Tortoise books...

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ShadowRancher

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Ok so I love to read and solid books are my favorite research method (the interaction on this forum is invaluable but I like to have paper in my hands to go out and sit with the animals :))

I thought a thread of everyone's favorite tortoise related material would be nice... If this has already been done let me know, I didn't search the archives very hard for it.

I would be especially interested in a good field guide style book with tortoises of the world if anyone has any suggestions...with pictures, basic habitat, taxonomic information that sort of thing. Most of my info searching has been species specific based on torts that have come up in threads here but I feel like I'm still not getting the whole picture.

Also I would like a good medical text for properly informed vet visits.

This is my current tortoise library...

Probably the greatest Star book in print.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0978755626/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

This is a bit basic but I think its a good beginner book and there are lots of good pics and graphics
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0793828988/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

This is a great Sulcata book for people thinking about getting one or if you just want reference material.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0976733420/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

And I've been thinking about getting this one...I assume that is great because it has Fife in the author name ;) but it's a bit expensive for a little paperback so it's been sitting in my amazon cart... Anyone have it that can give me a review.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0963813064/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

Can't wait to see what everyone recommends!
 

Katherine

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Great idea! I have some awesome literature as I only recently discovered forums/Internet research as being at all helpful. When I get home this evening I will thumb through the library and post my favorites : ) I also can't wait to see what others love to read : )
 

ShadowRancher

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Neal said:
I found this to be a more informative book than fifes:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/389973601X/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

Nothing against Richards book, of course, it's a very good book. I just happened to enjoy this one more. It isn't as easy of a read, but not difficult.

Thanks! I had been looking at that one too and couldn't decide...honestly the only reason I was leaning toward the other is because it matches my star book ;) I have an OCD thing about having all the books in a series. Maybe I'll go back for it later.
 

ShadowRancher

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Ok this seems to be the best guide to torts of the world I could find and it's not an actual book ( nor super impressive but I guess it's better than nothing)... http://fieldguides.eol.org/fieldguide-view.php?guidekey=204

Everything else seems to be on turtles and torts, which apparently means mostly about turtles (not that I don't love them too I just know more about them already)... Why isn't there just an easy tortoises of the world book? Enquiring minds...
 

Madkins007

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(Moving to the books section)


There are a couple lists you may like:

Art/HLogic's- https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/welcome/art-s-book-list

The Tortoise Library Bibliography- https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/welcome/bibliography-1

Two books that may be of interest are:
"Encyclopedia of Turtles" by Dr. Peter Pritchard, 1979. $60, or
"Turtles of the World" by Dupree, Devaux, and Bonin, (translated by Dr, Pritchard). 2006. $63.11. Similar in that they both try to discuss each species of turtle in the world, Pritchard's is the more interesting, but more dated and less nicely put together.
 

ShadowRancher

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Madkins007 said:
(Moving to the books section)


There are a couple lists you may like:

Art/HLogic's- https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/welcome/art-s-book-list

The Tortoise Library Bibliography- https://sites.google.com/site/tortoiselibrary/welcome/bibliography-1

Two books that may be of interest are:
"Encyclopedia of Turtles" by Dr. Peter Pritchard, 1979. $60, or
"Turtles of the World" by Dupree, Devaux, and Bonin, (translated by Dr, Pritchard). 2006. $63.11. Similar in that they both try to discuss each species of turtle in the world, Pritchard's is the more interesting, but more dated and less nicely put together.

Wonderful, thank you! Looks like I have some new papers to read.... I just looked up turtles of the world and it looks like all amazon has I one of the same name by Ernst, do you have a link to the one you meant.
 

HLogic

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Try searching for the ISBN: 0801884969 or 978-0801884962 (Bonin's Turtles of the World)
 

zesty_17

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some of these I have, others are at the top of my wish list.... the new turtle and tortoise care and rehabilitation book is good(in another thread somewhere), mader's veterinarian reptile medicine, the "medicine and surgery of turtles and tortoises," "infectious diseases and pathology of reptiles: color atlas and text," "turtles of florida"-George Heinrich, "The Last Tortoise," "The Lizard King," "Giant Tortoises of the Indian Ocean, The Genus 'Dipsochelys' inhabiting the Seychelles Islands and the extinct giants of Madagascar and the Mascarenes" - Justin Gerlach
 

Madkins007

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I've got Mader's book (and I just heard that Art got a SIGNED copy!) It is wonderful, but I honestly cannot understand about 75% of it. I have not read it, but I think the rehab book mentioned might be a better buy for most of us.

"Lizard King" is a fun read. It is the sort of book I wish we could start a lending library for- books we want to read but don't want to/need to keep.
 
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