Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Britain and Europe (Helm Field Guides)

The taxonomy and systematics of European reptiles and amphibians have changed a lot in recent years, yet there is no modern, up-to-date field guide available that comprehensively covers all the species. The last illustrated field guide to European reptiles and amphibians was first published 38 years ago, and remains outdated despite occasional reprints and new editions. This major new field guide addresses this deficiency. Every species will be covered in detail with a focus on identification and geographical variation; species texts also cover distribution, habitat and behavior. A detailed up-to-date map is also included for each species. Superb color illustrations by talented artist Ilian Velikov depict every species and all major variations, and color photographs are also included for most species. This groundbreaking new guide will become the definitive field reference for these two groups of animals. Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 5 Copyright......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 Preface......Page 9 Acknowledgements......Page 10 About this book......Page 11 Natural species composition in Europe......Page 13 Alien species......Page 16 Threats and conservation......Page 18 How to watch amphibians and reptiles......Page 20 Where to watch amphibians and reptiles......Page 27 Amphibian eggs......Page 46 Newt and salamander larvae......Page 49 Frog and toad larvae......Page 52 Checklist of European amphibians and reptiles......Page 57 AMPHIBIANS (AMPHIBIA)......Page 61 Salamanders and Newts (Urodela)......Page 62 True Salamanders and Newts (Salamandridae)......Page 63 Lungless Salamanders (Plethodontidae)......Page 107 Asiatic Salamanders (Hynobiidae)......Page 112 Olm (Proteidae)......Page 114 Frogs and Toads (Anura)......Page 116 Clawed Frogs (Pipidae)......Page 117 Midwife Toads (Alytidae)......Page 119 Painted Frogs (Discoglossidae)......Page 129 Fire-bellied Toads (Bombinatoridae)......Page 134 Spadefoot Toads (Pelobatidae)......Page 140 Parsley Frogs (Pelodytidae)......Page 147 True Toads (Bufonidae)......Page 150 Tree Frogs (Hylidae)......Page 159 Brown Frogs Rana species......Page 166 Water Frogs Pelophylax species......Page 181 Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins (Testudines)......Page 199 Tortoises (Testudinidae)......Page 200 Terrapins (Emydidae and Geoemydidae)......Page 208 Sea Turtles (Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae)......Page 214 Lizards (Sauria)......Page 219 Agamas (Agamidae)......Page 220 Chameleons (Chamaeleonidae)......Page 221 Geckos (Gekkonidae, Sphaerodactylidae, Phyllodactylidae)......Page 225 True Lizards (Lacertidae)......Page 234 Green Lacertas......Page 250 Small Lacertas......Page 265 Skinks (Scincidae)......Page 335 Slow Worms (Anguidae)......Page 344 Worm Lizards (Amphisbaenia)......Page 349 Snakes (Serpentes)......Page 352 Blind Snakes (Typhlopidae)......Page 356 Sand Boas (Erycidae)......Page 357 Colubrids (Colubridae)......Page 359 Water Snakes (Natricidae)......Page 395 African Sand Snakes (Psammophiidae)......Page 402 Vipers (Viperidae)......Page 405 Glossary......Page 427 Snakebite emergency......Page 429 Selected references and further reading......Page 430 Photographic credits......Page 431 Index......Page 432 This groundbreaking new guide is an authoritative field reference for these two groups of animals. The taxonomy and systematics of European reptiles and amphibians have changed a lot in recent years, yet there is no modern, up-to-date field guide available that comprehensively covers all the species. The last illustrated field guide to European reptiles and amphibians was first published 38 years ago, and remains outdated despite occasional reprints and new editions. This major new field guide addresses this deficiency. A total of 219 species are covered in detail, with a focus on identification and geographical variation; species texts also cover distribution, habitat and behaviour. Superb colour illustrations by talented artist Ilian Velikov depict every species and all major variations, and colour photographs are also included for most species. The book includes over 370 colour artworks and 200 colour photographs, 155 accurate and up-to-date distribution maps, and easy-to-use keys and tables to help with swift species identification. "A combination of easy-to-use keys, tables and accurate species descriptions ... detailed texts for all 219 European species, covering field identification, distribution, variation, habitat and biology"--Cover