FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Author Emily Taylor Brings the Wonders of California's Lizards to Life in New Book
California Lizards and How to Find Them Offers a Field Guide of the State’s Diverse
Reptile Life for Herpetologists of All Levels
BERKELEY, CALIF. — Emily Taylor, author of the beloved California Snakes and How to Find Them, is back with a new adventure for reptile enthusiasts. In her latest book, California Lizards and How to Find Them (on sale April 22, 2025), Taylor invites readers to discover the lizards that call California home.
Lizards are not just fascinating; they are an integral part of California’s ecosystems, yet their diversity is easily overlooked in a state renowned for its wildlife. In California Lizards and How to Find Them, Taylor gives her personal, expert perspective on the state’s wide range of lizard species, offering both novice and experienced naturalists the tools to spot and enjoy these
reptiles in the wild.
With over 60 species profiled and featuring 125 full-color photographs, California Lizards and How to Find Them is designed for ease of use in the field, making it the perfect companion for outdoor adventures. Whether you’re a budding reptile enthusiast or a seasoned naturalist, Taylor’s warm and engaging writing will ensure you never look at a lizard the same way again.
Media Contact:
Kalie Caetano
Marketing & Publicity Director, Heyday
For review copies, feature interest, and interview and image requests, get in touch: publicity@heydaybooks.com
Keep up with Heyday on social:
Praise for California Snakes and How to Find Them by Emily Taylor (2024):
“I’ve loved snakes since childhood and am thrilled to now have this gorgeous book as my companion to finding snakes wherever a walk on the wild side takes me.”
—AMY TAN, author of The Joy Luck Club and The Backyard Bird Chronicles
“For anyone who loves snakes, or who wants to love them, Emily Taylor’s California Snakes and How to Find Them is packed with facts in reader- friendly prose by one of the world’s leading snake biologists and conservationists. The utility and emotional impact of this book are further enhanced by some of the most evocative photographs of snakes I’ve ever seen, spanning technically perfect closeups of heads to stunning images of individuals in their species-typical habitats. California Snakes sets a new high bar for nature education, and I look forward to future volumes about other animal groups.”
—HARRY W. GREENE, author of Snakes: The Evolution of Mystery in Nature and Tracks and Shadows: Field Biology as Art
“Emily Taylor’s enthusiasm and love for snakes shine through every sentence of California Snakes and How to Find Them. Her engaging personal stories, authoritative information, and spectacular photographs will charm snake-lovers and future snake-lovers alike. See you in the field, armed with persistence, luck, and knowledge. Happy herping!”
—MARTY CRUMP, author of The Dog of the North
Emily Taylor is a professor of biological sciences at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where she conducts research on the physiology, ecology, and conservation biology of lizards and snakes. Taylor is founder of the community science initiative Project RattleCam (rattlecam.org) and owner of Central Coast Snake Services (centralcoastsnakeservices.com). Her first book, California Snakes and How to Find Them, was published by Heyday in 2024. She lives in Atascadero with her husband, Steve, and their menagerie of rescue animals, including Pax the dog, Baby the boa constrictor, Aperol Spritz the bearded dragon, and rattlesnakes Buzz and Snakeholio. Follow her at @snakeymama.
