Showing 1–12 of 35 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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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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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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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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Australia’s Dangerous Snakes: Identification, Biology and Envenoming
Artist/Author: Mirtschin, Peter, Arne Rasmussen and Scott A. Weinstein.$120.00 Add to cartAustralia’s venomous snakes are widely viewed as the world’s most deadly and are regarded with cautious curiosity, fascination, and, regrettably, fear. Australia’s Dangerous Snakes examines the biology, natural history, venom properties, and bite treatment of medically important venomous marine and terrestrial snakes. It contains comprehensive identification profiles for each species, supported by keys and photographs. In addition to their medical importance, the environmental role of snakes and the threats that are causing the decline of many of these reptiles are discussed. Drawing on the authors’ experience in the fields of herpetology, toxinology, and clinical medicine, this book stimulates respect and admiration and dispels fear of Australia’s fascinating snakes.
Australia’s Dangerous Snakes will provide hours of rewarding reading and valuable information for anyone interested in Australia’s unique wildlife and natural history, and will be an essential reference for herpetologists, toxinologists, physicians, zoo personnel, and private snake collectors.
* Contains comprehensive identification profiles for each dangerous snake species, supported by keys and photographs.
* Describes the production, actions and uses of venoms.
* Provides information on the risks and clinical management of snakebite and envenoming. -
A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales (Third Edition)
Artist/Author: Swan, Gerry, Ross Sadlier and Glenn Shea.$35.00 Add to cartA guide to every gecko, flap-footed lizard, goanna, dragon, skink, snake and turtle known to live throughout the state’s many habitats.
A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales narrows down the field of species identification to a manageable size for any naturalist. The telltale details that make identification possible lie in the descriptions of families, genera and species; these are accompanied by clear line drawings. Where you need to tune out similar species, simple keys are provided. For herpetologists, the location maps will prove invaluable. This book is a thorough update, expansion and revision of A Field Guide to the Snakes and Lizards of New South Wales published in 2004. Since then, the number of species has increased, countless names have changed and new species locations have been found. -
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Biology of the Boas and Pythons
Artist/Author: Henderson, Robert W. and Robert Powell (Editors)This book is the product of a symposium “Biology of Boas, Pythons, and Related Taxa” held at the 2005 joint meetings in Tampa, Florida, and sponsored by the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. This was the first attempt to bring together researchers actively working on some aspect of boa/python biology.
The symposium was a resounding success, and this book represents a current assessment of our understanding of boid biology. Between the diversity of the peer-reviewed contributions and the literature reviews, this volume will become an essential reference for most future boa and python research.
$140.00$100.00 Add to cart -
Snakes in Question : The Smithsonian Answer Book
Artist/Author: Carl H. Ernst; George R. Zug$30.00 Add to cartHow do snakes crawl and climb? What do they eat? How do they breathe, hear, and smell? What is the largest snake? Authoritative and accessible, this book answers the most frequently asked questions about snakes and provides a basic introduction for both adults and children to the habits and marvels of these limbless creatures. Nearly 160 illustrations, 55 in colour.
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Snakes of Tasmania
Artist/Author: Fearn, Simon.$20.00 Add to cartHaving been passionate about snakes all his life, Fearn’s experience, knowledge and understanding are enthusiastically shared in this book, providing a fascinating insight into the biology and habits of Tasmania’s three venomous snakes. Illustrated by full colour photographs this comprehensive guide will teach you how to identify, appreciate and live alongside these often feared creatures.
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A Field Guide to the Snakes of Borneo
Artist/Author: Stuebing, Robert B., Robert F. Inger and Bjorn Lardner.$95.00 Add to cartBorneo has long been famous for its wildlife, primarily its spectacular birds and mammals. The interest in its other vertebrate fauna, including snakes, has surged over the past decade with the increase in dedicated professional and amateur naturalists. The island now is known to have close to 160 snake species, found in habitats ranging from the mountains to the seas.
This Second Edition contains now a more complete account of the natural history of Bornean snakes. Identification is made easier with a more expanded set of keys, which also includes the sea snakes. Many new colour plates have been added, several of them showing poorly known species not seen for decades.
There are now detailed descriptions for virtually all species known to occur in Borneo, including all the reed snakes (Calamaria spp.) which are notoriously difficult to identify. There has also been an effort to include as many geographical records as possible, especially from Kalimantan. Contributions by many expert photographers and assistance by other herpetologists has greatly enhanced the value of this book as a reference for Bornean snakes.
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Snakes of the World: A Catalogue of Living and Extinct Species
Artist/Author: Wallach, Van et al.$114.00 Add to cartSnakes of the World covers all living snakes and fossil snakes. It should have a broad appeal not only to conservationists and herpetologists but to naturalists, hobbyists, educators and libraries as it will be the standard reference on snakes. The text includes 1) 625 valid genera and 3800 valid species (including their synonyms), 2) dubious names (12 genera and 155 species), and 3) invalid names (19 genera and 151 species). The index lists every species in two ways (genus–species and species–genus) so any name can be easily found.
