Amphibians, Reptiles, and Their Conservation, by Marty Crump, published by The Shoe String Press, Inc.

A Linnet Book Grades 6-up 2002 ix, 149 p., illus., bibliog. Cloth, 0-208-02511-1 $25.00

What the reviewers say about Amphibians:

“The style is informal without being cute. . . . The science is focused and rigorous, with detailed text and occasional photos as well as boxed charts about the classification, the habitat, and behavior of a wide range of amphibians and reptiles. The second half of the book calls on readers to help prevent the extinction of species the author has so carefully described. She speaks with the authority of a noted herpetologist who did fieldwork with the frogs of South America for 30 years and who is still dazzled by the wonder of animal behavior
. . . . The amazing zoological facts combined with the scientist’s personal passion will appeal to teen conservationists. . . . This is an excellent title for reports. . . .” — Booklist (12/02)

“The strength of [this] book [is] its detailing of problems confronting these animals, such as loss of habitat; changes in their environment; or the taking of large numbers for use as pets, foods, leather goods, or traditional medicines. Readers learn what could be done to change conditions and to help slow down the decline in populations of these orders
.. . . .Useful in science classes for reports. . . . “ — School Library Journal (1/03)

Amphibians, Reptiles, and
Their Conservation

by Marty Crump

A National Science Teachers Association-Children's Book Council Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K-12 selection, 2004.

Frogs and snakes are not cuddly like pandas and not magnificent like tigers. Many people think they are ugly and boring. But they, and other reptiles and amphibians, are just as surely disappearing from the face of the earth. Why? A host of reasons: habitat destruction, pollution, disease, climate change, and over-collection for exotic pets, food, or folk medicines.

If these animals go extinct just like the dinosaurs did, then not only will we be the poorer for their absence, we will also be in big trouble. Populations of insect pests and disease carriers will explode without frogs to eat them; rodents and other small animals will flourish without snakes to fear. Our global ecosystem will be severely damaged. So what can we do?

In this book, Marty Crump covers the “state of the species” from common misconceptions about amphibians and reptiles, to their exploitation, to the solutions to the problems of their decline. These include protecting habitats, doing more research about these animals, and enacting protective laws against capturing and killing them. Most of all, it means educating people about the value of these creatures and the need for their conservation.

About the Author

Marty Crump is an adjunct professor at Northern Arizona University. Her fascination with biology began in the ninth grade. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Kansas, and has long been intrigued with the frogs of South America, where she did fieldwork for thirty years. Dr. Crump is the co-author of a textbook on herpetology and a recipient of the Distinguished Herpetologist Award from The Herpetologists’ League

“Takes a complex subject and makes it interesting and informative. The brightly colored photographs on the cover will attract readers, and the information is well suited to readers in the upper elementary, middle school, and early high school years. . . . Students who are interested in the subject will read it for general interest, but the book is equally useful as a reference tool for anyone doing research in this area.” — VOYA (6/03)

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