Thailand is home to over 350 species of reptiles, consisting of many kinds of turtles and tortoises, lizards, snakes and crocodiles. With its extensive network of
protected areas, Thailand is one of the
richest and
most ecologically diverse countries in the world. However, many of these species are being threatened more than ever before,
including habitat loss caused by agricultural expansion and intensification, and from
wildlife trade. For herpetologists and naturalists, understanding the reptiles of Thailand is now more important than ever before.
With A Field Guide to the Reptiles of Thailand, Tanya Chan-ard, John Parr, and Jarujin Nabhitabhata present the definitive resource for identifying and understanding all known species of reptile in the region. It is the only updated and complete guide to the country's reptilian life in existence. The book contains an account of every species, complete with nomenclature, color illustrations, and range maps of known locations. The accounts include discussion of behavior, morphological measurements, and habitat, as well as the most current information on each species' conservation status. The authors explain the current system of classifying the threat level of endangerment, making the presented information and terminology understandable and useful. The introduction to the book discusses the history of herpetology in Thailand, as well as its climate, physiography, and zoogeography. A section on how to use the guide most effectively has also been included to make the book accessible to a wide range of both scientists and nature enthusiasts. A Field Guide to the Reptiles of Thailand is the definitive and most comprehensive resource for herpetologists, naturalists, and conservationists working in Thailand.
FOREWORD ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION History of Herpetology in Thailand Physiography Climate Habitats Zoogeography The Conservation of Reptiles The Protected Area System HOW TO USE THIS BOOK SYSTEMATIC SECTION THE PLATES 1. Big-headed Turtle and leatherback 2. Sea Turtles I 3. Sea Turtles II 4. Pond Turtles 5. Pond Turtles 6. Pond Turtles 7. Tortoises 8. Turtles & Softshell Turtles 9. Softshell Turtles 10. Gliding Lizards I 11. Gliding Lizards 12. Tree Lizards 13. Anglehead Lizards & Crested Lizards 14. Crested Lizards 15. Water Dragon. Phu Wua Lizard & Earless Lizard 16. Butterfly Lizards 17. Snake Skinks & Legless Skinks I 18. Legless Skinks 19. Larut Skink, Striped Skinks & Slender Skinks 20. Slender Skinks II 21. Tree Skink & Skinks 22. Slender Skinks & Ground Skinks 23. Forest Skinks 24. Stream Skinks I 25. Stream Skinks II, Lizards & Cat Gecko 26. Slender-toed Geckos I 27. Slender-toed Geckos II 28. Slender-toed Geckos III 29. Rock Geckos 30. Ground Geckos, House Geckos & Frilly Geckos 31. Four-clawed Geckos & Dwarf Gecko 32. Tockay Geckos 33. Parachute Geckos 34. Monitors 35. Blind Snakes I 36. Blind Snakes II 37. Pipe Snake & Sunbeam Snake 38. Pythons 39. Slug Snakes 40. Tree Snake, White-bellied Snake & Blackheads 41. Trunk Snakes 42. Red Snakes & Racers I 43. Racers II 44. Rat Snakes 45. Wolf Snakes I 46. Wolf Snakes II & Bridle Snakes 47. Kukri Snakes I 48. Kukri Snakes II 49. Kukri Snakes 50. Ringnecks 51. Reed Snakes 52. Bronzebacks 53. Bronzebacks & Keelbacks I 54. Keelbacks 55. Keelbacks 56. Mountain Keelbacks 57. Cat Snakes I 58. Cat Snakes II 59. Whip Snakes 60. Keelbacks & Tree Snakes 61. Water Snakes I 62. Water Snakes II 63. Water Snakes III 64. Kraits 65. Cobras 66. King Cobra 67. Coral Snakes 68. Sea Snakes I 69. Sea Snakes II 70. Sea Snakes III 71. Sea Snakes IV 72. Sea Snakes V 73. Pit Vipers I 74. Pit Vipers II 75. Crocodiles
Tanya Chan-ard is the Director of the Reference Collection at the Natural History Museum in Pathum Thani, Thailand. John W. K. Parr has worked in natural resource management in Southeast Asia for 25 years, specializing in protected-area management. He is a co-founder of the Bangkok's Bang Pu Nature Centre, Thailand's first urban nature education center. Jarujin Nabhitabhata was formerly the Director of the National Science Museum, Thailand.
Reviews for A Field Guide to the Reptiles of Thailand
The work of three Thailand-based herpetologists, this is the first authoritative, all-inclusive guide to the turtles, lizards, snakes, and crocodilians of the authors' ecologically diverse country. ... Accurate, well written, and user-friendly, this guide will be an invaluable resource for anyone with interests in the rich and diverse reptilian fauna of Thailand. ... Highly recommended. CHOICE
