Charles LeBuff And Chris Lechowicz

Signed by both authors.

Amphibians and Reptiles of Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida: A Natural History was written by retired sea turtle biologist Charles LeBuff and herpetologist Chris Lechowicz of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. The book has been published using the flexi-bound cover format with four-inch cover flaps and endsheets. It contains 118 color plates, 20 colored range maps, 7 color and black and white historical illustrations, Glossary, Notes, Bibiography (2), and Index (2), and measures 7.75 by 10.25 inches. This title summarizes more than a fifty-year study of the herpetofauna of Southwest Florida and in particular the two famous barrier islands. All amphibians and reptiles that have been documented on Sanibel and Captiva islands are included and a four-species supplemental list is appended for historical purposes.

Totally unlike contemporary books on the subject, the authors do not consider their title to be an ordinary field guide, but a readable reference book that brings history and biology into perspective. Amphibians and Reptiles of Sanibel and Captiva Islands Florida: A Natural History is a crowning achievement for the authors and a major contribution to the herpetology of Florida. According to LeBuff, "This is unlike any book I have in my library. Chris and I worked hard to make it that way and put it on the leading edge of amphibian and reptile books. As anyone who knows our work can imagine, it contains much information on sea turtles, crocodilians, venomous snakes, and environmental changes."

The authors called on Bill Love and Daniel Parker, both well-known herpetological photographers, to photograph animals for their book. Both men contributed their finest work and the result is remarkable. Other professionals also offered images to ensure the completeness of this book. For example: Images of the frogs and toads include the larval stages of each (their tadpoles); hatchling turtles (including the five local sea turtle species) are included with the adults in their respective species account; neonate snakes that undergo pattern or color changes as they become adults are also represented.