This comprehensive, highly illustrated guide covers the most popular aspects of snake biology. Throughout, colour photographs show the fascinating variety of snake colouration as well as illustrating their amazing capacity for camouflage. Chapters investigate main themes, using text, photography and useful diagrams. There is detailed coverage of snake classification, evolution, natural diversity, size, shape and colouration, physiology, ecology, feeding, defensive behaviour, breeding, mythology, superstition and modern human attitudes to snakes. In addition, there are fact boxes within each chapter, which comprise items of special importance and interest, such as scale-type, population in the wild, egg incubation, etc. Above all, this is a major international title for all involved and interested in snakes, their zoology and care in captivity.

Find out about snakes from all over the world in this best-selling visual guide, with information about snake evolution, habitats, reproductive behavior, feeding, defense, and much more. Snake is the essential guide to the world of serpents, featuring more than 3,000 species. With a clean fresh look, classifications, stunning photography, and amazing artworks, this is a must-have reference for all herpetologists. Packed with fascinating facts such as physical and behavioral characteristics, this guide also includes focused profiles of 60 snakes, from the Rainbow Boa to the Tropical Rattlesnake. Each profile includes a stunning full-page photograph of the snake, supporting images to highlight important features, and a ‘Fact File' sidebar to give at-a-glance information. Plus, a complete directory lists all known species of these fascinating reptiles, including venomous snakes such as cobras. Snake is a beautiful and comprehensive guide to some of nature's most compelling animals.

This reference covers snake classification, size, shape and colouration, ecology, eating habits, defensive behaviour, and mythology and superstition.

For millennia, humans have regarded snakes with an exceptional combination of fascination and revulsion. Some people recoil in fear at the very suggestion of these creatures, while others happily keep them as pets. Snakes can convey both beauty and menace in a single tongue flick and so these creatures have held a special place in our cultures. Yet, for as many meanings that we attribute to snakes—from fertility and birth to sin and death—the real-life species represent an even wider array of wonders. The Book of Snakes presents 600 species of snakes from around the world, covering nearly one in six of all snake species. It will bring greater understanding of a group of reptiles that have existed for more than 160 million years, and that now inhabit every continent except Antarctica, as well as two of the great oceans. This volume pairs spectacular photos with easy-to-digest text. It is the first book on these creatures that combines a broad, worldwide sample with full-color, life-size accounts. Entries include close-ups of the snake’s head and a section of the snake at actual size. The detailed images allow readers to examine the intricate scale patterns and rainbow of colors as well as special features like a cobra’s hood or a rattlesnake’s rattle. The text is written for laypeople and includes a glossary of frequently used terms. Herpetologists and herpetoculturists alike will delight in this collection, and even those with a more cautious stance on snakes will find themselves drawn in by the wild diversity of the suborder Serpentes.

Presents a comprehensive guide to reptiles and amphibians of North America, and contains full-color illustrated photographs and drawings that describe eighty-two species, their body structure, habitats, and much more.

Note that there is a companion website for this book and it can be seen at: http://secretsofthesnakecharmer.blogspot.com/ Humans and snakes have an intimate and ancient relationship that often revolves around either love or hate. Snakes can be seen as gods, spiritual messengers, symbols of fertility, and guardians of resources in virtually all cultures. But to those that fear them, snakes are seen as venomous creatures that cannot be trusted. In Secrets of the Snake Charmer, John Murphy, a research associate of the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles in the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, provides an in-depth, twenty-first century look at snakes utilizing the published research of other herpetologists as well as his own personal experiences and speculations. Murphy covers a wide range of topics such as the adaptability of snakes, the ways in which evolution has tinkered with snakes during the last 160 million years, and the impact snakes have on the ecological communities they live in. While sharing ideas about the origin of snakes, rattlesnake rattles, and spitting in cobras, Murphy presents an innovative portrayal of snakes that proves they co-evolve with their prey, predators, and parasites in order to fulfill a significant and novel role in the web of life.

Kids Meet the Snakes features snakes from all around the world, from the common garter found in many backyards to the fearsome Egyptian Cobra, with each snake showcased on a full-color 2-page spread complete with die cut. The text is written as an inviting and intimate 1st person introduction from each snake species directly to the reader, instantly drawing kids in and enticing them to want to learn more. Each spread also features fun facts about the species including its habitat, food sources, and typical daily activities. They’re ssssspectacular, ssssspooky, and just a little bit sssscary, they’re snakes, and in this newest addition to the popular Kids Meet series, readers will come face to face with them on a personal level. Each 2-page spread will feature a different species of snake from around the world, with beautiful photos by famed nature photographer Chris Mattison. More than 40 different types of snakes, from the mundane garter to the lethal viper will be introduced, including: Tropical rattlesnake, Boomslang, Green mamba, Egyptian cobra, Puff adder, Gaboon viper, and Egg-eating snake, and each page will include a personal introduction from the snake plus fun facts about the animal’s habitat, food, and lifecycle. With Kids Meet the Snakes, getting to know our sssscaly, ssssslithery sssnake friends issss sssso much fun.

Full colour throughout, this guide shows the fascinating variety of snakes and reptiles and their behaviour. Each chapter consists of a main theme containing text, photographs and diagrams. There is detailed coverage of snake classification, evolution, natural diversity, size, shape and physiology.

"The primary function of this book is to give the reader the necessary knowledge for the keeping of reptiles and amphibians alive and in good health in captivity. Secondarily, it is a general survey of the herptiles of the world..."--Pref. Indexed.

This is a fully up-to-date and comprehensive photographic field guide to the snakes of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Lavishly illustrated with 387 color photographs, it includes coverage of all 122 snake species found in these regions. The guide's detailed introduction discusses snake anatomy, biology, habitats and taxonomy. It also explores the health of snakes in captivity and conservation measures, and provides a succinct explanation of the chemical composition, physical effects and cultural uses of snake venom. Species accounts are arranged taxonomically and provide identification features, a description of the species' habitat and behavior and information about whether a snake is venomous. Abundant distribution maps describe each species' geographic variation and usual habitats. Clear photos aid identification and are supplemented with illustrations highlighting key anatomical features. A table of all species, country by country, is included at the back of the book. The first dedicated field guide on snakes to appear in many years, Snakes of Europe, North Africaand the Middle East will be indispensable for anyone interested in learning more about these unique reptiles. Highlights all 122 snake species found in the region Features 387 excellent photos supplemented with diagrams Reflects most recent classification and scientific research Provides each species' identification details, habitat, behavior and much more Includes distribution maps for all species