Gabriel the son of Roman soldier is afraid of night shadows. When he has the chance to travel with his father's squad and their war dogs on a mission to the Crimson Forest, he is excited. When the Volgoths--and the shadow creatures they bring to life--attack, Gabriel, with the help of his dog, Nero, discovers that an old family amulet summons the help of Atticus Rex, a Great Spirit Dog who rises from the Underworld. Gabriel overcomes his fear of shadows and becomes a warrior.
Finally, the information presented by Philippe de Vosjoli in his many lectures on naturalistic vivarium design is now available in book form. This is the first book that deals specifically with the design and maintenance of naturalistic desert vivaria for the keeping of reptiles.
Illustrated with over 150 color photographs, Crested Geckos is an authoritative, visual guide to this very popular lizard species. For their amazing colors and patterns, low maintenance requirements, longevity, and attractive appearance, crested geckos have captured the fancy of hobbyists. Crested Geckos provides guidelines for keepers who wish to select a crested gecko to add to their vivarium and to maintain their pet in excellent health and condition. Author Philippe de Vosjoli provides an introduction to crested gecko, including information about purchasing a healthy pet, handling, heating and housing, water and feeding, life cycle and sexing, and breeding. A separate chapter on diseases and disorders provides solid info on the health needs of these rewarding reptiles, including recognizing signs of disease, tail loss and pelvic deformities. The author has also written two chapters devoted to the color of crested geckos, their most alluring feature for many herpetoculturists. The chapters include discussions of color changes (as the gecko matures) and morphs, heavily illustrated with photographs of unusually colored crested geckos. For crested gecko keepers looking to expand their home populations, a chapter on the Rhacodactylus species describes five species with similar requirements despite their significantly different appearances, from the medium-sized knobby-headed gargoyle gecko to the giant Rhacodactylus leachianus.
In recent years, herpetoculturists have been fortunate in having the opportunity to keep and work with some of the large agamid lizards from southeast Asia, notably green water dragons and the Philippine Sailfin lizards. This book is dedicated to the care, maintenance, and breeding of these Asian lizards in captivity. In addition, a section has been included on the basilisk lizards of the New World.
This new edition of the best-selling The Bearded Dragon Manual will help you take quality care of your pet and describes why these attractive lizards are the best reptiles to own. From breeding, egg-laying, and basic genetics to creating a comfortable habitat, understanding typical bearded dragon behavior and personality quirks, diet and nutrition, and so much more, each detailed chapter will bring you closer to this remarkable reptile! Also included are insightful answers to dragon owners’ frequently asked questions, as well as illustrated chapters on color morphs and the care and breeding of frilled dragons. New edition includes updated information on care and feeding, breeding, habitat, and habits, as well as eight new sections.
“Beautifully crafted stories from one of our most honored authors” (The New York Times), Ron Hansen’s She Loves Me Not is an acclaimed collection of stunning fiction, three decades in the writing. Ron Hansen has long been celebrated as a master of both the novel and the short form. His stories have been called “extraordinary” (The New York Times Book Review) and “wise and smart” (The Washington Post). In She Loves Me Not, the subjects of Hansen’s scrutiny range from Oscar Wilde to murder to dementia to romance, and display Hansen at his storytelling best: These are “unforgettable stories, each utterly different from the one before….This is writing that slows the breathing” (San Francisco Chronicle). Readers will thrill to Hansen’s masterful attention to the smallest and most telling details, even as he plunges straight into the deepest recesses of desire, love, fury, and loss. Magisterial in its scope and surprising in its variety, She Loves Me Not shows an author at the height of his powers and confirms Hansen’s place as a major American writer. This breathtaking collection “should put him on the short-story map” (USA TODAY). She Loves Me Not contains an excerpt from Hansen’s new novel, The Kid, to be published in fall, 2016.
Still the most popular large snake in the pet world, the boa constrictor of South America is a hardy, beautiful snake that is fairly docile and considered safe when handled properly. In The Boa Constrictor Manual, world-renowned herp expert Philippe de Vosjoli has written a concise and useful guide, well illustrated with color photographs, that offers all of the information a boa keeper needs to maintain a pet snake safely and in the best of health. This Advanced Vivarium Systems title includes information about selecting and purchasing a healthy boa constrictor, proper housing and maintenance needs, feeding, and safe handling. Dr. Roger Klingenberg, a herp veterinary specialist, has written a special health chapter on diseases and disorders, with particular emphasis on the dreaded boa AIDS (inclusion body disease or IBD) as well as parasitism, respiratory disease, and more. The chapter concludes with a six-page chart on troubleshooting health concerns, which all boa constrictor keepers will find useful for general upkeep and recognizing and dealing with serious issues. Beyond the husbandry and health of boa constrictors, this book offers an excellent chapter by Jeff Ronne on breeding Colombia boa constrictors, beginning with the size and health of breeding and animals and the female’s cycling to the birth and care of newborns. Resources and index included.
Chameleons are fascinating creatures-they have eyes capable of moving independently of one another, a projectile tongue that allows them to capture insects from a distance, and a prehensile tail that helps keep them stable when climbing trees and shrubs. The Essential Care of Chameleons is packed with everything you need to know on selecting, acclimating, housing, and feeding a chameleon. You'll also find a special section on caring for the more popular species, including tips on how to overcome problems with diseases and disorders. Whether you are just thinking about getting a chameleon or are an experienced breeder, this book offers the most up-to-date information on all your chameleon needs.
Among the best vivarium animals are the stunningly beautiful tree frogs, the subject of this book. This colorful and informative guide written by three renowned ranine experts focuses on the care of tree frogs but also covers important topics, from acclimating imported species to housing, feeding, and captive breeding. Popular Tree Frogs proves the most authoritative and reliable resource for keeping tree frogs healthy and thriving. Authors Philippe de Vosjoli, Robert Maillous, and Drew Ready provide guidelines for selecting and keeping the most popular species of tree frogs, highlighting White's tree frogs and red-eyed tree frogs as well as white-lipped tree frogs, green tree frogs, Cuban tree frog, barking tree frog, gray tree frog, golden foam nest frogs, gliding tree frogs, and Australian red-eyed tree frogs. For each featured tree frog, the authors provide insight into size, longevity, care and maintenance, sexing, feeding, breeding, and more. This Advanced Vivarium Systems title includes information about selecting a healthy example, quarantine and acclimation considerations, housing needs, water and feeding, as well as solid advice about keeping tree frogs healthy. A separate chapter on diseases and disorders provides a complete primer on the health needs and veterinary care of these rewarding amphibians.
