No comments about The Proper Care of Turtles.

No comments about Geckos: Day Geckos, Tokay Geckos Plus New Caledonians and More! (The Herpetocultural Library).

1 comments about Desert Lizards: Captive Husbandry and Propagation.

1. Accessibly written by expert wildlife biologist Randall L. Gray (with contributions by herpetologist Dan McCarron and zoologist Tim Tytle), Desert Lizards: Captive Husbandry And Propagation is a detailed and "reader friendly" guide to keeping a wide variety of desert lizards in captivity and overseeing their reproduction under diverse circumstances. 60 color photographs and 14 tables enhance a wealth of practical information concerning the taxonomy, natural history, reproduction, feeding habits, and ways to simulate a desert environment for spiny-tailed lizards, horned lizards, chuckawallas, desert iguanas, colored lizards, and geckos. An excellent, authoritative and straightforward resource, Desert Lizards is very highly recommended for anyone considering the responsibility of caring for a captive desert lizard.

2 comments about Biology, Husbandry, and Medicine of the Green Iguana.

1. This is for the advanced Iguana owner, or someone who wants to become advanced. Basically this book is a series of scientific studies collected in one book, along with information on diagnosing various Iguana diseases and injury. There are color plates showing how to operate on Iguanas for vets. Basically this is a vet textbook, but anyone with a slight background in anatomy, or a pocket medical dictionary, should be able to read this book easily and find it informative. If you want to feel a bit more empowered and be able to discuss Ig problems with your vet, this is a good book.
   
   If not, buy Iguanas for Dummies and James Hatfields Green Iguana book. I have all 3 plus "Understanding Reptile Parasites" by Roger J. Klingenberg, which is unfortunately not available from Amazon.



2. Compiled and edited by Elliot R. Jacobson, Biology, Husbandry, And Medicine Of The Green Iguana is a scholarly and detailed referenced packed from cover to cover with virtually everything there is to know about this remarkable reptile. An extensive college-level study, illustrated with an inset selection of color plates, Biology, Husbandry, And Medicine Of The Green Iguana is a welcome contribution to zoology reference shelves and a fascinating resource for iguana enthusiasts to simply read through.

1 comments about Reptile & Amphibian Parasites.

1. This book is decent overall. Nice pictures, and it briefly covers common parasites (transmission, diagnosis, prevention and treatment), but doesn't go into much real depth on any one topic. It's a nice introduction to parasites for beginning hobbyists or those who just want some basic information on parasites.

   Remember that no book is a substitute for a reptile and amphibian veterinarian!

5 comments about Completely Illustrated Atlas of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Terrarium.

1. This is, hands down, the most useful and often-used text in my collection. If you want to know about *any* genus of reptile or amphibian, it's in here somewhere, with sufficient info to at least get a handle on what that group is like. Whenever I run across a name I'm unfamiliar with in a paper, I haul this book out.
   
   That said, it's a bit old, and much of the taxonomy is outdated. However, they also have an index of common and scientific names, so you can find the old name if it's changed. Given that taxonomy changes every time someone sneezes, that's a pretty minor drawback.
   
   Also, it's *HUGE*. Were someone to break into my home, I would have little difficulty blugeoning them to death with this massive tome. It's definitely *not* pocket reading, and you might actually be hard pressed to find bookshelves that can accomodate the size and weight of it. I've had to resort to just keeping it on the floor.
   
   "The Big Red Book", as it's colloquially referred to, is absolutely essential. I've had it since I got my first snake, and my prof, who's been in herpetology for over 30 years, has a copy too.
   
   There's no other word for it but "vital".



2. I actually bought this book many years ago and consider it one of the best investments I have ever made. As a taxonomist and herpetologist for the past 15 years it has been the book I could always rely on for a quick, easy to look up reference for what someone else is talking about.

   I read many articles, both scientific and general, many times they are not specifically about species I am immediately familiar with. This book has been my lifesaver. All packaged in one (rather hefty) volume in a way that is easily looked up I can find out exactly what someone else is talking about, see a picture, and get a little bit of information about the species. Its does not contain intimate details of each species, but that is not what it should be used for. It is like a big dictionary, but with pictures and a little extra information. I recommend this book not as one of your major texts but as a comprehensive list that will let you know what you are reading about when you are forced to admit you are outside your general knowledge. It will back up all your other readings.




3. This book is great both for serious and collectors of all ages. It's common name index allows for simple look up and every kind of reptile and amphibian is in it. There are alot of great photos to help id the animal.



4. Probably the most comprehensive atlas of reptiles and amphibians, widely used in pet owners' as well as serious hobbyists' circles. It is arranged alphabetically by scientific name, while the index is arranged by common names. This generously illustrated book (mostly in color) provides general information on snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, toads, salamanders, food animals as well as other terrarium related topics. A must in every herpetoculturist's library.



5. This is a very fine book. It includes information on thousands of different herps that proves to be useful when you work at a pet store like I do. Although the info on each species is not very indepth, it does tell you where the species are from thus allowing you to create a naturalistic terrarium.

1 comments about A Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa.

1. Finally i received my copy of the guide to the reptiles of southern Africa !
   
   The lay out is exactly the same as the other Johan Marais book, snakes of southern Africa, and as i think snakes of is great i was very dissapointed by the reptiles of book.
   
   Why you are asking ? Well i have got the impression that the book is the snakes of southern africa with a little addition,an addition that is not specified enough.
   The snakes are allready cramped together,dwarf bitis species for example are put together as dwarf adders and are generally spoken of,snakes so special for the region merit it to be seperated into species instead of being piled together.
   
   The lizard chapter was for me the most dissapointing part. All the lizards (few exeptions) are cramped together in little family groups and not described or shown seperated on the maps, a big mis as a lot of the reptiles of southern Africa have a small distribution range. Why i ask myself ? Mister Marais is capable of making great books as shown before,photowork is great,lay out,but not it is not enough in my opinion.
   
   So if you want to know something about the reptiles of southern africa,this book is great. Do you need some expert advise on distribution,species etc...sorry this is not what you need.
   better books excist: Snakes of southern africa,Chameleons of southern africa and the southern african tortoise book still rule....

No comments about Milksnakes and Tricolored Kingsnakes (Bartlett, R. D., Reptile Keeper's Guides.).

4 comments about The Biology Husbandry and Health Care of Reptiles Vol. 2.

1. This three-volume, behemoth of a bible on reptile care and medicine covers almost any topic you can think of or might encounter, either as a herpetoculturist, veterinary nurse or veterinarian.

   Although some topics lack detail, this is understandable considering the sheer size of the books and the vast amount of subjects that are touched. Sometimes a little extra research will be needed if you want to know more, but for most purposes, this set is more than adequate.

   The only deterrant is its price (and maybe its weight!), however it is well worth the money.




2. This is wonderfully edited 3 volume set which is one of the best and most complete series on reptiles available. Even when compared to veterinary texts, which often only focus in on one aspect of biology, the Ackerman, et. al stands heads and shoulders above them as a resource tool. Having purchased this set two years ago, I only have one regret and that is having not bought this sooner. Being an amateur herpetologists for the past twenty-two years, I find this to be a resource that is always helpful.

   Volume One - Biology of Reptiles = This is a great overview of the biology and physiology of the world's reptiles. This volume focuses mainly on the more "popular" reptiles seen in captivity, but most of this data can be applied to other species as well. The anatomical charts and dissection photos are also very useful in knowing the locations of important structures (very helpful for Vol.3) and anatomical landmarks.

   Volume Two - The Husbandry of Reptiles = WOW! This volume is worth the price of admission alone - I have not seen anything as thorough as this for the captive care of any reptile species let alone an entire phyla. Housing, diet, breeding, light spectrums (species specific), hibernation - its all in here and in detail.

   Volume Three - The Healthcare of Reptiles = This is the volume that sold me on the entire set. This covers many ailments and pathogens that can affect reptile species. Symptoms, preventive measures, and medications (with dosages) are plotted out in charts and diagrams; color photos of pathological conditions and treatment are given; dietary supplements; surgical and necropsy protocols and procedures are also included.

   All three volumes are filled with full color photographs and plenty of charts and text. I have seen this set quoted at many different prices and I suggest you shop around be it online or at a herp store...




3. This text proves useful in understanding the physiological make-up of herps in volume 1. The volume on husbandry (vol.2) is weak if you are looking for species specific information or in-depth information regarding vivarium set up. The real strength of the work lies in the final volume on discussing the health care of reptiles. The Ackerman and Ackerman work does not eclipse Frye's _Reptile Care_ but it does give more recent clinical applications on the medical care of your herps than its predecessor. Overall, it is a wise investment for both hobbyists and professionals.



4. This set of three volumes are wonderfully illustrator and well written. Each book is geared to a different aspect of reptiles care. The first covers in great detail the biology of all reptiles species. They document and show detailed photos of each species anatomy so that you will understand how a reptile functions. In the husbandry volume, they cover everything from proper housing to diet with examples and photos of what to look for if something is incorrect and the reptile is ill. I was very impressed with the health care one. It was so well done that I felt my vet could do a procedure detailed in it (that they might not have dealt with yet in their practice) with ease. This set is a must for anyone serious in the study and raising of any reptile.

1 comments about An Atlas of Freshwater and Marine Catfishes: A Preliminary Survey of the Siluriformes.

1. This book contains an incredible wealth of information on catfish keeping, breeding, taxonomy etc., plus a wealth of photos. Unlike too many TFH books, which are just rehashes of old photographs, this book contains real, useful, in depth info, that makes it worth the rather high price.