Turtles of the Southeast - (Wormsloe Foundation Nature Books) by Kurt Buhlmann & Tracey Tuberville & Whit Gibbons (Paperback)

About the Book

Filled with more than two hundred color photographs and written with a special focus on conservation, this guide covers forty-five species of this nonthreatening, ancient lineage of long-lived reptiles. Fact-filled descriptions of each species and its habitat comprise the heart of the book.

Book Synopsis

Seventy-five percent of the turtle species in the United States can be found in the Southeast. In fact, the region is second only to parts of Asia in its number of native turtles. Filled with more than two hundred color photographs and written with a special focus on conservation, this guide covers forty-five species of this nonthreatening, ancient lineage of long-lived reptiles.

Heavily illustrated, fact-filled descriptions of each species and its habitat comprise the heart of the book. Species accounts cover such information as descriptions of adults and hatchlings; key identifiers including size, distinctive characters and markings; land, river, pond, and wetland habitats; behaviors and activities; food and diet; reproduction; predators and defense; and conservation issues.

Also included is a wealth of general information about the importance of turtle conservation and the biology, diversity, and life history of turtles. Discussed are distinguishing turtle characteristics; differences among turtles, tortoises, and terrapins; shell structure and architecture; reproduction and longevity; turtle predators and defense mechanisms; and turtle activities such as basking, hibernation, aestivation, and seasonal movement. Useful information about the interactions of humans and turtles is also covered: species that are likely to be commonly encountered, turtles as pets, and more.

Clearly written, cleanly designed, and fun to use, the guide will promote a better understanding of the habitat needs of, and environmental challenges to, this fascinating group of animals.

Features: In-depth descriptions of the forty-two native speciesConservation-oriented approachMore than two hundred color photographsNearly forty distribution mapsClear descriptions of each species, including differences in the appearance of young and mature turtles"Did You Know?" sidebars of interesting turtle factsSize charts; key identifiers; and information about habitat, behavior and activity, food and feeding, reproduction, predators and defense, and conservation

Review Quotes

[An] exquisite book . . . on the herpetofauna of the southeastern United States . . . High-quality, clearly written, with an attractive layout . . . Has solid introductory information, detailed species descriptions, excellent range maps and color photographs, line drawings showing defining features, and a strong conservation message. There is an explanation as to how to use the species accounts which will be of value to the lay reader.

--Herpetological Review

This very accessible, informative, and beautiful book will be appreciated by turtle enthusiasts living anywhere in the U.S.

--Southeastern Naturalist

About the Author

Kurt Buhlmann (Author)
KURT BUHLMANN is a research scientist at the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory.

Whit Gibbons (Author)
WHIT GIBBONS is a professor emeritus of ecology at the University of Georgia and author or coauthor of several books on herpetology and ecology, including Keeping All the Pieces, Snakes of the Southeast, Revised Edition, Frogs and Toads of the Southeast, Lizards and Crocodiles of the Southeast, Turtles of the Southeast, and Salamanders of the Southeast (all Georgia).

Tracey Tuberville (Author)
TRACEY TUBERVILLE is a research coordinator at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory.