author
Tom R. Johnson
A longtime herpetologist and field naturalist, this author is best known for clear, practical books about amphibians and reptiles, especially in Missouri. His work blends hands-on zoo and conservation experience with a deep interest in helping readers recognize and understand wildlife.
1 Audiobook
Amphibians and Reptiles in Captivity
by Tom R. Johnson, Robert N. Bader, Donald J. Coxwell
About the author
Growing up in central Wisconsin, he went on to earn a zoology degree from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point in 1970. Early in his career, he spent seven years as a reptile keeper in several Midwestern zoos before leaving the St. Louis Zoo in 1977 to join the Missouri Department of Conservation.
His writing is closely tied to that field experience. He is known for books such as The Amphibians and Reptiles of Missouri and for earlier work on Missouri amphibians, bringing together identification help, natural history, and practical knowledge for readers interested in reptiles and amphibians.
That background gives his books a grounded, useful quality: they feel written by someone who has spent real time observing and caring for the animals he describes. For listeners and readers who enjoy nature writing with a strong scientific base, his work offers an accessible introduction to the lives of often-misunderstood creatures.