"For families wanting to explore their local wildlife as well as an engaging read for those with a general interest in the subject." --Booklist The American West is home to a wide array of reptiles and amphibians-from the rare and curious to those that can be found in parks and backyards. With this user-friendly guide in hand, discover the most likely-to-be-encountered lizards, snakes, turtles, and amphibians native to Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, plus the western parts of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. Whether you are a dedicated herper or simply have a keen interest in wildlife and natural history, Sea Turtles to Sidewinders--from Charles Hood, Erin Westeen, and Jose Gabriel Martfnez-Fonsec--will help you appreciate and celebrate the amazing diversity represented by reptiles and amphibians of the West.

AS FEATURED ON BBC LONDON NEWS. Take four seasons, one photographer, eighty species, hundreds of miles on foot in a city of ten million people and through intimate and captivating portraits meet London's wild neighbours. London is not just a city of ten million people, it is also home to an extraordinary diversity of beautiful wildlife. With world population exploding and more and more countryside being lost to urban sprawl or commercial agriculture, the sharing of urban space with nature is more important than ever. To achieve this, we have to preserve and increase the green and blue spaces in our cities and see and love the wildlife that we already have. Since London is my city, I set out to observe and create photographic portraits of all the creatures I could find. Whilst this has taken many hundreds of hours, it has been the happiest time imaginable as I immersed myself in the sweetness and delight of my wild neighbours.

Remnants of an ancient lineage, tortoises date back to the Eocene. Among the five species remaining in North America, Texas tortoises are the smallest in size and inhabit some of the harshest arid environments known. They are also the most neglected by wildlife personnel. In "The Texas Tortoise," biologists Francis L. Rose and Frank W. Judd draw on decades of research to offer the first comprehensive account of this fascinating but threatened species.
The authors begin by explaining the relationship of the Texas tortoise to other species, fossil as well as extant. They delineate the Texas tortoise's environment and describe what it eats, how the animal grows and reproduces, and how it behaves. Throughout, Rose and Judd write eloquently about the threats to the species' survival, reflecting deep concern about its future protection.

The authors also discuss Texas tortoises' significance in supporting other species in their environment--southern Texas and northeastern Mexico--where their survival is threatened by habitat reduction and increasing road traffic. "If you see a tortoise on the roadway," Rose and Judd admonish the reader, "move it to safety, and drive away as quickly as legally allowed." It is in fact illegal to collect or possess a Texas tortoise. But for those who do, this book advises how to care for the animal.

Tortoises have enjoyed a splendid and diverse history. That they did so well for so long is perplexing, the authors note, as the animals are slow and do not actively defend themselves against predators. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department lists Texas tortoises as "threatened," and Rose and Judd call on the federal government to do the same. Biologists, conservationists, and turtle enthusiasts alike will find this guide to Texas and other tortoises invaluable.

Sir David Attenborough is Britain's best-known natural history film-maker. His career as a naturalist and broadcaster has spanned nearly six decades, and in this volume of memoirs Sir David tells stories of the people and animals he has met and the places he has visited. His first job - after Cambridge University and two years in the Royal Navy - was at a London publishing house. Then in 1952 he joined the BBC as a trainee producer, and it was while working on the Zoo Quest series (1954-64) that he had his first opportunity to undertake expeditions to remote parts of the globe, to capture intimate footage of rare wildlife in its natural habitat. He was Controller of BBC2 (1965-68), during which time he introduced colour television to Britain, then Director of Programmes for the BBC (1969-1972). However, in 1973 he abandoned administration altogether to return to documentary-making and writing, and has established himself as the world's leading Natural History programme maker with several landmark BBC series, including Life on Earth (1979), The Living Planet (1984), The Trials of Life (1990), The Private Life of Plants (1995), Life of Birds (1998), The Blue Planet (2001), Life of Mammals (2002), Planet Earth (2006) and Life in Cold Blood (2008). Sir David is an Honorary Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge, a Fellow of the Royal Society and was knighted in 1985. He is also Britain's most respected, trusted and lauded natural history broadcaster and writer, championing conservation and standing at the forefront of issues concerning the planet's declining species. A lot has changed since his first television documentary, and in this updated edition of Life on Air Sir David tells us of his experiences of filming in the 21st century.

The Arctic Guide presents the traveler and naturalist with a portable, authoritative guide to the flora and fauna of earth's northernmost region. Featuring superb color illustrations, this one-of-a-kind book covers the complete spectrum of wildlife--more than 800 species of plants, fishes, butterflies, birds, and mammals--that inhabit the Arctic's polar deserts, tundra, taiga, sea ice, and oceans. It can be used anywhere in the entire Holarctic region, including Norway's Svalbard archipelago, Siberia, the Russian Far East, islands of the Bering Sea, Alaska, the Canadian Arctic, and Greenland. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, size, habitat, range, scientific name, and the unique characteristics that enable these organisms to survive in the extreme conditions of the Far North. A color distribution map accompanies each species account, and alternative names in German, French, Norwegian, Russian, Inuit, and Inupiaq are also provided. * Features superb color plates that allow for quick identification of more than 800 species of plants, fishes, butterflies, birds, and mammals * Includes detailed species accounts and color distribution maps * Covers the flora and fauna of the entire Arctic region

A Photographic Guide to the Wildlife of Seychelles covers the inner and outer islands of the Seychelles archipelago, and includes photographs of over 220 species of flora and fauna, including birds, mammals, butterflies and other insects, reptiles, amphibians, fish, molluscs and crustaceans, with descriptions, information about where to find them, and their conservation status. Although the Seychelles islands only amount to an area of 455 km2 and are spread across 115 islands in the Western Indian Ocean, they support a diverse catalogue of flowering plants, at least 100 of which are found nowhere else. The introduction covers the geography, historical background and climate of Seychelles, as well as travel practicalities. The guide also features a selection of 16 of the best nature trails on Mahe, Praslin, Silhouette, La Digue, Curieuse, Aride and Cousin Islands, with route maps and details of what can be seen.

In clear and concise language and drawings, these booklets describe the common species the reader is likely to come across in Southwestern terrain.

A comprehensive taxonomy of the anuran fauna in Alabama Frogs and Toads of Alabama is the most comprehensive taxonomy of the anuran fauna gathered since Robert H. Mount's 1975 volume on the reptiles and amphibians of Alabama. This richly illustrated guide provides an up-to-date summary of the taxonomy and life history of both native frogs and toads and those introduced to the state. Alabama possesses one of the most species-rich biotas of North America, and this richness is reflected in its frogs and toads. The authors examine all known species within the state and describe important regional variations in each species, including changes within species across the state's many habitats. Significant field studies, pertaining especially to species conservation, inform each account. The life history entry for each species consists of scientific and common names, full-color photographs, a morphological description, discussion of habits and life cycle, and a distribution map depicting areas in which the species is located throughout the state, as well as notes on conservation and management practices. The illustrated taxonomic keys provided for families, genera, species, and subspecies will be an invaluable resource to herpetologists. This extensive guide will serve as a single resource for understanding the rich natural history of Alabama by shedding light on this important aspect of its biodiversity, especially in light of ongoing changes in the habitats of many of Alabama's herpetofauna. Accessible to all, this volume is valuable for both the professional herpetologist and the general reader interested in frogs and toads.

A beautiful, illustrated book full of ideas to get you back in touch with nature. Spending time in nature is scientifically proven to be good for us - the benefits are endless and it has the power to make us feel better both physically and emotionally. Organised by season, The Wild Handbook provides a thoughtful collection of activities to get you back in touch with nature and improve your physical and mental wellbeing. It's an antidote to the stresses of modern life - activities include stargazing, wild swimming, various seasonal crafts, forest bathing, foraging and filling your home with natural materials and air purifying plants. Whether you live in the middle of a city or out in the countryside, you'll find practical ideas to suit your lifestyle. Illustrated with atmospheric colour artwork, this beautiful gift book makes a wonderful present for the nature-seeker in all of us.

A beautiful photographic guide to British flora and fauna through the year and around the British Isles, from remote beaches to wetland centers, fens to forests, valleys to island and more! Do you know where to find an adder, or where to spot a seal? And do you know the best time of year to go in search of booming bitterns or boxing hares? If you're seeking the answers to all these questions and more, then this may be book for you! It's no secret that Britain is home to a huge variety of flora and fauna. From the countryside and national parks, to the coastline, the woods, fields, forests and more. Where To Go Wild in the British Isles unveils the most spectacular wild places to visit all year round. Search by time of year, destination, wildlife attraction, or simply flick through the pages and be inspired! With over 125 great wildlife sights and wild places, there's something for everyone - from pine martens, nesting kingfishers, and woodland butterflies, to whale watching, fishing otters, and rutting red deer. These are brought to life with stunning photography, making this book a delight to browse through as well being a working travel guide. Immerse yourself in the pages of this inspiring habitat book to discover: -Stunning photography and evocative text combines with practical travel information to make this book both a coffee-table must-have and a working travel guide -Entries include a locator map and practical information about each place -A comprehensive reference section at the back lists details of over 500 wild places to visit in all regions of the British Isles A must-have volume for nature lovers of all ages, whether budding botanists or inspect spotters alike, Where To Go Wild in the British Isles is perfect as a gift or self-purchase, and can easily be used by travellers and tourists who enjoy exploring the UK and the great outdoors. With details of over 500 wild places to visit in all regions of the UK, from the Scottish islands to the Channel Islands; and East Anglia to Northern Ireland, as well as practical advice on what to take on your trip and top tips and tricks on wildlife spotting and the country code, this all-encompassing wildlife guide is sure to delight!

When all seems lost and we're certain that love is dead, the animal kingdom teaches us to hope again. It's easy to let our differences divide us, but that hasn't stopped the animal pals in this book whose love for each other is pure: a golden retriever and a cheetah. A badger and a fox. A pair of guinea pigs sharing snacks. These friendships, between species and family across the animal kingdom, are captured in this collection of over 80 photos featuring pure and adorable moments of animals playing, cuddling and exploring the world together. Whenever we're in doubt, this photo collection is here to warm our hearts and remind us that love is real (and that pandas are cute).

The Bears Ears National Monument in southeastern Utah, created by President Obama in 2016 and eviscerated by the Trump administration in 2017, contains more archaeological sites than any other region in the United States. It’s also a spectacularly beautiful landscape, a mosaic of sandstone canyons and bold mesas and buttes. This wilderness, now threatened by oil and gas drilling, unrestricted grazing, and invasion by Jeep and ATV, is at the center of the greatest environmental battle in America since the damming of the Colorado River to create Lake Powell in the 1950s. In The Bears Ears, acclaimed adventure writer David Roberts takes readers on a tour of his favorite place on earth as he unfolds the rich and contradictory human history of the 1.35 million acres of the Bears Ears domain. Weaving personal memoir with archival research, Roberts sings the praises of the outback he’s explored for the last twenty-five years.

For more than 50 years, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition has championed honest and ethical wildlife photography, while pushing the boundaries of artistic freedom, technical skill, and narrative excellence. This powerful collection of pictures features all the winning photographs from the 2018 competition. The collection represents the work of many international photographers, both professionals and amateurs. The photographs are chosen by an international jury for their artistic merit and originality, from categories that represent a diversity of natural subjects. The range of styles is diverse, as is the genre of photography, including action, macro, underwater, landscape, or environmental reportage. Each photograph is accompanied by an extended caption and there is an introduction by one of the world's most respected nature photographers.

Connecting with nature. Back to the real world. That's what this book is all about. From island-hopping in the Isles of Scilly to wild camping along Scotland's Whale Route, Family Wildlife Adventures is full of inspiration for exploring Britain's amazing wildlife with your children. Family travel expert and father of two William Gray has your weekends and school holidays sorted with exciting ideas for adventures by canoe, bike, campervan, boat and more. From time travel along Dorset's Jurassic Coast to canoe-camping in the Norfolk Broads or sea kayaking in the Hebrides, you'll find 50 experiences in this book guaranteed to fuel any child's love of wildlife and adventure. Some of them might reward you with sightings of puffins, otters, eagles or seals. Others may reveal small wonders, like dragonflies, blennies and lizards. But no matter which adventure you choose, you and your family will be transported to one of Britain's special wild places. Armed with all the practical information you need to plan a fun and safe day out, week or weekend away, this Bradt guide has something for all families keen to discover the natural wonders of Britain - and have unforgettable adventures along the way.

The New York Times bestseller, now available in paperback with an all-new afterword by the author.

Love them or loathe them, rats are here to stay-they are city dwellers as much as (or more than) we are, surviving on the effluvia of our society. In Rats, the critically acclaimed bestseller, Robert Sullivan spends a year investigating a rat-infested alley just a few blocks away from Wall Street. Sullivan gets to know not just the beast but its friends and foes: the exterminators, the sanitation workers, the agitators and activists who have played their part in the centuries-old war between human city dweller and wild city rat.

Sullivan looks deep into the largely unrecorded history of the city and its masses-its herds-of-rats-like mob. Funny, wise, sometimes disgusting but always compulsively readable, Rats earns its unlikely place alongside the great classics of nature writing.

The intersection of race and species has a long and problematic history. Western thinking specifically has demonstrated a societal need to try to conceive of race as a purely biological fact rather than a social construct. This book is an academic-activist challenge to that instinct, prioritizing anti-racism in its observation of the animal-race intersection. Too often, as BEnEdicte Boisseron has indicated, this intersection typically appears in the form of animal activists instrumentalizing racial discrimination as a vehicle to approach animal rights. But why does this intersection exist, and, perhaps more importantly, how can we challenge it moving forward? This volume examines those two critical questions, taking an interdisciplinary approach in moving across subjects including art history, film studies, American history, and digital media analysis. Our interpretation of animals has, for centuries, been fundamental in the development of Western race thinking. This collection of essays looks at how this perspective contributes to the construction of racial discrimination, prioritizing ways to read the animal in our culture as a means for working to dismantle this conception.

ETHNOBOTANY / ANIMALS "Samorini's observations support his controversial hypothesis that human drugtaking derives from a universal, biologically-based drive to alter consciousness. This perspective on drug-taking behavior can only enlarge our own views about the phenomenon which, in many humans, has become so contentious." --Rick Strassman, M.D., author of DMT: The Spirit Molecule and Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico School of Medicine "Samorini offers evidence for not only the theory of a biological basis of the pursuit of altered states, but also the possibility that this activity may expand the behavioral repertoire, thus altering evolution. Provocative reading." --Julie Holland, M.D., Editor of Ecstasy: The Complete Guide and Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Bellevue Psychiatric Emergency Department From caffeine-dependant goats to nectar addicted ants, wildlife offers amazing examples of animals and insects seeking out and consuming the psychoactive substances in their environments. Ethnobotonist Giorgio Samorini explores this little-known phenomenon and suggests that, far from being confined to humans, the desire to experience altered states of consciousness is a natural drive shared by all living beings and that animals engage in these behaviors deliberately. Rejecting the Western cultural assumption that drug use is unnatural, Samorini opens our eyes to the possibility that beings who consume psychedelics--whether humans or animals--contribute to the evolution of their species by creating entirely new patterns of behavior that eventually will be adopted by other members of that species. The author's fascinating accounts ofmushroom-loving reindeer, intoxicated birds, and drunken elephants ensure that readers will never view the animal world in quite the same way again. Ethnobotonist and ethnomycologist Giorgio Samorini has studied the use of psychoactive substances for more than twenty years, conducting research in Africa, Latin America, India, and Europe. He is editor-in-chief of the scientific journal Eleusis, Plants and Psychoactive Compounds. He lives in Italy.