A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia
Sixth Edition
| By | Steve Wilson and Gerry Swan |
|---|---|
| Format | Paperback / softback |
| Page Extent | 572 |
| Book Size | 210 x 150 x 42 mm (H x W x D) |
| Imprint | Reed New Holland |
| Release Date | 4 Nov 2020 |
| Subject Classification | The natural world, country life & pets / Wildlife: general interest / Wildlife: reptiles & amphibians |
A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia has been the most comprehensive field guide available on the subject since the first edition was published in 2003. As new species are discovered, known ranges extended and higher quality images become available, updated editions of the book have been written to reflect these changes. This new edition adds 92 reptile species, mostly comprising new descriptions since the publication of the fifth edition, plus 10 species that come with the inclusion of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
This sixth edition of the book includes images, descriptions and maps for all 1,109 species of Australian reptiles described up until the end of June 2020. Some of these are pictured in life for the first time, and many are represented by several images to depict geographical and sexual differences.
The book features easy-to-use diagnostic illustrations to explain anatomical features, a comprehensive glossary, and the more significant reptile habitats are pictured. Each species has a clear and concise text description to aid identification, with diagnostic differences from confusion species given in bold font. Each species has a distribution map and image(s) on the facing page. For ease of use there are indexes to scientific and common names.
Designed as a field guide, with a sturdy plastic cover and compact layout, the target readership for this book is anyone with an interest in reptiles, whether scientists or amateurs. It is regarded as the standard reference guide for professionals working in the field and is also popular with general naturalists.
Gerry Swan
Gerry kept geckos while at school and after moving to Australia from New Zealand in the 1960s a chance encounter with a blue tongue lizard rekindled his interest in reptiles. An Associate of the Australian Museum and past editor of the journal Herpetofauna, Gerry has written and co-authored more than 9 books about reptiles; including What Snake is That, What Lizard is That, and Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. He also works as a reptile consultant and has a particular interest in the reptiles of the arid and semi-arid regions of New South Wales.
Steve Wilson
Steve lifelong love affair with reptiles has taken him to some of Australia most remote places. For the past 30 years he has been working to compile a comprehensive photographic documentation of Australia reptiles. He has authored/co-authored more than 5 books, including A Field Guide to Reptiles, What Snake is That, and What Lizard is That and has written many magazine articles on reptiles. For the past 20 years Steve has worked at the Queensland Museum, educating the public, identifying their specimens and (hopefully) instilling a desire to conserve our unique biological heritage.
