WILDGuides

I recently acquired a copy of the new WildGuides Britain’s Reptiles and Amphibians book. Authored by Howard Inns, a long renowned expert on our native herpetofauna, I had been awaiting its publication with considerable anticipation.

Before I even opened it I was impressed to find that although this was a softback book, it was supplied with a clear plastic sleeve. Opening the book and just idly leafing my way through, the number of superb quality pictures of all of our native herpetofauna (and the significant alien species) was almost breathtaking. I can safely say I have never seen such a fine collection of photographs of these lovely animals in their various life stages in a single volume.

A more leisurely read found that it was packed with information presented in an easily understood way. The content is so substantial as to leave the impression that the book is far larger than it is. Something of Dr Who’s Tardis about it!

An absolute “must have” for all nature lovers whatever they may already know about our reptiles and amphibians.

164 pages absolutely packed with all of the information you could possibly require in order to identify any reptile or amphibian encountered within Britain. All 16 native species, plus the five marine turtles and the 15 non-native herps are covered in detail.

In addition to useful quick identification charts, each species receives a full treatment in an account awash with excellent photographs. It is a stunning book, well thought out and eminently practical.

With superbly composed photography and concise written content, Howard Inns’ admiration for our native and non-native reptiles and amphibians really shines through in this herpetological guide.

It provides a nice balance of generic/technical information for both the uninformed and experts alike. The book contains useful photos of suitable habitat from all over the UK, as well as a comprehensive species profile section. This includes information on life stages, differences between similar species, reproductive modes, plus a handy map and calendar, which shows when each species is active, mating and hibernating etc.

There are helpful tips on where to find the animals, coupled with some observation techniques for beginners. For those with an interest in marine reptiles, this book also includes a section on those species which may visit the waters around the UK.

Protected in a plastic sleeve for outdoors use, this guide is a worthy addition to any naturalist’s library.

Hundreds of books have been written over the years about Britain's birds. Not many, however, have spotlighted the relatively few, but nonetheless interesting, species of reptiles and amphibians that share these islands with us. This slim but extremely useful and profusely illustrated new book, written by life-long herpetological enthusiast Howard Inns, helps to spotlight the creatures that rarely make headlines and can be difficult to observe really well.

Unless you are a really keen herpetologist, this new book will more than satisfy your need for information about British reptiles and amphibians, succinctly describing the lifestyle and behaviour of the various species, how to recognise them, where to find them and what conservation measures are being taken to protect them and the environment in which they live. At the end, there is a useful list of relevant conservation bodies and other books.

Writing in the foreword, TV naturalist Chris Packham recalls finding his first baby grass snake and the "heart-pounding thrill of peering over a clump of heather and gazing down at a brilliant green male Sand Lizard." He adds that when he flicks through the pages of the book, "I so wish I'd been armed with it when I first began sneaking up on snakes, netting for newts and lunging after lizards. I hope some of you will read and use it to become similarly ‘infected'."

When I first pick up any book, I open to the last page, have a quick look at the references and then flick quickly to the front. Then decide if the book has a nice ergonomic feel, and then decide if it is were something that I could read comfortably or where it should be read. Britain’s Reptiles and Amphibians has the right feel. Whilst it was presented as a ‘field guide’, it could also be comfortably placed in position on a formal bookshelf for general herpetology.

The A5 soft bound full-colour format with a removable plastic protective cover meant that this book’s 164 page succinct and detailed reading material can easily fit into most coat pockets as a working guide in-the-field. When opened to a page, the book easily stays open on that page. Whether by accident or by design, the book begs to be used as a tool.

The work from extensive acknowledgements and authoritative narration by the author have been organised into a very coherent and consistent format that is easy to read whilst conveying a wide range of information that is accessible to any reader.

Britain’s Reptiles and Amphibians primarily focuses on each of the 16 native species of Reptile and Amphibian found within the British Isles, and has notes of marine turtles found in the surrounding seas. In addition, the author has brought in another matter of interest or, maybe, concern in respect of non-native species that have become, to a greater or lesser extend, ‘established’. The latter group includes non-native mainland European species (such as the Italian Crested Newt), and species, such as Corn Snakes, commonly kept as pets.

There is, however, another common valued-added theme that runs from beginning to end of the book: the emphasis on conservation, the habitat, respect for that habitat, and any legislation that may apply. That is much valued information for anyone wishing to spot reptiles and amphibians in the wild. The notes on legislation don’t just stop at British legislation: specific Irish legislation is outlined and referenced.

However, the book considers each taxa in terms greater than just Reptile and Amphibians of Britain. A general overview of Reptiles and Amphibians is presented. It is a book on herpetology.

Starting with a section on habitats and field observation hints-n-tips, we are directed to a set of easy-to-use identification keys as a quick reference. It is also very good to see the most recent and previous scientific names used for species where the name has recently changed. A very thoughtful touch.

Moving onto the main section of the book, each species is treated under the headings of description of Adult, Behaviour and Reproduction, and Habitat. Specific to different taxa, is specific additional detail such as the Voice and Tadpoles of frogs or the Slough and Hatchling of snakes.

But Howard Inns’s book is not just a book of words. A distribution map accompanies the description for each species; and the annual activity clock showing mating and breeding times will help save a wasted journey for potential field-study.

For those who may not wish to read too much, the publisher’s claims of ‘Stunning Photography’ is fully justifiable. The excellent selection of annotated photographs shows a great deal of thought has gone into making sure that all photographs are meaningful and represent identifiable views of the species.

If I were to say the book could have contained more information on each species, then that would have defeated the object of it being a field-guide. Hence, my only possible negative criticism is defeated by the aim of the book: it is a working tool.

Whether trekking with the aim of field-study, or whether simply interested in reptiles and amphibians, I would recommend Britain’s Reptiles and Amphibians to anyone with interests in herpetology and native wildlife.

It is important to increase awareness of our native species. Britain’s Reptiles and Amphibians is poised to do exactly that.

Overall Rating: * * * * * (5/5 stars)

Howard Inns is the Vice chairman of the Trustees of the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, and has worked in heathland management for 25 years. He displays his encyclopaedic knowledge of all that slithers, crawls and hops in Britain in this very well thought out guide, which includes dozens of excellent photos. The book covers all of the 16 native species of reptiles and amphibians that are found in the UK, as well as 5 marine turtle that visit our shores (including the giant leatherback), and a wide range of other species that are non-native but that have been released or escaped, and that have been seen living in the wild in Britain, including various terrapins and tortoises, the African clawed frog, corn snakes and the Alpine newt.

There are several ways provided of identifying the various species, from quick ID charts that will help you discern those similar species from each other (I still struggle with smooth and palmate newts). Additionally each species is described in great details, with illustrations to match that show male and females, immature, larvae (tadpoles) and even eggs & frogspawn.

Maps show you where you are most likely to find each species, while a wagon-wheel style calendar illustrates the months that each species is active, mating, laying eggs, hatching and hibernating.

How to encourage reptiles and amphibians into your garden? Three words cover much of what you need to do, ‘pond' and ‘compost heap'. There is plenty more advice about how to attract and sustain populations in your garden, and a good dose of common sense helps.

The publication of this book is timely as it highlights the problems facing many of the amphibians and reptiles to be found in Britain. As the author suggests, the “common” name placed in front of toad, lizard and frog is a misnomer these days.

The book covers a wide variety of species, including 16 native reptiles and amphibians that breed in Britain, Ireland and the Channel Islands and the five marine turtles that visit our seas. The bulk of the book is made up of species accounts but there are other sections which the reader will find just as absorbing. These include reptile and amphibian sites, conservation, conservation action, finding and recording, identification and larvae.

As for the species accounts, it is valuable to read the introduction to them. This explains the layout for each species and, what may of be of particular interest to readers, the distribution maps.

It is often said that photographs make a book and in this case it is certainly true. They are, overall, the best collection of photographs of this group that I can recall seeing and any future books on the subject will have a lot to live up to. If you are interested in this group of fascinating animals or in the countryside in general, this book should be on your bookshelf. WILDGuides was created in 2000 as a not-for-profit publishing organisation with a commitment to supporting wildlife conservation. This guide is one of a number of publications including Butterflies, Dragonflies, Orchids, Arable Plants and Whales & Dolphins. The organisation is to be congratulated on the books it produces.

This is a compact photographic guide to Britain's reptiles and amphibians. Each species account includes usually 3 or more photographs, a color range map, a circular chart showing annual activity and text. Anyone interested in British herptofauna will like this book.