Beautiful pictures. It is grouped by continent and there were so many lizards. Several I had never heard of before. Very fun book.

4 stars

A great pictorial guide to a creature that, let's face it, won't shift that many units for being cute. Hopefully this does something to dispel the dislike of these beasts, the way they sit and lie in wait (often, for animals so astute, on top of each other), their ungainly open mouths when they're cooling down, and their sheer prehistoric ferocity. Starting with the Americas we see an alligator and a crocodile before, with the help of the typical captions this series of books sticks to, we're learning about caiman lizards (not caimans, though – they have to bide their time a few pages).

The captions actually get a strong amount of their biology across – which ones eat what, which ones have living young and which eggs, which ones may change colour and why. I think there may be a few people disappointed that the crocodiles etc are diluted by monitor lizards, geckos and more, but the, shall we say more easily handled potential pets never take over, and we're often gawping at an array of teeth and that steadfast stillness that has served the crocs so long. The photos are up to the high standards this publishing house regularly achieve, forgoing any fanciful golden hour imagery for the close-up and the wider portrait alike. So we learn a lot and we see a lot, and if that is your intention with these animals (and a much safer way of dealing with them you can seldom find, I think), then this should be a strong consideration. Four and a half stars.

I am an absolute sucker for a good reference nature book and this one did not disappoint. I received an advanced copy from @netgalley and I’m so so glad I got accepted.

This book is full of absolutely stunning photos, capturing the true essence of these wonderful animals, as well as so many interesting facts on the different species the book talks about. I learnt so much about species I already know of, as well as ones I’ve never heard of before but want to research further! Definitely one for anyone who loves learning about these creatures 🐊

Beautifully illustrated guide to crocodiles, alligators and lizards of the world. Broken down by continent, each of the stunning photographs are captioned with facts and information about the reptiles. A gorgeous book for all ages!

Beautifully illustrated guide to crocodiles, alligators and lizards of the world. Broken down by continent, each of the stunning photographs are captioned with facts and information about the reptiles. A gorgeous book for all ages!

Crocodiles, Alligators & Lizards - From Black Caimans to Komodo Dragons by David Alderton is a stunning look at our ancient neighbours throughout the world from massive Alligators, Crocodiles, Komodo Dragons and Gila Monsters to the teeny little anoles and skinks. Alongside are the fascinating adaptations such as the jaw of the Gharial, the feet of the Tokay Gecko and the intimidating frilled lizard (which are flipping hilarious when they then run off bipedally)

Every reptile is beautifully presented with stunning images and succinct descriptions that are very well researched. Fascinating and a joy to read

Thank you to NetGalley, Amber Books Ltd | Amber Books and the author David Alderton for this beautiful ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

“Crocodiles, Alligators & Lizards: From Black Caimans to Komodo Dragons” by David Alderton is a riveting journey through the ancient lineage of some of the planet’s most formidable reptiles.

Alderton, with his lifelong passion for wildlife, has crafted a book that is as educational as it is visually stunning.

Spanning 224 pages, this book is a treasure trove of over 200 brilliant photographs that bring the reader face-to-face with these prehistoric creatures.

Alderton’s prose is engaging, seamlessly blending facts with narrative to illuminate the lives of these reptiles.

The detailed captions accompanying each photograph inform and evoke a sense of wonder at the evolutionary marvels these animals represent.

What sets this book apart is its ability to cater to both the casual reader and the herpetology enthusiast. The vivid pictorial guide is accessible enough for those with a budding interest in reptiles, yet detailed enough to satisfy the curiosity of the more seasoned aficionado.

“Crocodiles, Alligators & Lizards” offers a window into the world of some of the most awe-inspiring animals on Earth. Alderton’s latest work is an experience that transports the reader across continents and through time, to appreciate the majesty and mystery of these ancient predators.

A MUST-HAVE for any wildlife library, this book promises to be a classic reference for years to come.

An enthusiastic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating from this excited reviewer!

Wonderful photographs of crocs and lizards around the world. Text is limited. It would be wonderful if we knew more about the Australian saltie… Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Crocodiles, Alligators & Lizards by David Alderton is chock full of enthralling information and stupendous photography highlighting some of the most fascinating reptiles you have...and haven't...heard of, arranged by continent.

Reading about these marvellous creatures while watching wall lizards dart around compelled me to take a closer look at their behaviors and characteristics. I absolutely love observing them and learning more about them.

What a privilege to learn about breathing and cooling mechanisms, alligator food, legless lizards, Morelet's crocodiles which can launch themselves out of water, massive gharials, Chinese water dragons and thorny devil lizards. I did not know that some crocodiles have a deliberate method of attracting birds. The most jaw-dropping photographs to me are the bizarre and beautiful armadillo-girdled lizard, gecko scales and panther chameleon, absolutely out of this world!

My sincere thank you to Amber Books Ltd. and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this phenomenal book.

I loooooooooove reptiles. This book was a delight. The photographs were wonderful. I would buy this just so I could gaze upon beautiful reptiles whenever I felt like it. The information wasn't organized quite like I would have hoped. I would have rather had entries with all the information gathered in one place followed by all the photos instead of all the information being in captions, because that made it harder to hold onto the facts, but it was still really fun.

You’d think that reptiles and crocodilians would all look the same but, as this book proves, they show a variety of species, sizes, colors and even shapes. Each chapter is devoted to a continent and features these ancient creatures, with short blurbs about their biology, feeding habits and even reproductive cycles (I don’t think I ever knew that some lizards have live young). The quality of the photographs is excellent, with vibrant colors and highlighting small details such as their scales and eyes. You can almost feel the touch of their skin. Since you can’t hug a crocodile (or you can, but only once) this is the next best thing.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Amber Books.