Amphibians and reptiles (herpetofauna) are a significant but much neglected component of the natural economy of the province of Alberta. This second edition, which continues both as a field guide and a comprehensive natural history, builds on the strengths of the first, with a richly illustrated text, and colour photographs of the species taken by renowned wildlife photographer, Dr. Wayne Lynch. The award-winning first edition received recognition in the Emerald Awards for Environmental Excellence. This second edition has been thoroughly revised and updated. Nomenclature has been changed to reflect current thinking in the field. New photographs have been added, and maps and illustrations have been updated.
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"...this is an important book that helps direct attention to boreal herpetology. Given the currently high public interest in a possible global decline of amphibians, this book is particularly timely." -- Herpetological Review
About the Author
Anthony P. Russell is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary.
Aaron M. Bauer is a professor in the Department of Biology at Villanova University, Pennsylvania.
Aaron M. Bauer is a professor in the Department of Biology at Villanova University, Pennsylvania.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Not all regional field guides are the same: some aim to be thorough references of their subject matter, others aim to be useable in the field. This one is as much a university-level textbook on Alberta herpetofauna, with general information as well as discussions of local habitat that take up more room than the species descriptions themselves.
On the one hand, this makes for a useful reference to its subject, particularly for biology students (its bibliography, for example, is enormous); on the other, its scanty species descriptions reduce its usefulness for those who want a field guide, or who want to know more specifically about the animals in question.
In at least one instance this limited space leads to an oversimplication that I believe to be incorrect: the book states that garter and hognose snakes are rear-fanged and mildly venomous. While they have enlarged rear teeth and their saliva does seem to cause reactions in some people, I do not believe that is the same as venom produced by venom glands and delivered by hollow fangs, as is the case with true rear-fanged snakes (such as Hypsiglena, Trimorphodon, Boiga). In any event, the characterization overlooks such subtleties, which detracts from our understanding of these animals.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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3.0 out of 5 stars
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
A better textbook than a field guide
Sep 10 2001
By Jonathan Crowe
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Not all regional field guides are the same: some aim to be thorough references of their subject matter, others aim to be useable in the field. This one is as much a university-level textbook on Alberta herpetofauna, with general information as well as discussions of local habitat that take up more room than the species descriptions themselves.
On the one hand, this makes for a useful reference to its subject, particularly for biology students (its bibliography, for example, is enormous); on the other, its scanty species descriptions reduce its usefulness for those who want a field guide, or who want to know more specifically about the animals in question.
In at least one instance this limited space leads to an oversimplication that I believe to be incorrect: the book states that garter and hognose snakes are rear-fanged and mildly venomous. While they have enlarged rear teeth and their saliva does seem to cause reactions in some people, I do not believe that is the same as venom produced by venom glands and delivered by hollow fangs, as is the case with true rear-fanged snakes (such as Hypsiglena, Trimorphodon, Boiga). In any event, the characterization overlooks such subtleties, which detracts from our understanding of these animals.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
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