California
Reptiles & Amphibians




Recommended Books That Contain Information About California Reptiles and Amphibians





Click on a book cover image to find out more, including where to buy the book.


There are, as of this writing, no current field guides to all of the herps of California, besides an outdated and out-of-print guide by Robert Stebbins from 1972. The best field guide covering all of the state is Stebbins' Western Reptiles and Amphibians, 2003. R. D. Bartlett's 2009 three book series of Western Herps also includes all of California's herps.There are also many excellent regional guides with information and photographs that you can use to supplement the Stebbins Field Guide.

Below are a few recommended books. You can find more books listed on our Resources and References page.


Stebbins, Robert C. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. 3rd Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003.
 Lang Elliott, Carl Gerhardt, and Carlos Davidson. Frogs and Toads of North America, a Comprehensive Guide to their Identification, Behavior, and Calls. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009. Michael Lannoo (Editor) Amphibian Declines: The Conservation Status of United States Species. University of California Press, June 2005.
This is the classic guide to western herps from the great California Herpetologist, with wonderful drawings, covering all of the reptiles and amphibians found in California. Small enough to take into the field, too. If you only have want book, this is the one. This book is stunning in the quality of its design, printing, photography, and recordings, and in its scope. It covers all of the frogs and toads of North America, north of Mexico with sound recordings and color pictures of them all, including many full-page glossy pictures, all for a cover price of only $19.95. The CD is probably worth that much, alone. It only has recordings of advertisement calls, which are all you need to know really, but you may still want to have other regional cds which illustrate more calls.
Disclaimer: this book uses a few of my pictures and the cd that comes with it also uses several of my recordings, but I do not benefit if you buy it.

 This is the best single printed source of information about California's amphibians. The second half of this massive book contains very thorough and detailed species accounts for all of the amphibians of the U. S. A. along with excellent range maps. Modified versions of many of these accounts can be read on AmphibiaWeb.
Lemm, Jeffrey. Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of the San Diego Region (California Natural History Guides). University of California Press, 2006.

 Jones, Lawrence, Rob Lovich, editors. Lizards of the American Southwest: A Photographic Field Guide. Rio Nuevo Publishers, 2009. St. John, Alan D. Reptiles of the Northwest: Alaska to California; Rockies to the Coast. Lone Pine Publishing, 2002.

An excellent, well-illustrated guide to one of the most interesting regions of California. Many of the species covered in this book found throughout southern California, making it a great resource for learning about California's herps.


The best guide to our lizards I've seen. It covers every species of lizard found in California, as well as the rest of the west, including some coverage of Baja California. The title is a misnomer - it should be titled "Lizards of the American West." It includes a chapter with information about where to go to find lizards with a strong emphasis on conservation and environmental ethics when herping.

Here's the official blurb:

"Lizards of the American Southwest covers all 96 species found in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Texas west of the Pecos River. Learn where to find lizards and how to identify them. Includes detailed information on habitat, natural history, taxonomy, viewing tips, plus hundreds of photos, illustrations, and maps."

Disclaimer: this book uses a few of my pictures, but I do not benefit if you buy it.



 Great photos, excellent accounts, and lots of interesting stories from the field. One of the best field guides out there. Includes good identification tips. The "Northwest" here has been unusually defined, and extends south into California to the Central Valley just below lake Shasta, so it covers many California species.

Jones, Lawrence L. C. , William P. Leonard, Deanna H. Olson, editors. Amphibians of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle Audubon Society, 2005.

 Stebbins, Robert C. California Amphibians and Reptiles. The University of California Press, 1972. Sanborn, Sherburn R. The Lizard-Watching Guide - The Common Lizards of Southern California's Mojave and Colorado Deserts. Lorraine Press, 1994.
A great update of the previous guide. It has expanded its definition of "Pacific Northwest" to include the northern California Coast and the Siskiyou Mountains. This adds a few more California salamanders to their list, which includes many amphibians found in California, including the recently discovered (2005) Scott Bar Salamander. (It also has some great pictures of transformed Cope's Giant Salamanders.)



 This is the only book I know of that covers all of the Amphibians and Reptiles in California. Unfortunately, it's out of date and out of print, but there is still some useful information in it. This neat little booklet has excellent photos information about California desert lizards including some locations where you can find them to photograph. It might not be easy to find, but they used to carry copies of it at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center.



Thelander, Carl G., editor in chief. Life on the Edge - A Guide to California's Endangered Natural Resources - Wildlife. Berkeley: Bio Systems Books, 1994.

Brown, Philip R. A Field Guide to Snakes of California. Gulf Publishing Co., 1997. Basey, Harold E. Discovering Sierra Reptiles and Amphibians. Yosemite Association and Sequoia Natural History Association, 1976, 1991.
This large-format book has a reptile and amphibian section with some excellent accounts of the threatened reptiles and amphibians in the state, along with other endangered animals.



Some herpers do not like this book, claiming it is too deriivative with unsatisfactory photographs, but it is a good concise description of all of California's Snakes with range maps and drawings which aid in identification. A nice little illustrated pamphlet covering the herps of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and foothills, including elevational range diagrams.
Hubbs, Brian. Mountain Kings - A Collective Natural History of California, Sonoran, Durango and Queretaro Mountain Kingsnakes. Tricolor Books, 2004.

Mulks, Mitchell. Zonata, the California Mountain Kingsnake. LM Digital, 2004.
Shedd, Jackson D. Amphibians and Reptiles of Bidwell Park. Quadco Printing, Chico. 2005
Everything you didn't know you needed to know about Mountain Kingsnakes, and more. A fun and informative read by a veteran herper who is obsessed by these snakes. Anyone who wants to learn where and how to find mountain kingsnakes should buy this book.

Disclaimer: this book uses one of my pictures, but I do not benefit if you buy it. It also includes an inaccurate account of one of my outings with the author, but I forgive him...

Outstanding photos and excellent descriptions of one of the most beautiful and sought-after California snakes. Real eye candy, this one. (His companion book on Lampropeltis alterna - the Gray-banded Kingsnake, is also highly recommended.
I wish there was a herp guide like this to every park in California. This guide includes excellent drawings and accounts of all of the species of this Northern Sierra Foothills park, which are basically those found throughout the Sierra Nevada Foothills.

Bartlett, R. D. & Patricia P. Bartlett. Guide and Reference to the Amphibians of Western North America (North of Mexico) and Hawaii. University Press of Florida, 2009.
Bartlett, R. D. & Patricia P. Bartlett. Guide and Reference to the Snakes of Western North America (North of Mexico) and Hawaii. University Press of Florida, 2009.
 Bartlett, R. D. & Patricia P. Bartlett. Guide and Reference to the Turtles and Lizards of Western North America (North of Mexico) and Hawaii. University Press of Florida, 2009.
Combined, these three books are the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of California's herps to date, with photographs of every species and presumably every subspecies (I haven't checked them all), range maps, and species descriptions, including coverage of all of the recent taxonomic changes. A real nice addition is short descriptions of assorted experiences hunting for herps in the field.
Bartlett, R.D. , & Alan Tennant. Snakes of North America - Western Region. Gulf Publishing Co., 2000.
Brennan, Thomas C., and Andrew T. Holycross. Amphibians and Reptiles in Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department, 2006.

 Petranka, James W. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution, 1998.
This guide covers all of the snakes in California and the west (including subspecies), with photographs, range maps, and species accounts. (A companion to the Snakes of North America - Eastern Region.) Lots of good information about breeding and reproduction.
Finally, a guide that covers all of Arizona's herps! (which include many found in the deserts of southern California) and an excellent one at that, with outstanding photographs and identification tips and a great section about Arizona's various habitats. An excellent model for state field guides - small, concise, and beautifully illustrated.



This book covers all of the salamanders of the US, including all of those described in California before 1998, with some of the most detailed species accounts available for California species.


Brown et. al. Reptiles of Washington and Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society,1995.
 Easter, Jeremiah. Rosy Boas - Their Natural History and Husbandry. Hubbs, Brian. Common Kingsnakes, A Natural History of Lampropeltis getula. 2009.
A great introduction to the reptiles of the northwest, including much of California. Excellent photography and detailed descriptions of many species that also occur in California. I have not seen the complete book, but I have seen some chapters so I know it will be worth reading. Learn more about this book at lichanura.com All you could ever want to know about common kingsnakes, including over 500 photos of snakes and their habitat, range maps, coverage of all subspecies and all known naturally occurring aberrant morphs (70 of which are found in California) and non-natural designer morphs, field stories, explanations of field techniques, detailed range maps, and a reference bibliography.

To get this book, email tricolorbrian@hotmail.com.
Degenhardt, William G., Charles W. Painter, & Andrew H. Price. Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press, 1996.

Rossman, Douglas A., Neil B.Ford, & Richard A. Siegel. The Garter Snakes - Evolution and Ecology. University of Oklahoma Press, 1996.

Grismer, L. Lee. Amphibians and Reptiles of Baja California, Including Its Pacific Islands and the Islands in the Sea of Cortes. The University of California Press, 2002.
Outstanding dot-locality range maps, photos, and extensive accounts. A model for other state books. A number of California species are found as far east as New Mexico.
A complete guide to the Garter Snakes, including all of those found in California, with very extensive accounts.
A beautifully-designed guide to the herps of Baja California, with excellent photos (I wish they were larger), range maps, and extensive species accounts. Too big to take into the field, but you'd be crazy to go to Baja without it.

Rubio, Manny. Rattlesnake - Portrait of a Predator. Smithsonian Institution Press, 1998. Hubbs, Brian R., & Brendan O'Connor. A Guide to the Rattlesnakes of the United States. Tricolor Books, 2009. Hayes, William K., Kent R. Beaman, Michael D. Cardwell, and Sean P. Bush, editors. The Biology of Rattlesnakes. Loma Linda University Press, 2009.
Lots of good pictures and information about buzzworms in this nicely-designed book.

 "This is the first guide of its type, covering all species of rattlesnakes native to the United States. This 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 inch guide will be informative and intriguing for those who know nothing about snakes, and handy and entertaining to members of the herpetological community.This full color book includes:
All species and subspecies of rattlesnakes native to the U.S. and Canada
101 photos of rattlesnakes
31 range maps
Natural history, rattlesnake myths, protected or non-protected status of each rattlesnake."



 "Due in part to the toxic nature of their venom, rattlesnakes comprise the most popular and well-studied group of snakes in the world. The Biology of Rattlesnakes showcases the finest research to date by investigators encompassing an enormous breadth of expertise. With 50 original contributions from 98 authorities covering a diverse range of topics, this landmark volume will be looked upon as authoritative for years to come. The beautiful, full-color plates depicting many of the more than 30 rattlesnake species add a tasteful touch."
 
 
  Sherbrooke, Wade C. Introduction to Horned Lizards of North America. University of California Press, 2003.  
  This book covers all of the Horned Lizards (including Mexican species) with lots of great natural history photographs of horned lizards, and their predators.


 
 

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