Amphibians and Reptiles of Delmarva allows the reader to get up close and personal with 73 species of reptiles and amphibians in their home environments--from the barking tree frog, pictured on the cover of the book, to the venomous copperhead snake that can be found in only two locations in Delaware.

This comprehensive field guide, the first for the region, was written by Jim White, AG '75, with his wife Amy Wendt White, EG '92M, of Hockessin, Del. After serving as a principal investigator in a five-year herpetological survey that documented where species occurred in the state, Jim decided to use his Delaware research to form the basis for the Delmarva guide.

"We chose the area of Delmarva because it's where we live and what we're familiar with," says Jim, who is associate director of land and bio-diversity site management for the Delaware Nature Society. Amy is a part-time teacher and naturalist at the society's Ashland Nature Center in Hockesson.

The Delmarva Peninsula includes Delaware, the northeast corner of Maryland and the eastern shore of Virginia.

Although he started thinking about the book in 1986, Jim says he really began to organize and write the guide in 1998 when Amy became more involved in the project. The book displays photos of the amphibians and reptiles known to occur in the Delmarva area, from skinks to snakes and turtles to frogs. The Whites found each of the species and Jim took most of the pictures displayed in the book.

Photographing frogs was especially challenging, White says, because it often required standing in water, frequently at night, waiting for a frog to call.

Each species' account contains a range map to see how rare it is, a detailed description of its physical characteristics, comparisons to similar species and where to find them in the United States along with information on abundance, habitat, reproduction, development, behavior and a voice description. The book also contains helpful information on nature conservation and an extensive bibliography.

"The book's bibliography is something we're very proud of," Jim says. "The bibliography is the most recent and extensive ever done on Delaware. Most field guides don't have that much information."

The Whites say they believe that their field guide has a wide range of use, not only for professionals, but also for those interested in learning more about nature. "We're hoping by offering it at low price of $14.95 that anyone who wants it could get it," Jim says. The book is available at the Ashland Nature Center, regional stores and museums and also can be ordered from the Delaware Nature Society by calling (302) 239-2334.

An entomology major at UD, Jim has worked at the Delaware Nature Society for 20 years and also teaches a herpetology class at the University. Amy trained in environmental engineering at UD.

Jim says he believes in teaching people about the environment because it's the only way to protect it. "The more knowledge you have, the better decisions you can make about the things around you," he says.

--Amy Pasternack, AS 2003