Frogs and Toads of Big Bend National Park

Gage H. Dayton, Raymond Skiles, and Linnea Dayton

Frogs and toads are an often overlooked dimension of Big Bend National Park. Although they can often be seen in large numbers after a good spring rain, you have to be extra observant or dedicated to find most of the critters in this book. Once you read about their desert survival skills though, you may find yourself wanting to plan a trip just to go frog and toad watching!

From the publisher: “This fascinating look at the eleven amphibian species that call Texas' Big Bend National Park home is designed to help visitors of all ages and levels of experience understand how amphibians use the park's environment and where each species is likely to be found.

In words and pictures, the authors present the distinguishing features of each species so that visitors can identify the frogs and toads they see. Natural history and conservation information alerts readers to the special habits of these little creatures as well as to the changes in habitat brought on by grazing, introduced predators, and reduced water flow.

Frogs and Toads of Big Bend National Park is highly recommended for amateur naturalists, herpetologists, and especially visitors and admirers of this fascinating region and its ecosystem.

About the authors: GAGE H. DAYTON, who has a Ph.D. from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University, has studied ecology and conservation of amphibians at Big Bend National Park since 1998. RAYMOND SKILES is a wildlife biologist in the Science and Resource Management Division at Big Bend National Park. LINNEA DAYTON, who resides in California, holds a master's degree in zoology from the University of Washington.

What people are saying about this book:

"What a great little book! It's enough to make one kiss a toad. . . . This book will be a classic in our collection."—Mike Boren, Executive Director, Big Bend Natural History Association

Flexibound, 5 ¾ x 8 ½ inches, 64 pp., 39 color photos, 1 map. Gloss. Bib., May 2007