Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Nepal [English / Nepali]

About this book

Language: Bilingual in English and Nepali

A richly illustrated bilingual field guide to Nepali reptiles and amphibians, containing a wealth of background information with chapters on their biology, snakebites and how to avoid them, Nepal's geography, collecting and preparing specimens, scientific names and systematics, checklists, identification keys, bilingual herpetological terminology, extensive reference list and trilingual name index.

Contents

Foreword vi
Arco-Nepal xv
1. Introduction 2

2. The strange ways of amphibians and reptiles (general biology) 7
2.1 Position among vertebrates – Coldblooded? 7
2.2 Saving vital energy 7
2.3 The conquest of firm land 11
2.4 Suckers and gliders – Specialists in locomotion 19
2.5 Strange senses 21
2.6 Loud and silent signals 25
2.7 Rejuvenation and organ replacement 29

3. Snakebites – Not an attack, but an accident - Avoidance and treatment 31
3.1 The venom apparatus 31
3.2 Snakebite incidence 37
3.3 Graded toxicity 37
3.4 The venomous snakes of Nepal 39
3.5 First symptoms of snakebite 43
3.6 Local and systemic effects 45
3.7 First aid for snakebites 47
3.8 Dont´s in case of snakebites 51
3.9 How to avoid snakebite 53

4. Geography of amphibians and reptiles in Nepal 55
4.1 Nepal’s natural landscapes 55
4.2 Key events for South Asia’s biogeography 57
4.3 Radiation centres and ecological niches 59
4.4 Protected areas and their herpetofauna 61

5. Collecting and Preparation 89
5.1 Catching 89
5.2 Handling herps 93
5.3 Live transport 97
5.4 Killing and preservation 99

6. Scientific names and systematics 103

7. Checklist of Nepalese amphibians and reptiles 108

8. Keys to Nepalese amphibians and reptiles 115

9. Colour plates 227

10. Distribution maps 284

11. Special part: identification, biology, geography 317

12. Herpetological Terminology 566
12.1 English-Nepali 566
12.2 English explanations 576

13. General Readings 584

14. References 585
14.1 Literature references 585
14.2 External links 587
14.3 Personal communication 588
14.4 References for redrawn text figures 588

15. Index 589
15.1 Scientific denominations 589
15.2 Nepali denominations 597
15.3 English denominations 601

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