Author Description

Product DescriptionThis is the first guide yet produced to the amphibians and reptiles of New York State, a large and heavily populated state that hosts a surprisingly diverse and interesting community of amphibians and reptiles. This much needed guide to the identification, distribution, natural history and conservation of the amphibians and reptiles of New York State fill a long-empty niche. The book is the first comprehensive presentation of the distributional data gathered for the New York State Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project. With more than 60,000 records compiled from 1990-1999, this extraordinary and up-to-date database provides a rich foundation for the book. This volume provides detailed narratives on the 69 species native to New York State. With a heavy emphasis on conservation biology, the book also includes chapters on threats, legal protections, habitat conservation guidelines, and conservation case studies. Also included are 67 distribution maps and 62 pages of color photographs contributed by more than 30 photographers. As a field guide or a desk reference The Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State is indispensable for anyone interested in the vertebrate animals of the Northeast, as well as students, field researchers and natural resource professionals.Review"Read, and own, this fine book and learn how to find and help protect your herp friends."--The Independent"A long awaited, much-needed guide to the herpetofauna of a state at the crossroads of north and south."--CHOICE"Will do much towards teaching New Yorkers and their neighbors about their herpetofauna and will hopefully open their eyes to the many threats these animals face in modern times. The suggestions provided here to protect and conserve the habitats of these animals will go a long way to ensure that New York will not lose these species to statewide extinction." --Joseph C. Mitchell, University of Richmond"The authors of this solid book combine a huge amount of experience and together probably have more expertise than those of any other state guide. I particularly enjoyed the sections on the history of herpetology studies in New York State and the nods to the urban herpetofauna of New York City. The book is explicitly oriented toward people who want to identify specimens they've encountered and learn more about the animals in their area." --Russell Burke, Hofstra UniversityAbout the AuthorJames Gibbs is an Associate Professor of Environmental and Forest Biology at SUNY-ESF Syracuse. Alvin Breisch is State Herpetologist for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Peter Ducey is a Professor of Biology at SUNY Cortland. Glenn Johnson is a Professor of Biologyat SUNY Potsdam. The Late John Behler was with the Wildlife Conservation Society. Richard Bothner is a Professor of Biology at St. Bonaventure University in Olean.