Praise for the previous edition: "An excellent source for research. Highly recommended."—The Book Report While reptiles often receive an ambivalent reaction from the public, turtles and tortoises are surely the exception. People have kept them as pets for centuries and their affection for these creatures with attractively colored shells is reflected in art, literature, and popular culture. Turtles and Tortoises of the World fills a significant gap in available literature on the chelonia turtles, tortoises, and terrapins. Noted naturalist David Alderton presents a comprehensive account of these fascinating creatures, featuring recent chelonian research. The information on lifestyle, habitat, distribution, and human involvement is clear and easy to read. Enhanced by informative maps, as well as many color and black-and-white photographs, this volume emphasizes turtles' and tortoises' diversity of form and adaptability for survival.

A lavishly illustrated guide to the world's turtles that covers every family and genus Turtles of the World reveals the extraordinary diversity of these amazing reptiles. Characterized by the bony shell that acts as a shield to protect the softer body within, turtles are survivors from the time of the dinosaurs and are even more ancient in evolutionary terms than snakes and crocodilians. Of more than 350 species known today, some are highly endangered. In this beautiful guide, turtle families, subfamilies, and genera are illustrated with hundreds of color photographs. Each genus profile includes a population distribution map, a table of information, and commentary that includes notable characteristics and discussion of related species. More than 250 beautiful color photos Each profile features a distribution map, table of information, and commentary Broad coverage includes every family and genus

This book surveys the myriad of turtle anatomy, habitat, & life cycles throughout the ages. Project director of the International Wildlife Coalition, Orenstein presents a popular book about turtles, the term he uses for almost all marine, aquatic, and terrestrial species of the order Testudines. His own background is in ornithology rather than herpetology, but his work in wildlife conservation has made him aware of the plight of turtles throughout the world, and hopes people will help protect them if they get to know them a little better. He includes many color photographs. Turtles, almost alone among reptiles, have earned both human interest and affection. Our fascination with turtles, though, has not helped them much. Sought after for food, as pets, and for tortoiseshell, their habitats under attack on land and sea, turtle populations are in decline around the world. Understanding turtles is not only interesting, but also important. Turtles, tortoises, and terrapins have been on earth since the Triassic Period, approximately 200 million years ago. Their exact origins are uncertain, though - it is still unclear from which group of reptiles turtles sprang. Although the earliest fossils are clearly turtles, their anatomy has changed dramatically over time. In addition, turtle species vary greatly in such basic characteristics as anatomy and habitat preferences. Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins surveys the myriad of turtle anatomy, habitat, and life cycles throughout the ages. Human activities on the land and at sea pose the greatest threat that turtles have faced in the last 200 million years. The battle to save turtles goes on, and this book provides an important voice in turtle ecology. Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins is the perfect resource for anyone interested in all facets of these amazing and diverse reptiles.

"Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins explains the astonishing ways turtles cope with their environment, explores the debate on their origins and describes the latest discoveries about their often surprising lives ... Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins explores the threats face around the world. on land and sea, and the efforts being made to conserve them. Fostering awareness about these unique and threatened creatures is among the main goals of this book."--Dust jacket wrap.

Presented in a logical and systematic order, Turtles of the World discusses each family separately with keys to genera and species. Summarizing the classification of every known turtle species, this volume includes descriptions and illustrations of turtle anatomy, a discussion of turtle origins, as well as karotype, reproductive, and ecological information. The authors pinpoint causes for the decline of turtle populations and offer suggestions to reverse the effects of overcollecting, killing for food, environmental poisoning through insecticides and herbicides, and habitat destruction.