Snakes (World Life Library: Nature) - Softcover

Netherton, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0896584496 ISBN 13: 9780896584495

Publisher: Voyageur Press, 1999

Synopsis

Snakes are a remarkably successful group of animals, found in a wide range of habitats and on almost every continent. There are some 2,700 species of snakes and these different species have a wide range of physical features and have evolved a variety of life styles.

Drawing on the latest research, Martin Gaywood and Ian Spellerberg examine snakes’ origins and development, their incredible diversity in adapting to widely differing environments, their role as predators and prey, and their complicated relationship with humans. He stresses the need for the conservation of snakes, which face threats from habitat destruction, persecution, and collection.

About this title

About the Author:

David Badger is a professor of journalism at Middle Tennessee State University. Badger and the late John Netherton teamed up for three other natural history books, all published by Voyageur Press: "Lizards", "Snakes", and "Frogs" (WorldLife Library).

From School Library Journal:

Grade 6 Up-Darling's book is extremely informative and easily outpaces comparable titles in its depth of scientific reportage. The conversational text covers physiology, habits, habitats, and, of course, migration. A section on gray whale/human interaction and a fact sheet are included. The book is graced with numerous large, full-color photos of these cetaceans plowing through the blue Pacific waters, following patterns of life that have been set in place for centuries. Less unique, but still interesting is the title on snakes. Rather than focusing on specific species, the readable text centers more on generalities: the branches of the snake family, general snake biology, the evolutionary adaptations these creatures have made to a vast variety of environments, and their diverse hunting techniques. There is a long section on snake/human relations over the ages and a table of snake families. The many crisp color photos are handsome indeed, showing these elusive reptiles in all their scaly magnificence. It's not a replacement for David Badger's even more attractive (and more species specific) Snakes (Voyageur, 1999) but it's certainly a worthy partner to it. Both books have a short list of recommended readings (all adult).
Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Voyageur Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0896584496
• ISBN 13: 9780896584495
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 72