Gli anfibi e i rettili delle Alpi

Year: 2013 Format: 14x22 Pages: 160 Photos: col How to recognize them, where and when to observe them. Amphibians and reptiles are among the most elusive and difficult to observe species among those that populate the Alpine chain: man has always had an ambivalent attitude towards them, balanced between fear and fascination. This guide is intended as a valid tool for discovering a surprising and mysterious animal world and for understanding the various problems that increasingly compromise the survival of many species that are part of it. The volume, aimed at enthusiasts and hikers, describes the 41 species of amphibians and reptiles observable across the entire Alpine range. With an informative approach - but updated and rigorous from a scientific point of view - the guide provides the reader with the fundamental elements to correctly identify not only adult specimens, but also larvae, eggs and animals in the juvenile stages. Thanks to the vast iconographic apparatus (over 250 photos taken by professionals from different European countries), the particular aspects of behavior and biology, typical habitats, larval and juvenile stages, and the different subspecies are illustrated for each species. Maps and graphs frame the geographical and altimetric distribution, the environmental preferences and the periods in which direct observation is possible, accompanying each card with useful information for anyone who wants to know more about the amphibians and reptiles of our mountains.