California Amphibians and Reptiles - (Princeton Field Guides) by Robert Hansen & Jackson D Shedd (Paperback)

About the Book

"A spectacularly illustrated field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of California is home to more than 200 species of reptiles and amphibians that can be found in an extraordinary array of habitats, from coastal temperate rainforests with giant redwoods to southeastern deserts offering dazzling wildflower displays each spring. California Amphibians and Reptiles covers every species and subspecies in this biodiverse region of the United States, with outstanding color photography and in-depth species accounts that draw on the latest findings on taxonomy and distribution. Setting a new standard for regional field guides, this state-of-the-art field guide will serve as the definitive reference for California's amphibian and reptile fauna for many years to come.Covers all 209 species of amphibians and reptiles found in CaliforniaFeatures hundreds of stunning photos that illustrate geographic and within-species variation as well as differences between males, females, and youngIncludes first-ever color images and species accounts for newly discovered speciesShows every species and subspecies in full color on a white backgroundDepicts all amphibian larvae in breathtaking color illustrationsDetailed species accounts describe key identification features, similar species, habitat, range and elevation, activity and behavior, diet, reproduction, and conservationProvides updated status of all threatened, endangered, nonnative, and special concern speciesAccurate range maps reflect contemporary and, where applicable, historical distributions in light of significant habitat loss across the stateAn invaluable resource for amateur naturalists, resource managers, and professional herpetologists"--

Book Synopsis

A spectacularly illustrated field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of California

California is home to more than 200 species of reptiles and amphibians that can be found in an extraordinary array of habitats, from coastal temperate rainforests with giant redwoods to southeastern deserts offering dazzling wildflower displays each spring. California Amphibians and Reptiles covers every species and subspecies in this biodiverse region of the United States, with outstanding color photography and in-depth species accounts that draw on the latest findings on taxonomy and distribution. Setting a new standard for regional field guides, this state-of-the-art guide will serve as the definitive reference for California's amphibian and reptile fauna for many years to come.

• Covers all 209 species of amphibians and reptiles found in California
• Features hundreds of stunning photos that illustrate geographic and within-species variation as well as differences among males, females, and young
• Includes first-ever color images and species accounts for newly discovered species
• Shows every species and subspecies in full color on a white background
• Depicts all amphibian larvae in breathtaking color
• Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, similar species, habitat, range and elevation, activity and behavior, diet, reproduction, and conservation
• Provides updated status of all threatened, endangered, nonnative, and special concern species
• Accurate range maps reflect contemporary and, where applicable, historical distributions in light of significant habitat loss across the state
• An invaluable resource for amateur naturalists, resource managers, and professional herpetologists

Review Quotes

"A beautiful book that's a must-read for resident and visiting herpers of California."---Repitile Database, Reptile Database

"A landmark field guide for years to come. . . . Guides of this caliber come once or twice in a lifetime, and I highly recommend California Amphibian and Reptiles as a capstone reference in your library."---Howard O. Clark, Jr., Sonoran Herpetologist

"Occasionally a book will appear that effectively 'raises the bar' for other volumes in its genre. Hansen and Shedd's California Amphibians and Reptiles is such a book. . . . [It] contains a wealth of welcome natural history information."---Tom Lott, Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society

"A MUST-HAVE for anyone with an interest in California's amphibians and reptiles!"---Ian Paulsen, The Birdbooker Report

"The quality of the information is impeccable - detailed, informative, laudatory, complete, from the introductory segments to the taxonomic notes, from the discussion of threats to the last page of the index."---David M. Gascoigne, Travels with Birds

About the Author

Robert W. Hansen is an affiliated researcher with the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at the University of California, Berkeley, and served as editor of the Herpetological Review from 1991 to 2021. Jackson D. Shedd is a scientific illustrator, herpetologist, wildlife photographer, and independent researcher. He is a departmental associate with the San Diego Natural History Museum.