Peterson Field Guide to Western Reptiles & Amphibians

The late Robert C. Stebbins was professor emeritus of zoology at the University of California, Berkeley, and curator emeritus of the University's Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. He authored over a dozen books plus numerous scientific papers and produced two documentaries. He was the foremost illustrator of North American amphibians and reptiles. In addition to his work in herpetology and vertebrate natural history, he devoted much of his life to promoting "ecological literacy" in both young people and adults through seminars, workshops, and publications. His last work, Connecting with Nature: A Naturalist's Perspective, summarizes his work in this important area.


Samuel M. McGinnis is professor emeritus of biology at California State University, East Bay. After receiving a degree in zoology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, he migrated west to work with Robert C. Stebbins on his Ph.D. at the University of California, Berkeley. While there, he pioneered the use of miniature radio transmitters to study temperature regulation and behavior in a variety of lizard, snake, and turtle species in their natural habitats. In addition to his university teaching, he has served as a consultant on endangered and threatened amphibian and reptile species for a variety of state and federal agencies. In addition to numerous scientific papers and technical reports, he wrote Freshwater Fishes of California and co-authored A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of California with Robert C. Stebbins.