Macrochelys Makeover NEWS RELEASE The Center for North American Herpetology Lawrence, Kansas http://www.cnah.org 13 November 2006 Classic Book Revised THE ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE by Peter Charles Howard Pritchard Pritchard’s monograph on the Alligator Snapping Turtle, one of the world’s most impressive, dangerous, and celebrated turtles, was first published in 1989. The initial small print run quickly sold out, and the book has become a valuable "rare book." This reprint edition duplicates the text of the original, but also includes a major new section outlining progress that has been made on the science and conservation of this species in the last 17 years. Krieger Publishing Company Specifications: 152 pages Softbound (ISBN: 1-575-24275-3) $42.00 Available from: Krieger Publishing Company P. O. Box 9542 Melbourne, Florida 32902-9542 http://wwww.krieger-publishing.com To order this book, call: 1 (800) 724-0025 (toll free Mon-Fri 8am-5pm EST) 1 (321) 724-9542 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm EST) or email them at info@krieger-publishing.com Pritchard, Peter Charles Howard. Krieger Publishing, Melbourne, Florida. 152 pp. ISBN 1-575-24275-3. $42.00. A Snake Hunting Guide NEW BOOK: A SNAKE HUNTING GUIDE: Methods, Tools, and Techniques for Finding Snakes by Will Bird and Phil Peak Published December 2007 by ECO, Living Art, and Serpent's Tale $12.95 softcover 85 pages About the authors: Both Will and Phil are passionate field herpetologists and founding members of the Kentucky Herpetological Society. Professionally, Phil works a "real job" and Will is employed by the Louisville Zoological Gardens. This book is a fun read. Lots of information and ideas are jammed into its small and easy to read format. It's true value lies in realizing how much data and information can be collected by getting outside and enjoying weekends. The book clearly demonstrates that responsible and intelligent field work can add greatly to the body of scientific data. Almost all the information in the species accounts is based on data from the author's field sites in and around Kentucky. Despite the regional nature of the work, the application of their methods is practical worldwide. Snake hunting has become a pastime enjoyed by thousands. What was once considered a subculture is now recognized as a mainstream interest. The opportunity to experience snakes first hand in the field and to observe and photograph them in their native haunts holds great appeal. A SNAKE HUNTING GUIDE provides the reader with detailed information on how, when, and where to find snakes. Some of the topics covered include methods for finding snakes, tools used in snake hunting, and how to develop and enhance snake hunting sites. Available from http://www.reptileshirts.com http://shop.serpentstale.com/category.sc?categoryId=11 http://www.zoobooksales.com and others ***** For greater accuracy, comprehension, and ease of use, this book uses the traditional, standardized common names for North American species maintained by Collins & Taggart (2002. Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition), published by The Center for North American Herpetology (available as a pdf at the CNAH web site), and updated daily online, the only such listing available online worldwide. ***** Will Bird and Phil Peak. ECO, Living Art, and Serpent's Tale. 85 pp. ISBN . $12.95. Amphibian Systematics NEW SYSTEMATIC VOLUME ON AMPHIBIAN BIOLOGY The latest volume of the Series "Amphibian Biology" has just been published. It is volume 7 (Systematics), edited by Harold Heatwole and Michael Tyler. The book contains eight chapers: (1) The Evolution of Amphibian Taxonomy: An Historical Perspective by W. Duellman and K. Adler, (2) Soft Tissues in Phylogenetic Studies of Anurans by T. C. Burton and M. J. Tyler, (3) Comparative Morphology and Amphibian Taxonomy: An Example from the Osteology of Discoglossoid Frogs by B. T. Clarke, (4) Speciation, Species Boundaries and Phylogeography of Amphibians by M. Vences and D. Wake, (5) Molecular Systematics of Amphibians by J. Plötner, F. Köhler, T. Uzzell, P. Beerli and C. Spolsky, (6) Karyology and Cytogenetics by D. M. Green and S. Sessions, (7) Amphibian Life Histories: Their Utilization in Phylogeny and Classification by W. Duellman, and (8) Contributions of Bioacoustics to the Taxonomy of the Anura by H. Schneider and U. Sinsch. Previous volumes in the series were: Volume 1 – The Integument (Co-editors G. Barthalmus and A. Heatwole) 1994. Volume 2 - Social Behaviour (Co-editor B. K. Sullivan) 1995. Volume 3 - Sensory Perception (Co-editor E. M. Dawley) 1998. Volume 4 – Palaeontology (Co-editor R. L. Carroll) 2000. Volume 5 – Osteology (Co-editor M. Davies) 2003. Volume 6 – Endocrinology 2005. There will be about 13 more volumes. Three are now in progress: Volume 8 Conservation and Decline of Amphibians co-edited by H. Heatwole and J. Wilkinson, Volume 9 Development of Amphibians co-edited by H. Heatwole and B. Judge and Volume 10 Biomechanics of Amphibians co-edited by H. Heatwole and D. Wake. Anyone with an interest in contributing to either volume 9 or volume 10 should contact Harold Heatwole Department of Zoology North Carolina State University Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7617 harold_heatwole@ncsu.edu (919) 515-3122 Information about subscription or orders for individual volumes can be placed with Surrey Beatty & Sons 43 Rickard Road Chipping Norton 2170, NSW, Australia (612) 9602-3888 (612) 9821-1253 fax surreybeatty@iform.com.au $168.00 Australian (ca. $143.00 US) ***** For greater accuracy, comprehension, and ease of use, this book generally uses the traditional, standardized common names for North American species maintained by Collins & Taggart (2002. Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition), published by The Center for North American Herpetology (available as a pdf at the CNAH web site), and updated daily online, the only such listing available online worldwide. Heatwole, Harold & Michael Tyler. Surrey Beatty & Sons. pp. ISBN . $143.00. Arkansas Snake Guide A product of the skillful pen of state herpetologist Kelly J. Irwin, this publication is a quick and handy reference to Arkansas snakes, and supplements the information appearing in the recently (2004) published "Amphibians and Reptiles of Arkansas" by Stanley E. Trauth, Henry W. Robison, and Michael V. Plummer. Co-sponsored by The Center for North American Herpetology, this 50-page booklet features the exquisite color photography of Suzanne L. Collins (CNAH, Lawrence, Kansas), and includes text and images for all 36 kinds of serpents known to inhabit Arkansas. Species included (by common name as they appear in the booklet): Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake, Western Pigmy Rattlesnake, Texas Coral Snake, Scarlet Snake, Milk Snake, Mississippi Green Water Snake, Plainbelly Water Snake, Broad-banded Water Snake, Diamondback Water Snake, Northern Water Snake, Racer, Great Plains Rat Snake, Black Rat Snake, Eastern Hognose Snake, Prairie Kingsnake, Speckled Kingsnake, Coachwhip, Rough Green Snake, Western Ribbon Snake, Common Garter Snake, Mud Snake, Graham's Crayfish Snake, Glossy Crayfish Snake, Queen Snake, Eastern Worm Snake, Western Worm Snake, Ringneck Snake, Ground Snake, Brown Snake, Redbelly Snake, Flathead Snake, Rough Earth Snake, and Smooth Earth Snake. An essential addition to the library of any North American herpetologist. For greater comprehension and ease of use (both among herpetologists and the general public), this booklet adopts common names as they listed in the recently published (2002) Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition by Joseph T. Collins & Travis W. Taggart (Available gratis from The Center for North American Herpetology). To request a copy, call 1-800-482-8845 Irwin, Kelly J.. Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, Little Rock. 50 pp. ISBN None given. $Gratis. Boas & Pythons NEWS RELEASE The Center for North American Herpetology Lawrence, Kansas http://www.cnah.org 25 May 2007 EAGLE MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING proudly announces BIOLOGY OF THE BOAS AND PYTHONS Edited by ROBERT W. HENDERSON (Milwaukee Public Museum) and ROBERT POWELL (Avila University & member of the CNAH Board of Directors) Foreword by Richard Shine Biology of the Boas and Pythons is the product of a symposium (Biology of Boas, Pythons, and Related Taxa) held at the 2005 joint meetings of the ASIH-HL-SSAR and sponsored by the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. This was the first ever attempt to bring together researchers actively working on some aspect of Boa and Python biology. The symposium was a resounding success, and BIOLOGY OF THE BOAS AND PYTHONS represents a current assessment of our understanding of booid biology. Between the diversity of the peer-reviewed contributions and the literature reviews, this volume will become an essential reference for most future Boa and Python research. Table of Contents Introduction Ecology, Natural History, and Evolution Behavior Physiology, Neurology, and Reproductive Biology Conservation CNAH Note 1: Highly recommended; will remain the premier source of basic information about Boas and Pythons for decades to come. CNAH Note 2: For greater comprehension and ease of use, this book adopted the standard common names for North American species as listed in Collins & Taggart (2002, Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition). ***** Book specifications: Published 2007 x + 438 pages 30 chapters 79 authors over 200 color photographs, maps, figures, drawings ISBN 978-0-9720154-3-4 Price $100.00 (+ shipping & handling) To order the book, please visit: http://www.eaglemountainpublishing.com or call 1-801-789-4149 Eagle Mountain Publishing, LLC 7705 North Wyatt Earp Avenue Eagle Mountain, Utah 84043 Henderson, Robert W. & Robert Powell. Eagle Mountain Publishing LLC. x + 438pp. ISBN 978-0-9720154-3-4. $100.00. Chelonia Cultured 01/01/2007 NEWS RELEASE The Center for North American Herpetology Lawrence, Kansas http://www.cnah.org 13 February 2007 New Book on Turtles and Other Things TALES FROM THE THÉBAÏDE: REFLECTIONS OF A TURTLEMAN Dr. Peter Pritchard, Oxford scholar, conservationist, world traveler, and Renaissance man, is a multifaceted expert on turtles and tortoises. A cheloniological thread thus runs through his Tales from the Thébaïde, as he expands the study of his favorite animals into commentaries upon the universe itself, and includes brilliant, erudite, and always humorous accounts of his adventures in many lands seeking further insight into these chelonians. His preoccupation that important players in his life and in his field should not be forgotten led to inclusion of several in-depth obituaries, including one of Florida’s own Archie Carr. His wild adventures looking for tortoises in the Galapagos Islands make up a major section of the book, as does his scholarly discourses on the taxonomic status of sea turtles. There is a long section on why he set up his personal Thébaïde *(a French dictionary defines this word to mean an intellectual retreat, a remote place, away from the bustle of life, where conversation, scholarship, and scientific and literary discourses are sacred), the Chelonian Research Institute, and his delight in the zany, sometimes unbelievable players of the past who launched their own Cabinets of Curiosities. Pritchard’s reflections encompass his love of life, and his hope that his readers will share his delight in people, science, culture, conservation, argument, scholarship, and (of course) turtles. CNAH Note: Highly recommended; it is a compelling and fascinating book. ***** Tales from the Thébaïde: Reflections of a Turtleman Peter C. H. Pritchard 2007 Krieger Publishing 340 pp. ISBN 1-57524-277-X $44.50 Available from: Krieger Publishing Company P. O. Box 9542 Melbourne, Florida 32902-9542 http://www.krieger-publishing.com To order this book, call: 1 (800) 724-0025 (toll free Mon-Fri 8am-5pm EST) 1 (321) 724-9542 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm EST) or email them at info@krieger-publishing.com Pritchard, Peter C. H.. Krieger Publishing. 340 pp. ISBN 1-57524-277-X. $44.50. Cheyenne Bottoms Herps NEW BOOK AMPHIBIANS, TURTLES, AND REPTILES OF CHEYENNE BOTTOMS Second (Revised) Edition by Joseph T. Collins & Suzanne L. Collins with photographs by Suzanne L. Collins The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Sternberg Museum of Natural History, Fort Hays State University, are pleased to announce publication of AMPHIBIANS, TURTLES, AND REPTILES OF CHEYENNE BOTTOMS SECOND (REVISED) EDITION Cheyenne Bottoms, a nearly 27,500-acre wetlands situated in a relatively dry 41,000-acre lowland in central Kansas, sports a small but fascinating herpetofauna composed of 28 species—one salamander, eight frogs & toads, five turtles, two lizards, and twelve snakes. This delightful guide to the amphibians, turtles, and reptiles of the Bottoms is spiced with humorous anecdotes and asides that provide a sometimes whimsical, sometimes somber, view of these creatures, as well as solid information about their natural history along with the most up-to-date taxonomy backed by scientific evidence. The book is profusely illustrated with 36 images (33 of them in color) by co-author Suzanne L. Collins, a noted wildlife photographer. Sponsors of this elegant and informative little book include the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Manhattan, Kansas), Sternberg Museum of Natural History, Fort Hays State University (Hays, Kansas), Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (Pratt), Westar Energy (Topeka), Kansas Herpetological Society (Topeka), Touchstone Energy (Washington, D. C.), and The Center for North American Herpetology (Lawrence, Kansas). For greater comprehension and ease of use, this book adopted standard common names for Kansas species as listed in Collins & Taggart (2002, Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition). Single copies of the 84-page book are available gratis by writing to the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, Fort Hays State University, 3000 Sternberg Drive, Hays, Kansas 67601-2006. Please include a self-addressed 7x10-inch envelope with $2.07 U.S. postage attached. Title: Amphibians, Turtles, and Reptiles of Cheyenne Bottoms Authors: Joseph T. Collins & Suzanne L. Collins Photographer: Suzanne L. Collins Date of publication: 11 April 2006 Publisher: Sternberg Museum of Natural History, Fort Hays State University viii + 76 pages softbound, color cover 32 color photographs, 3 B&W photographs 1 B&W illustration + 1 map Index Cost: Gratis Collins, Joseph T. & Suzanne L. Collins. Sternberg Museum of Natural History. viii + 76 pp. ISBN . $Gratis. Common Snapper Book NEW BOOK: THE BIOLOGY OF THE [COMMON] SNAPPING TURTLE $75.00 hardcover Plus $7.50 Shipping and Handling. Out of the U.S. please contact us first at asalzberg@herpdigest.org February 2008 240 pp. 15 halftones, 48 line drawings John Hopkins University Press About The Authors: Anthony C. Steyermark is an assistant professor of biology at University of St. Thomas. Michael S. Finkler is an associate professor of biology at Indiana University. Ronald J. Brooks is a professor of zoology at the University of Guelph in Ontario.edited by Anthony C. Steyermark, Michael S. Finkler, and Ronald J. Brooks Description: The name "snapping turtle" conjures up images of powerful, prehistoric-looking beasts that lurk in the dark waters of local swimming holes. Beyond its status as childhood legend, Chelydra serpentina is one of the most interesting reptiles of the New World. One of our largest turtles, this animal weighs up to thirty-five pounds, lays as many as one hundred eggs and can deliver a nasty bite. Due to its wide distribution, abundance, and large reproductive output, the Common Snapping Turtle has become one of the most extensively studied species of reptiles. This volume synthesizes all that is known about the Common Snapping Turtle to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive resource on the species' evolution, physiology, behavior, and life history. Anthony C. Steyermark, Michael S. Finkler, Ronald J. Brooks, and a team of experts detail the systematics, energetics, growth patterns, sex determination, and population genetics of snapping turtles and devote special attention to the fossil record of the snapping turtle family Chelydridae. The first broad biological treatment of the Common Snapping Turtle, this is the definitive reference for anyone working with or interested in this fascinating reptile. Contributors include: Ralph A. Ackerman, Iowa State University; Abdulaziz Y. A. AlKindi, Sultan Qaboos University; Barbara A. Bell, Drexel University; Ronald J. Brooks, University of Guelph; Justin D. Congdon, Savannah River Ecology Lab; Carl H. Ernst, George Mason University; Michael A. Ewert, Indiana University Bloomington; Michael S. Finkler, Indiana University Kokomo; Matthew K. Fujita, University of California, Davis; Eugene S. Gaffney, American Museum of Natural History; David A. Galbraith, Royal Botanical Gardens; Robert E. Gatten, Jr., University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Judith L. Greene, Savannah River Ecology Lab; J. Howard Hutchison, University of California, Berkeley; John B. Iverson, Earlham College; Fredric J. Janzen, Iowa State University; Jason J. Kolbe, Washington University; David B. Lott, Clarion University of Pennsylvania; Ibrahim Y. Mahmoud, Sultan Qaboos University; Don Moll, Southwest Missouri State University; Scott A. Reese, Kennesaw State University; Todd A. Rimkus, Marymount University; H. Bradley Shaffer, University of California Davis; James R. Spotila, Drexel University; David E. Starkey, University of Central Arkansas; Anthony C. Steyermark, University of St. Thomas; Gordon R. Ultsch, University of Alabama; Nigel H. West, University of Saskatchewan. Remember, the book will not be out until sometime late in February. But you can reserve your copy now, and help HerpDigest. And since you were going to buy the book anyway, why not help some herps? How To Order: By check- Make out the check out to Herpdigest, and send it to HerpDigest/A. Salzberg/67-87 Booth Street ˆ5B/Forest Hills, NY 11375 PayPal, Our account is asalzberg@herpdigest.org Credit card ˆWe only accept Master or Visa card. Send us you cc number, expiration date and of course billing address, and if different shipping address. (For safety sake, split the credit card number in two and send in different emails.) We will not charge your card or cash your check until we have the books. Anthony C. Steyermark, Michael S. Finkler & Ronald J. Brooks. John Hopkins University Press. 240pp. ISBN . $75. Dictionary of Herpetology New Book DICTIONARY OF HERPETOLOGY Dr. Harvey B. Lillywhite Published 2008 Hardback viii + 376 pages ISBN 1-57524-023-8 List price: $112.50 Following the historical precedent of Peters (1964), this new updated DICTIONARY OF HERPETOLOGY provides a comprehensive, single-volume dictionary, with selected cross-referenced entries to clarify the many technical terms and concepts that pertain to herpetology. The DICTIONARY contains a complete collection of words that are central to understanding the biology of amphibians, turtles, reptiles, and crocodilians, and offers concise and easy-to-use readable definitions in an A-to-Z format. This invaluable reference is essential for academic herpetologists, or anyone who is interested in herpetology and its many ancillary aspects. This new DICTIONARY emphasizes terminology related to anatomy, physiology, systematics, evolution, and other disciplines, including newly-emerged fields that are relevant to the study amphibians, turtles, reptiles, and crocodilians. Highly recommended by CNAH; an absolutely essential volume that should be on or close by the desk of every herpetologist. Available from: Krieger Publishing Company P. O. Box 9542 Melbourne, Florida 32902-9542 http://wwww.krieger-publishing.com To order this book, call: 1 (800) 724-0025 (toll free Mon-Fri 8am-5pm EST) 1 (321) 724-9542 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm EST) or email them at info@krieger-publishing.com ***** CNAH Note: For greater accuracy, comprehension, and ease of use, the DICTIONARY OF HERPETOLOGY uses the traditional, standardized common names for North American species proposed by Collins & Taggart (2002. Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition), published by The Center for North American Herpetology (available as a pdf at the CNAH web site), and maintained and updated daily online, the only such listing available on the internet worldwide. Lillywhite, Harvey B.. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. viii + 376 pp. ISBN 1-57524-023-8. $112.50. Exotic Herps of Florida March 2004 THE EXOTIC AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF FLORIDA by Walter E. Meshaka, Jr., Brian P. Butterfield, and J. Brian Hauge Florida contains more exotic amphibians, turtles, reptiles, and crocodilians than any other U.S. state. Illustrated species accounts detail the history and nature of each, the mode of dispersal, natural history, and present-day habitat and geographic distribution in the state. The impact of these animals is measured by their presence in natural systems of Florida and predator-prey interactions with native and other exotic species. The authors update the list of the documented exotic species in Florida and provide a progress report on new and published natural history information for each established species. An afterword examines the role people have played in the success of these species. The forty taxa that have established breeding populations in Florida and that are covered in this book consist of 32 species of lizards (including 11 geckoes and 8 anoles), four species of frogs and toads, two species of snakes (including the Indian or Burmese Python), one species of turtle, and one species of crocodilian. This excellent book is an essential addition to the library of any herpetologist. For greater comprehension and ease of use, this book adopts the standard common names for exotic species as they appeared in the "Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America Third Edition & Third Edition Expanded" by Roger Conant and Joseph T. Collins, and as recently published and maintained by The Center for North American Herpetology (Collins & Taggart 2002, Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition). To order this book, call: 1-800-724-0025 (toll free Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Eastern Time) or 1-321-724-9542 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Eastern Time) Walter E. Jr., Meshaka, Brian P. Butterfield, J. Brian Hauge. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 166 pp. ISBN 1575240424 . $34.50. Fort Riley Herp Book NEWS RELEASE The Center for North American Herpetology Lawrence, Kansas http://www.cnah.org 13 December 2005 NEW BOOK THE SNAKES, LIZARDS, TURTLES, AND AMPHIBIANS OF FORT RILEY AND VICINITY Second (Revised) Edition by William H. Busby, Joseph T. Collins & Gibran Suleiman, with photographs by Suzanne L. Collins The Fort Riley Military Reservation is a 101,000-acre tract in the northern Flint Hills region of north-central Kansas that sports a diverse herpetofauna composed of 52 species—one salamander, ten frogs and toads, seven turtles, nine lizards, and twenty-five snakes. For that reason, the Kansas Biological Survey at the University of Kansas is pleased to announce the publication of a new edition of "The Snakes, Lizards, Turtles, and Amphibians of Fort Riley and Vicinity" by Bill Busby, Joe Collins, and Gib Suleiman. Originally published in 1996, this completely revised edition is profusely illustrated with 72 exquisite color images, most by noted wildlife photographer Suzanne L. Collins of Lawrence. This book reveals the natural history of the amphibians, turtles, lizards, and snakes that abound in and around the Fort Riley Military Reservation in the beautiful Flint Hills of north-central Kansas. A must for all Kansans interested in wild places and the creatures that roam them. 84 pages, 72 color photographs, one map, and a bibliography. Published 12 December 2005. For greater comprehension and ease of use, this book adopted the standard common names for Kansas species as listed in Collins & Taggart (2002, Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition). Single copies of the 84-page book are available free by writing to the Fort Riley Conservation Office, Building 1020, Huebner Road, Fort Riley, Kansas 66442. Please include a self-addressed 7x10-inch envelope with $2.00 U.S. postage attached. ***** William H. Busby is an Associate Scientist with the Kansas Biological Survey and Courtesy Associate Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Kansas. At the survey, he serves as Zoologist with the Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory and conducts research on animals of conservation concern. Joseph T. Collins is the state’s most prolific author about Kansas wildlife. His fourteen Kansas books include Amphibians and Reptiles in Kansas (three editions), Natural Kansas, Kansas Wildlife (with Suzanne L. Collins, Bob Gress, and Gerald J. Wiens), and Kansas Wetlands: A Wildlife Treasury (with Suzanne L. Collins and Bob Gress). He has written or co-written nine other books, including the third edition of the Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. Collins is the Director of The Center for North American Herpetology, a non-profit foundation based in Lawrence, Kansas, and the largest and most prestigious such entity worldwide. Gibran Suleiman is a Threatened and Endangered Species Biologist in the Conservation Division of the Directorate of Public Works at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he primarily focuses on compliance with the Endangered Species Act and conducts inventories of rare or sensitive species that occur on the installation. He was recognized as Conservation Educator of the Year by the Kansas Wildlife Federation in 2002. Suzanne L. Collins is an author and wildlife photographer, with credits in the Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Peterson Field Guide to Venomous Animals and Poisonous Plants, Natural Kansas, Kansas Wildlife, and Kansas Wetlands: A Wildlife Treasury. In January 1999, she was recognized by the Kansas House of Representatives for her photography and books, and was named the Conservation Communicator of the Year for 2000 by the Kansas Wildlife Federation. In 2002, she served as President of the Kansas Herpetological Society. Busby, William H., Joseph T. Collins & Gibran Suleiman. Kansas Biological Survey, Lawrence. viii + 76pp. ISBN No ISBN. $Gratis. Fossil Turtles A NEW HERPETOLOGICAL FACSIMILE REPRINT sponsored by The Center for North American Herpetology FOSSIL TURTLES OF NORTH AMERICA by O. P. HAY CNAH Facsimile Reprint Number 6 Original Year of Publication: 1908 Facsimile Year of Publication: 2006 iv + 568 pages & 113 plates Softbound ISBN: 1-885209-44-4 Price: $59.95 a copy postpaid via media mail THE CENTER FOR NORTH AMERICAN HERPETOLOGY is pleased to present the latest in its facsimile reprint series, produced and published in cooperation with Eric Thiss of Serpent's Tale & Zoo Book Sales. The CNAH facsimiles are designed to make available long out-of-print herpetological works about North America and adjoining countries in order to better serve the academic community. Titles will be issued as they become available to the public domain. Suggestions for future titles on North American herpetology are appreciated; let CNAH know what you want. For this newest offering, we are grateful to our sponsors, Touchstone Energy, Westar Energy, and the R. A. Javitch Natural History Rare Book Foundation for their support. Russ Gurley of Living Art and Bob & Sheri Ashley of ECO donated in-kind services as well. CNAH is a non-profit 501c3 foundation devoted to promoting the preservation and conservation of North American amphibians, turtles, reptiles, and crocodiles through education and information. For more information about CNAH, visit our web site at http://www.cnah./org ***** NOTE: A discount of 20% per book is offered to all individuals, organizations, and corporations that have contributed a minimum of $25.00 to CNAH (check the CNAH Donors list on the CNAH web site to see if you qualify). Other individuals wishing to qualify for this discount should send their CNAH donation of $25.00 or more (fully tax deductible) directly to Serpents Tale (address and payment methods below). To order a copy of any CNAH facsimiles, contact: Serpents Tale/Zoo Book Sales 403 Parkway Avenue North P. O. Box 405 Lanesboro, Minnesota 55949-0405 Telephone: (507)467-8733 Webpage: www.zoobooksales.com E-mail or PayPal to: zoobooks@acegroup.cc Personal checks, money orders, Visa , Mastercard, or Paypal accepted as payment. Hay, O. P.. CNAH. 568pp. ISBN 1-885209-44-4. $59.95. Georgia Herp Book NEW BOOK: AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF GEORGIA Edited by John B. Jensen, Carlos D. Camp, Whit Gibbons, & Matt J. Elliott Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia makes accessible a wealth of information about 170 species of frogs, salamanders, crocodilians, lizards, snakes, and turtles. Throughout, the book stresses conservation, documenting declines in individual species as well as losses of local and regional populations. Color photographs are paired with detailed species accounts, which provide information about size, appearance, and other identifying characteristics of adults and young; taxonomy and nomenclature; habits; distribution and habitat; and reproduction and development. Typical specimens and various life stages are described, as well as significant variations in such attributes as color and pattern. Line drawings define each group's general features for easy field identification. Range maps show where each species occurs in Georgia county by county, as well as in the United States generally. State maps depict elevations, streams, annual precipitation, land use changes, physiographic provinces, and average temperatures. The book includes a checklist, a chart of the evolutionary relationships among amphibians and reptiles, a list of the top ten most reported species by major group, and a table summarizing the diversity of amphibians and reptiles in the state's five physiographic provinces. Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia is an authoritative reference for students, professional herpetologists, biologists, ecologists, conservationists, land managers, and amateur naturalists. About the editors: CARLOS D. CAMP is a professor of biology at Piedmont College. WHIT GIBBONS is a professor of ecology at the University of Georgia and the former Head of the Environmental Outreach and Education Program at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. MATT J. ELLIOTT is a program manager for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Nongame Conservation Section. JOHN B. JENSEN is a senior wildlife biologist for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Nongame Conservation Section. 2008 Paper 7 1/2 x 10 inches, 478 color photos, 3 tables, 182 maps, 1 figure, 24 line drawings Available from University of Georgia Press by calling: 1-800-266-5842 ***** CNAH Note: For greater accuracy, comprehension, and ease of use, this book uses the traditional, standardized common names for North American species maintained by Collins & Taggart (2002. Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition), published by The Center for North American Herpetology (available as a pdf at the CNAH web site), and updated daily online, the only such listing available online worldwide. John B. Jensen, Carlos D. Camp, Whit Gibbons, & Matt J. Elliott. University of Georgia Press, Athens. 575pp. ISBN 0820331112. $39.95. Gopher Tortoise Book NEWS RELEASE The Center for North American Herpetology Lawrence, Kansas http://www.cnah.org 13 February 2008 New Book THE NATURAL HISTORY AND MANAGEMENT OF THE GOPHER TORTOISE (GOPHERUS POLYPHEMUS DAUDIN) Ray E. Ashton & Patrica Ashton Published 2008 Hardback This handbook is the first book on tortoise management and research techniques that can be applied to any species. It is designed to be the manual that can serve for certification for various institutions and State and Federal agencies. Many tricks of the trade on how to count burrows, excavate, and trap tortoises are given based on the 20 years of experience of the Ashtons. No other publication currently exists that brings together all the methods and techniques for tortoise management which can be used with other tortoises and turtles. Students and environmental consultants working with gopher tortoises and other upland species will find this handbook indispensable. Available from: Krieger Publishing Company P. O. Box 9542 Melbourne, Florida 32902-9542 http://wwww.krieger-publishing.com To order this book, call: 1 (800) 724-0025 (toll free Mon-Fri 8am-5pm EST) 1 (321) 724-9542 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm EST) or email them at info@krieger-publishing.com Ray E. Ashton & Patricia Ashton. Krieger Publishing Company, Melbourne, Florida. 288 pp. ISBN 1575241625. $66.50. Herp Habitat Management NEWS RELEASE The Center for North American Herpetology Lawrence, Kansas http://www.cnah.org 13 October 2006 Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation has just completed production of the new HABITAT MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES now available in hard copy. These guidelines provide information on suggested practices that can facilitate the construction or preservation of southeastern habitat for native reptilian, crocodilian, chelonian, and amphibian populations. The guides were developed in collaboration by several regional herpetological experts and land managers and provide practical information on the different southeastern habitat types and species requirements. Additionally, they include ways of maximizing the compatibility of land use with habitat preservation as well as identify ideal habitat management methods that can best benefit herpetofauna. This book can be obtained from the publisher for $10.00 at: High Cotton (ATTN: Ms. Delinda Franklin) 2901 Alton Way Birmingham, Alabama 35210 ph. 877-838-2345 fax 205-836-5587 dfranklin@highcottonusa.com ***** For greater accuracy, comprehension, and ease of communication, ca. 90% of the common names in this book adhere to the long-standing, traditional, standard names for North American species maintained by Collins & Taggart (2002. Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition), published by The Center for North American Herpetology (available as a pdf at the CNAH web site) and updated daily online by the CNAH staff. Bailey, M., J. Holmes, K. Buhlmann & J. Mitchell. High Cotton, Birmingham, Alabama. 84pp. ISBN . $10.00. Kansas Snake Guide A POCKET GUIDE TO KANSAS SNAKES by Joseph T. Collins & Suzanne L. Collins with photographs by Suzanne L. Collins and Bob Gress Sponsored by the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks (Pratt), Westar Energy (Topeka), The Center for North American Herpetology (Lawrence), and the Great Plains Nature Center (Wichita). This pocket guide covers the 38 kinds of snakes found in Kansas, all illustrated with stunning color images. Pocket guides are a great way to get people involved with wildlife conservation, because the more people become familiar with a fauna, the more they have invested in it. In this guide, Joe and Suzanne Collins reveal the diverse serpent fauna of the Sunflower State, with sections on size, range in Kansas, description, and habits. Contains information on all Kansas serpents and organizes them in the Family Leptotyphlopidae (Slender Blind Snakes), Family Colubridae (Harmless Egg-laying Snakes), Family Dipsadidae (Slender Rear-fanged Snakes), Family Natricidae (Harmless Live-bearing Snakes), Family Xenodontidae (Robust Rear-fanged Snakes), and Family Crotalidae (Pitvipers). CNAH highly recommends this pocket guide. Although the initial press run was a robust 23,000 copies, they won't last long. For greater accuracy, comprehension, and ease of use, this book adopted the long-standing, traditional, standard common names for North American species maintained by Collins & Taggart (2002. Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition), published by The Center for North American Herpetology (available as a pdf at the CNAH web site) and updated daily online. Publisher: Great Plains Nature Center, Wichita Date of Publication: August 2006 69 pages, softbound To obtain a gratis copy of this pocket guide, send a check for $1.50 to: Snake Pocket Guide Great Plains Nature Center 6232 East 29th Street North Wichita, Kansas 67220 Collins, Joseph T. & Suzanne L. Collins. Great Plains Nature Center, Wichita, Kansas. 69pp. ISBN none. $1.50. Kentucky Snake Book 05/01/2005 NEWS RELEASE The Center for North American Herpetology Lawrence, Kansas http://www.cnah.org 6 September 2005 New Kentucky Snake Book by Leslie Meade (Limited Edition) The Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, in cooperation with Touchstone Energy and The Center for North American Herpetology (CNAH), were pleased to announce publication of Kentucky Snakes: Their Identification, Variation, and Distribution by the late Leslie Meade Of the initial printing of only 100 copies of Les Meade's excellent book, none remain available. According to John R. MacGregor, noted Kentucky herpetologist, "this authoritative and highly technical work is the most comprehensive treatment of Kentucky snakes that has ever been produced. County-level distribution maps and black-and-white photographs (both dorsal and ventral views) are provided for each species that occurs in Kentucky; thousands of museum records are cited in the text and a set of color photographs appears as a series of plates following page 323. I highly recommend this book to any serious student of Kentucky snakes." For greater comprehension and ease of use (both among herpetologists and the general public), this book adopted the standard common names as they are listed in "Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition" by Joseph T. Collins & Travis W. Taggart (2002). ***** Title: Kentucky Snakes: Their Identification, Variation, and Distribution Published May 2005 323 pages plus 17 color plates Spiral binding; laminated cover; size 8 1/2 x 11 Out-of-Print September 2005 Leslie Meade. Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. 323 pp. ISBN None. $Out-of-Print. Louisiana Snakes New Booklet: Snakes of Louisiana (Revised Edition) by Jeff Boundy This is a concise 40-page 8.5 x 11-inch booklet on the snakes of Louisiana. Snake hunting is a great way to get people involved with snake conservation, because the more people become familiar with these reptiles, the more they have invested in them. In this guide, Jeff Boundy covers the diverse serpent fauna of Louisiana and the forty-six kinds of snakes that inhabit it. The booklet is well written and very informative on the subject, and contains 76 excellent color photographs. It would have been nice if the booklet included a section on how to improve habitat for snakes (i.e., create sheet metal fields and woodpile den sites), but the lack of such a habitat improvement section in no way detracts from the usefulness of this tidy tome. Minor corrections to this booklet: Readers should be aware that the Common Water Snake featured in this splendid title is the more aptly-named Northern Water Snake (which is uncommon in Louisiana and has a very restricted range in the state north of the Mississippi River compared to the more widespread and common Southern Water Snake, Nerodia fasciata, found statewide) and that "Pygmy" Rattlesnake has been spelled Pigmy Rattlesnake for half a century (also, for nearly a decade there has been an excellent and extensive web site under the name Pigmy Rattlesnake administered by Stetson University). Also, the correct spelling of Pantherophis guttata is P. guttatus and for Pantherophis obsoleta, P. obsoletus (all published changes involving emendations of this sort for North America are posted immediately on the CNAH web site -- a good place to check for them). But these corrections are very minor and in no way lessen the value of this excellent offering. In keeping with the Evolutionary Species Concept, the allopatric Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides) and Texas Coral Snake (Micrurus tener) are considered distinct species. Other taxa of interest, also recognized as distinct species, are Slowinski's Corn Snake (Pantherophis slowinskii) and the Midland Rat Snake (Pantherophis spiloides). CNAH highly recommends this publication. Add it to your library. With but two exceptions (noted above), the primary or alternate standard common names used throughout "Snakes of Louisiana" are those recommended in Collins & Taggart (2002 Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition. Publication of The Center for North American Herpetology, Lawrence. iv + 44 pp.). ***** To obtain this booklet postpaid, send $8.50 to: Librarian Louisiana Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries P. O. Box 98000 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70898-9000 Boundy, Jeff. Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. 40 pp. ISBN . $8.50. Mexican Herp Checklist 05/01/2007 A CHECKLIST OF THE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF MEXICO Ernest A. Liner 2007. Louisiana State University Occasional Papers of the Museum of Natural Science 80: 1-60. A modern checklist of the amphibians, turtles, reptiles, and crocodilians of Mexico is presented. Fifty-three families containing 216 genera and 1627 species and subspecies are listed as occurring in Mexico. ***** Reprints of this paper are available directly to individuals only by writing to Dr. Ernest A. Liner 310 Malibou Boulevard Houma, Louisiana 70364-2598 or requests can be made to him by email at liner_e@bellsouth.net Institutions wishing copies should contact the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science. ***** CNAH Note: This list adopted the snake families recently proposed by Collins (2006), bringing it in line with the next (sixth) edition of “Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians” and the next (fourth) edition of the “Peterson Field Guide to Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians of Eastern and Central North America.” Ernest A. Liner. Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science. 60 pp. ISBN none. $ cost unknown. New Florida Herp Book Amphibians and Reptiles: Status and Conservation in Florida Edited by Walter E. Meshaka, Jr., and Kimberly J. Babbitt For the first time a broad cross-section of distinguished researchers come together to address the conservation of Florida's rich but imperiled herpetofauna. The 27 contributions by 37 authors represent original research, essays, and reviews that identify contemporary threats to amphibians, turtles, and reptiles and to the system that supports them. Splendidly augmented by 44 tables and 41 figures, this volume is a fundamental primer for anyone wishing to understand the Florida herpetofauna. In the Synthesis of the book, Meshaka and Babbitt draw from these works and from prior discussions with the contributors to provide a consensus regarding the most important threats facing the conservation of Florida's herpetofauna and proffer clear courses of action to ensure a viable future for this segment of Florida's natural legacy. Ultimately, the reader will see convincingly that conservation of Florida amphibians, turtles, and reptiles can be achieved at several levels. Readable in style, contemporary in subject matter, this is a snapshot of the present and a blueprint for the future of conservation action in Florida. Contributors to the book: Patricia S. Ashton, Ray E. Ashton, Jr., Kimberly J. Babbitt, Matthew J. Baber, John D. Baldwin, W. James Barichivich, Laura A. Brandt, Pablo R. Delis, C. Kenneth Dodd, Jr., Kevin M. Enge, Michael R. J. Forstner, Richard D. Franz, Cathryn H. Greenberg, Marian L. Griffey, Tommy Hines, Dale R. Jackson, Howard L. Jelks, Steve A. Johnson, Frank Jordan, Wiley M. Kitchens, Kenneth L. Krysko, Lindsay A. Latino, Frank Mazzotti, Brian K. Mealey, D. Bruce Means, Ryan C. Means, Walter E. Meshaka, Jr., Henry R. Mushinksy, Greta M. Parks, Mike A. Perez, Fred Punzo, Kenneth G. Rice, Daniel J. Smith, Kevin G. Smith, Lora L. Smith, Kristina Sorensen, and George W. Tanner. This excellent book is a must addition to the library of any serious herpetologist. For greater comprehension and ease of use, this book adopted the standard common names for Florida species of Collins & Taggart (2002, Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition). To order this book, call: 800-724-0025 (toll free Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Eastern Time) or 321-724-9542 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Eastern Time) Meshaka, Walter E., Jr. & Kimberly J. Babbitt (editors). Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 334 pp. ISBN 1-57524-251-6. $66.50. New Peterson Field Guide 2003 The Peterson Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians (Third Edition) by Robert C. Stebbins, is an excellent companion to the Eastern and Central Peterson Guide (by Conant & Collins 1998). Generally follows the standard common names of Collins and Taggart (2002). Stebbins, Robert C. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. xiii + 533 pp. ISBN 0-395-98272-3. $22.00. New Turtle Book TURTLES OF THE WORLD A brand new book by Franck Bonin, Bernard Devaux, and Alain Dupré Translated by Peter C. H. Pritchard Now available for a limited time through Herpdigest. Franck Bonin, Bernard Devaux, and Alain Dupré 2006 Translation by Peter C. H. Pritchard $50.00 hardcover, four lbs. ISBN 0-8018-8496-9 416 pp. 300 color photos, 320 color maps Description From the familiar Northern Painted Turtle basking on a log to the majestic long-lived Giant Tortoises, turtles are among the most fascinating animals on the planet. For many years, Franck Bonin, Bernard Devaux, and Alain Dupré have traveled the world together to study turtles in their natural habitats. In this complete guide to the world's nearly 300 species of turtles, the authors reveal intimate, little-known details about these intriguing animals in their native habitats: what they eat, where they live, how they behave, and when and where they lay their eggs. Originally written in French, the text has been translated by one of the world's leading turtle experts, Peter C. H. Pritchard. The result is a beautifully written and illustrated book that belongs on the shelf of every library, public and private. Written for the millions of turtle enthusiasts who will find answers to their questions within its pages, this book is bound to become the standard reference for years to come. Author Information Franck Bonin is a veterinarian with thirty-two years of specialized experience with turtles. Bernard Devaux is the founder of the French nonprofit organization Village des Tortues. Alain Dupré is an avid turtle enthusiast who serves on the boards of several conservation organizations in France. Peter C. H. Pritchard is the author of hundreds of articles on turtles and the Encyclopedia of Turtles. All profits from the sale of this book go to keep HerpDigest a free publication. So why not buy a great book, a book that you would've bought anyway and help HerpDigest at the same time? It's a beautiful book, illustrated using only color photographs placed next to the appropriate text for a species (not in a special section), making identification of a turtle much easier. It's only $50.00 (plus $6.95 for shipping and handling), will be sent USPS priority mail, and takes up to seven days to be delivered. Payment is accepted by check, Paypal or a Master or Visa Card. 1) Make out the check to HerpDigest and send it to Herpdigest c/o Allen Salzberg 67-87 Booth Street, 5B Forest Hills, New York 11375 2) By PayPal charge the full amount to our account at asalzberg@herpdigest.org 3) By Master or VISA card. Email us your credit card number, billing and shipping address. (I'm told it is safer when using a card to split the number up into two emails to be absolutely safe.) Or you can fax the information to 1-718-275-3307. It's my personal fax, no one but me will see it. All profits from the book and the calendars go to help keep HerpDigest A Free Publication Allen Salzberg asalzberg@herpdigest.org ***** For greater accuracy, comprehension, and ease of use, this book adopted, with minor exceptions, the traditional, standard common names for North American turtles maintained by Collins & Taggart (2002. Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition), published by The Center for North American Herpetology (available as a pdf at the CNAH web site) and updated daily online. Franck Bonin, Bernard Devaux & Alain Dupré. . 416 pp. ISBN 0-8018-8496-9. $50.00. New York Herp Guide THE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF NEW YORK STATE Identification, Natural History, and Conservation James P. Gibbs, Alvin R. Breisch, Peter K. Ducey, Glenn Johnson, the late John Behler, and Richard Bothner Available from Oxford University Press for purchase at a special 20% discount rate (paper $27.60, cloth $59.60). The book is 496 pp. with 48 halftones, 65 maps, and 15 line illustrations, and has benefited from a generous subsidy from the New York State Biodiversity Research Institute to reduce its final purchase price. Further information and ordering forms are available at: http://www.esf.edu/efb/gibbs/gibbs.pdf An excellent book, highly recommended by CNAH. ***** For greater accuracy, comprehension, and ease of use, this book uses the traditional, standardized common names for North American species maintained by Collins & Taggart (2002. Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition), published by The Center for North American Herpetology (available as a pdf at the CNAH web site), and updated daily online, the only such listing available online worldwide. ***** Gibbs, James P., Alvin R. Breisch, Peter K. Ducey, Glenn Johnson, John Behler & Richard Bothner. Oxford University Press. 496 pp. ISBN . $27.60. Ohio Herp Atlas New Book OHIO TURTLE, LIZARD, AND SNAKE ATLAS by Douglas E. Wynn & Scott M. Moody This excellent tome is a modern, basic reference to Ohio turtles, lizards, and snakes, and contains a plethora of information as well as county dot maps for all 43 species found in the Buckeye State. After a detailed introduction, checklists, and glossary, each species account is presented with sections on 1) description and diagnostic characteristics, 2) ecological habitat, 3) geographic distribution, 4) conservation status, and 5) photographic recommendations (for identification and verification of new records). The book concludes with literature cited and an extensive appendix showing the most recent records (by group, county, and township) since Roger Conant's 1951 compilation. An essential addition to the library of any North American herpetologist. For greater comprehension and ease of use (both among herpetologists and the general public across the United States and Canada), this atlas adopted the common names as they are listed in "Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition" (2002) by Joseph T. Collins & Travis W. Taggart. Editor-in-Chief: Brian J. Armitage Cost: $10.00 + 2.50 for shipping & handling (Ohio residents add 0.68 cents for sales tax) To order a copy, call 1-614-457-8787 (Visa and Mastercard accepted) or send a check (US only) or money order (US only) to: Ohio Biological Survey, Inc. P. O. Box 21370 Columbus, Ohio 43221-0370 For orders of two or more, call the OBS. Wynn, Douglas E. & Scott M. Moody. Ohio Biological Survey. iv + 80pp. ISBN 0-86727-155-8. $$10.00 + 2.50 shipping & handling. Piney Woods Herpetofauna NEWS RELEASE The Center for North American Herpetology Lawrence, Kansas http://www.cnah.org 22 August 2008 New Book REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF THE SOUTHERN PINE WOODS Author: Steven B. Reichling 6 x 9 inches, paperbound Price: $29.95 Publication date: 2008 Front cover images by Suzanne L. Collins Sponsored by The Center for North American Herpetology This book reveals the interconnections among all reptile, turtle, and amphibian species living in the pine forests from Texas to North Carolina. Moving beyond mere species identification, this innovative guide to the reptiles, turtles, and amphibians of the southeastern pine forests emphasizes their interdependent ecologies and the conservation issues facing all pine woods herpetofauna. Written for a spectrum of reptile, turtle, and amphibian enthusiasts, the book is organized by habitat from eastern Texas to North Carolina and south to the Gulf of Mexico and Florida. Included are detailed accounts, range maps, and color photos of the twenty-six native species or subspecies of frogs, salamanders, snakes, lizards, and turtles in the southern pine woods. After describing the habitat from the perspective of each individual species, Steven Reichling demonstrates the various ways in which these reptiles, turtles, and amphibians have become intertwined for mutual survival in what is frequently an environment threatened by development and lumbering. He focuses on shared adaptations, ecological interactions, and dependency on a very distinctive habitat. Many of the threats throughout the southern pine woods require urgent action to ensure the survival of some species. This guide will be of value to southeastern ecologists, herpetologists, state and federal wildlife biologists and park managers, lumber company and pine plantation personnel, as well as herpetology enthusiasts. Steven B. Reichling is curator at the Memphis Zoo and adjunct professor of biology at the University of Memphis. ***** "This book should be read by all who care about the earth's diversity, conservation, and natural history. It is a pleasant must-read for those with interests in the southeastern United States and especially the herpetologically inclined." -- from the cover jacket, by Max A. Nickerson, curator of herpetology, Florida Museum of Natural History "A compelling and absorbing read, filled with information but written in a style that makes normally stale data fresh." -- from the cover jacket, by Joseph T. Collins, co-author of the Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, director of The Center for North American Herpetology, and curator of herpetology, Sternberg Museum of Natural history, Hays, Kansas ***** Orders can be made directly from the University Press of Florida at 1-800-226-3822 Visa, Mastercard or American Express accepted. ***** CNAH Note: For greater accuracy, comprehension, and ease of use, this book uses precisely the traditional, standardized common names for North American species maintained by Collins & Taggart (2002. Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition), published by The Center for North American Herpetology (available as a pdf at the CNAH web site), and updated daily online, the only such listing available on the internet worldwide. Steven Reichling. Publisher: University Press of Florida, Gainesville. xxi + 252 pp. ISBN . $29.95 . Rattlesnake Raconteurs NEWS RELEASE The Center for North American Herpetology Lawrence, Kansas http://www.cnah.org 8 September 2006 BOOK REVIEW New Book RATTLESNAKE ADVENTURES: HUNTING WITH THE OLDTIMERS by John William Kemnitzer, Jr. Contrary to popular belief, rattlesnakes are generally quiet animals; thus, becoming unexpectedly aware of the presence of one of these silent serpents in close proximity to yourself will often get you wet or religious. Probably the greatest herpetological writer that ever lived, Archibold Fairly Carr, Jr. (1909-1987), put it this way: The thing to listen for is the slight, hissing whisper of the unhurried snake in dry brush or leaf litter. It is a sound not many people know, but one all their ancestors knew, and one likely to stir ancestral juices when suddenly you know you hear it. . . . © Archie Carr (1965) John Kemnitzer has gathered together a nice collection of essays in this tidy volume, all with Crotalidae as a common theme. He did a good job of it. The chapters are interesting, entertaining, and often exciting, particularly for younger herpetologists. The inclusion of Ditmars and Kauffeld in his book was to be expected, though I'm not certain whether Dick Bartlett thinks he's an oldtimer yet. But this book joins a long list of those devoted exclusively to venomous snakes, whether field guides, monographs, hunting adventures, or those with a specific geographic perspective. What about the lizards? And turtles? Not to mention those nocturnal creatures of moist places, the amphibians. Kreiger's next volume of collected works might encourage some author/editor to take a broader approach, gathering authors (both past and present) whose writing skills and experiences would make for stories (original or previously published) further afield and of (hopefully) unpredictable aspect; such herpetological writers as Darrel Frost and Ellin Beltz (frogs), Archie Carr (sea turtles), Whit Gibbons (anything that moves), Harry Greene (venomous snakes), Lee Grismer (Baja beasts), Kelly Irwin (river animals), Walt Meshaka (exotic lizards), and Jim Murphy (the always exotic zoo crowd), folks who know how to turn a phrase in a way that makes the stale fresh and the mundane exciting. Maybe include Corson Hirschfeld (co-founder of the SSAR), who now writes tremendously funny novels, but grew up with snakes and salamanders, and knows his way around them (and herpetologists). And what about Gary Larson? I'll bet there are some stunning serpent stories in his reptilian repertoire. This collection of essays by Kemnitzer is worth adding to your library. Get it and enjoy. And encourage the publisher to think about a second selection of writings, one that will tickle the humor bone and feature the rest of the fauna we live for. -- © Joseph T. Collins, 1502 Medinah Circle, Lawrence, Kansas 66047. ***** Title: Rattlesnake Adventures: Hunting with the Oldtimers Date published: 2006 234 pages Hardcover ISBN: 1-57524-278-8 Price: $32.50 Available from: Krieger Publishing Company P. O. Box 9542 Melbourne, Florida 32902-9542 http://wwww.krieger-publishing.com To order this book, call: 1 (800) 724-0025 (toll free Mon-Fri 8am-5pm EST) 1 (321) 724-9542 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm EST) or email them at info@krieger-publishing.com John William Kemnitzer, Jr.. Krieger Publishing Company, Melbourne, Florida. 234pp. ISBN 1-57524-278-8. $32.50. Snake Shed Skin Guide A NEW HERPETOLOGICAL MONOGRAPH SERIES sponsored by The Center for North American Herpetology THE SERPENT'S CAST: A GUIDE TO IDENTIFICATION OF SHED SKINS FROM SNAKES OF THE NORTHEAST AND MID-ATLANTIC STATES by Brian S. Gray CNAH Monograph Number 1 Publication Date: April 2006 Softbound Price: $19.95 a copy postpaid via media mail Addressing a topic long-ignored in the herpetological literature, Brian Gray skillfully demonstrates methods by which the shed skins of snakes can be identified when discovered in the field or examined in the laboratory. The ability to make such identifications may greatly increase the number of vouchered records of snakes throughout the eastern United States and adjacent Canada, and may provide a source for additional tissue samples for molecular research on these reptiles, all without the necessity of removing a serpent from its natural environment. For greater comprehension and ease of use, this book adopted the standard common names of Collins & Taggart (2002, Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition). ***** With the publication of this title, The Center for North American Herpetology is pleased to initiate its monograph series, produced and published in cooperation with Eric Thiss of Serpent's Tale & Zoo Book Sales. The CNAH monographs are designed to make available herpetological work about North America and adjoining countries in order to better serve the academic community. Titles will be issued as they become available for printing. For this initial offering, we are grateful to our sponsors, Touchstone Energy, Westar Energy, and the R. A. Javitch Natural History Rare Book Foundation for their support. Russ Gurley of Living Art and Bob & Sheri Ashley of ECO donated in-kind services as well. CNAH is a non-profit 501c3 foundation devoted to promoting the preservation and conservation of North American amphibians, turtles, reptiles, and crocodiles through education and information. For more information about CNAH, visit our web site at http://www.cnah./org ***** NOTE: A discount of 20% per book is offered to all individuals, organizations, and corporations that have contributed a minimum of $25.00 to CNAH (check the CNAH Donors list on the CNAH web site to see if you qualify). Other individuals wishing to qualify for this discount should send their CNAH donation of $25.00 or more (fully tax deductible)along with their order directly to Serpents Tale (address and payment methods below). To order a copy of this CNAH monograph, contact: Serpents Tale/Zoo Book Sales 403 Parkway Avenue North P. O. Box 405 Lanesboro, Minnesota 55949-0405 Telephone: (507)467-8733 Webpage: www.zoobooksales.com E-mail or PayPal to: zoobooks@acegroup.cc Personal checks, money orders, Visa , Mastercard, or Paypal accepted as payment. Brian S. Gray. The Serpent's Tale/ZooBook Sales. 88 pp. ISBN 1-885209-42-8. $19.95. Snakes of Southeast U.S. Snakes of the Southeast by Whit Gibbons & Mike Dorcas Fifty-two kinds of snakes can be found in the southeastern United States, almost half of all species native to North America. Filled with more than 300 color photographs and written by two of the region's most renowned herpetologists, this is the most comprehensive educational guide to the snakes of the southeastern United States. At the heart of the guide are its heavily illustrated, fact-filled descriptions of each species and its habitat. Also included is a wealth of general information about the importance of snake conservation and the biology, diversity, and life cycles of snakes. Useful information about the interactions of humans and snakes is also covered: species that are likely to be found near houses, snakes as pets, what to do in case of a snake bite, and more. Clearly written, well designed, and fun to use, the guide will promote a better understanding of the habitat needs of, and environmental challenges to, this fascinating group of animals. About the Authors: Whit Gibbons, an ecologist at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, has written over a dozen popular and scientific books and booklets on the reptiles, turtles, crocodilians, and amphibians of the United States. Mike Dorcas, a biologist at Davidson College, is author of "A Guide to the Snakes of North Carolina." Gibbons and Dorcas are coauthors of "North American Water Snakes." For greater comprehension and ease of use (both among herpetologists and the general public), this booklet adopts the common names as they are listed in "Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians (Fifth Edition)" by Joseph T. Collins & Travis W. Taggart (2002). CNAH highly recommends this book. To order the book, contact: University of Georgia Press Toll Free: 1-800-266-5842 Published May 2005 7.5 x 10 in. 335 photos; 1 table; 52 maps ISBN 0-8203-2652-6 paperback $22.95 Gibbons, J. Whitfield & Michael Dorcas. University of Georgia Press, Athens. 253 pp. ISBN 0-8203-2652-6. $22.95. Stalking the Serpent STALKING THE PLUMED SERPENT by D. Bruce Means ix + 238 pages, Hardbound, ISBN 978-1-56164-433-9 $23.00 (shipping and handling included) Pineapple Press, Sarasota, Florida Bitten by an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake while alone on a Florida barrier island Wrestling a monster Alligator Snapping Turtle 20 feet deep in the Apalachicola River These are but a couple of the adventures in herpetology that Bruce Means has encountered, indeed welcomed, in his life as a naturalist. Based on his more than 40 years of field research, Bruce reveals the biological complexity and exquisite beauty of animals that he has studied all over the world. Most people loathe reptiles, turtles, crocodilians, and amphibians, but Means paints stories of his love and admiration for creatures that go bump in the night. The author is the world expert on the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, which he calls the "Gentle Ben" of venomous snakes, as it prefers to hide and not rattle. We learn that the Alligator Snapping Turtle is a big, hulking turtle intent on luring fishes with its wormlike tongue. We find out that though many Southern woodsmen have reported the Cottonmouth chasing them, this behavior is actually just a snake’s version of bluffing. A little further from his Florida Panhandle home, in Costa Rica, Means manages to find the rare and deadly Bushmaster, but his adventure is further heightened by the eruption of a volcano -- where his two young sons are hiking. In Australia, he searches for a breeding pair of "roughies," the rare Rough-scaled Python, as well as the "fiercey," reputed to be the world’s deadliest terrestrial snake. In Mexico, he stalks the rattlesnake that might have served as the model for the mythical "plumed serpent" of Mayan art, always shown with rattles on the tail. Through his eyes and experiences, Means hopes that readers will gain a new appreciation for animals without fur or feathers—animals called herps, or creeping-crawling things. This book is about his love for herps, i.e., herpetophilia, a subdivision of E. O. Wilson’s biophilia. Four distinguished biologists have this to say about Stalking the Plumed Serpent: Bruce Means is a scientist -- the real thing. His painstaking (and on occasion, painful) studies on the natural history of the eastern diamondback rattlesnake have made him the leading expert on that important species. He is more than a scientific natural historian, however, He is an adventurer of the old school. Means’s career, like that of other master naturalists, has been a collage of what he refers to as ‘small experiences of the magnificence of nature.’ To read his essays and examine his photographs is to understand how much of the living world remains to be discovered, and how exciting the effort will continue to be for those who choose to join him. -- from the Foreword by E. O. Wilson. From the opening paragraph describing the author’s own venomous snake bite in a remote area to the Australian Outback, this is a very compelling book, hard to put down once you are into it. Bruce Means lives life the way all of us wish we could, traveling in search of unusual (and sometimes dangerous) creatures in all the right and wrong places. Making discoveries is the stuff of a biologist’s career, and Means made many of them, the best of which are detailed in this wonderful book of stories about the natural environment and the exciting beasts that are found therein. -- from the cover jacket by Joseph T. Collins, Director, The Center for North American Herpetology, Lawrence, Kansas, co-author, of the Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, and Herpetologist with the Kansas Biological survey, University of Kansas. These captivating stories, based on the personal experiences of Bruce Means, bring the many worlds of wonder found in wildlife adventures to a premier level. His firsthand accounts highlight the inherent value of our natural heritage, including the non-cuddly, from Alligator Snapping Turtles to salamanders to earthworms. Told by a true naturalist, the book will be persuasive, even to the timid, that even the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is a national treasure worth having around. -- from the cover jacket by Whit Gibbons, Professor Emeritus of Ecology, University of Georgia, and author of Their Blood Runs Cold: Adventures with Reptiles and Amphibians. As a true field scientist, Bruce Means has escaped the lure of our almost irresistible anthropomorphic tendency to be only interested in animal life that is considered "popular" to humans. To him, frogs are as important as pandas. As you follow his adventures in some of the most remote parts of the world, you’ll know that he has contributed to one of the most important missions of humanity. He is a rare scientific spokesperson for the natural world, helping people care about its continued existence. -- from the cover jacket by Jim Fowler, Honorary President of the Explorer’s Club, former Co-Host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. ***** Personally inscribed and signed copies (hardback) can be purchased from the author for $23.00 (shipping and handling included). Checks should be made out to Bruce Means and sent to 1313 Milton Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32303. Stalking the Plumed Serpent also can be purchased in bookstores and online through amazon.com ***** CNAH Note: For greater accuracy, comprehension, and ease of use, this book generally uses the traditional, standardized common names for North American species maintained by Collins & Taggart (2002. Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition), published by The Center for North American Herpetology (available as a pdf at the CNAH web site), and updated daily online, the only such listing available on the internet worldwide. D. Bruce Means. Pineapple Press, Sarasota, Florida. ix + 238 pp. ISBN 978-1-56164-433-9. $23.00. Texas Snakes A Field Guide NEW BOOK: Texas Snakes. A Field Guide James R. Dixon & the late John E. Werler Drawings by Regina Levoy From the legendary Western Diamondback Rattlesnake to the brightly-colored Texas Coral Snake to the harmless New Mexico Blind Snake, Texas has a greater diversity of snake species than any other state in the country. Recognizing the need for a complete field guide to identifying and understanding the snakes of Texas, two of the state's most respected herpetologists wrote this definitive reference to all species of Texas snakes. "Texas Snakes: A Field Guide" has all the resources you need to identify snakes in the wild and in your yard: 110 full-color, close-up photos that show every snake, as well as 39 detailed line drawings; 110 range maps; up-to-date species accounts that describe each snake's appearance, look-alikes, size, and habitat; a checklist of all Texas snakes and a key to the species; reliable information on poisonous snakes and preventing and treating snakebites; concise guides to snake conservation, classification, and identification. The late John E. Werler retired in 1992 from the Houston Zoological Gardens, where he served for 36 years, first as general curator and later as general manager. James R. Dixon is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University. For greater comprehension and ease of use (both among herpetologists and the general public), this booklet generally adopts common names as they are listed in "Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians (Fifth Edition)" by Joseph T. Collins & Travis W. Taggart (2002). A quick perusal of the new Texas book shows that nearly 80% of the common names used are exactly as they appear in Collins & Taggart; the remaining 20% primarily retain the awkward and unnecessary hyphen and -ed endings abandoned by most herpetologists over a quarter century ago. But above all, traditional names such as Rat Snake, Coral Snake, and Blind Snake remain two words, as they always have been and should be. CNAH highly recommends this book. To order this book, go to: http://www.utexaspress.com Dixon, James. R. & John E. Werler. University of Texas Press, Austin. 384pp. ISBN 0-292-70675-8. $19.95. Timber Rattlesnake Book NEWS RELEASE The Center for North American Herpetology Lawrence, Kansas http://www.cnah.org 14 February 2008 TIMBER RATTLESNAKES IN VERMONT AND NEW YORK Biology, History, and the Fate of an Endangered Species JON FURMAN Paper, 12 color illus., 8 halftones The fascinating, definitive chronicle of the Timber Rattlesnake and its fate in the northeastern U. S. Soundly anchored in the latest scientific data, Furman proffers an accessible and engaging account of contemporary fieldwork and first-person interviews with herpetologists and old-time bounty hunters. For expert and lay readers interested in snakes, northeastern fauna and natural history, conservation, and endangered species, this volume clearly explicates the Timber Rattlesnake's biology as well as what happens and what to do when one bites. It also explores the troubling decline of the northeastern population caused by bounty hunting between the 1890s and the early 1970s, other past and present threats to the species' survival, and what measures are being taken—and additional ones that must be taken--to ensure that Timber Rattlesnakes survive and thrive in the northeastern United States. Historical and contemporary illustrations bring these reptiles and their world to life. Timber Rattlesnakes in Vermont & New York shines a new light on a maligned and misunderstood species. "All in all, I found the book interesting and entertaining; the author highlights the critical intersections of rattlesnake conservation with human psychology and politics. This book will be an important contribution outlining the regional evolution of social and political attitudes- involving changes that may, or may not, come just in time to save these magnificent animals." -- JAMES H. HARDING, Instructor/Herpetology Specialist, Department of Zoology, Michigan State University Museum ***** To order a copy of this excellent work, contact: University Press of New England One Court Street, Suite 250 Lebanon, New Hampshire 03766 sherri.l.strickland@dartmouth.edu (800) 639.6102 ext. 238 (603) 448-9429 fax http://www.upne.com ***** For greater accuracy, comprehension, and ease of use, this book uses the traditional, standardized common names for North American species maintained by Collins & Taggart (2002. Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians, Turtles, Reptiles, and Crocodilians. Fifth Edition), published by The Center for North American Herpetology (available as a pdf at the CNAH web site), and updated daily online, the only such listing available online worldwide. ***** Furman, Jon. University Press of New England, Lebanon, New Hampshire. 248 pp. ISBN 978-1-58465-656-2. $24.95.

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