A Comprehensive Guide to the Amphibians of the Middle East

Exploring the Resounding Realm of Salientians and Salamanders

From the rugged mountains of Anatolia to the lush wetlands of the Levant, and from the deserts of Arabia to the forests of North Africa, a hidden world of amphibians thrives. For the first time, a modern scientific bestiary brings together all the amphibians of Lebanon, Western Asia, and North Africa into a single, comprehensive volume.

Written and illustrated by Husein Ali Zorkot, this groundbreaking guide is an indispensable resource for both herpetologists and nature enthusiasts, offering detailed insights into 128 species of amphibians, including salamanders, newts, true frogs, tree frogs, toads, and more. With the region’s fragile herpetofauna facing increasing threats, this book serves as an essential tool for awareness, research, and conservation efforts.


A Scientific Masterpiece of Amphibian Diversity

📌 Comprehensive Coverage of 128 Amphibian Species
✅ Descriptions include range, habitat, morphology, and behavior
✅ Covers 36 threatened and 55 rare/endemic species, highlighting conservation priorities

📌 Visually Rich & Easy-to-Use
High-quality color illustrations of each species, along with drawings of tadpoles, efts, postures, and reflexes
Color maps detailing species distribution

📌 Bilingual & Accessible
Common, scientific, and Arabic names for every species
Glossary of herpetological terms for easy reference

📌 An In-Depth Introduction to Amphibian Ecology
✅ Explores the wetlands, river valleys, and water basins of the Middle East, including:

  • Litani, Orontes, and Beirut River Valleys
  • Anjar-Kfarzabad Wetlands
  • Hima Environmental Sanctuaries in Lebanon
    Conservation insights on how to protect amphibians in a changing world

📌 A Must-Have for Scientists & Nature Enthusiasts
Field-friendly design for researchers, conservationists, and eco-tourists
First checklist of Middle Eastern amphibians


Why This Guide Matters

Amphibians play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance, serving as both predators and prey while acting as indicators of environmental health. Yet, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change threaten many of these species.

By equipping scientists, conservationists, and the general public with scientific knowledge and stunning visuals, this book encourages greater awareness and action to protect the Middle East’s amphibian populations before it’s too late.


Book Details & Sponsors

📖 Written and Illustrated by: Husein Ali Zorkot
🎗 Sponsored by: MAVA Foundation, The Sigrid Rausing Trust, and International Union for Conservation of Nature – Regional Office for West Asia
📅 Published in: 2020 – Beirut
📌 ISBN: 978-9953-0-5249-6

📖 Get your copy today and contribute to amphibian conservation in the Middle East!
🔗 Buy it now from Souk Al Hima

 

Al Hima Magazine 5th Issue

This edition of Al Hima magazine weaves together inspiring stories of nature conservation and community resilience, highlighting how Lebanon is being stitched back to life—one Hima at a time. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) continues its mission to preserve the country’s natural heritage by empowering local communities. A cornerstone of this effort is the BioConnect project, funded by the European Union, which has achieved three national firsts: Lebanon’s first natural park (Upper Matn), first geological park (Shouf-Jezzine), and first endowment Hima (Btekhnay).

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