Jewels Of The Rainforest: Poison Frogs Of The Family Dendrobatidae

Jewels of the Rainforest is the first book to cover all the poison frogs in detail. All 65 species of Dendrobates, Epipedobates, Minyobates, and Phyllobates are discussed, with extensive coverage of the dozen species that are best known to naturalists and hobbyists alike. All the species are illustrated in full color through a combination of stunning photos and paintings. Each species is compared to related species to make identification easier, what is known of its natural history is summarized, and its distribution is mapped. There are few natural history books as comprehensive and colorful as this one, a fascinating introduction to the wonders of the rainforests.The American rainforests hold some truly incredible plants and animals that only recently have become known to a wide audience of interested naturalists and hobbyists. None, however, can compare to the poison frogs of the family Dendrobatidae, the "poison arrow" or "poison dart" frogs. Though only an inch or two long, these frogs are not only brilliantly colored, but a few of them really do have the ability to kill a person on contact. They are active by day, lay their eggs in a bower in the leaf litter or in air plants, and carry their tadpoles to water, all very strange traits for a frog. Additionally, several species are captive-bred with regularity and available to interested terrarium hobbyists from their local pet shop. Even if you are not interested in keeping poison frogs or delving into their natural history and taxonomy, Jewels of the Rainforest is a treat to the eyes--you have never seen a natural history book as colorful as this one--and a fascinating introduction to the wonders of the rainforests.