Amphibians and Reptiles of Texas

Sinopse

Becasue Texas is situated at the junction of four major physiographic divisions of North America, there are numerous different habitats available for amphibians and reptiles. In Texas alone there are 204 recorded species, from the rare and well-publicized Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis) and Atlantic Ridley turtle (Leptidochelys kempi), to the garden-variety garter snakes. Of the many helpful features of this book, the extensive up-to-date listing of the literature on Texas amphibians and reptiles is perhaps the most noteworthy. Going back to the writings of French botanist Jean Louis Berlandier, who encountered Texas herpetofauna during his travels from 1828 to 1834, this list covers 150 years of inquiry into the stae's species and is also testimony to the long and distinguished careers of such herpetologists as Hobart M. Smith. Another prominent feature of this book is the more than 150 distribution maps, which show by county the updated distribution records for Texas amphibians and reptiles, based on 13,000 records selected from the 100,000 total records for the state. Professional and amateur herpetologists as well as enviornmentalists, wildlife specialists, campers, and hikers will find dichotomous keys useful for identifying species at hand. This aid to identification is supported by a glossary, drawings and photographs, and complete scientific and common names. Synopses of the earliest and latest use of the scientific names are given for each species and currently recognized subspecies.