Synopses & Reviews
This new title covers the curious world of reptiles and amphibians, both common and rare, found in the Indian faunal limits. There has been no book to rival J C Daniel's earlier Book of Indian Reptiles, also published by the Bombay Natural History Society in 1983. He has now presented an entirely new text of not only a large number of reptiles, but has also described frogs, toads, and other amphibians, a much neglected group that is revealed in this book as picturesque, and biologically interesting as any other group of animals. This book contains field observations and photographs, and descriptions of 175 species including 53 snakes, 45 lizards of various groups, 31 tortoises and turtles, and 45 amphibians. Almost each species has been illustrated with the line drawings, photographs and reproductions of paintings from the Journal of the BNHS. The book satisfies professional zoologists, amateur naturalists, students and the interested general reader alike. There is a reference section with reptiles and amphibians listed separately. Photographic contributions from several members of the BNHS, add contemporary appeal to this exciting new field guide, which also contains snippets of historical information.
About the Author
J C Daniel began his career with the BNHS, served as a curator, then its first Director, and continues his association with the Society after retirement as the Honorary Secretary. He has published works to his credit, including
The Book of Indian Reptiles,
A Century of Natural History and
Conservation in Developing Countries. He has co-authored
Indian Wildlife - Insight Guides Lion Section. He revised
The Book of Indian Birds by Salim Ali (current 12th edition) and he is presently revising
Prater's Book of Indian Animals, another BNHS classic. As Executive Editor of the Society's journal and the initiator of the
Hornbill magazine, which celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 2001, he is a familiar name to readers, with more than 50 papers in journals and popular magazines to his credit.
Table of Contents
Preface
1. Introduction to Reptiles
2. Crocodiles
3. Turtles and Tortoises
4. Lizards
5. Snakes
6. Amphibians
Abbreviations
Glossary
References
Additional Reading
Indexes