Reptiles of the Solomon Islands

This book provides comprehensive accounts of 85 reptiles, which represent all the currently known species occurring in this island archipelago. Most importantly, the natural histories of the living animals are given in detail, and almost all species - including many colour variants - are depicted in large, full-colour photographs. While Reptiles of the Solomon Islands is essentially a field guide, it is compiled in such a way as to be of use not only for professional biologists working in the field or museum, but also for the interest of amateur naturalists and travellers in Solomon Islands. In fact anyone with an appreciation for the natural history of this group of beautiful South Pacific islands will find this book a worthwhile addition to their library. Michael McCoy lived in Solomon Islands for 26 years, working as a photographer and writer. He has published several books, worked as a consultant on a number of television documentaries, and his photographs have appeared widely in regional and international publications. He now lives in Australia.

"During the 26 years Mike McCoy lived in the Solomons, he visited nearly all the islands in the archipelago and is widely regarded as one of the foremost authorities on the reptile fauna of the Solomons. He is also an extraordinarily gifted photographer with a keen eye for detail, an indefatigable field worker and an old and close friend. Since the publication of the first field guide in 1980, he has continued his studies, making many additional discoveries, and this fine book is the culmination of those efforts."

Contents

Map of Solomon Islands

Introduction

Crocodiles, Family Crocodylidae

Marine Turtles, Family Cheloniidae

Leatherback Turtle, Family Dermochelyidae

Agamid Lizards, Family Agamidae

Geckos, Family Gekkonidae

Skinks, Family Scincidae

Monitor Lizards, Family Varanidae

Blind Snakes, Family Typhlopidae

Boas, Family Boidae

File Snakes, Family Acrochordidae

Colubrid Snakes, Family Colubridae

Elapid Snakes, Family Elapidae

Literature Cited and Further References

Glossary

Island Check Lists

Index of scientific names

Author: McCoy, M
Publisher: Pensoft
Extra Details: 165x240, keys and species descriptions, b/w drawings, map, 128 color photos on 64 color plates, bibliography, indexes, in English. Hardback, 212pp.