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Cover image of Turtles of the United States and Canada
Cover image of Turtles of the United States and Canada
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Turtles of the United States and Canada

Carl H. Ernst and Jeffrey E. Lovich

second edition
Publication Date
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Winner, 2011 Book Award, The Wildlife Society

2009 Outstanding Academic Title, Choice

Ernst and Lovich’s thoroughly revised edition of this classic reference provides the most updated information ever assembled on the natural histories of North American turtles.

From diminutive mud turtles to giant alligator snappers, two of North America’s most prominent experts describe the turtles that live in the fresh, brackish, and marine waters north of Mexico. Incorporating the explosion of new scientific information published on turtles over the past fifteen years—including the identification of four...

Winner, 2011 Book Award, The Wildlife Society

2009 Outstanding Academic Title, Choice

Ernst and Lovich’s thoroughly revised edition of this classic reference provides the most updated information ever assembled on the natural histories of North American turtles.

From diminutive mud turtles to giant alligator snappers, two of North America’s most prominent experts describe the turtles that live in the fresh, brackish, and marine waters north of Mexico. Incorporating the explosion of new scientific information published on turtles over the past fifteen years—including the identification of four new species—Ernst and Lovich supply comprehensive coverage of all fifty-eight species, with discussions of conservation status and recovery efforts.

Each species account contains information on identification, genetics, fossil record, distribution, geographic variation, habitat, behavior, reproduction, biology, growth and longevity, food habits, populations, predators, and conservation status. The book includes range maps for freshwater and terrestrial species, a glossary of scientific names, an extensive bibliography for further research, and an index to scientific and common names.

Logically organized and richly illustrated—with more than two hundred color photographs and fifty-two maps—Turtles of the United States and Canada remains the standard for libraries, museums, nature centers, field biologists, and professional and amateur herpetologists alike.

Reviews

Reviews

Anyone interested in turtles will want this book!

Any college-level natural sciences library serious about turtles must have this substantially revised, updated second edition of the classic reference: Turtles of the United States and Canada. New species names supplements color photos charts, maps, and more in an extensive, detailed reference that is a 'must' for any definitive library.

The 645 pages of text, plus over 150 pages of references make it an almost limitless source of information on the chelonia of this part of the world. For such a well-presented and beautifully illustrated book, it represents excellent value for money for professional and amateur herpetologists alike.

If I did for some reason need to limit my turtle library to a single volume this book would be the one.

Ernst and Lovich have outdone themselves this time. The terms 'monumental' and of 'epic proportions' certainly come to mind... Truly amazing... This book is a real gem.

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About

Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
8.5
x
11
Pages
840
ISBN
9780801891212
Illustration Description
240 color photos, 11 line drawings, 52 maps
Table of Contents

Preface
Abbreviations
Conservation of the Turtles of the United States and Canada
Identification of the Turtles of the United States and Canada
Cheloniidae: Marine Turtles
Caretta caretta, Loggerhead

Preface
Abbreviations
Conservation of the Turtles of the United States and Canada
Identification of the Turtles of the United States and Canada
Cheloniidae: Marine Turtles
Caretta caretta, Loggerhead Seaturtle
Chelonia mydas, Green Seaturtle
Eretmochelys imbricata, Hawksbill Seaturtle
Lepidochelys kempii, Kemp's Ridley Seaturtle
Lepidochelys olivacea, Olive Ridley Seaturtle
Chelydridae: Snapping Turtles
Chelydra serpentina, Snapping Turtle
Macrochelys temminckii, Alligator Snapping Turtle
Dermochelyidae: Leatherback Seaturtles
Dermochelys coriacea, Leatherback Seaturtle
Emydidae: Semiaquatic Pond and Marsh Turtles
Actinemys marmorata, Pacific Pond Turtle
Chrysemys picta, Painted Turtle
Clemmys guttata, Spotted Turtle
Deirochelys reticularia, Chicken Turtle
Emydoidea blandingii, Blanding's Turtle
Glyptemys insculpta, Wood Turtle
Glyptemys muhlenbergii, Bog Turtle
Graptemys barbouri, Barbour's Map Turtle
Graptemys caglei, Cagle's Map Turtle
Graptemys ernsti, Escambia Map Turtle
Graptemys flavimaculata, Yellow-blotched Map Turtle
Graptemys geographica, Northern Map Turtle
Graptemys gibbonsi, Pascagoula Map Turtle
Graptemys nigrinoda, Black-knobbed Map Turtle
Graptemys oculifera, Ringed Map Turtle
Graptemys ouachitensis, Ouachita Map Turtle
Graptemys pseudogeographica, False Map Turtle
Graptemys pulchra, Alabama Map Turtle
Graptemys versa, Texas Map Turtle
Malaclemys terrapin, Diamond-backed Terrapin
Pseudemys alabamensis, Alabama Red-bellied Cooter
Pseudemys concinna, River Cooter
Pseudemys gorzugi, Rio Grande Cooter
Pseudemys nelsoni, Florida Red-bellied Cooter
Pseudemys peninsularis, Peninsula Cooter
Pseudemys rubriventris, Northern Red-bellied Cooter
Pseudemys suwanniensis, Suwannee Cooter
Pseudemys texana, Texas River Cooter
Terrapene carolina, Eastern Box Turtle
Terrapene ornata, Ornate Box Turtle
Trachemys gaigeae, Big Bend Slider
Trachemys scripta, Pond Slider
Kinosternidae: Mud and Musk Turtles
Kinosternon arizonense, Arizona Mud Turtle
Kinosternon baurii, Striped Mud Turtle
Kinosternon flavescens, Yellow Mud Turtle
Kinosternon hirtipes, Rough-footed Mud Turtle
Kinosternon sonoriense, Sonora Mud Turtle
Kinosternon subrubrum, Eastern Mud Turtle
Sternotherus carinatus, Razor-backed Musk Turtle
Sternotherus depressus, Flattened Musk Turtle
Sternotherus minor, Loggerhead Musk Turtle
Sternotherus odoratus, Common Musk Turtle or Stinkpot
Testudinidae: Tortoises
Gopherus agassizii, Desert Tortoise
Gopherus berlandieri, Berlandier's Tortoise
Gopherus polyphemus, Gopher Tortoise
Trionychidae: Softshell Turtles
Apalone ferox, Florida Softshell
Apalone mutica, Smooth Softshell
Apalone spinifera, Spiny Softshell
Palea steindachneri,Wattle-necked Softshell
Pelodiscus sinensis, Chinese Softshell
Glossary of Scientific Names
Bibliography
Index to Scientific and Common Names

Author Bios
Featured Contributor

Carl H. Ernst, Ph.D.

Carl H. Ernst, professor emeritus at George Mason University and a research associate at the Smithsonian Institution, is coauthor of Turtles of the United States and Canada, also published by Johns Hopkins