Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Pocket Guide

Costa Rica is a remarkable place for amphibians and reptiles. Known for its biological diversity, conservation priorities, and extensive protected lands, this small country contains 412 herpetological species including the dangerous fer-de-lance and black-headed bushmaster, the biologically complex poison dart frog, the beloved sea turtles, as well as numerous dink, foam, glass, and rain frogs. Additional species are thought to be nearing extinction while others have only been introduced recently.

Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica is the perfect introductory guide to this diverse herpetofauna in a format that makes it easy to carry into the field. The focus is on identification with a complete species list for the country including scientific, English Common, and Spanish Common names, as well as the older names for the many species that have been recently reclassified. Key ID marks are noted as well as adult sizes. Range maps identify the region(s) where species are known to be present. Color photographs and drawings are provided for over 80 percent of the species, representing those that are most likely to be encountered. Designed with ease of use in mind, this guide will be a great aid to the observer in identifying the specimen at hand.

Federico Muñoz Chacón is a Costa Rican research biologist and science educator. He has dedicated his life to studying the reptiles and amphibians of Costa Rica and to promoting ecological awareness. He lives in Monteverde, Costa Rica, where he owns and operates the biological reserve Terra Viva. Richard Dennis Johnston is a biochemist who serves on the advisory board of the International Herpetological Symposium. Johnston has been studying and photographing reptiles and amphibians for more than forty-five years.