Reptiles: A Very Short Introduction Contributor(s): Kemp, Tom (Author) |
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ISBN: 0198806418 ISBN-13: 9780198806417 Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Binding Type: Paperback - See All Available Formats & Editions Published: March 2019 Click for more in this series: Very Short Introductions |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Science | Life Sciences - General |
Series: Very Short Introductions |
Physical Information: 0.3" H x 4.5" W x 6.8" L (0.20 lbs) 160 pages |
Features: Price on Product |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: For millions of years reptiles have walked, crawled, and slithered over the face of our Earth. From the mighty dinosaurs who dominated the land, the pterosaurs who took to the air, and the marine adapted ichthyosaurs, to the living reptiles today such as the lizards, snakes, crocodiles, and turtles, plus the single species of tuatara in New Zealand, reptiles have come in all shapes and sizes. In this Very Short Introduction Tom Kemp discusses the adaptations reptiles made to first leave the sea and colonize the land in dry conditions, such as their waterproof skin, their ability to expel almost dry waste products, their efficient use of external heat for maintaining their body temperature, and the amniotic egg that is laid and develops on dry land. Considering the different living groups of reptiles today, Kemp then describes how their respective bodies are adapted for their different ways of life, from snake feeding patterns to the way crocodiles breathe. Finally, Kemp assesses the threat of extinction to reptile species due to over-exploitation, habitat destruction, and climate change, and considers what can be done. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. |
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