Turtles of the United States and Canada

By Jeffrey E. Lovich, Carl H. Ernst, Roger W. Barbour

Book Overview

Winner, 2011 Book Award, The Wildlife Society2009 Outstanding Academic Title, Choice

Ernst and Lovich's thoroughly revised edition of this classic reference provides the most updated information ever assembled on the natural histories of North American turtles.

From diminutive mud turtles to giant alligator snappers, two of North America's most prominent experts describe the turtles that live in the fresh, brackish, and marine waters north of Mexico. Incorporating the explosion of new scientific information published on turtles over the past fifteen years--including the identification of four new species--Ernst and Lovich supply comprehensive coverage of all fifty-eight species, with discussions of conservation status and recovery efforts.

Each species account contains information on identification, genetics, fossil record, distribution, geographic variation, habitat, behavior, reproduction, biology, growth and longevity, food habits, populations, predators, and conservation status. The book includes range maps for freshwater and terrestrial species, a glossary of scientific names, an extensive bibliography for further research, and an index to scientific and common names.

Logically organized and richly illustrated--with more than two hundred color photographs and fifty-two maps--Turtles of the United States and Canada remains the standard for libraries, museums, nature centers, field biologists, and professional and amateur herpetologists alike.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801891213
• ISBN13: 9780801891212
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Length: 840 Pages
• Weight: 7.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.2" x 8.8" x 11.4"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Provides the latest updated information

The second updated edition of Turtles of the United States and Canada provides the latest updated information and is the most comprehensive coverage of turtles available, blending the latest research and information into a survey representing vast amounts of new scientific discoveries on turtles over the past fifteen years. Any college-level library strong on turtle research, as well as museums, nature centers, and biologists working with them, must have this 'bible'.

Buy it! Read it! Learn it! Must Have!

For turtle owners everywhere this is a valuable resource to have on the shelf! Of all of my 'turtle books' this one is by far my favorite. Even for a novice multiple turtle owner (that knows how to read) this book will prove worthy of its purchase price because it goes a beyond the standard "get a uv light" material. It teaches you about the turtle in the wild so that you can be better equipped to build an environment as closely related to their preferred location as possible while also explaining their habits along with detailed descriptions to help you identify the turtle with certainty and understand its history. My only wish is that there were a book just like it for the turtles outside of the United States & Canada. I also would have appreciated every picture in color rather than just a few ;)

I'm glad that they had a reprint

Very much detailed description of each and every turtles and tortoises found in the US and Canada, from anatomy to behavior to breeding. It's a must for any experienced chelonian enthusiast. Although, I would not recommend this book to a novice.

Necessary book for turtle lovers!

This book is a must have for turtle lovers everywhere. It is a clear and concise reference book for the known species of turtles and tortoises in the U.S. and Canada. The authors are both well known scholars in the field of herpetology. Carl Ernst has written many scientific papers on a variety of chelonian species. His partner, Barbour is also well known throughout the reptile world. Being a professional herpetologist, I feel that this was a perfect addition to my collection of books.