Reptilia
Book Reviews
Each month, we review four different books: 1) A book about the husbandry
of reptiles intended for a wide range of readers from beginner to
advanced; 2) A technical book about husbandry and biology of reptiles
intended for more serious keepers; 3) A field guide to reptiles and or
amphibians of a particular region; 3) An academic reference book intended
for those who want to learn more about the biology of reptiles.
Titles:
The Crested
Gecko in Captivity
Rhacodactylus:
The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care
Snakes: The
Evolution of Mystery in Nature
Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica
[View Reptilia Book Price List] [View Reviews from Previous Months]
The Crested Gecko
in Captivity. Hamper, Robbie
ECO Publishing. Lansing, Miami. Pp 69. Published 2003.
The Crested Gecko in
Captivity
provides a substantial amount of information regarding all aspects of the
crested gecko. Robbie Hamper provides detailed data of the crested gecko’s
husbandry, health care, biology, and natural history. The Crested Gecko
in Captivity will provide information for those seeking advice about
the care of a crested gecko, choosing and housing a gecko, and dietary
requirements of crested geckos. Those interested in breeding this species
of gecko will find chapters on breeding, eggs and incubation, and
hatchling care quite helpful; chapters on the crested gecko in nature,
anatomy, health and diseases, color and pattern variations, as well as
what the future holds for the crested gecko provide engrossing information
for anyone attracted to the crested gecko. The Crested Gecko in
Captivity is a bargain, and a must read for anyone interested in
furthering their present knowledge of the gecko and anyone interested in
keeping this glamorous, hardy, and quite docile lizard as a pet. [Reviewed by Kevin Ashforth]
Reptilia Price: $17.30
The Crested
Gecko in Captivity
Rhacodactylus:
The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care
Snakes: The
Evolution of Mystery in Nature
Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica
[View Reptilia Book Price List] [View
Reviews from Previous Months]
Contact
us at retail@reptilia.org
Rhacodactylus, The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care. de Vosjoli,
Philippe, Frank Fast, and Allen Repashy
Advanced Visions Inc., Vista, California, U.S.A. Pp 296.
Published, 2004
Philippe de Vosjoli’s Rhacodactylus, The Complete Guide to their
Selection and Care is a wonderfully written book, which includes 200+
colour photographs to enjoy. This book mainly focuses on three particular
species of the genus Rhacodactylus: Crested Gecko Rhacodactylus
ciliatus, Gargoyle Gecko Rhacodactylus auriculatus and Giant
Gecko Rhacodactylus leachianus. Rhacodactylus, The Complete
Guide to their Selection and Care provides basic information on diet,
housing, lighting, and vitamins that the average hobbyist needs to begin
keeping them as a pet. As well as beginner information, de Vosjoli also
includes advanced information for those who wish to move forward and add
to their collection or begin breeding. Breeding information is a large
portion of this book. Pattern morphs for all species are written about in
great detail. If there was ever a doubt as to the look of a certain morph,
Rhacodactylus, The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care will
clear up any misconception. The topics mentioned within this book are in
great detail and give both the Rhacodactylus enthusiast and collector a
higher level of knowledge of these beautiful lizards. [Reviewed by Erika Ihasz]
Reptilia Price: $61.79
The Crested
Gecko in Captivity
Rhacodactylus:
The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care
Snakes: The
Evolution of Mystery in Nature
Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica
[View Reptilia Book Price List]
[View Reviews from Previous Months]
Contact
us at retail@reptilia.org
Snakes: The Evolution of Mystery in
Nature. Greene, Harry W.
University of California Press, Berkley, California U.S.A.
Pp 351. Published 1997
If
you are a true ophidiophile (someone whole likes snakes), you should have
this book in your collection. Dr. Harry W. Greene covers every
aspect of snake ecology, evolution, classification and behaviour in great
detail. The beauty of the book is the easy to read language and the
incredible photography of Michael and Patricia Fogden. Snakes:
The Evolution of Mystery in Nature has three parts. Part I:
Lifestyles, covers aspects of behaviour and ecology of snakes while Part
II: Diversity, focuses on species diversity and classification of snakes.
Part III: Synthesis, summarizes the information presented in the book with
a discussion of evolution and biogeography of snakes. You will also
enjoy special topics sections about milk snakes, coral snake mimicry,
behavioural complexity in snakes and much more. Snakes: The
Evolution of Mystery in Nature is in my opinion the best book covering
general topics about snakes and their biology. Read it and I'm sure
you will agree. [Reviewed by Joshua V. Feltham]
Reptilia Price: $61.76
The Crested
Gecko in Captivity
Rhacodactylus:
The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care
Snakes: The
Evolution of Mystery in Nature
Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica
[View Reptilia Book Price List] [View Reviews from Previous Months]
Contact us at retail@reptilia.org
Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica.
Leenders, Twan
Zona Tropical Publications, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
Pp 305. Published 2001
Costa
Rica is a fantastic place for your first excursion into tropical
rainforest. The country is safe and the species diversity of
everything from plants to invertebrates is phenomenal. Amphibians
and Reptiles of Costa Rica is the most comprehensive pocket sized
field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of this region. Almost
400 species of reptiles and amphibians are known to inhabit this small
country. Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica provides
species accounts for 61 species of amphibians and 117 species of reptiles.
These represent the most common species of amphibians and reptiles found
in Costa Rica. Each species account includes descriptive
information to assist in identification and information about the natural
history of each species. Most species are also represented in one of
the 86 colour plates. Readers will also find the introductory
chapter about Costa Rica's climate, geography, and species diversity.
Chapters about amphibians, salamanders, frogs, reptiles, lizards, snakes,
turtles, and crocodilians provide general information about these animals
giving readers a more thorough understanding of the animals they may
encounter. [Reviewed by Josh Feltham]
Reptilia Price: $39.52
The Crested
Gecko in Captivity
Rhacodactylus:
The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care
Snakes: The
Evolution of Mystery in Nature
Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica
[View Reptilia Book Price List] [View Reviews from Previous Months]
Contact us at retail@reptilia.org
Click in a title below to read more reviews.
The Art of Keeping Snakes
Chameleons: Nature's Hidden Jewels
Reptiles of Central America
Snakes of the United States and Canada
Encyclopedia Terrarium
Iguana Iguana
The Complete
Chondro
Amphibians and Reptiles of the Great Lakes Region