In the best tradition of natural history writing and art, The Snake and the Salamander explores the diverse collection of reptiles and amphibians that inhabit the northeastern quadrant of the United States. Covering 13 states that run from Maine to Virginia, author Alvin R. Breisch and artist Matt Patterson showcase the lives of 83 species of snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, and salamanders. These intriguing animals are organized by habitat and type, from forest to grassland to bogs to big waters, and revealed through a combination of Breisch's engaging prose and Patterson's original color illustrations. Breisch's guided tour combines historical notes and conservation issues with lessons on genetics, evolution, habitats, life histories, and more. Discover how careful attention to frog calls coupled with DNA analysis led to the discovery of a new species of frog in New York City, why evolutionary adaptations made the Eastern Ratsnake a superb climber, and the surprising fact that Spiny Softshell turtles actually sprint on land to retreat from predators. Breisch also tells the odd tale of the Green Frog and the Smooth Greensnake, two "green species" that do not actually have any green pigment in their skin. Every species has a story to tell-one that will keep the reader wanting to learn more. The breadth of herpetofauna in the area will surprise many readers: more than 8% of the world's salamanders and 11% of all turtle species live in the region. Beyond numbers, however, lie aesthetics. The surprising colors and fascinating lifestyles of the reptile and amphibian species in this book will mesmerize readers young and old.

 

This book was recognised by the National Outdoor Book Award.

There are 232 pages in this book. This book was published 2017 by Johns Hopkins University Press .

Alvin R. Breisch, a collaborator with the Roosevelt Wild Life Station, was the amphibian and reptile specialist and the director of the Amphibian and Reptile Atlas Project for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation until his retirement in 2009. He is a coauthor of The Amphibians and Reptiles of New York State: Identification, Natural History, and Conservation. Matt Patterson is the illustrator of Freshwater Fish of the Northeast, which won the 2010 National Outdoor Book Award in the category of Design and Artistic Merit.

This book has the following chapters: PrefaceIntroduction Chapter 1: Northeastern Deciduous ForestsTimber RattlesnakeEastern Red-backed SalamanderNorthern Slimy SalamanderWehrle's SalamanderYonahlossee SalamanderGreen SalamanderNorthern Coal SkinkNorthern Rough GreensnakeRing-necked SnakeNorthern Red-bellied SnakeNorthern Copperhead Chapter 2: Dry Pine WoodlandsFowler's ToadEastern Box TurtleCommon Five-lined SkinkBroad-headed SkinkEastern Fence LizardLittle Brown SkinkNorthern ScarletsnakeRed CornsnakeEastern Hog-nosed Snake Chapter 3: Northeastern GrasslandsNorthern Leopard FrogEastern WormsnakeNorthern Black RacerEastern RatsnakeEastern MilksnakeSmooth GreensnakeNorthern BrownsnakeShort-headed GartersnakeCommon GartersnakeSmooth Earthsnake Chapter 4: Wicked Big PuddlesBlue-spotted SalamanderJefferson SalamanderSpotted SalamanderMarbled SalamanderAmerican ToadGray TreefrogWood FrogSpring PeeperUpland Chorus FrogEastern Spadefoot Chapter 5: BogsFour-toed SalamanderNorthern Red SalamanderPickerel FrogWestern Chorus FrogSpotted TurtleBog TurtleEastern MassasaugaEastern Ribbonsnake Chapter 6: HeadwatersNorthern Dusky SalamanderAllegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander Northern Two-lined SalamanderEastern Long-tailed SalamanderSpring SalamanderMud SalamanderQueensnake Chapter 7: Small WatersRed-spotted NewtEastern Cricket FrogAmerican BullfrogGreen FrogMink FrogSnapping TurtlePainted TurtleBlanding's TurtleYellow-bellied SliderCommon Rainbow SnakeNorthern Watersnake Chapter 8: Big WatersEastern Hellbender Common MudpuppyEastern Spiny SoftshellWood TurtleNorthern Map TurtleNorthern Red-bellied CooterEastern Musk Turtle Chapter 9: Coastal PlainsNorthern Pinesnake Eastern Tiger SalamanderMany-lined SalamanderPine Barrens TreefrogGreen TreefrogSouthern Leopard FrogCarpenter FrogEastern Mud TurtleNorthern Diamond-backed TerrapinEastern Kingsnake Suggested ReferencesAppendicesAppendix A. Habitats utilized by species of frogsAppendix B. Habitats utilized by species of salamandersAppendix C. Habitats utilized by species of turtlesAppendix D. Habitats utilized by species of lizardsAppendix E. Habitats utilized by species of snakes Index