Reptiles of Australia

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 species: 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 Australia 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.A portable, accessible, user-friendly guide to all the reptiles of Australia930 full color photos, at least one for each speciesText describes key identification traitsThumbnail sketches of each family group enable easy identificationDistribution maps for each speciesWilson, Steve is the author of 'Reptiles of Australia' with ISBN 9780691117287 and ISBN 0691117284.