a variety of subjects: animals, plants, etc. Currently, there are 48 guides, 6 audio recordings, 18 “First Guides,” 14 “Flashguides,” and 14 coloring books. Roger Tory Peterson died on July 28, 1996 at the age of 87 while working on the fifth edition of A Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America.
Turning to the book under review, Robert C. Stebbins wrote and illustrated the first edition of A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians in 1966. At the time he was Professor of Zoology and Curator in Herpetology in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at the University of California, Berkeley. The original guide was a companion volume to Roger Conant’s A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America (now also available in a third, revised and expanded edition). The first edition of Stebbins’ book covered 26 species of salamander, 35 species of frogs and toads, 15 species of turtles, 61 species of lizards, and 70 species of snakes for a total of 207 species. The first edition contains many of the hallmarks that field guides continue to use today. There were brief species’ accounts to aid in identification. Each species’ account was divided into identification, similar species, range, and subspecies. Stebbins drew all the illustrations of the species covered. These drawings are contained in 39 plates (24 in full color) in the book. Also, all of the range maps (in black and white) were collected at the end of the volume. He also included comments on the collection of reptiles and amphibians, a guide to amphibian eggs and larvae, a glossary and an index.
The second edition, published in 1985, expanded the guide considerably. Stebbins now covered 31 species of salamanders, 44 species of frogs and toads, 16 species of turtles, 76 species of lizards, 1 amphisbaenid, and 76 species of snakes for a total of 244 species. Also, besides covering the Western United States, Stebbins now included the species native to Baja California. This revision included updated information on each species. The second edition had 48 plates (35 in full color) and revised range maps (still collected in the rear of the book and in black and white). The new edition also expanded the section on amphibian eggs and larvae. Besides the glossary and index, Stebbins added a list of references for further research.
The new edition, recently published, continues to add to our knowledge of the western reptiles and amphibians. The organization of the new edition maintains the basic structure of the first two editions. There are, however, some significant improvements. First, Stebbins now covers 49 species of salamanders, 47 species of frogs and toads, 17 species of turtles, 88 species of lizards, 1 amphisbaenid, and 78 species of snakes for a total of 280 species. There are now 56 plates of illustrations by Stebbins, all in full color. The range maps, although still collected at the end are in full color. Each account has been revised and updated as necessary. The References section is now a more complete Bibliography. Lastly, the major improvement has been the addition of color photographs of many species. Together the color plates and photographs number over 650.
Overall, this current edition would make a wonderful addition to any herpetologist’s library. It is a significant improvement over the previous edition. However, I have a couple of criticisms, one which dates back to the first edition. I find it inconvenient to have to turn to the back of the book and search out the range maps for each species. I would much rather prefer to have the range maps located with the each species’ account (or at least near them). This model is followed in Conant and Collins’s A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. I don’t know why Stebbins decided to adhere to outline from the first two editions. Also, although a criticism, this isn’t a major one. Since photographs are include for the first time, it would have been nice to have a photograph of each species for which there is a species’ account. But, as I mentioned earlier, these are mere quibbles for what remains a valuable reference.
Following high school, Peterson went to New York City to attend the Art Students League (1927-1928) and the National Academy of Design (1929-1931). While in school, his interest in birds continued unabated and he was able to meet many of the leading ornithologists of his day. He became an instructor of art and science at the Rivers School in Brookline MA. During his tenure there, he began sharing his passion with his students. One of his students, Elliot Richardson, later the Attorney General of the United States under President Richard Nixon, nominated Peterson for Outstanding Teacher of the Year. This was only one of many awards Peterson was to receive during his life. His artistry and bird identification skills culminated in the publication of A Field Guide to the Birds in 1934. It was an immediate success. In 1941, he published his second field guide, A Field Guide to Western Birds. From there, the series greatly expanded with field guides covering a variety of subjects: animals, plants, etc. Currently, there are 48 guides, 6 audio recordings, 18 “First Guides,” 14 “Flashguides,” and 14 coloring books. Roger Tory Peterson died on July 28, 1996 at the age of 87 while working on the fifth edition of A Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America.
Turning to the book under review, Robert C. Stebbins wrote and illustrated the first edition of A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians in 1966. At the time he was Professor of Zoology and Curator in Herpetology in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at the University of California, Berkeley. The original guide was a companion volume to Roger Conant’s A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America (now also available in a third, revised and expanded edition). The first edition of Stebbins’ book covered 26 species of salamander, 35 species of frogs and toads, 15 species of turtles, 61 species of lizards, and 70 species of snakes for a total of 207 species. The first edition contains many of the hallmarks that field guides continue to use today. There were brief species’ accounts to aid in identification. Each species’ account was divided into identification, similar species, range, and subspecies. Stebbins drew all the illustrations of the species covered. These drawings are contained in 39 plates (24 in full color) in the book. Also, all of the range maps (in black and white) were collected at the end of the volume. He also included comments on the collection of reptiles and amphibians, a guide to amphibian eggs and larvae, a glossary and an index.
The second edition, published in 1985, expanded the guide considerably. Stebbins now covered 31 species of salamanders, 44 species of frogs and toads, 16 species of turtles, 76 species of lizards, 1 amphisbaenid, and 76 species of snakes for a total of 244 species. Also, besides covering the Western United States, Stebbins now included the species native to Baja California. This revision included updated information on each species. The second edition had 48 plates (35 in full color) and revised range maps (still collected in the rear of the book and in black and white). The new edition also expanded the section on amphibian eggs and larvae. Besides the glossary and index, Stebbins added a list of references for further research.
The new edition, recently published, continues to add to our knowledge of the western reptiles and amphibians. The organization of the new edition maintains the basic structure of the first two editions. There are, however, some significant improvements. First, Stebbins now covers 49 species of salamanders, 47 species of frogs and toads, 17 species of turtles, 88 species of lizards, 1 amphisbaenid, and 78 species of snakes for a total of 280 species. There are now 56 plates of illustrations by Stebbins, all in full color. The range maps, although still collected at the end are in full color. Each account has been revised and updated as necessary. The References section is now a more complete Bibliography. Lastly, the major improvement has been the addition of color photographs of many species. Together the color plates and photographs number over 650.
Overall, this current edition would make a wonderful addition to any herpetologist’s library. It is a significant improvement over the previous edition. However, I have a couple of criticisms, one which dates back to the first edition. I find it inconvenient to have to turn to the back of the book and search out the range maps for each species. I would much rather prefer to have the range maps located with the each species’ account (or at least near them). This model is followed in Conant and Collins’s A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. I don’t know why Stebbins decided to adhere to outline from the first two editions. Also, although a criticism, this isn’t a major one. Since photographs are include for the first time, it would have been nice to have a photograph of each species for which there is a species’ account. But, as I mentioned earlier, these are mere quibbles for what remains a valuable reference.
November 16, 2017
It's a wonderful field guide; one star removed because some of the sections need to be updated. But I'd be prepared to give all five stars to a corrected, updated version.
July 8, 2012
Bought a copy for this to keep around for nature trips. So now when my daughter captures a frog (or maybe that's a toad?) we can try to figure out what species it is. Also wanted to read up on what the venomous critters are in this part of the California, which seems to be just the Northern Pacific rattlesnake or Crotalus oreganus oreganus.
In addition to being the definitive reference for identification, there are some handy tips like how to make a lizard noose or snake fork, how to best perform night hunting along decrepit paved desert roads, and how to perform triangulation with two people to track down a barking frog.
In addition to being the definitive reference for identification, there are some handy tips like how to make a lizard noose or snake fork, how to best perform night hunting along decrepit paved desert roads, and how to perform triangulation with two people to track down a barking frog.
January 18, 2016
As with all the Peterson Field Guide series, the arrow indicators directed towards key distinguishing features for similar species is invaluable. I have used this field guide for many years as a reference for identifying new species of reptiles & amphibians. My "most wanted" California reptiles & amphibians that I would still like to see in the wild: Rosy Boa, Mountain Kingsnake, California Legless Lizard and the Yosemite Toad. Outside of California, I have looked for Gila Monsters and Coral Snakes in southern Arizona many times, thus far without success. Any locale hints would be greatly appreciated!
August 22, 2008
This is the most comprehensive field guide I've found for herps. It is the one used by most professionals in the field. The hand drawn plates allow the authors to really illustrate important defining characteristics.
April 28, 2010
Pretty much the standard guide for western herps. Pretty good overall, good illustrations and maps, a bit light on the natural history but it's meant for the field. Sturdy binding, despite thickness.
June 20, 2011
Same as Butterflies Through Binoculars. A little advanced for my taste (took forever to find a Common Garter snake because it included a billion other species of Garter and how to identify each one...) but loads of information.
April 16, 2008
How many different kinds of Horny Toads do you think there are? Good book.
May 9, 2010
The premire field guild for herps in the western US.
November 22, 2017
yeah again its a field guise so its really hard to rate this thing but honestly it was a bit confusing to follow the instructions of how to find the correcr plate.
yeah but otherwise helpful
yeah but otherwise helpful
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews