Lizards of the World: A Guide to Every Family, Hardcover

A lavishly illustrated overview of the world's lizards

Lizards are one of nature's great success stories: survivors from the time of the dinosaurs, they have taken advantage of almost every habitat on earth, from tropical rainforest to Arctic tundra and even our homes. From chameleons and skinks to geckos and iguanas, there are close to 7,000 species of lizards around the world. This expert guide explores their extraordinary diversity and adaptations.

Lizards of the World features an in-depth introduction covering the evolution, anatomy, and lifestyle of lizards, followed by profiles of species from every family, accompanied by stunning color photographs. This invaluable guide highlights the enormous range of habitats, appearance, and activity among lizards. Many thrive in extreme conditions, and have adapted to keep cool, warm, or hydrated. Some can protect themselves by changing color to blend in with their surroundings, while others have fringed toes enabling them to run across sand, or can parachute out of a predator's reach. Covering diet and reproduction as well as defense strategies and conservation, Lizards of the World showcases the unique natural history and beauty of these remarkable creatures.

• More than 200 detailed photographic images
• 80 lizard families and subfamilies
• Exploration of lizard biology, behavior, habits, and distribution
• Broad coverage and in-depth treatment by a world-renowned herpetologist

About author(s):Mark O'Shea is professor of herpetology at the University of Wolverhampton. He has presented numerous television series focused on snakes for the Discovery Channel, ITV, and the BBC; run a variety of herpetological field projects for the Royal Geographical Society, Operation Raleigh, and Discovery Expeditions; and conducted snakebite research in collaboration with the universities of Oxford, Liverpool, Melbourne, and Adelaide. His many books include Venomous Snakes of the World and Boas and Pythons of the World (both Princeton).