Reptiles and amphibians: Books about Lizards

If you want to buy a book, clicking on the book cover will take you directly to that book on the Amazon.co.uk web site.

See also:
Books on snakes
Books on tortoises, turtles and terrapins
Books on amphibians

Collins Field Guide - Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe

Nicholas Arnold and  Denys Ovenden
Collins; New edition  (7 Oct 2002)
ISBN-10: 0002199645
ISBN-13: 978-0002199643

This book is the second edition of a classic, which was already the best guide to European reptiles and amphibians you could find, and which has now been expanded, with more species described, more pictures, and more help with identification. The new edition has been updated in line with the latest research. The distribution maps and illustrations are especially useful. There is also particular help with identifying spawn, and for those who are wary of snakes, there's a guide to the venom characteristics of  different species of poisonous snakes. The book is conmprehensive enough for a professional biologist, and accessible enough for amateurs who are just interested in wildlife.  A delightful book for nature lovers going on holiday in mainland Europe or the UK, or for anyone who just wants to check out their local herps.

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Anoles, Basilisks, and Water Dragons (Complete Pet Owner's Manual) [Paperback]

R. D. Barlett and  Patricia Bartlett
Barron's Educational Series; 2nd edition (30 May 2008)
ISBN-10: 0764137751
ISBN-13: 978-0764137754 

This is the second, updated edition of a very good short introduction to anoles, basiliks and water dragons from Richard Bartlett, who has published extensively on reptiles. It is very clearly written, well set out, and has some useful illustrations. There is a chapter on understanding the special needs and characters of these reptiles. Enthusiasts may want a more in-depth reference book with additional technical details, but these reptiles are especially suited to beginners, and this guide gets novice keepers off to a good start. It is also an inexpensive book, offering good value for money.

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Mini Encyclopedia of Bearded Dragons

Chris Mattison (Author), Geoff Rogers (Editor), Stuart Watkinson
Interpet Publishing; First edition (31 Mar 2011)
ISBN-10: 1842862324
ISBN-13: 978-1842862322

A new book from veteran Chris Mattison on Bearded Dragons, which are especially popular pets. They can grow quite big, but are easy to tame. They are also handsome lizards, often colourful, and sporting crests to scare off anything that might eat them, or to attract a mate. In addition, they breed freely in captivity, given the right conditions. This book shows how to choose healthy lizards, and how to create the right conditions for them, so they are more likely to give you pleasure for a long time. The book is accessible enough for novices, and informative enough to interest experienced owners. It is also well illustrated, which both makes it easier to follow, and the pictures are a pleasure in themselves. Chris Mattison is a zoologist with a particular interest in natural history and herpetology. He is a prolific writer and a talented photgrapher, and has carried out many trips all over the world to study reptiles in their narural habitat.

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Geckos (Complete Pet Owner's Manual)

R. D. Bartlett and Patricia P. Bartlett
Barron's Educational Series Inc.,U.S.; 2nd edition (Feb 2006)
ISBN-10: 0764128558
ISBN-13: 978-0764128554

This is a revised and updated version of a classic introductory guide to the care of geckos. There is help with choosing a healthy gecko, feeding, providing the right environment, and preventing and tackling health problems. There is some help on breeding, though owners are likely to need a more in-depth guide if they plan on breeding geckos. The section on gecko biology and geckos in the wild makes fascinating reading for people interested in keeping geckos, especially if you have not had the privilege of watching them in the wild. 

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Monitors, Tegus and Related Lizards (A Complete Pet Owner's Manual)

Richard Bartlett and Patricia Bartlett
Barron's Educational Series; 2nd edition (1 Nov 2006) 
ISBN-10: 0764133985
 ISBN-13: 978-0764133985

This is a very clearly written guide to monitors and similar lizards, especially suitable for novices who are planning on acquiring a lizard. There is help with creating the right environment as the first step, then choosing and feeding monitor lizards. This edition has been revised and updated, and is good value for money, though experienced monitor lizard enthusiasts are likely to need a more in-depth guide.

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Green Iguana: The Ultimate Owner's Manual [Paperback]

James W. Hatfield III 
Dunthorpe Press; 2nd edition (May 2004)
ISBN-10: 1883463505
ISBN-13: 978-1883463502

Green iguanas are not really suitable for beginners, and you need to have a lot of space - they grow up to six foot long! But if you really want to keep one, this is the book for you. It is a thorough and comprehensive guide to keeping green iguanas from an enthusiast, whose delight in these creatures makes his book a pleasure to read. It is quite expensive, but well worth the investment since iguanas involve a long-term commitment, and the book contains so much information and is so well researched. Iguanas are sometimes difficult to handle, and this book provides general help with handling your herp, and dealing with and preventing problems that might arise with human-iguana interactions.

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Bearded Dragon Manual (Herpetocultural Library) [Paperback]

Philippe De Vosjoli (Author), Robert Mailloux (Author), Susan Donoghue (Author) 
Publisher: Advanced Vivarium Systems Inc.,U.S. (Dec 2003)
ISBN-10: 1882770595
ISBN-13: 978-1882770595

A comprehensive, practical guide to the care of bearded dragons, which are particularly attractive herps, and suitable for beginners. They don't have the size problem of some larger reptiles, like iguanas, and tend to be docile. It is worth reading this book before you select your own specimen. You not only gain a good idea of what you'll be taking on, but you'll be able to choose a healthy bearded dragon. Other topics covered include feeding, providing the right environment, and preventing and treating the various afflictions that bearded dragons can be prone to. There's also advice on breeding from your dragons. This is a classic, which has been updated.

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The Leopard Gecko Manual (Herpetocultural Library)

The Herpetocultural Library (Advanced Vivarium Systems)
Philippe de Vosgoli 
Publisher: Advanced Vivarium Systems Inc.,U.S. (Dec 2003)  
ISBN-10: 1882770595
ISBN-13: 978-1882770595

Another updated classic, this is an excellent guide to keeping leopard geckos from reptile specialist, Philippe de Vosjoli. There is also information on species related to leopard geckos, as well as illustrations showing the various colour combinations and patterns of this attractive reptile, which is a good choice for a beginner. This book is short, but contains enough information to be useful to experienced reptile keepers, as well as novices.

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Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles

George Zug, Laurie J. Vitt, Janalee P. Caldwell
Academic Press
ISBN: 012782622X

A little pricey, but you get a lot of book for your money! This is thorough enough for degree-level students, yet is accessible to the general reader with an interest in herps. It is the second edition of a well-loved text, which has been fully revised to bring it up to date and make it easier to use. Anyone who likes herps will find it fascinating, and it is the leading work in herpetology for biologists.

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