Reptiles & Amphibians

The Lizard King: The True Crimes and Passions of the World's Greatest Reptile Smugglers

Imagine The Sopranos, with snakes! The Lizard King is a fascinating account of a father and son family business suspected of smuggling reptiles, and the federal agent who tried to take them down.


When Bryan Christy began to investigate the world of reptile smuggling, he had no idea what he would be in for. In the course of his research, he was bitten between the eyes by a blood python, chased by a mother alligator, and sprayed by a bird-eating tarantula. But perhaps more dangerous was coming face to face with Michael J. Van Nostrand, owner of Strictly Reptiles, a thriving family business in Hollywood, Florida. Van Nostrand imports as many as 300,000 iguanas each year (over half the total of America's most popular imported reptile), as well as hundreds of thousands of snakes, lizards, frogs, spiders, and scorpions.

Van Nostrand was suspected of being a reptile smuggler by Special Agent Chip Bepler of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who devoted years of his life in an obsessive quest to expose The Lizard King's cold-blooded crimes. How this cat-and-mouse game ended is engrossing and surprising.

The Bearded Dragon Manual (Advanced Vivarium Systems)

The bearded dragons of Australia are some of the most exciting lizards in the pet trade and are taking the country by storm. This updated, revised, and more comprehensive version of The General Care and Maintenance of Bearded Dragons is the most up-to-date and complete guide available for these popular lizards. The authors provide the essential information for choosing, housing, feeding, interacting, and providing proper veterinary care for bearded dragons. A chapter on the frilled dragon may encourage you to also consider this fascinating Australian lizard.

The Box Turtle Manual (Herpetocultual Library)

The N. American box turtles are some of the most beautiful turtles in the world. Unfortunately most pet box turtles die because owners are uniformed of their particular requirements. This highly praised manual addresses providing the proper husbandry conditions, feeding and breeding. Roger Klingenberg DVM covers the diseases and disorders of this species in great detail. A book that has saved thousands of lives.

Turtles & Tortoises for Dummies

Coexisting with a turtle or tortoise may not be a warm and fuzzy experience, but it definitely has its rewards. And with more than 250 species to choose from, you’re bound to find one that’s right for you. Looks-wise, they can range from very plain and unadorned to a brightly colored and embellished with every manner of crest, crown, spike, and dewlap. As for personality, you’d be amazed at how very different they can be, ranging from shy and withdrawn, to outgoing and friendly, to outright aggressive. And when it comes to longevity, well, let’s just say that when you commit to a turtle or tortoise, you’re in it for the long haul. For example, the standard American box turtle can live more than 125 years, a leopard tortoise has a life span of up to 100 years, and an aldabran tortoise can live to be more than 200 years old!

This fun guide will help you choose the perfect turtle or tortoise for your lifestyle and give it the care it needs to thrive. Turtle and tortoise expert Liz Palika provides cl ear, step-by-step instructions on how to:

• Select the appropriate turtle or tortoise
• Provide a suitable environment for your new pal
• Care for a variety of chelonian (turtle and tortoise) species
• Supply you pet with a satisfying and healthy diet
• Create an indoor or outdoor home
• Understand your turtle’s or tortoise’s special needs

Generously illustrated with line drawings and high-quality photographs, Turtles & Tortoises For Dummies covers all the bases. Topics covered include:

• Deciding whether a turtle or tortoise is right for you
• Choosing between a turtle and tortoise
• Who’s Who of turtles and tortoises—a complete guide to dozens of species, where they’re from, what they’re like, and how they are as pets
• Creating a safe and healthy environment for your pet
• Recognizing and treating common health problems and finding a good veterinarian to help you care for your chelonian

Turtles & Tortoises For Dummies is your fun guide to selecting, caring for, and sharing your life with a chelonian.

Hermit Crabs: Complete Pet Owner's Manual

quarium and terrarium enthusiasts will find a wealth of useful information on the purchase and general care of hermit crabs. Books in the Complete Pet Owner's Manuals series present basic information about pets for new or soon-to-be owners, as well as detailed information for other animal hobbyists. Advice and instruction covers purchase, equipment, general care and maintenance, and much more. Texts emphasize the basics and are easy for all readers to understand, but most titles in this series also present facts that even experienced owners and hobbyists will find new and useful. All books in this series are filled with high quality full-color photos and instructive line drawings.

Vivaria Designs (Advanced Vivarium Systems)

Poison Dart Frogs (Complete Herp Care)

Poison dart frogs are known by many for their bright colors and poisonous skins. This expert guide covers all of the common species as well as a number of rarer ones, and is the only up-to-date book available on keeping and breeding these amphibians that is written by professional breeders. It also covers important care topics to encourage health and happiness in your pet.

Corn Snakes: The Comprehensive Owner's Guide (The Herpetocultural Library)

Two of the world's foremost breeders of corn snakes joined to write the ultimate corn snake book covering every aspect of husbandry, breeding and medicine. The authors also present an up-to-date discussion of all the current morphs. As could be expected from renowned photographer Bill Love, this groundbreaking book is illustrated by numerous color photographs showing why corn snakes are the most beautiful and best pet snakes in the world.

The Guide to Owning a Box Turtle

An introduction to the American box turtles, genus Terrapene, with details of natural history of the two most common species as well as general care, feeding, and breeding. Fully illustrated in color

Come Back, Salmon: How a Group of Dedicated Kids Adopted Pigeon Creek and Brought it Back to Life

From Gisela Jernigan--Childrens Literature: "Although Pigeon Creek flows into Washington's beautiful Puget Sound, before it was adopted and cleaned up by Mr. Jackson's fifth grade class, it was so full of trash that you could barely see the water, let alone any fish. Just about everyone in Jackson Elementary, led by the dedicated fifth grade, helped to clean the creek and restock it with baby salmon. Throughout the project the kids learned a great deal about the ecology of the stream and the needs and life cycle of the Coho salmon. And even though many people told them the salmon would never return to Pigeon Creek, they were successful. The many colored photos and drawings enhance the lively text, which is informal, informational and inspiring. Orbis Pictus Award winner and a Horn Book Fanfare award."