A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe

Illustrated by D.W. Ovenden. 8vo; pictorial boards; pp. 272 including index; colour plates; black-and-white illustrations; distribution maps; date written on front pastedown. Severe tape scarring to endpapers, else very good condition. "Here is the first comprehensive guide to a fascinating group of animals - the British and European salamanders, frogs and tree frogs, toads, tortoises, turtles and terrapins, geckoes, agamas, lizards and chameleons, slow worms, skinks, amphisbaenians and the 25 species of snakes. The whole of mainland Europe is covered, from the Ural Mountains westwards and also the Mediterranean islands. . Every species and distinct subspecies is described in detail, with notes on its range, size, colour and markings, diagnostic characters, habitat, behaviour and, in the case of venomous snakes, the type and virulence of its poison. There is an introduction to each new group and wherever helpful a key to its species. All are in systematic order except for the small lizards, which are more usefully treated by region. Pages 9-27 provide an introduction to the whole study of our amphibians and reptiles with special sections on snakebite and its avoidance or treatment and on the British fauna. At the end of the book are keys for identifying eggs and tadpoles (larvae) of frogs, toads, newts and salamanders; a section on internal characters; glossary; bibliography; and index of English and Latin names. The whole book is most beautifully illustrated, with 262 illustrations in colour, a further 256 meticulous drawings, and 126 distribution maps.".…