Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia.
by Bernard S. Martof, William M. Palmer, et al.
UNC Press, 1985 (Classic).
0807816639 (hardbound), 0807842524 (paperback).
254 pages of color photos, fact summaries and range maps for reference and general interest.
Gr. 8-12/Adult

The Audubon Field Guide to North American Mushrooms.
by Gary Lincoff.
Knopf, 1981.
0394519922
Another classic guide that features the habitats of mushrooms and other fungi species. Color photographs are included, and the guide is conveniently organized by mushroom color and shape.
4-12/Adult

Beginner's Guide to Bats.
by Kim Williams, Rob Mies, Donald and Lillian Stokes.
Little Brown, 2002.
0316816582
Range maps, color photographs, and general information about 45 species of bats in North America.
Gr. 4 -12/Adult

Birds: Peterson First Guides.
Edited by Roger Tory Peterson.
Houghton Mifflin, 1998.
0395906660

Birds of the Carolinas.
by Eloise F. Potter, et al.
UNC Press, 1986 (Classic).
0807841552
Beautiful identification guide to the diverse birds of North Carolina. 400+ pages includes 338 outstanding color photographs, most by the Carolina Bird Club.
Gr. 4-12/Adult

Butterflies and Moths (A Golden Guide).
By Robert T. Mitchell and Herbert S. Zim.
St. Martin’s Press, 2001.
1582381364

Caterpillars in the Field and Garden: A Field Guide to The Butterfly Caterpillars of North America.
by Thomas J. Allen, Jim P. Brock, and Jeffrey Glassberg.
Oxford University Press, 2005.
019514874

Common Forest Trees of North Carolina: How to Know Them.
by J. S. Holmes.
NCDENR- Division of Forest Resources, 1999 (revised) 17th edition.
PDF version available at: http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/stewardship/forest_stewardship.htm
This updated 17th edition of the classic tree identification pocket manual includes descriptions for each tree along with black & white illustrations, common & scientific names and range maps.
Gr. 4-12/Adult

A Field Guide to Animal Tracks: Peterson Field Guides.
By Olaus J. Murie and Roger Tory Peterson.
Houghton Mifflin, 1998.
0395910943

Field Guide to the Birds of North America: Fourth edition.
National Geographic Society, 2002.
0792268776
The guide is extremely well-illustrated & organized, showing detailed illustrations of variations that are essential for identification.
Gr. 6-12/Adult Fishes (A Golden Guide).
By Hurst H. Shoemaker and Herbert S. Zim.
St. Martin’s Press, 2001
1582381402

Forest Explorer: A Life-Size Field Guide.
By Nic Bishop.
Scholastic Press, 2004.
0439174805
Gr. K-5

Freshwater Fishes of the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, & Delaware.
by Fred C. Rhode, et al.
UNC Press, 1994. (Reprint edition, 1996.)
0807845795
How to identify over 250 species of freshwater fish. Over 200 color photographs, descriptions of species, distribution, abundance, habitat, and natural history.
Gr. 6-12/Adult

Mammals of North America: Princeton Field Guides.
by Roland W. Kays and Don E. Wilson.
Princeton University Press, 2002.
Information on identification and range maps for a variety of mammals found across North America, including rabbits, voles, squirrels, skunks, deer, dolphins and more.
Gr. 4-12/Adult

Mammals: Peterson First Guides.
By Peter C. Alden, illustrated by Richard Phillip Grossenheider.
Houghton Mifflin, 1998.
0395911818

Mammals of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Maryland.
by William D. Webster, et al.
UNC Press, 1985.
0807816639 (hardcover), 0807855421 (paperback).
Color photos and range maps, physical description, habitat, behavior, and attention to detail makes this 255 page book a valuable resource for both the general reader and specialists.
Gr. 4-12/Adult

Natural Treasures Field Guide for Kids.
by Elizabeth Biesiot.
Roberts Rinehart, 1999.
1570980829
Children learn how to use their senses to gather clues and learn about their environment.
Gr. 3-6

Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast: Common Birds, Crabs, Shells, Fish & Other Entities of the Coastal Environment.
by Peter Meyer.
Avian-Cetacean Press, 1998 (Revised edition).
0962818607
A practical guide designed to entertain, enlighten and inform. Uses common names to identify plants and animals. 148 pages with color and black and white illustrations.
Gr. 4-12/Adult

North Carolina Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species.
By James Kavanagh.
Waterford Press, 2001.
1583550674

North Carolina Trees & Wildflowers: An Introduction to Familiar Species
By James Kavanagh
Waterford Press, 2001.
1583551131

North Carolina Wildlife: An Introduction to Familiar Species.
By James Kavanagh.
Waterford Press, 2004.
1583552537

Peterson Field Guide to Animal Tracks : Third Edition.
by Olaus J. Murie, Mark Elbroch, and Roger Tory Peterson.
Houghton Mifflin, 2005.
061851743X
Describes habits, habitats, signs, and ranges of mammals. Also included is other helpful information for finding and identifying mammal tracks.
Gr. 6-12/Adult

Fishes of North America: Peterson First Guides.
by Michael Filisky and Roger Tory Peterson.
Houghton Mifflin, 1998.
Freshwater and saltwater fish are presented in this introductory guide.
Gr. 4-12/Adult.

Pond Life: Revised and Updated (A Golden Guide).
by George K. Reid, illustrated by Sally Kaicher and Tom Dolan.
St. Martin’s Press, 2001.
1582381305

Reptiles of North Carolina.
by William M. Palmer & Alvin L. Braswell.
UNC Press, 1995.
0807821586
Based on 20+ years of research. This book contains 450 pages of distinguishing characteristics, variations, distribution, and natural history of 71 reptile species.
Gr. 9-12/Adult

Reptiles and Amphibians: Peterson First Guides.
By Roger Conant et al
Houghton Mifflin, 1999.
0395971950

Seacoast Life.
by Judith M. Spitsbergen
UNC Press, 1983.
0807841099

Sea Shells of North America (A Golden Guide).
By R. Tucker Abbott and Herbert S. Zim
St. Martin’s Press, 2001.
1582381259

Seashore Life (A Golden Guide).
By Lester Ingle et al
St. Martin’s Press, 2001.
1582381496

Take Along Guide to Tracks, Scats and Signs.
by Leslie Dendy.
NorthWord, 1996.
1559715995
Tips and tools for identifying insects and animals as well as determining their location are featured in this illustrated book. Several blank scrapbook pages are included.
Gr. 3-6

Trees: Revised and Updated (A Golden Guide).
By Herbert S. Zim et al
St. Martin’s Press, 2001.
158238133X

Trees of North America: A Guide to Field Identification: Revised and Updated.
by C. Frank Brockman, illustrated by Rebecca Merrilees.
St. Martins, 2001.
1582380929
The revised edition of this classic identifies over 500 native trees including both common and less familiar species. Range maps and illustrations make this a useful field guide.
Gr. 6-12/Adult

Trees of the Southeastern United States.
by Wilbur & Marion Dencan.
University of Georgia Press, 2000 (reprint edition).
Includes every species of tree known to occur naturally in the region, ranging geographically from the Coastal Plain to those found only in highest elevations. Includes trees native to the region, as well as those introduced and now reproducing. 336 pages. 281 color photos, line drawings, and distribution maps.
Gr. 4-12/Adult

Wild Flowers of North Carolina: Second Edition.
by William S. Justice, C. Ritchie Bell, and Anne H. Lindsey.
UNC Press, 2005. 0807829331 (hardbound), 0807855979 (paperback)
Considered a North Carolina classic in reference collections statewide.
Gr. 7-12/Adult