Books on Animals
Reptiles and amphibians: Books about turtles, terrapins
and tortoises
If you want to buy a book, clicking on the book
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See also:
 Books
on lizards
Books on snakes
Books on amphibians
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The Biology, Husbandry and Health Care of Reptiles:
The Biology of Reptiles
Lowell Ackerman
TFH Publications
ISBN: 0793805015
Volume 1 of a three-volume set which is geared to reptile keepers and
biology students, and which is also useful for vets because of the detail
that it goes into. The issues are well-explained, and the material is
well-presented and up-to-date. These volumes are a very useful resource
for any serious herp enthusiast who finds that their collection is increasing.
This volume deals with biology, while the other two deal with husbandry
(vol 2) and health care (vol 3).
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The Biology of Reptiles: Husbandry
Lowell J. Ackerman,
Lowell Ackerman (Editor)
TFH Publications
ISBN: 0793805023
Volume 2 of a three-volume set which is geared to reptile keepers and
biology students, and which is also useful for vets because of the detail
that it goes into. The issues are well-explained, and the material is
well-presented and up-to-date. These volumes are a very useful resource
for any serious herp enthusiast who finds that their collection is increasing.
This volume deals with husbandry, while the other two deal with biology
(vol 1) and health care (vol 3).
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The Biology of Reptiles: Health Care
Lowell J. Ackerman,
Lowell Ackerman (Editor)
TFH Publications
ISBN: 0793805031
Volume 3 of a three-volume set which is geared to reptile keepers and
biology students, and which is also useful for vets because of the detail
that it goes into. The issues are well-explained, and the material is
well-presented and up-to-date. These volumes are a very useful resource
for any serious herp enthusiast who finds that their collection is increasing.
This volume deals with health care, while the other two deal with biology
(vol 1) and husbandry (vol 2).
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Collins Field Guide: Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain
and Europe
(Collins Field Guides)
E.N. Arnold, J.A. Burton, D.W. Ovenden
Collins
ISBN: 0002193183
A delightful book for anyone going on holiday in Europe or the UK, who
wants to check out the local herps. This book is a comprehensive survey,
giving detailed descriptions of different species, with illustrations
and distribution maps. There is also information on juveniles as well
as adults. The best field guide for European reptiles and amphibians.
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Turtles and Tortoises (A Complete Pet Owner's Manual)
R.D. Bartlett
Barron's Educational Series
ISBN: 0812097122
A short guide to choosing and caring for pet turtles and tortoises,
from a reptile expert. There is background information on the lifestyle
of the tortoise family in the wild, so help pet owners understand chelonian
needs, especially their housing and feeding needs. There are also accounts
of different species. This is an especially good book for children, because
it's so clearly written and well set out.
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Terrarium and Cage Construction and Care
R.D. Bartlett
Barron's Educational Series
ISBN: 0764106732
A very useful guide to what to put in your terrarium, and how to create
habitats suitable for different types of reptiles and amphibians. It doesn't
go into the DIY of building cages and terrariums in detail, but provides
some general help, with more detailed coverage of furnishings and plants.
This book is a very good source of ideas, even for experienced herp keepers.
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The Reptile and Amphibian Problem Solver: Practical
and Expert Advice on Keeping Snakes, Lizards, Frogs and Other Reptiles
and Amphibians
Robert Davies, Valerie Davies
Tetra Press
ISBN: 1564651940
This is a very useful trouble shooting guide with over 450 common problems
tackled. There is also information on how to care for over 100 species
of amphibians and reptiles. The advice is clearly written, and this manual
is very useful for those needing a quick reference book to deal with any
problems that may affect their herps.
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Turtles and Tortoises (A Firefly Guide)
Vincenzo Ferri
Firefly Books Ltd
ISBN: 1552096319
This is a beautifully illustrated guide to turtles and tortoises of the
world, aimed at a general readership. There is an account of most species
found world-wide, as well as a general overview. The chapters focus on
different regions and habitats, such as oceans, and different arctic and
tropical regions. This is both a useful reference book for information
about species, and an enjoyable book to browse through.
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The New Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians
Tim Halliday (Editor), Kraig Adler (Editor)
Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198525079
This encyclopedia contains up-to-date research from well-known zoologists,
presented in a way that is accessible to a wider audience. It gives a
fascinating overview of amphibians and reptiles, providing a wealth of
information on a wide range of topics. It's accessible enough to interest
older children, as well as being thorough and accurate enough to satisfy
the most demanding herp enthusiast. It's also very well-illustrated. One
of an excellent series from OUP, which also includes mammals.
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The Tortoise Trust Guide to Tortoises and Turtles
Andy Highfield
Carpace Press
ISBN 1873943016
This is an excellent introduction to tortoises, terrapins and turtles
from Andy Highfield. There is information on a number of species, and
help with general care such as feeding, housing and breeding. This book
is short, but packed with information, and it's slim enough to take to
the zoo with you. It's very well written, and is accessible to younger
readers, as well as adults, without being too simplistic.
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Practical Encyclopedia of Keeping and Breeding Tortoises
and Freshwater Turtles
A.C. Highfield
Carapace Press
ISBN: 1873943067
This is an essential guide for anyone who is seriously enthusiastic
about keeping tortoises and turtles. It is a little expensive for a novice
who is not yet committed, but is extremely useful as a reference book
for a long-term enthusiast. It is clearly written, with very helpful sections
on tackling health problems, as well as giving advice on how to avoid
them, through providing the right housing and food. Experienced tortoise
and turtle lovers can benefit from learning new approaches to husbandry
and health care. The book is also very well illustrated.
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The Tortoise and Turtle Feeding Manual
A.C. Highfield
Carapace Press
ISBN: 1873943237
A short, but extremely useful guide to tortoise and turtle nutrition,
which can help prevent bone and shell problems. The different dietary
needs of tortoises and turtles from different environments are covered,
as are the feeding needs of hatchlings, the usage of wild foods, and nutritional
supplements. There is a very useful list of toxic plants. There are also
photographs illustrating the impact of diet on shell development.
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Understanding Reptile Parasites: a Basic Manual for
Herpetoculturists & Veterinarians
Roger J Klingenberg
Advanced Vivarium Systems
ISBN: 1882770218
A short, inexpensive guide to reptile parasites, which is worth buying,
whether you are a novice or an experienced keeper. Prevention is better
than cure, and this applies to preventing diseases in humans that can
be caught from reptiles, as well as problems in reptiles themselves. It
is useful for vets, but is also accessible enough for the general reader,
taking one gently into such arcane pursuits as the study of fecal matter,
and parasite identification.
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The Reproductive Biology of the Chelonia (Zoophysiology)
G. Kuchling Springer-Verlag
Berlin and Heidelberg
ISBN: 3540630139
A book for very serious chelonia fans with deep pockets! It's not really
worth buying this book unless you plan to breed chelonia, or have special
interest in going very deeply into their reproductive habits. There is
a strong focus on how chelonia have come to occupy different ecological
niches, and how a study of this can help breeders of captive chelonians.
Tortoise mating jokes aside, the book provides a serious examination of
the physiology of chelonian reproduction, and how this meshes with ecological
conditions in different habitats.
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Reptile Medicine and Surgery
Douglas R. Mader
Saunders
ISBN: 0721652085
A fairly pricey, fat reference book for vets and serious herpetologists.
This book deals with health problems of amphibians as well as reptiles.
It is comprehensive, with input from experienced specialists in the field.
There are also some very useful nutritional tables. It's easy to use,
and is designed for quick reference, with helpful illustrations. There's
enough here to interest vet specialists in this field, as well as serious
keepers of reptiles and amphibians.
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Veterinary Management of Tortoises and Turtles
Stuart, MRCVS McArthur (Editor)
Blackwell Science (UK)
ISBN: 0632040599
This is not very expensive for a technical book aimed at vets. It is
a very important, up-to-date reference work for tortoise and turtle ailments,
so is worth investing in if you have a serious interest in breeding and
keeping chelonians. There are illustrations of different medical conditions,
and recommended drug dosages are set out. Tortoise and turtle enthusiasts
can use the book to prevent health problems in their pets, as well as
decide whether vet treatment is necessary. They can, of course, lend the
book to any vet they see who has not read it - the vet is likely to be
able to understand the details of the text better than a general reader,
and may find the information extremely helpful.
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Survivors in Armor: Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins
Ronald Orenstein
Key Porter Books Ltd
ISBN: 1552633667
This is a very well-illustrated guide to the natural history of turtles,
tortoises and terrapins, from the Project director of the International
Wildlife Coalition, Ronald Orenstein. The turtle family is under threat
from erosion of their habitat, and from humans wanting to eat them, use
their shells, and keep them as pets! Dr. Jeanne Mortimer and Dr George
Zug, who are also active in conservation, both contribute to this important
work, which stresses the uinqueness of tortoises, turtles and terrapins,
and their long history on the planet, where they are now under threat.
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Turtles and Tortoises for Dummies (For Dummies)
Liz Palika
Hungry Minds Inc
ISBN: 0764553135
Easy to follow, and very good value for the amount of information it
contains. This is an excellent guide for novices who are interested in
all the tortoise family. They should read it before getting their first
specimen, or buying new ones - there is some very useful advice on the
relative difficulty of different species. Liz Palika is a well-known US
specialist in reptiles, and the book is geared to US readers, but it is
packed with so much information that we could forgive her for being American.
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Mediterranean Tortoises
Brian Pursall
TFH Publications
ISBN 0 7938 0284 9
This book is especially useful for British tortoise owners, since the
species is the one most commonly kept in Britain. It is a short, inexpensive,
introductory guide to keeping tortoises, which is packed with information
on a wide range of issues, such as housing, feeding, and breeding. There
is also advice on helping your tortoise through hibernation, especially
important in Britain, where many tortoises get lost in the undergrowth
of gardens and do not survive the winter!
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Turtles and Tortoises (Family Pet Series)
Hartmut Wilke
Barron's Educational Series
ISBN: 0764151177
This is a well illustrated guide for novices which is accessible to younger
readers as well as adults. It is easy to follow, and offers a lot of useful
information, though adults are likely to want to go a little more deeply
into the topic.
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Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and
Reptiles
George Zug, Laurie J. Vitt, Janalee P. Caldwell
Academic Press
ISBN: 012782622X
A little pricey, but you get a lot of book for your money! This is thorough
enough for degree-level students, yet is accessible to the general reader
with an interest in herps. It is the second edition of a well-loved text,
which has been fully revised to bring it up to date and make it easier
to use. Anyone who likes herps will find it fascinating, and it is the
leading work in herpetology for biologists.
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