Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
Fellow zonata/pyro enthusiasts,just a quick questions. After much delay of grabbing this book, I decided to see if amazon or ebay had a copy for a reasonable price. to my shock, "Zonata" is going for $3000?! USED? even on amazon the lowest price began at $100 . Whats the deal? Anyone have an idea why this is (out of print, or just rare)? Anyone have an extra copy they can let go?

thanks-zach
Amazon search result for Zonata

If thats the case I will sell you my copy for the low low price of $2,499.00 and throw in a copy of the alterna book they made as a bonus! JK! I dont think this book was that rare or old and I think you can find a copy somewhere for a lot less than what you posted. Just keep looking. They do have beautiful pictures in them of some amazing animals. Maybe try G. Merker's site as I think they contributed to the book. Hope this helps.

Sell you my copy for 2,000.

I noticed similar prices when I was shopping for my copy of the book. I ended up getting at from a place called Maryland Reptile farm for $15. I saved thousands!

Thank you for your information. I actually ordered it from that place right after I read your post! It arrived today and I must say, it is an amazing work! Only one complaint....too short!

Now,with this knowledge, I will start, once again, my search for the coastals in santa cruz when the season changes.

any tips from anyone that has searched the santa cruz mountains?

"Now,with this knowledge, I will start, once again, my search for the coastals in santa cruz when the season changes."

So THAT'S why you wanted the book? *sigh* As much as I love Hubbs and Mulks as friends, I was afraid their literary works would lead to this. As another poster on the king forum states, "the avalanche has already started -- it's too late for the pebbles to vote".

Regardless, if this is what you intend PLEASE be responsible in many, many ways. If you don't know what I mean, please ask. Coastal areas are especially sensitive.
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Jerry Kruse

And God said, "Let there be zonata subspecies for all to ponder..."

By no means do i wish to collect any..no way. I just take pics. Have gone out and found some charina before, just pics. I always replace the rocks, if I ever even move them. I'm more of a walk a trail and look kinda person.

Wow,

This means that I'm sitting on hundreds of thousands! I never knew my books would be worth more than me. Haha. Seriously, last I looked Amazon had them at $15. It looks like I need to tell my brother (the publisher) to start circulating a few more of these.

I'm glad to hear people like the book, and I'm sorry that some have found it too short. However, I wanted it that way. When I thought of how I wanted to build the book I simply thought 'coffee table' book. Still to this day I don't think I put any info in there that would really help out a field collector. There are a few habitat shots, but not many, and not really any pieces of literature that tell or disclose hunting techniques. That was my goal - a book of nice photos, but of no info for collectors. There's already multiple books that share information for collectors; I didn't want mine to be another one of those.

Take care ya'll...now I'm gonna go and try to sell some books for a couple grand! Hahahaha.

Mitch

Honestly, I don't think your book or Hubbs' book significantly increases pressure on wild populations.

As you mentioned, your book really doesn't discuss specific localities or hunting techniques.

While Hubbs' book does disclose specific localities and techniques, I don't believe it encourages collecting any more that posting photos of locality z's on public forums does.

Without question there are areas that have been over-collected and habitat has been destroyed, but I think that this is in a very small percentage of overall z habitat. Since most z habitat is in really remote areas, far from roads, I don't think there is an overall threat from over-collecting.

That being said, I don't keep any zonata, I just take pictures.