5 comments about The Turtle: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.

1. INteresting and beautifully presented,but some informations are utterly dangerous,as the advice to give tortoises(Vegeterian) canned dog's food.This can provoque some shell deformation and food deficiences.These informations are dated and misleading for a new owner.Beautiful photos,though,and good understanding of turtles ' behaviour.



2. It does not cover most of the turtle species, little information on breeding and important stuff, it is more like a magazine than a book, good pictures though.



3. I really enjoyed the book. It had a lot of information, and answered a lot of my questions.



4. I really enjoyed this guide. It is well written, easy to read, and manages to give the information that is most important for the turtle enthusiast in a condensed fashion. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in turtles.



5. The color pictures and good care advice make this a useful first book on turtles. Some incorrect information is mixed in (e.g. the Asian box turtle[tropical and aquatic] is said to be cared for like the Chinese box turtle [temperate and terrestrial]). And the lack of an index makes it useless at a quick resource.

5 comments about Care and Breeding of Popular Tree Frogs: A Practical Manual for the Serious Hobbyist (General Care and Maintenance of Series).

1. Poison dart frogs ARE NOT TREEFROGS!!
   Seems like a good book, just added it to my cart,
   I just find people that review a book down are stupid because "duh subject x is supposed to be there"-when it clearly shouldn't.



2. This is a great book for a beginner tree frog owner. Unlike other books which spend a lot of time describing all the different species of frogs without any honest-to-goodness practical advice, this book has plenty of both.

   This book covers some absolutely necessary basics - how to select a healthy animal, how to diagnose and treat an ill one, how to set up a frog's vivarium, what to feed, and how to breed the frogs. Importantly, it is written for a beginner frog keeper and focuses on species specifically recommended to beginners - green tree frogs, White's tree frogs, white-lipped tree frogs, and red-eyed tree frogs. The general information offered on all the species is really thorough without being overwhelming. Because red-eyed tree frogs, White's tree frogs and white-lipped tree frogs need some specific advice, these species are devoted their own chapters.

   The book is well-organized into chapters and includes many black/white and color photographs of frogs and vivariums. A must-have for any frog beginner.




3. This is a great book, but it left out the very frog I was interested in. That being poison dart frogs. However, for beginners like me it had great information and led me to believe I should start with a simpler frog anyway!



4. While I was only interested in one frog from this book, the red eyed tree frog, it covered many others as well. This book is extremely helpful in providing both care and breeding tips for your frogs, and it even includes magnificent color photos. I refer to this book as my number one source for tree frog care and would recommend it to anyone.



5. A+! This is the ONLY reference book you need if you have, or are thinking about getting, a tree frog. The book specifically covers the White's tree frog, the white-lipped tree frog, the red-eyed tree frog, and the green tree frog. It deals mainly with caring for your tree frog in captivity. There are lots of black & white pictures dealing with feeding, caring for tadpoles & froglets, breeding, housing/caging, and even "doctoring" your tree frog. There is a small section of color pictures which are very clear and well chosen; however, this is not a colored picture book like so many of my other "general" frog care manuals seem to be. I especially recommend it for information that is specific to the White's tree frog.

5 comments about Frogs, Toads, and Treefrogs (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. This book did a good job of telling about the different families of anurans, but there was very little practical information for the first time frog keeper. It isn't too bad of an investment, though, if you are trying to figure out what kind of frog you have.



2. This is a good picture book which the kids just love to look at over and over. It is also fairly comprehensive on the "how-to's" of raising all kinds of frogs.



3. This is a nice soft cover book my 12 year old loves it. It it easy for kids and adults to understand. Lots of great pictures and overall information!Its a very popular book I sell on my we page "Frogs and Amphibians". I own and use this book.it Covers many types of frogs and toads.



4. this book ofers hundreds of species and the care and maitnence of each one. overall will help you learn how to properly treat your frogs!



5. This is overall an exellent book. I do not think I agree with all the cage sizes Mr Bartlett states. Some of the one he reccomeds are larger than what most do. Still, if your a newbie, I would reccomend this book.

2 comments about The Leopard Gecko: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.

1. I found this book to be a useful resource for general knowledge, but it lacked lots of important information that is needed to properly keep leopard geckos. The author's style of writing is refreshingly free of overly technical terms and "scientific" language, so this book would be appropriate for younger keepers or those who want only the most elementary information. The book make numerous glaring ommissions on proper care though, while adding extraneous information that does little to help. An example of this is the 3 page discussion on types of heaters that never even mentions at what temperature geckos should be kept. Overall, it's not a bad book but it was frustrating for me to try and find detailed technical information that simply was not included. Although it does well to introduce leopard geckos to the novice, this book is definitely not a stand alone resource for the serious keeper.



2. I think this book worth the money. If you can, buy it and buy the Leopard Gecko Manual too. If you must pick up just one, LGM is a better choice. You will find more information on that book

5 comments about Rhacodactylus: The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care.

1. This book is a description in very specific details of the rhacodactylus family. I find it very important to know where these animals come from, how to maintain them in the most naturalistic way possible, etc. This book is a must need for Rhacodactylus keepers!
   
   5 big thumbs up!



2. The nature of human beings is to explore, to examine, and to try to understand everything around us. This book benefits our instinctual search for information about the natural ecosystems around us. It provides us with an insight into the world of some of the rarest and most beautiful creatures in the world and lays bare the world in which they live. Anyone who has an interest in herpetology or is simply hoping to delve into the amazing world of reptile study can gain so much from this book and from Phillipe De Vosjoli's other outstanding and contemplative works.



3. This is by far the best book in print on Rhac's. It covers Crested, Gargoyle, Chahoua, and the Giant Leachianus Geckos among others. It has sections on all aspects of careing for them including breeding. Many helpful photos to demonstrate the various color and structure morphs (especially of the Crested Geckos). The only thing that could be added here (maybe in a second edition) is what combinations of different morphs are likely to produce what morphs. Also some info on on temperature sex determination for incubation temps would be helpful in the future after more research is done in this area. The Authors all have plenty of first hand experience and some of the largest collections of these geckos in the world. All in all, the best book available on Rhac's at this time.



4. This book is excellant! The text is thorough, and the illustrations are phenomenal. There is virtually no stone left unturned. Every question concerning the husbandry and natural history of rhacodactylus is explored and explained. The authors attention to detail is unmatched. This book is a must have for any person whom wants to own, or already owns any species of rhacodactylus, novice and expert alike.



5. This book is a MUST HAVE for anyone interested in this amazing group of geckos. Rhacodactylus are a small group of geckos that are found only on the island of New Caledonia, that lies roughly between Australia, New Guinea and New Zealand. For such a small group, these geckos occur in a diverse array of beautiful and often bizarre forms. One member of this genus, Rhacodactylus leachianus, holds the distinction of being the largest living species of gecko in the world, reaching a total length of up to 17 inches and weighing nearly a pound!

   I have been keeping reptiles for 30+ years. I can remember back when the only readily available books on reptile or amphibian care had lots of pretty (or sometimes not so pretty and often mislabeled) pictures, but little useful information on the natural history or husbandry of these animals. Worse yet, what little information was there was frequently just plain wrong! Those of us who were really dedicated to the hobby had to go to university libraries and search out obscure zoo and animal care journals to gain insight on how to keep our animals healthy, happy and reproducing.

   That all changed when Philippe de Vosjoli introduced his Advanced Vivarium Systems "Care and Maintenence" series of books that emphasized good, solid husbandry information, based on years of research by the top experts in the field. Many of these he authored or co-authored himself along with some of the other top reptile and amphibian keepers in the world. The goal of these books was to make good, solid information on proper care of reptiles and amphibians readily available, both to long time keepers and people just starting out in the hobby.

   This latest work by he and his co-authors, Frank Fast and Allen Repashy, is one of his best and most ambitious works yet. In addition to the main authors, the information in this book has been compiled from many of the other top gecko keepers/breeders in the the U.S. and Europe. The book covers all six species and 2 subspecies of Rhacodactylus, giving descriptions of each, and excellent information on all aspects of their husbandry and breeding. Everything from nutrition, caging, breeding and much more are covered in great detail. In addition, the book contains some of the latest information on the habitat and ecology of these animals, along with numerous beautiful pictures of the different forms and color morphs of the geckos and their habitats.

   This book is also an excellent companion volume for anyone lucky enough to own the now out of print Rhacodactylus - Biology, Natural History and Husbandry by Robert Seipp and Friedrich Wilhelm Henkel. The new book updates and greatly expands on much of the information presented in the earlier book.

   I would highly recommend Rhacodactylus: The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care to not only those of us that work with, or want to work with these animals, but also to anyone who just wants to know more about these beautiful and amazing creatures.

No comments about Aquatic Turtles (Complete Herp Care).

5 comments about Monitors and Tegus (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. This is by far the best book I have found for tegus. It contains very detailed, easy to understand information. Although mostly focused on monitors, nearly all the information can be applied to tegus as well.



2. Whereas monitors receive moderate treatment in this book, Tegus seem to have been (literally) added as an afterthought. Many sections speak at length about varanid behavior for several pages, only to end with "Tegus are also somewhat like this except ..." (and a few words).
   
   If you're serious about keeping monitors, there are more detailed and useful resources (The Natural History of Monitor Lizards, Monitors: The Biology of Varanid Lizards). This book does suffice as an account of common species and might serve as a good introduction and general reference to monitor husbandry.



3. I have already read the Bartletts book about Green Iguanas and liked a lot. This one too has beautiful pictures and useful line drawings. The text is easy and comprehensive, with lots of important tips. I think it makes a complete hobbist book.



4. This book is very good and very complete in discussing various monitor lizards and basics about monitor for the beginner and intermediate keeper. Husbandry is mentioned in some detail. A good book to start with.



5. Dick Bartlett is not only a top-notch photographer, but an excellent reporter. His friendly, succinct style covers the essential nuts and bolts of monitor and tegu care. If you are looking for a good beginner's book on this subject, start here.

5 comments about Angelfish (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. As I read the summary of the book it states that angelfish don't attack gourami's etc. NOT TRUE! I have an orange veiled angelfish for about 5 years now and they get very territorial as adults at around 2 years old. She will beat another fish down just for raising it's head up. My angel and the gourami grew up together. When they both got to be the same size. She beat him with her nose. But to be fair he chased her also. Fish I would put with angels are catfish, clown loaches and red barbs or mollies. These fish don't try to occupy the same tank depth as angels. They congregate on the bottom to mid tank. Angels like mid to top, but you may find them resting on the bottom when they are not feeling well. So, though I was hopeful about the book I did not purchase it.



2. This book is totally not for those who aren't into breeding Angelfish. It is not in basic termonology in some areas. Very brief in areas you want more information on. If you want a book about Angelfish that is helpful to anyone wanting to know more than how to breed them and worth your time, look beyond this one.



3. The book is small, but very informative, and you feel you KNOW a lot about angelfish after reading it. I recommend this book highly to all angelfish lovers! A "must have"!



4. As a previous reviewer noted, the editorial review is incorrect -- this is a book about freshwater angelfish, not reef-dwelling saltwater angelfish. Whoever submitted the editorial review is a doofus, but that shouldn't be held against the book or its author.

   For a small, inexpensive book Angelfish: Everything About... provides a tremendous amount of information.

   The sections I found most valuable were those on selecting and purchasing angelfish (appropriate size and age, how to maximize chances of a breeding pair), genetic traits of fancy angelfish (veiltail, black, black lace, marble, new gold, commercial darks and marbles, non-allelic gold, smokey, chocolate, ghost, blushing, zebra, half-black, and pearly), breeding angelfish, and raising fry.

   While I'm not interested in angelfish genetics per se, the descriptions of the fancy traits are very helpful when browsing the sites of angel breeders like Angels Plus. It also explains why some fish are so much more expensive than others.

   History, tank selection (for show or breeding), feeding (the section on live food is better and more comprehensive than most I've seen in general aquarium books), diseases and treatment, and water quality are all well covered. The book has an index, glossary, and dozens of color photographs.




5. I have not read this book, and based on the book description I would not buy it:
   "Editorial Reviews
   Book Description
   These tropical reef-dwellers make beautiful additions to any tank, "

   The fish pictured on the cover is a freshwater angelfish, pterophyllum scalare. "Reef-dweller" refers to the marine angelfish, a completely unrelated species. Freshwater and marine aquaria are wholly different fields, and whoever wrote this blurb had clearly not even looked at the book. It doesn't bode well.

No comments about Tilapia: Biology, Culture, And Nutrition.

1 comments about Crested Geckos: From the Experts at Advanced Vivarium Systems.

1. excellent book, great photos to help id all these fancy terms people are giving the new color varieties being produced