Product Description

The first ever comprehensive guide to the amphibians and reptiles of Costa Rica. This book contains descriptions of the majority of the country's species. In addition to 86 color pages and 100 black and white plates, also included is a complete species list, an illustrated glossary and an exhaustive bibliography.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #871843 in Books
• Published on: 2001-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 305 pages

About the Author
Twan Leenders, a naturalist, biologist, and nature photographer, graduated from the University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands, before embarking of many years of field investigation and research in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras.

Customer Reviews

Like a Reps & Amps Bible
Twan Leenders has used his extraordinary knowledge and cool wit to create what is truly a revised Bible for the herpetological world. I recently ventured to Costa Rica on a field expedition in attempts to create an inventory of species in a certain area of rainforest, and had Twan's book with me 24/7. Not only is the information detailed and well-thought out; it is interesting to read and inspiring to the naturalist. I have had the pleasure of meeting Twan Leenders and can say with all honesty that he is one of the most respectable and knowledgable herpetologists in the field. Thank you Twan for your talent and depth of character, and for understanding and promoting the integrity of our living resources.

Will probably be the standard field guide to Costa Rican herps for years to come
This is far and away the best field guide to Costa Rican amphibians and reptiles. At 305 pages long it provides photographs, line drawings and description for most of the country's 400+ species strong herpetofauna. Most of the species not covered are those that require laboratory conditions (e.g. dissection) for unequivocal identification. For those wanting a complete treatment, Jay Savage's "Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica" (available on Amazon, ISBN: 0226735370) is marvelous but not meant for the field. So, when all's said and done, this is the handy guide that all naturalists will want to take on a trip to Costa Rica. To that end, the book is a nice size (8 x 5"), is printed on quality paper and is fairly well bound, though the covers are flimsy. Information is clearly presented and (apart from the 86 central color plates) helpful illustrations are sprinkled throughout the text. Useful introductions are provided to orders and families. Surprisingly there are no maps - they would have been an additional identification aid. Nevertheless, this is an essential field guide and well worth the price.

Handy Field Guide, Readable Book.
I used this book as a field guide in costa rica and found it to be on par with what I expect of a field guide. Good pictures, decent descriptions and a fair amount of general information. With the wealth of Herpofauna in Costa Rica a book of this small size can not go indepth as I would like, but the size makes it easy to take on a trip and a good read for anyone just getting there feet wet in costa rican reptiles.

However if you want the full and complete story of these amazing animals then check out Jay Savage's book on Costa Rican reptiles. To big to take on trips, but to great to pass up.