From an early age, Rudolf Zimmermann discovered his fondness for reptiles and amphibians. The special feature of this volume presented by Zimmermann is that it characterizes the different orders, families, genera, and species mainly based on their external, immediately noticeable characteristics, making them accessible to the reader. He succeeds in quickly and efficiently introducing even the uninformed reader to the topic, allowing for an understanding and classification of the various animals. This is a carefully edited reprint of the original edition from 1908.