Living Dinosaurs
A Wildlife Monograph, by Heather Angel
There are considered to be 4 living groups of reptiles that have been around since the times of the dinosaurs, crocodilians; Turtles and tortoises,; Snakes, lizards and worm lizards; and tuatara.
Crocodilians
There are 23 species of crocodiles: True crocodiles (13 species); alligators & caimans (8 species); plus the gharial and the false gharial. The Saltwater crocodile is the biggest of all living crocodilian; it is found in India, South East Asia and Australasia, and averages 20 feet long. They have been found out in the open sea. However fossilised remains have been found in the Sahara of a 40 foot monster species.
Tuatara
Originally thought to be a lizard, the tuatara was recently split off into its own group. Found only in New Zealand, it had become extinct on the main islands by about 1700 and survived only on a few rat free islands. Tuatara were recently reintroduced into safe sanctuaries ion New Zealand's main islands.
Turtles & tortoises
With a lineage dating back some 2000 million years, turtles and tortoises are amongst the oldest living species on earth. However many are now threatened with extinction due to their vulnerability to human disturbance and exploitation. Generally slow moving, their shells are no protection against human hunters, and their eggs are very vulnerable to collection.
Lizards
A widely ranging and widely varied group, they range from the huge Komodo dragon and Nile monitor lizard, through the delicate and beautiful chameleons to tiny geckos, and with almost every imaginable variation in between. They can be found in deserts, in forests and in woodland, and marine iguanas, uniquely, have adapted to an almost aquatic existence in the Galapagos.
Heather Angel is an award winning wildlife photographer and she kindly provides readers with the benefit of her knowledge with a range or photography tips.
Click Living Dinosaurs to buy this book
Published by Evans Mitchell Books
RRP £9.99
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