Happy World Frog Day! In this episode we answer a couple questions from listeners: why are there no neotenic frogs, and what books we recommend for people interested in herpetology (fair warning: it’s a lot!)

Remember that you can watch the full episode with video at youtube.com/@squamatespod!

Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full notes and references, go to squamatespod.com

Episode Shout-outs

Earyn McGee — Bluesky (and also Goliath)

Books we mention in the episode:

Pough, F.H. et al. Herpetology. 4th Edition. ISBN: 9781605352336 [Amazon.com]

Vitt, L.J. & Caldwell, J.P. Herpetology. 4th Edition. ISBN 9780123869197

[Amazon.com] (2nd edition was by Zug et al., shown by Mark on the episode)

McDiarmid, R.W. et al. Reptile Biodiversity: Standard methods for inventory and monitoring. ISBN 9780520266711 [publisher website]

Duellman, W.E. & Trueb, L. 1994. Biology of Amphibians. 2nd edition. ISBN: 9780801847806 [Amazon.com]

Frost, D.R. et al. 1985. Amphibian Species of the World. [Amazon.com] (superseded by https://amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org/)

Powell, R. et al. 2016. Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians Eastern & Central North America. [Amazon.com]

Glaw, F. & Vences, M. 2007.Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar.  3rd Edition. [Amazon.com]

Glaw, F. & Vences, M. 1994. Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar.  2nd Edition. [Amazon.com]

Leenders, T. 2016. Amphibians of Costa Rica. ISBN: 978-1501700620 [Amazon.com]

Leenders, T. 2019. Reptiles of Costa Rica. ISBN: 978-1501739538

[Amazon.com]

Arteaga, A. et al. 2024. Reptiles of Ecuador. ISBN: 9783899731408 [NHBS.com]

Tilbury, C. 2018. Chameleons of Africa. 2nd Edition. [NHBS.com]

Savage, J.M. 2005. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica. ISBN: 978-0226735382 [Amazon.com]

Fahrbach, M. & Gerlach, U. 2018. The Genus Triturus. ISBN: 978389973527 [publisher website]

O’Shea, M. 2011. Venomous Snakes of the World. ISBN: 978-0691150239 [Amazon.com]

Gans. 1969–2010. Biology of the Reptilia. Full Books available online at: https://carlgans.org/biology-reptilia-online/

Darwin, C. 1859. On the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. [Amazon.com]

Mayr, E. 1942. Systematics and the Origin of Species from the Viewpoint of a Zoologist. [Amazon.com]

Losos, J. 2011. Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree: Ecology and Adaptive Radiation of Anoles. ISBN: 978-0520269842. [Amazon.com]

Kocak, E. 2023. Moistly Harmless: How to Appreciate Newts and Salamanders. [publisher website]

de Vosjoli, P. et al. 2003. Rhacodactylus: The Complete Guide to their Selection and Care. [Amazon.com, but good luck]

Greene, H. Tracks and Shadows: Field Biology as Art. [Amazon.com]

Losos, J.B. Improbable Destinies: Fate, Chance, and the Future of Evolution. [Amazon.com]

Obst, F.J. et al. The Completely Illustrated Atlas of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Terrarium. [Amazon.com]

Follow the show and the hosts on social media!

SquaMates: website • instagram • facebook • youtube • bluesky

Mark D. Scherz: website • instagram • tumblr • facebook • researchgate • redbubble • bluesky

Gabriel Ugueto: <a href="http://gabrielugueto.com/" targe