Snakes of the World - (Guide to Every Family) by Mark O'Shea (Hardcover)

About the Book

An "illustrated guide to the incredible diversity of snakes around the world. Snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica and have evolved to occupy a vast range of habitats, from mountains to oceans and deserts to rain forests. Snakes of the World explores their extraordinary diversity, with an in-depth introduction covering anatomy, behavior, habitats, reproduction, conservation, and other essential topics. This expert guide also includes profiles of some of the approximately 4,000 species of snakes, featuring examples from every family and subfamily. Each family profile highlights the remarkable appearance, characteristics, and lifestyle of notable snake species. Covering how snakes use venom or constriction to subdue their prey, how a snake's appearance can aid camouflage or boast of its killing capacity, and how habitat destruction is jeopardizing the future of many species, Snakes of the World is an invaluable guide to these fascinating reptiles."--Back cover.

Book Synopsis

A gorgeously illustrated guide to the incredible diversity of snakes around the world

Snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica and have evolved to occupy a vast range of habitats, from mountains to oceans and deserts to rain forests. Snakes of the World explores their extraordinary diversity, with an in-depth introduction covering anatomy, behavior, habitats, reproduction, conservation, and other essential topics. This expert guide also includes profiles of some of the approximately 4,000 species of snakes, featuring examples from every family and subfamily.

Each family profile highlights the remarkable appearance, characteristics, and lifestyle of notable snake species. Covering how snakes use venom or constriction to subdue their prey, how a snake's appearance can aid camouflage or boast of its killing capacity, and how habitat destruction is jeopardizing the future of many species, Snakes of the World is an invaluable guide to these fascinating reptiles.

• Features more than 200 stunning color photographs
• Presents species profiles with a commentary, distribution map, and table of information
• Includes examples from every snake family and subfamily

Review Quotes

"A superb book in its scope. It is an invaluable and welcomed reference guide to this intriguing group of reptiles and deserving of a place on not only every herpetologist's bookshelf but also on that of anyone interested in these beautiful, fascinating and, in many cases, endangered creatures."---David Wareham, British Naturalists Association

"[This book] provides a valuable glimpse into this fascinating facet of herpetology, and I hope this reference will excite a new generation of naturalists to become explorers of our wonderful planet."---Howard O. Clark Jr., Sonoran Herpetologist

"I learnt much from the text, and appreciated seeing many beautiful images of snake species I had not seen before. That this was all brought together in one relatively small volume is a credit to the author and publishers, and so I strongly recommend [this book]. Finally, I very much hope that this book increases understanding and appreciation of these wonderful creatures."---Christopher McInerny, Herpetological Bulletin

"For both professionals and amateurs, the volume offers valuable information about and stunning pictures of these intriguing animals. From an academic perspective, the educational value of Snakes of the World is unsurpassed."---J. Whitfield Gibbons, The Quarterly Review of Biology

"You will learn about constrictors and venomous species and myriad more oddball offerings in this interesting book."---Geoff Carpentier, North Durham Nature

"[Clear] and copiously illustrated."---J. Burger, Choice

"This book is a veritable tour de force."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds

About the Author

Mark O'Shea is professor of herpetology at the University of Wolverhampton. He has presented many television documentaries on reptiles for the Discovery Channel, ITV, and the BBC, conducted herpetological fieldwork for the Royal Geographical Society and other organizations, and participated in snakebite research in collaboration with the universities of Oxford, Liverpool, Melbourne, and Adelaide. His many books include Lizards of the World, Venomous Snakes of the World, and Boas and Pythons of the World (all Princeton).