Showing 1–12 of 143 results
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The Book of Snakes: A Lifesize Guide to Six Hundred Species from Around the World
Artist/Author: O'Shea, Mark$60.00 Add to cartThere are over 3,600 species of snake found on every continent except for Antarctica, ranging in size from Barbados’ tiny threadsnake to Southeast Asia’s massive reticulated python. More than any other creature snakes are surrounded by dark, compelling myths and legend, unsurprising since many constrict their prey to death, or kill with a venomous bite, using a diverse armory of venoms that affect the blood, tissues, organs, and respiration. However, it is especially true of snakes that the closer you observe them, the more exquisite they are in their intricate geometry of pattern, the fine texture of the overlapping scales, and the intricacies of their multifarious lifestyles. The Book of Snakes profiles 600 significant species from all 32 families-one in six of all known species-to create a beautiful collector’s piece that is both a significant resource for enthusiasts and scholars, and the most visually stimulating guide on the market.
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Islands and Snakes: Isolation and Adaptive Evolution
Artist/Author: Lillywhite, Harvey B, Marcio Martins (Editors)$185.00 Add to cartIslands and Snakes contains 13 chapters describing ecological systems with foci on snakes and their ecological roles on islands around the world. Each chapter is written by one or more authors who is an authority on that particular system. Summaries of research on the various islands are written in a narrative manner that includes science as well as personal insights in easily understood language. These varied vignettes of science feature islands around the world, and in all cases, fantastic species of snakes and their roles in the community of insular organisms in which they occur. Both challenges and opportunities associated with island life are discussed, as well as the unique attributes of snakes and their conservation as unique and important parts of nature. Chapters include colorful photographs and illustrations, and collectively they convey information on topics that include ecology, behavior, biogeography, physiology, adaptation, and evolutionary biology. An introductory chapter presents a review and perspective on the historical importance of island ecology and how snakes have contributed to our understanding of evolution and adaptation. The other chapters focus on snakes inhabiting islands associated with Asia, Australia, South America, North America, the Caribbean, and Europe. The final chapter features the unique “table top islands” or tepuis of South America as examples of ecological islands where elements of biota have become isolated by geographic features of landscape similarly to oceanic islands.
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Twilight of the Angonoka: Biology and Conservation of the World’s Rarest Tortoise
Artist/Author: Pedrono, Miguel, Alison Clausen$83.00 Add to cartThe fascinating wildlife of Madagascar is the result of millions of years of isolation of that continental island from the rest of the world. It has a unique and rich flora and fauna, the latter including the extraordinary tortoise species locally called the Angonoka. This is the most striking and best-studied of the Madagascan tortoises but, unfortunately, also has the dubious distinction of being the world’s rarest and most endangered tortoise, with fewer than 220 individuals living exclusively in isolated pockets of shrub-bamboo thicket in the north-western corner of the island. This timely book provides a complete summary of the biology and conservation of the Angonoka by two knowledgeable experts in biodiversity conservation and the biology of this species. While this meticulously researched book will fulfil scientists’ needs for accuracy and detail, Miguel Pedrono and Alison Clausen have maintained a personal touch that provides even the lay-reader with a realistic understanding of the ecology and conservation exigencies of this species. Through their sense of genuine conservation engagement, they systematically present the politics and realities of Angonokaconservation, and use this to showcase the challenges faced with all endangered species that lead to their imminent demise.
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King Cobra: Natural History and Captive Management
Artist/Author: Charlton, Tom$59.00 Add to cartThe king cobra, the longest venomous snake in the world, is widely distributed across much of tropical and subtropical Asia. Its generic name Ophiophagus (‘snake-eater’) is indicative of its cannibalistic tendencies; its diet is comprised almost exclusively of snakes, including its own kind. The enormous lengths that the king cobra can reach, combined with an intimidating threat display and possession of highly neurotoxic venom, have led to it being greatly feared by many. It is widely considered as one of the most formidable snakes in the world.
However, whilst undoubtedly dangerous when provoked, the king cobra is undeserving of its fearsome reputation. Research has shown it to be an extremely shy and elusive reptile exhibiting fascinating behavioural traits, some of which are totally unique within the world of snakes. Even after more than 180 years since the king cobra was first described in 1836, many of its secrets are yet to be revealed. Importantly, monitoring of wild populations has shown signs of rapid decline in numbers in many areas, and so continued conservation efforts are required to secure the reign of the king cobra across its distribution.
King Cobra, profusely illustrated with excellent photographs from a number of very talented photographers, details the natural history of the king cobra, looking closely at all aspects of its life including distribution, diet, reproduction and venom, as well as its relationship with humans and conservation. The author also provides notes on the captive management of the king cobra, drawing on his experience of maintaining and breeding this species for a number of years.
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Dragon Lizards of Australia: Evolution, Ecology and a Comprehensive Field Guide
Artist/Author: Melville, Jane, Steve Wilson$50.00 Add to cartThe only title available on Australian Dragon Lizards including the most recent understanding of their origins and life history.
Australia’s mostly hot dry continent is home to nearly 800 described species and the seven Australian families represent four evolutionary lineages; three families of geckoes and flap-footed (legless) lizards; skinks; goannas and dragons. Australia is a land of lizards, with an amazing diversity of species that rivals any other country on earth.
The authors aim to convey their admiration for these amazing animals and share the knowledge and experience gained from working with them. Provided are the most recent understanding of their origins, life history, habitat and distribution. Also included is an individual account of all of Australia’s dragon species, featuring the most up to date taxonomic classification. Each is described, illustrated and mapped.
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The Origin of Snakes: Morphology and the Fossil Record
Artist/Author: Caldwell, Michael Wayne$105.00 Add to cartThe Origin of Snakes presents perspectives on the past and present state of the understanding of snake origins. It reviews and critiques data and ideas from paleontology and neontology (herpetology), as well as ideas from morphological and molecular phylogenetics. The author reviews the anatomy and morphology of extant snakes. Methods are also critiqued, including those empirical and theoretical methods employed to hypothesize ancestral ecologies for snakes. The modern debate on squamate phylogeny and snake ingroup phylogeny using molecules and morphology is examined critically to provide insights on origins and evolution.
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Amphibian and Reptile Adaptations to the Environment: Interplay Between Physiology and Behavior
Artist/Author: Vieira de Andrade, Denis, Catherine R. Bevier, José Eduardo de Carvalho$221.00 Add to cartDespite their diversity, amphibians and reptiles share many physiological traits, such as their dependence on external heat sources for body temperature regulation, that are of pivotal importance to their ability to cope with the environment. Considerable variation in physiological capabilities exists in these groups and often can be related to seasonal and geographic differences in environmental parameters. This book provides a comprehensive and integrative view of the interplay between physiology and behavior in amphibians and reptiles, leading to a better understanding of the subject.
The book covers topics that have recently been in the spotlight for scientific research on the physiology, behavior, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. It brings together recent information from a range of disciplines that address critical topics for understanding their biology. As these studies are scattered across articles in specialized journals, this book provides a single and expanded source summarizing such advancements.
This book maintains a solid scientific basis for the biological topics covered. However, it presents the material in a clear and direct manner so that it is accessible even to non-biologists interested in the basic biology, behavior, and ecology of these animals as well as how these elements are connected to their conservation.
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Handbook of Venoms and Toxins of Reptiles
Artist/Author: Mackessy, Stephen P.$242.00 Add to cartThe Handbook of Venoms and Toxins of Reptiles offers “one-stop shopping” to all biologists, biochemists, toxicologists, physicians, clinicians, and epidemiologists, and informed laypersons interested in the biology of venomous reptiles, the biochemistry and molecular biology of venoms, and the effects and treatment of human envenomation. This book examines the topic generally, provides an overview of the current taxonomy of these reptiles, explains the similarities and differences in the venom delivery apparatus in different groups of reptiles, reviews state-of-the-art knowledge about specific venom components and their action, and summarizes effects of envenomation and treatment in humans on different continents.
Produced by leading toxinologists, biologists, biochemists, and physicians from 12 countries, the book provides a broad, international perspective that bridges divergent areas in modern biology. A synthesis of current knowledge about venoms and venomous reptiles, it contains a wealth of illustrations, including an 8-page color insert, that present a view of reptile toxinology from the whole animal to the glands producing venoms to the molecular models and the mechanisms of actions of the toxins themselves.
The book provides a context for understanding the range of activities present in venoms and supplies detailed information on many enzymes and toxins found in them, bringing into focus the worldwide extent of the occurrence and complexity of human envenomations by reptiles. It explores the unique and interesting results produced by collaborations between specialists from very different fields and how they can stimulate new and continued interest in research on venoms and the animals that produce them.
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The Lizards, Crocodiles, and Turtles of Honduras: Systematics, Distribution, and Conservation
Artist/Author: McCranie, James$97.00 Add to cartBased on years of field work and the examination of thousands of museum specimens, The Lizards, Crocodiles, and Turtles of Honduras is the final instalment of a series of volumes by James R. McCranie documenting the amphibians and reptiles of Honduras.
Thoroughly illustrated by colour photographs and maps of geographic distribution, the book describes in detail 86 species of Honduran lizards, crocodilians, and turtles. Identification keys in both English and Spanish allow the ready identification of all species, and discussions of conservation status review current threats to all species. The publication of this work represents the completion of the most comprehensive and detailed study of the amphibian and reptilian faunas of any country in Latin America.
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Snakes of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East: A Photographic Guide
Artist/Author: Geniez, Philippe$66.00 Add to cartOriginally published in French, (now translated) 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 colour 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 Snakes of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
The first dedicated field guide on snakes to appear in many years, Snakes of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East will be indispensable for anyone interested in learning more about these unique reptiles.
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Snakes of Central and Western Africa
Artist/Author: Chippaux, Jean-Philippe, Kate Jackson$170.00 Add to cartNobody knows exactly how many snake species live in the biodiversity hotspots of Western and Central Africa. While field guides abound that make mammals, birds, and even insects identifiable for residents, travelers, and scientists, half a continent’s herpetological richness has remained shrouded in mystery. In a region where nearly 30,000 people die from snake bites every year, even dire medical necessity has been an insufficient inducement for researchers to take on the daunting task of assembling an authoritative list of extant species let alone a full descriptive record to aid in identification, the essential first step to administering an effective antivenin. The reptiles of Central Africa, particularly, are the most poorly studied in the world, despite their crucial role in the survival of threatened ecosystems.
With Snakes of Central and Western Africa, Jean-Philippe Chippaux and Kate Jackson have created a game changer. The result of years of field research and systematic study in the world’s leading museums, this book compiles for the first time a comprehensive guide to the region’s snakes. Covering a vast swath of the continent, ranging from Mauritania in the northwest to Rwanda in the east and Angola in the south, Chippaux and Jackson provide detailed accounts for the more than 200 species of snakes that inhabit the region.
The first part of Snakes of Central and Western Africa is devoted to the taxonomic characters used for identifying snakes. The authors deal with the evolution and biogeography of African snakes as well as epidemiological and clinical aspects of snakebite. The remaining chapters are organized phylogenetically, following the latest consensus on evolutionary patterns of major snake lineages in sub-Saharan Africa. Species identification is facilitated by simple and accessible dichotomous keys and detailed descriptions of morphological characteristics, complemented by numerous drawings, photos, and distribution maps. Invaluable information on taxonomy and natural history is also included. The book concludes with a comprehensive index and a list of nearly 600 references. Snakes of Central and Western Africa illuminates a previously little-known part of the natural world, provides vital information that could save many lives, and will make an excellent addition to any herpetology library.
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Crocodiles of the World: The Alligators, Caimans, Crocodiles and Gharials of the World
Artist/Author: Stevenson, Colin$40.00 Add to cartWhat animal has the most powerful bite of any living creature? What animal has compounds within its blood that can combat diseases for which humans have no medicines? Which animal breathes air, but can stay submerged for hours at a time? The answer is of course the crocodilians – crocodiles, alligators and their cousins the caimans and the gharial.
Crocodiles of the World aims to be more than an introduction or overview of crocodiles: it will provide the reader with details only available previously in the scientific journals, specialist publications or much more technical books. The information is presented in clear language without the need for technical knowledge. The author has painstakingly ensured that the information is based on the most recent studies. The text is accompanied by photos that further illuminate the true nature of these incredible predators. Whether casually interested or deeply fascinated by crocodiles, your needs are met in this book.
