Outstanding Academic Title for 2007, Choice Magazine

From the familiar painted turtle basking on a log to the majestic long-lived giant tortoises, turtles are among the most fascinating animals on the planet. For many years Franck Bonin, Bernard Devaux, and Alain Dupré have traveled the world together to study turtles in their natural habitats. In this complete guide to the world's nearly 300 species of turtles, the authors reveal intimate, little-known details of these intriguing reptiles in their native habitats: what they eat, where they live, how they behave, and when and where they lay their eggs.

Originally written in French, the text has been translated by one of the world's leading turtle experts, Peter C. H. Pritchard. The result is a beautifully written and illustrated book that belongs on the shelf of every library, public and private. Written for the millions of turtle lovers and nature enthusiasts who will find answers to their questions within its pages, this book is bound to become the standard reference for years to come.

Franck Bonin is a veterinarian with thirty-two years of specialized experience with turtles. Bernard Devaux is the founder of the French nonprofit organization Village des Tortues. Alain Dupré is an avid turtle enthusiast who serves on the boards of several conservation organizations in France. Peter C. H. Pritchard is the author of hundreds of articles on turtles and the Encyclopedia of Turtles.