Although travel to the Amazon Basin was once accessible only to the most intrepid explorer, today the region is a popular destination for scores of visitors who are likely to observe up to 50 species of reptiles and amphibians in just a weeklong trip. This colorful, easy-to-use field guide is the first single volume of its kind to identify more than 250 varieties of the snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, and salamanders common to the Amazonian regions of Bolivia, Colombia, and Brazil. From brightly colored frogs so small they fit on a thumbnail to long poisonous snakes camouflaged by green and brown patterned skin, the guide features all of the more frequently seen species, yet also includes those that are somewhat less common, and provides basic natural history information as well. Clear, detailed photographs supplement the text, which describes the appearance, size, color, and range of each type and also lists similar species. For those who study them or are just curious about the creatures that inhabit one of the most bio-diverse regions on earth, Reptiles and Amphibians of the Amazon promises to open up the beautiful and mysterious world of herpetofauna. Book jacket.