Lizards & Snakes Booklist for Educators

Part of the Lizards and Snakes: Alive! exhibition.

  • Lizards: A Natural History of Some Uncommon Creatures—Extraordinary Chameleons, Iguanas, Geckos, & More

    by David P. Badger, photographs by John Netherton
    A handsome, accessible guide to more than 25 species, the book presents many interesting facts about lizard biology, including their characteristics, behaviors and natural history. 100 color photos, many full-page.
    Voyageur Press, 2003. ISBN 0896585204 (hardcover), 0760325790 (paperback)

  • Snakes: The Evolution of Mystery in Nature

    by Harry W. Greene, with photographs by Michael and Patricia Fogden
    This definitive and highly personal celebration of snake diversity combines extensive factual information, current evolutionary biology, folklore and anecdote, and beautiful color photographs. 
    University of California Press, 1997. ISBN: 0520224876

  • The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere (2-volume set; Comstock books in herpetology)

    by Jonathan A. Campbell, and William W. Lamar 
    This updated and expanded version of a classic reference work describes all 192 species of venomous snakes and lizards found in the Western Hemisphere. With 1500 color photographs and extensive maps and drawings.
    Paradoxal Press, 2004. ISBN: 0801441412

  • The Atlas of Snakes of the World

    by John Coborn 
    An excellent introduction to the study of snakes, with over 1400 color photos representing hundreds of species. A detailed section on snake husbandry covers all aspects of keeping a snake as a terrarium pet.
    TFH Publications, 1991. ISBN: 0866227490

  • Lizards: Windows to the Evolution of Diversity

    by Eric R. Pianka and Laurie J. Vitt 
    A scholarly but accessible overview of lizards around the world, including their evolution, diversity, ecology, and biology. It’s lavishly illustrated, and full of anecdotes from the authors’ fieldwork.
    University of California Press, 2003. ISBN 0520234014

  • Herpetology

    by F.H. Pough et. al.
    Aimed at upper-level undergraduates, this collaboration by six scientists from different biological specialties describes the biology and history of amphibians and their important roles in modern ecosystems. 
    Prentice Hall, 2004. ISBN: 0131008498