Reddit reviews Peterson Field Guide to Western Reptiles & Amphibians, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)

There are a number of resources for snake ID and this list is nowhere near comprehensive.

Globally, comprehensive species lists are available via Reptile Database Advanced Search. Reptile Database is mostly correct and up to date in terms of taxonomy. Another worldwide resource is Snakes of the World which, in addition to being comprehensive for extant snakes, also provides a wealth of information on fossil taxa.

Regional guides are useful. If you're in North America, the Eastern Peterson Guide and Western Peterson Guide are great tools, as is Snakes of the United States and Canada. While plagiarized and problematic, the book Snakes of Mexico is the best easily accessible information for the region. For Central America, the Kohler book as well as Savage's Costa Rica book are excellent resources. South America is tough but has a diagnostic catalog. Australia has Cogger as a herp bible. SE Asia has two guides one in German and one comprehensive. For Europe, you simply can't get better than the three volumes of Handbuch der Reptilien und Amphibien Europas. Africa is also difficult - no comprehensive guide exists but there are a few good regional guides like Reptiles of East Africa and Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa. Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar is a good source for that distinct region. For the Indian subcontinent, use Snakes of India

Remember, species names are hypotheses that are tested and revised - old books become dated by the nature of science itself. One of your best resources is going to be following /r/whatsthissnake, or (for North America) with the SSAR Standard Names List for the most recent accepted taxonomic changes.

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There are some links below - basic field guides for your region, that might be good gifts to get started. These are the better texts in what is sort of becoming a bit of a media-saturated market. You're going to be tempted to buy books by authors like Mattison and Hubbs - don't do it! They are garbage that will have to be unlearned.

Additional links for CA - missed the location before

Western Peterson Guide - recently updated, a little janky in terms of taxonomy and reflecting modern methods in herpetology, but a good start

CA herps website - not every state is so lucky to have such a comprehensive and up to date website. It's not perfect but they mostly know what they are doing.

!resources

californiaherps.com

This book doesn't have accurate taxonomy but is still an invaluable resource for IDs and general information:

Peterson Field Guide to Western Reptiles & Amphibians, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1328715507/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_xd7YBbKB95P8S