Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia

By Harold G. Cogger

Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia is a complete guide to Australia's rich and varied herpetofauna, including frogs, crocodiles, turtles, tortoises, lizards and snakes. For each of the 1218 species there is a description of its appearance, distribution and habits. These descriptions are also accompanied by distribution maps and, in many cases, one of the book's more than 1000 colour photographs of living animals.

The book also includes 130 simple-to-use dichotomous keys, accompanied by hundreds of explanatory drawings, that in most cases allow a specimen in hand to be identified. In addition, it has a comprehensive list of scientific references for those wishing to conduct more in-depth research, an extensive glossary, and basic guides to the collection, preservation and captive care of specimens.

This classic work was originally published in 1975. This updated seventh edition, released in 2018, contains an Appendix that discusses recent changes and lists over 80 new or resurrected species and genera that had been added to the Australian frog and reptile fauna since the 2014 edition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
• Release date: Oct 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781486309719

Harold G. Cogger

Dr Harold G Cogger was Curator of Reptiles at the Australian Museum, Sydney until 1976, when he became Deputy Director with primary responsibility for scientific research programs and collections. On his retirement in 1995 the Museum appointed him John Evans Memorial Fellow, a position he still holds. He was Conjoint Professor in the Faculty of Science and Mathematics at the University of Newcastle, 1997–2001. He has published widely on reptiles and amphibians, including the six previous editions of this book. Most of his field research has been undertaken in Australia, New Guinea and the Pacific.

Book preview

REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS of Australia

REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS of Australia

UPDATED SEVENTH EDITION

Harold G Cogger

© Harold G. Cogger 2018

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A catalogue record for this book is available from the National Library of Australia.

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Front cover (clockwise from top): Ctenotus taeniolatus, Emydura subglobosa, Pseudechis porphyriacus, Pseudophryne corroboree.

Back cover: Chlamydosaurus kingii

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Original print edition:

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Contents

List of currently recognised species

Preface to the updated seventh edition

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Descriptions

Zoological names

Common names

Illustrations

The distribution maps – and how to interpret them

Patterns of frog and reptile distributions in Australia

Compiling species lists

Habit

Subspecies

Making an identification

Conservation and protection

Location of specimens for photography or for authorised capture

Collecting/sampling methods

Transporting live specimens

Preservation of specimens

Captive specimens

Introduced (exotic) species

Snakebite and its treatment

Amphibians

Frogs

Diagnostic characters in frogs

Family Limnodynastidae (Limnodynastid Frogs)

Family Myobatrachidae (Southern Frogs)

Family Hylidae (Tree Frogs)

Family Microhylidae (Narrow-mouthed Toads)

Family Ranidae (‘True’ Frogs)

Family Bufonidae (‘True’ Toads)

Reptiles

Crocodiles

Family Crocodylidae (Crocodiles)

Turtles and tortoises

Diagnostic characters in turtles

Family Cheloniidae (Sea-turtles)

Family Dermochelyidae (Leathery Turtle)

Family Carettochelydidae (Pitted-shelled Turtle)

Family Chelidae (Side-necked Tortoises)

Lizards

Diagnostic characters in lizards

Family Carphodactylidae (Southern Padless Geckos)

Family Diplodactylidae (Austral Geckos)

Family Gekkonidae (Typical Geckos)

Family Pygopodidae (Snake-lizards)

Family Scincidae (Skinks)

Family Agamidae (Dragon Lizards)

Family Varanidae (Goannas or Monitor Lizards)

Snakes

Diagnostic characters in snakes

Family Typhlopidae (Blind Snakes)

Family Boidae (Pythons)

Family Acrochordidae (File Snakes)

Family Colubridae (Colubrid Snakes)

Family Homalopsidae (Water Snakes)

Family Elapidae (Elapid Snakes)

Family Elapidae, subfamily Hydrophiinae (Elapid Land Snakes)

Family Elapidae, subfamily Hydrophiinae (Elapid Sea Snakes)

Family Elapidae, subfamily Laticaudinae (Elapid Sea Kraits)

Appendix

Glossary

Selected references

Index of scientific names and general terms

Index of common names

List of currently recognised species of Australian reptiles and amphibians, by family, together with a page reference to the description of each species in the book, and a table of distributions by State and bioregion

The following table is a list of the current scientific names applied to the ca. 1300 species of Australian frogs and reptiles currently found in the wild in Australia and its island territories. This table should be treated as this reprint’s primary index because it links current names to those superseded names and combinations that have been carried over from the 2014 edition. It is also important to note that some disputed taxonomic changes have not been adopted here pending their wider acceptance by the herpetological community.

Key to Bioregions (see map on page 10)

Key to states and territories