“Delightful . . . a practical and attractive guide to the salamanders, frogs, toads, turtles, lizards, and snakes” of this vast National Recreation Area (Tennessee Libraries). Known for its natural beauty, Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area is the largest inland peninsula in the United States. Consisting of 170,000 acres of forested and protected public land between Kentucky Lake (Tennessee River) and Lake Barkley (Cumberland River), this scenic sanctuary is visited by more than 1.4 million nature lovers annually and encompasses many diverse habitats, each supporting a particular community of plants and animals. Amphibians and Reptiles of Land Between the Lakes is your guide to some of the often-overlooked residents of this unique ecosystem. The authors offer detailed descriptions and stunning color photographs of the salamanders, frogs, toads, turtles, lizards, and snakes found in the region. Each entry includes the species’ scientific and common names as well as information on its distribution, habitat, and natural history. An extensive glossary assists in identifying the animals. This handy reference illustrates the collective ecological effect that these underappreciated species have on the habitats in which they thrive. Whether you’re a professional or backyard naturalist, Amphibians and Reptiles of Land Between the Lakes is an indispensable resource for understanding these fascinating creatures.

Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area lies in western Kentucky and Tennessee, between two huge lakes formed by dams on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. Some 170,000 acres bounded by 300 miles of shoreline, Land Between the Lakes is blessed with a rich variety of plant and animal life. Conceived and administrated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, it is a unique recreational experiment which has drawn admiring visitors from around the world. Frank E. Smith, director of TVA, tells the story of the transformation of submarginal land into a large-scale, multiple-use recreation facility that provides recreation and entertainment for thousands of visitors as well as producing a positive, dynamic stimulus to the continued economic development of the entire Tennessee Valley. Planned for fullest use of human and land resources, Land Between the Lakes is of utmost importance to recreational planners, conservation specialists, administrators, and to millions of Americans who seek their recreation in the out of doors.

A revised and updated guide to reptiles and amphibians in the Great Lakes region

Many people fear snakes, and watersnakes in particular have one of the worst reputations of any snake found in North America. Some species are commonly mistaken for venomous cottonmouths, and a few may eat popular game fishes. Unfortunately, few people realize the important roles many watersnakes play in natural ecosystems and, consequently, they are still persecuted in many regions today. Seeking to overcome common misperceptions, J. Whitfield Gibbons and Michael E. Dorcas have compiled North American Watersnakes, the first comprehensive study of all fourteen species of watersnakes found in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Cuba. Individual species accounts explore all aspects of the natural history of watersnakes in North America, including their behavior, physiology, life history, ecology, and conservation. Almost 100 color photographs accompany the text, illustrating all 14 species and nearly all subspecies. Supplementing the species accounts are detailed color maps depicting each species distribution and stunning black-and-white drawings by Peri Mason. Easy-to-use keys help readers to identify specimens at hand.