Herps of Texas: References for Amphibian Identification

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Websites

• Herps of Texas — contains photos, range maps and voice recordings for nearly all of the frogs and toads in Texas, as well as information on other amphibians and reptiles: http://www.zo.utexas.edu/research/txherps
• Frogwatch USA — an adopt-a-frog pond sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), can provide more information and online reporting: http://www.nwf.org/frogwatchusa/
• North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP) — a USGS-led effort which engages state partners in systematically monitoring amphibians using roadside surveys. Also provides a Frog Call Quiz for practice in identifying frog calls in different regions of the state: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp/
• AmphibiaWeb — sponsored by UC-Berkeley, is an online system that allows free access to information on amphibian biology and conservation: amphibiaweb.org/index.html

Tapes and CDs

• Voices of the Night contains recordings of 36 frog and toad species found in eastern North America, including the eastern half of Texas, along with information about the species. Distributed by Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology (607) 266-7425. Cost approximately $11.
• Frog and Toad Calls of the Rocky Mountains and Southwest contains species found in the western part of Texas, among others. Distributed by Cornell Laboratory (607) 266-7425.
• The Calls of Frogs and Toads Eastern and Central North America contains recordings and written information about 42 species of frogs and toads found east of the Great Plains. Side two contains a guide to variations in calls and interpretation of mixed species choruses. Distributed by One Good Tern 1-800-432-8376. Cost approximately $14.
• A Guide to Night Sounds contains recordings of night birds and insects (useful for comparison to anuran calls.) Distributed by One Good Tern 1-800-432-8376.
• Texas Amphibian Guide to the Calls of Frogs and Toads in Texas contains recordings of 41 frogs and toads in Texas. It also contains a guide to interpreting frog and toad choruses. Available for $5.00 from Wildlife Diversity Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife (1-800-792-1112, x 8062).

Field Guides

These are available in most book stores and nature stores. Most paperback costs range from $12 to $20.

• A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern/Central North America by Roger Conant and Joseph T. Collins. Color drawings, maps, and text for all Texas species. Part of the Peterson Field Guide series, published in 1991 by Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
• Reptiles and Amphibians (Golden Series) by H.S. Zim & H. M. Smith. Color drawings, maps and text for most Texas species. Published by Golden Books.
• The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians by J.L. Behler and F. W. King. Photos, maps, and text. Published in 1985 by Alfred A. Knopf.
• A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Texas by RD Bartlett and PD Bartlett. Provides photos and text for all Texas species, except snakes (found in a separate guide). Published in 1999 by Gulf Publishing. Out of print, but used copies may be available.
• Amphibians and Reptiles of Texas with Keys, Taxonomic Synopses, Bibliography, and Distribution by J. Dixon. A more technical book, with distribution maps by county, but fewer illustrations. Published by Texas A&M Press.

Other Books

• Let's Hear It For Herps!, by Nature Scope
• Extremely Weird Frogs, by Lovett
• Salamanders, by Winner
• Stokes Nature Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles, by Tyning (Stokes Nature Guides)

Videos

Several videos give students an excellent introduction to amphibians and their life histories. We recommend:

• The Eyewitness video, Amphibians, available through Acorn Naturalists, 1-800-422-8886
• The Britannica video, Looking at Amphibians.
• The National Geographic video, Reptiles and Amphibians.

Workshops

Texas Amphibian Watch offers workshops at several locations each year. Workshops will present information about the biology and characteristics of amphibians in your area and detailed instructions for conducting amphibian monitoring. Cost is $10, which includes a notebook and CD of frog and toad calls. For schedules, check the Texas Nature Trackers Workshops page frequently.