The Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State: Identification, Natural History, and Conservation / Edition 1

by James P. Gibbs, Alvin R. Breisch, Peter K. Ducey, Glenn Johnson, John Behler

Overview

This is the first guide yet produced to the amphibians and reptiles of New York State, a large and heavily populated state that hosts a surprisingly diverse and interesting community of amphibians and reptiles. This much needed guide to the identification, distribution, natural history and conservation of the amphibians and reptiles of New York State fill a long-empty niche.

The book is the first comprehensive presentation of the distributional data gathered for the New York State Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project. With more than 60,000 records compiled from 1990-1999, this extraordinary and up-to-date database provides a rich foundation for the book. This volume provides detailed narratives on the 69 species native to New York State. With a heavy emphasis on conservation biology, the book also includes chapters on threats, legal protections, habitat conservation guidelines, and conservation case studies.

Also included are 67 distribution maps and 62 pages of color photographs contributed by more than 30 photographers. As a field guide or a desk reference, The Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State is indispensable for anyone interested in the vertebrate animals of the Northeast, as well as students, field researchers and natural resource professionals.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195304442
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/05/2007
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	440
Product dimensions:	6.61(w) x 8.28(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

SUNY-ESF Syracuse

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

SUNY Cortland

SUNY Potsdam

Wildlife Conservation Society

St. Bonaventure University, Olean

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments1.. Introduction2.. Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State3.. New York State's Environment as Habitat for Amphibians and Reptiles4.. Salamanders5.. Frogs and Toads6.. Turtles7.. Lizards and Snakes8.. Threats9.. Legal Protections10.. Habitat Conservation Guidelines11.. Conservation Case Studies12.. Finding and Studying Amphibians and Reptiles13.. Folklore14.. Epilogue"Herp Atlas" report cardResourcesGlossaryLiterature CitedIndex

Editorial Reviews

"A long awaited, much-needed guide to the herpetofauna of a state at the crossroads of north and south."—CHOICE

"Read, and own, this fine book and learn how to find and help protect your herp friends."—The Independent

"Will do much towards teaching New Yorkers and their neighbors about their herpetofauna and will hopefully open their eyes to the many threats these animals face in modern times. The suggestions provided here to protect and conserve the habitats of these animals will go a long way to ensure that New York will not lose these species to statewide extinction." —Joseph C. Mitchell, University of Richmond

"The authors of this solid book combine a huge amount of experience and together probably have more expertise than those of any other state guide. I particularly enjoyed the sections on the history of herpetology studies in New York State and the nods to the urban herpetofauna of New York City. The book is explicitly oriented toward people who want to identify specimens they've encountered and learn more about the animals in their area." —Russell Burke, Hofstra University

"Gibbs offers a long-awaited, much-needed guide to the herpetofauna of a state at the crossroads of north and south."—Choice

"Species descriptions are marvelously detailed, putting their field-guide forbears to shame. Every time I pick up this handsome volume, and I do often since it arrived in my office, I stand in awe of its clever, user-friendly organization."—Adirondack Explorer

"Eastern Canadian naturalists will find this book a must for their bookshelves as an excellent reference not just to the species included, but also for the conservation approaches and philosophy."—The Canadian Field-Naturalist

From the Publisher