Book Review - Lizards of the World, A Guide to Every Family - Princeton University Press

 

     My affection for lizards goes back a long way. When I was much younger than I am now I journeyed on an unairconditioned cargo ship down the coast of West Africa. Our first port of call was in Dakar in Senegal, and children came to the ship with lizards carefully wrapped in large leaves, to sell to us. They were invaluable in keeping insects under control in our cabins and helping us sleep despite the heat.

     I have been fond  of lizards ever since and on a visit to Cambodia eight years ago Tokay Geckos performed the same service for Miriam and me, in addition to entertaining us with their vocalizations. Our accommodations were very basic and the geckos found their own way into the cabins. We certainly enjoyed their company, and perhaps they enjoyed ours too.

     I was excited to receive this book from Princeton University Press for review, and became more excited as I worked my way through it. Its subtitle is "A Guide to Every Family", but it is much more than that. The first eighty-five pages are devoted to providing a complete understanding of what makes a lizard a lizard. I learned a lot, and I can't imagine that most readers wouldn't also. Even a trained herpetologist would benefit from a review of these pages. Let me give you the titles working up to coverage of the orders and families.

Evolution and Origins of Lizards

Plate Tectonics and Timelines

Taxonomy of Lizards

Internal Anatomy

Lizard Skin

Sense Organs

Life in Extreme Conditions

Locomotion

Reproduction

Diet

Defense

Conservation

     It behooves us to remember that our planet was once ruled by reptiles  and may be again if we don't get serious about tackling climate change.

     The book covers every lizard family in the world, with important details on each. It may surprise some to discover that lizards are found from the hottest regions of the world, to some very cold locations, and have developed successful adaptations to survive in both environments. They are found from low deserts to high mountain peaks. Environment often affects their means of locomotion and camouflage is a vital protective strategy for many. They play an important role both as predator and as prey. 

     Like so many other organisms in the Anthropocene numerous lizard species are suffering threats of various kinds, including loss of habitat and introduced predators against which they have no defence. The Tuatara of New Zealand, for example, the last surviving member of the order Rhynchocephalia, clings to a precarious existence on a few islands cleansed of invasive cats and rats. It should never be overlooked that protection for lizards carries with it protection for all other species.

     Even the vaunted and much feared Komodo Dragon is suffering a decline in its numbers.

     Informative range maps are included with the text to show world distribution at a glance. 

     A helpful glossary is provided, along with links to other resources, both in print and on the internet.

     I recommend this work to weekend herpetophile and seasoned scientist alike. The photographs alone make every page a joy!

Lizards of the World - Princeton University Press

Author: Mark O'Shea

Hardcover - $29.95 - ISBN: 9780691198699

Published: 18 May 2021

240 pages - 350 colour plates, plus charts, illustrations and maps

6.75 x 9.56 in. (16.875 x 23.9 cm)