Chris Mattison

Leap into the incredible world of frogs and toads! Do you know why some frogs glow in the dark? Can a toad really pretend to be a rock? Explore the colourful lives of frogs and toads, from tree frogs to desert toads! Learn about their amazing adaptations and clever tricks that keep them safe - from sticky tongues to mind-blowing camouflage. Discover why these amphibians are vital for a healthy planet and what we can do to protect them. Follow the incredible lifecycle from tiny eggs to hopping adults. See what tadpoles look like as they grow and change. Packed with fun facts and vivid images, An Anthology of Frogs and Toads will spark curiosity and inspire young nature lovers to care for these incredible creatures. A must-have for every budding herpetologist!

A richly illustrated introduction to the marvelous world of snakesDescended from prehistoric lizards, snakes have been slithering across the earth for more than a hundred million years. There are some 4,100 species known to exist, and many are venomous, but many more are not. Snakes experience the world in unique ways, smelling the air with their tongues and relying on signs of movement for orientation. They are ectothermic, needing external heat for energy, and must shed their skin to grow. This guide offers a unique look at the lives of snakes, exploring their life cycles, diets, defenses, locomotive strategies, and more. Written by an internationally recognized herpetologist and informed by the latest science, The Lives of Snakes blends captivating photos with engaging, fact-filled profiles of selected species to provide an invaluable introduction to these splendid reptiles. Combines beautiful illustrations, clear graphics, and lively text to inform and entertainFeatures dozens of representative species profilesCovers topics ranging from evolution and diversity to habitats and reproductionExamines how snakes coexist with humansDiscusses threats to the world’s snake populations and their conservationA must for snake lovers everywhere

Find out about snakes from all over the world in this best-selling visual guide, with information about snake evolution, habitats, reproductive behaviour, feeding, defence, and much more. Snake is the essential guide to the world of serpents, featuring more than 3,000 species. With a clean fresh look, classifications, stunning photography, and amazing artworks, this is a must-have reference for all herpetologists. Packed with fascinating facts such as physical and behavioural characteristics, this guide also includes focused profiles of 60 snakes, from the Rainbow Boa to the Tropical Rattlesnake. Each profile includes a stunning full-page photograph of the snake, supporting images to highlight important features, and a 'Fact File' sidebar to give at-a-glance information. Plus, a complete directory lists all known species of these fascinating reptiles, including venomous snakes such as cobras. Snake is a beautiful and comprehensive guide to some of nature's most compelling animals.

Reptiles and amphibians make fascinating pets, but need special housing, equipment, and care if they are to flourish in captivity. What's more, pet owners attracted by the absorbing hobby of reptile keeping need detailed information on available species. They need details on what to look for when purchasing reptiles, and how to take care of them on a daily basis. What Reptile? answers these questions and more in easy-to-understand, jargon-free language. The book's features include-- Photo illustrated profiles of newts, salamanders, frogs, toads, tortoises, turtles, lizards, and snakes Information on correct housing for each species, including details on terrariums and cages Feeding, daily care, breeding . . . and much more This fact-filled book is printed in four-colors throughout, with approximately 450 vivid photos showing every profiled animal.

With flattened bodies, opposed feet, independently swivelling eyes, a prehensile tail, and the ability to change colour, chameleons are both fascinating and charismatic. Chameleons is the first popular guide to this extraordinary animal group. This stunningly illustrated book begins by exploring chameleon evolution and classification, describing how they fit into life's evolutionary tree and revealing their close relations. It discusses the variations in size, shape, colour and markings among the many different species and explains why chameleons look like they do. There are chapters on reproduction and development, food and feeding, and how chameleons defend themselves against predators. Chapter six examines the relationship between chameleons and humans, from their occurrence in mythology and superstition to worldwide conservation work and details of where to see chameleons in the wild. The final section provides an overview of the ten genera of chameleons, describing their distinguishing features, distribution and natural history. Drawing on their vast experience, the authors provide an illuminating insight into the lives of these unusual animals.

With nearly 6,000 species currently identified, frogs and toads are the most familiar and abundant amphibians on the planet. Frogs and Toads of the World is a comprehensive guide to the natural history of this large and diverse group of creatures. Stunningly illustrated throughout with 200 color photographs, this one-of-a-kind book traces the evolution and classification of frogs and toads, providing detailed information about each of the 49 unique families and highlighting distinctive and notable species. It vividly describes their remarkable diversity in shape, color, and markings; anatomy and development; life cycle; habitats; the various methods they use to attract mates and hunt for food; and the physiological and behavioral tricks they use to survive and thrive around the world. This indispensable guide also explores frogs' interaction with humans, from modern-day collection for the meat trade, scientific research, and the trade in exotic pets to how their survival is being threatened by habitat destruction, climate change, and disease.* A comprehensive guide to the natural history of frogs and toads * Features 200 stunning color photographs * Covers each of the 49 unique frog families * Describes anatomy, life cycle, habitats, survival tricks, and more