Language: English
Reptiles, particularly lizards and snakes, are a conspicuous component of the faunistically rich Western Ghats, India, and have attracted the attention of naturalists for a long time. Although several publications are available, a compact handbook that showcases the most characteristic, rare and unique representatives found in ths globally acclaimed biodiversity hot spot has so far been lacking.
This book, which describes and illustrates 40 species of lizards and 54 species of snakes, is written in an easy-to-read format and is aimed at the herpetological workers, wildlife biologists, forest personnel and eco-tourists, who are most likely to encounter these reptiles frequently.
Every effort has been made to keep the technical details to a minimum in the text. Emphasis has been laid on the external features essential for identification of the species, colouration and natural history. Species which are common and found throughout the Western Ghats are fully described and brief descriptions cover species which are rare and unique. Please note that this book is not intended to be an exhaustive account of all the species reported from the Western Ghats.