Reptiles of Victoria

”[…] one of the best reptile field guides in recent memory. It has everything a person needs to identify that little brown skink in their garden, or the big snake they saw on their last bushwalk, and will serve as a useful reference to scientist and layperson alike. It is also engagingly well written.” – James Van Dyke * Ecological Management & Restoration Vol 20 (3) *

Peter Robertson worked in the public service for 15 years, undertaking regional fauna surveys and coordinating the research and management of several threatened reptiles and amphibians. He then founded an ecological consultancy where he continues to investigate the conservation management of Victoria’s fauna. With a keen interest in photography, Peter has produced the majority of the photographs in this book.

John Coventry was Senior Curator of Herpetology at the National Museum of Victoria (now Museums Victoria), where he worked for nearly 50 years, providing inspiration and support to a generation of herpetologists. Two species of skinks are named after John, in recognition of his major contributions to the field. John retired from the museum in 2002, afforded the title of ‘Curator Emeritus’ until his death in 2007.

Peter and John met in 1976, quickly forming an enduring friendship based on their shared passion for herpetology. Together, they spent many thousands of hours in the field, carefully studying and documenting the reptile fauna of Victoria.