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Outdated Field Guide
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by HerpFever46 on January 7, 2005
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Hey guys,
Does anyone else on this forum share my opinion that they have to make a new and updated field guide to North American reptiles and amphibians? I own a copy of the National Audubon Society guide but it is over two decades old and taxonomical changes must be made. Does anyone know of any new field guides? Also, you might have read that I am taking a trip to Venezuela in the summer in order to further expand my studies in Bothrops pit vipers and I was wondering if anyone knows of a book that covers all or at least most of the colubrid snakes of Venezuela. I also need help assembling a field crew. Does anyone have any info as to where I can get one? Thanks!
Bryan
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RE: Outdated Field Guide
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by ALA_herp31 on January 7, 2005
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I agree, some are very bad out of date. Hope they start writing some new ones soon. I have the National Audubon Society Field Guide, it is badly out of date. Some of the Snakes ranges listed in the Audubon Field Guide are way off. For example here in North AL, the Guide says we should not have (Lampropeltis g. holbrooki) Speckled Kingsnake, but in the low land areas close to my house I have found 4 since about 5 years ago. I found all of them in Swampy areas, not in the water tho, I found them laying under old logs and sunning themselves in open sunny areas, just a example of the need to write new Guides .........Be safe, happy herping Wally
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RE: Outdated Field Guide
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by Buzztail1 on January 7, 2005
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Bryan,
The Peterson Field Guide is much more up-to-date. There are several other "newer" field guides like the two volume (I believe) set by Dr. Rossi but my favorite is the Peterson Field Guide.
I honestly don't know about a field guide for Venezuela but I do know that the one on The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica by Jay M. Savage is a very nice book. Not something you want to be carrying in the field but very nicely done.
Karl H. Betz
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RE: Outdated Field Guide
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by agkistrodude on January 7, 2005
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I agree,the Audubon Society Field Guide is marginal at best.I bought one in 1979 and still have it (though rarely use it)I've looked at new ones and they haven't been updated much if at all.My preferance for a quick referance field guide is "Peterson Field Guides" Reptiles and Amphibians.It dosen't have quite as many pretty pictures, but alot more info.I like the maps alot more too.I combine the 2 books, useing Audubons basically just for the pics.Thats my 2 cents, I'd like to hear about some other good field guides if anyone else knows of any. Hope this helps, Marty
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Venezuela.
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by MattHarris on January 7, 2005
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The "Checklist and key to the snakes of Venezuela"(1999) by Paul M. Kornacker is a decent reference.
I got it, I think through Zoo Book Sales, but I really can't remember.
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RE: Venezuela.
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by Snake17 on January 8, 2005
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You guys should be thankfull for a 20 year old field guide(I have the National Audobon Sociery Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of North America too). The only relatively accesibile and good herp book in Romania was published in 1969. And that`s the only so called field guide that we have. I don`t even have the original, but a xeroxed version...:))
The book is actualy realy good and gives very good info on our herps(except for the species range distribution of course and taxonomy). I wish I`d have a good 20 year old Field Guide to The reptiles of Europe. Best regards, Alex S.
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RE: Venezuela.
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by AquaHerp on January 8, 2005
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INformation changes so quickly in today's world that most books, especially of these types are pretty much outdated and in need of revisions before they even hit the printers. Many states are putting out their own through local Natural Resources branches and these are sometimes a quick fix for local stuff.
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RE: Venezuela.
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by ALA_herp31 on January 8, 2005
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They just cant keep up, I guess. Your right Doug, seems every time they write a new Field Guide, their already needing to write another. Man just cant keep up with the old Reptile can he? They leave us in their dust “LOL”. I guess all we can do is try and make the best of what we have at the time. My( National Audubon Field Guide), has been used down to the point that its almost unreadable, the pictures are starting to fade and the writing is getting a little runny, but it still dose good. I think I am going to invest in the Peterson Field Guide and use both Audubon & Peterson together as cross references ..........Be safe ya’ll, happy herping Wally
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RE: Venezuela.
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by HerpFever46 on January 8, 2005
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Thanks for the book suggestion Matt. I guess you guys are right. Since the world of taxonomy is constantly changing and new species are discovered frequently, there will always be a need for another field guide. I think I will also buy myself a Peterson Field Guide and use it along with the old National Audubon Society one. Thanks for the advice. I wish you all the best in your herpetological pursuits and God bless.
Bryan
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RE: Outdated Field Guide
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by Buzztail1 on January 8, 2005
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Alex S.
Try Reptiles and Amphibians of Europe by E. Nicholas Arnold and Illustrated by Denys W. Ovenden.
It is published in the United States and the Phillipine Islands by Princeton University Press, 41 William Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.
The second (current) edition was published in 2002.
Library of Conress Control Number 2002107592
ISBN 0-691-11413-7
http://pup.princeton.edu/titles/7513.html
Good luck,
Karl
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