Robert C. Stebbins (1915–2013)

When something is slithering outside our windows (which is quite often, here in Tucson), I usually run and pull out a field guide in the hope of establishing just what sort of reptile has taken up residence with us. The pictures in this particular guide are not often helpful; they rarely resemble the common Sonoran creatures who share our lives. On the other hand, if I can find a native Tucsonan who can identify what I am seeing, and if I then look it up in this book, I'll get a pretty good write-up on habits, range, toxicity (very important!) and so on. It could be that there are just too many coachwhips and whipsnakes, king snakes and rattlers - just to name a few of our cohabitants - to illustrate them all. And once I have figured out that no, that is not my garden hose, I really have most of the important information I need. (JAF)… (más)