Reptiles of Australia

by Steve Wilson, Gerry Swan

Anyone interested in reptiles is interested in Australia. Reptiles of Australia is the most comprehensive and user-friendly guide available to every one of its crocodiles, turtles, monitor lizards, dragons, snakes, skinks, geckos, and other lizards. A vast expanse of land and coastline encompassing tropical, temperate, and arid environments, Australia is home to a rich and unique reptile fauna--nearly three times as many species as in North America. With the current count at 836 described species, and with many more unnamed, it is a fauna as diverse as any in the world. Compact and accessible, this guide features a full-color photograph of each species and authoritative text that describes key identification traits. Thumbnail outlines of each family group further enable easy identification.


Australia is a mosaic of habitats, each element of which is the favored environment for a distinctive reptile warm, shallow, turbid seas fringed with mangroves, clear coral reefs, freshwater wetlands, tropical rainforests and savannahs, arid stony plains and ranges, sandridge deserts, alpine areas, and cool southern forests and heaths. A square mile of desert covered with spinifex grasses may support more reptile species than an area of comparable size anywhere in the world.


Attractive, portable, and affordable, Reptiles of Australi a is the ideal home or traveling companion for all reptile enthusiasts, whether pet owners, amateur herpetologists, or specialists of this spectacular aspect of natural history.

448 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2003