Snake - Softcover

Mattison, Chris

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0756613655 ISBN 13: 9780756613655

Publisher: DK, 2006

Synopsis

A comprehensive, best-selling guide to more than 3,000 snake species for fans of snakes, snake owners, and students — now in an updated second edition produced in association with the Smithsonian Institution.

Get to know more than 3,000 snakes from around the world, from the familiar, massive Green Anaconda to the deadly Tropical Rattlesnake, the Reticulated Python, Red-Spitting Cobra, Puff Adder, Gaboon Viper, and more. Learn about the lesser-known dainty Leopard Snake, whose bright markings trick predators — and often humans — into thinking it is a deadly viper.

Snake uses gorgeous, full-color photographs of 60 snakes to showcase what makes these reptiles so extraordinary, and includes more than 450 illustrations and detailed close-up photographs that show the snakes in action.

Herpetology expert and wildlife photographer Chris Mattison accompanies each profile with fascinating snake facts and trivia on the snake's physical and behavioral characteristics, information about habitats, reproductive behavior, feeding, defense, and more. Plus, the updated, easy-to-reference Snake Directory lists every snake species within the 18 snake families, including little-known and rarely sighted species.

Snake is a beautiful and comprehensive guide to some of nature's more compelling animals.

About this title

Review:

Slither into DK's Snake and you'll find yourself tantalized. Or is that terrorized? Either way, snake aficionados, and those looking to increase their appreciation of snakes, should not miss this gorgeous, full-color guide to the legless reptiles. Chris Mattison, a herpetologist and wildlife photographer, has gathered a concise compendium of facts, myths, and unbelievable images, with familiar as well as little-known species highlighted. While not zoologically comprehensive, Snake does provide a good sense of the diversity of these lovely and misunderstood animals. From the intricate patterns of the harmless checkered garter snake to the sheer magnificence of the deadly, 11.5-foot-long black mamba, each snake is presented with its best scale forward. Snake is full of great herpetological trivia, and the photos are sharply detailed close-ups. --Therese Littleton

About the Author:

Chris Mattison has been photographing wildlife for over thirty years. He has won the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year award, and been a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.

About this edition

• Publisher: DK
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0756613655
• ISBN 13: 9780756613655
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192