A comprehensive pictorial field guide to the 64 species of salamanders, frogs, toads, tortoises, geckos, skinks, lizards, and snakes found in the Mojave Desert of California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. Each species account includes common and scientific names and a description of the species, its habits, and other distinguishing information. Tabs indicate if the species is toxic, harmless, mildly venomous, or dangerously venomous (toxic or mildly venomous are considered harmless to humans) as well as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUNC) designation. More detailed information about the identification and life history characteristics for each species are presented. While the majority of herps in the Mojave have unique and distinguishing characteristics that will quickly lead to their identification, there are a few groups where the comparative information presented as well as cross-referencing the photos and descriptions of similar species is necessary for a positive identification. The combined use of the geographic location within the Mojave, the variety of pictures provided, and the descriptions of each species should lead to a positive identification. Front matter includes information on classification, places to see the animals, habitats, evolution, paleontology, and conservation concerns.

Focusing on the 66 species of reptiles and amphibians found in the Mojave Desert, this concise field guide uses hundreds of intimate color photographs, gorgeous range maps, and concise, at-a-glace information to make identification easy while providing useful and interesting details about the animals, their habitat, and the desert they call home. New to this second edition are over 80 new and exciting photographs and updated taxonomy since this is an area in the field of biology that is constantly changing as we learn more about the ancestral relationships between all of the species. As before, the definitive text is tailored to some of the Southwest's most beautiful places, such as Joshua Tree, Death Valley, and the Mojave National Preserve, and is written to be appreciated by field biologists and curious visitors alike. If you enjoy the Mojave and these fascinating animals, this field guide is the go-to source for reliable identification and reputable information.

". . . encourage[s] hope and resilience in times of devastating damage."—New York Review of Books This user-friendly guide is the only complete resource that identifies and describes all the amphibians and reptiles—salamanders, frogs and toads, lizards, snakes, and tortoises and turtles—that live in California. The species are described in richly detailed accounts that include range maps, lifelike color paintings by Robert C. Stebbins, clear drawings of various life stages including eggs, notes on natural history, and conservation status. Easy-to-use keys for every order help identify species, and informative chapters cover more general topics including evolution, habitat loss, and photography. Throughout, anecdotes and observations reveal new insights into the lives of California’s abundant but often hidden amphibians and reptiles.

One of the most important hotspots of herpetological biodiversity in the United States, California is home to many endemic amphibians and reptiles found nowhere else on earth. Many of these taxa have unique ecological and morphological specializations, and their management is an important conservation challenge. Increasing climate change impacts, human development, and extreme drought mean many of these species face an ever-greater risk of extinction. California Amphibian and Reptile Species of Special Concern provides an up-to-date synthesis of the current state of knowledge regarding the biology and conservation risks faced by 45 of California’s most sensitive amphibian and reptile species. With the goal of enhancing management based on the best available science, the authors developed a novel set of risk metrics to identify special concern species and the threats they face, including population declines, range size and restrictions, and ecological specializations and niche restrictions. In addition to detailed species accounts, this book provides a quantitative analysis of the conservation status and pressing management issues facing individual species and the state’s amphibian and reptile fauna as a whole. The volume focuses on identifying threats, concrete recommendations for management and recovery, and future research needs. The text is complemented by detailed distribution maps, color photos, and graphs. Written in nontechnical language, California Amphibian and Reptile Species of Special Concern will be a valuable resource to a broad range of users from resource managers, field biologists, and academic herpetologists to students and recreational naturalists. Published in association with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Renowned for its biodiversity, California is home to a vast number of amphibians and reptiles, from a multitude of slender salamanders to the venomous Gila Monster and massive Leatherback Sea Turtle. This complete guide contains 184 species accounts, 396 color illustrations, and 121 distribution maps.

Invites readers to explore the smallest and most unique southwestern desert, the beautiful Mojave--Provided by publisher.