Snakes of the Southeast - (Wormsloe Foundation Nature Books) by Whit Gibbons & Mike Dorcas (Paperback)

About the Book

Fifty-three kinds of snakes can be found in the Southeast, almost half of all species native to North America. Filled with more than 300 color photographs and written by two of the region's most renowned herpetologists, this is the most comprehensive educational guide to the snakes of the Southeast.

Book Synopsis

Fifty-three kinds of snakes can be found in the Southeast, almost half of all species native to North America. Filled with more than 300 color photographs and written by two renowned herpetologists, this new edition is the most comprehensive authoritative guide to the snakes of the region.

At the heart of the book are its heavily illustrated, fact-filled descriptions of each snake species. Also included is a wealth of general information about the importance of snake conservation and the biology, diversity, habitats, and ecology of snakes. Find useful information about the interactions of humans and snakes: species that are likely to be found near houses, snakes as pets, what to do in case of a snakebite, and more.

The revised edition of Snakes of the Southeast includes new photos, the latest research findings, new species discoveries, and the most current geographic range maps. Clearly written, cleanly designed, and fun to use, this guide promotes a better understanding of the conservation of this fascinating but often maligned group of animals.

Features:

Conservation-oriented approach

Over 300 color photographs, including many new images for this edition

New distribution maps for 53 species of snakes

New accounts of invasive snakes of the Southeast

Clear descriptions of each species, including differences in the appearance of young and mature snakes

Size charts, key identifiers (scales, body shape, patterns, and color), descriptions of habitat, behavior and activity, food and feeding, reproduction, predators and defense, and conservation

From the Back Cover

Fifty-three kinds of snakes are native to in the Southeast, almost half of all species indigenous to North America. Filled with more than 300 color photographs and written by two renowned herpetologists, this new edition is the most comprehensive authoritative guide to the snakes of the region.

"Clearly written, well designed, and fun to use, the guide will promote better understanding of the habitat needs of, and the environmental challenges to, this fascinating group of animals."
Center for North AmericanHerpetology

"Easy to read . . . An informative book for the general public aimed at educating those with a limited knowledge of snakes."
Southeastern Naturalist

Did you know?
All snakes can swim, even rattlesnakes.
The primary diet of some snakes is other snakes.
Snakes never travel in pairs or groups.
Some southeastern lizards have no legs and are often mistaken for snakes.
Many nonvenomous snakes vibrate their tails when frightened.

A Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book

NOBA seal

The University of Georgia Press
Athens, Georgia 30602
www.ugapress.org

ISBN 978-0-8203-4901-5"

Review Quotes

Clearly written, cleanly designed, and fun to use, [Snakes of the Southeast] is a guide that will promote a better understanding of the habitat needs of, and environmental challenges to, snakes.

--Bob Edmonds "McCormick Messenger"

A storehouse of easily digested information.

--Athens Banner-Herald

A treasure to anyone having an interest in becoming a herpetologist . . . The photographs will attract every herpetologist, as they are fit in perfect context, and mostly never seen in publications before. Certainly the price will make it highly affordable for both the novice and professional herpetologist.

--Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society

Easy to read . . . An informative book for the general public aimed at educating those with a limited knowledge of snakes.

--Southeastern Naturalist

Makes an eloquent case for the environmental importance of these slithery denizens of field, forest, swamp and backyard . . . The poisonous snakes evoke the most interest, of course, and the authors do a good job of debunking the many lurid myths that enshroud these vipers.

--Mobile Register

Small, medium, large, water, and venomous snakes are included as well as backyard snakes, pets, attitudes about them, and conservation.

--SciTech Book News

The Southeast is especially ripe for a book that places snakes in a context that can help catalyze a change in attitudes toward these badly maligned animals. This profusely illustrated book is a big step in the right direction. . . . The information presented here is detailed yet presented in an easy-to-understand format. This is a worthy and valuable addition to the natural history literature of the Southeast. This book should be carried by anyone going into any natural area of the Southeast. It should be kept on hand even in urban and other areas where snakes could turn up.

--Copeia

This is the most comprehensive educational guide to the snakes of the southeastern United States. Clearly written, well designed, and fun to use, the guide will promote better understanding of the habitat needs of, and the environmental challenges to, this fascinating group of animals.

--Center for North American Herpetology

About the Author

Whit Gibbons (Author)
WHIT GIBBONS is a professor emeritus of ecology at the University of Georgia and author or coauthor of several books on herpetology and ecology, including Keeping All the Pieces, Snakes of the Southeast, Revised Edition, Frogs and Toads of the Southeast, Lizards and Crocodiles of the Southeast, Turtles of the Southeast, and Salamanders of the Southeast (all Georgia).

Mike Dorcas (Author)
MIKE DORCAS is a herpetologist and author of numerous books, including Invasive Pythons in the United States (coauthored with John D. Willson), and Snakes of the Southeast and Frogs and Toads of the Southeast (coauthored with Whit Gibbons).