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Overview"With rattling alarms at one end and venomous fangs at the other, rattlesnakes are among nature's most feared and mysterious creatures. Although fewer than a dozen people in the United Sates die of snakebite each year, human misunderstanding has led to exaggerated tales of rattlesnake ferocity and to wholesale destruction that has depleted the population of many species. Illustrated with more than 250 dramatic original colour photographs depicting not only fangs and rattles but also intricate patterns and extraordinary camouflage, ""Rattlesnake"" traces the evolution and behaviour of the 83 living species of rattlesnakes - from East Coast timber rattlesnakes to California's desert-dwelling sidewinders to South America's neotropical species. Explaining the functions of anatomical characteristics such as heat-sensitive facial pits, Manny Rubio also describes rattlesnakes' diverse habitats, feeding strategies, reproductive cycles, and seasonal hibernation patterns. The author discusses human interaction with rattlesnakes, explaining the snakes' roles in native American and fundamentalist religions, their history as a symbol of predatory power, their fate at the hands of roundup hunters, and the commercial uses to which their skins, venom, and meat are put. Emphasizing rattlesnakes' reticence and their importance in controlling small rodent population, he calls for more widespread efforts to preserve them. Drawing on recent research and replete with never-before-published photographs, this work is a landmark guide for both professional and amateur herpetologists, as well as an introduction to the most malign reptile of the Americas." Full Product DetailsAuthor: Manny Rubio , William S. Brown (Professor Emeritus of Biology, Skidmore College, USA)Publisher: Smithsonian Books Imprint: Smithsonian Books Dimensions: Width: 23.20cm , Height: 2.50cm , Length: 26.40cm Weight: 1.332kg ISBN: 9781560988083ISBN 10: 1560988088 Pages: 272 Publication Date: 17 August 1998 Audience: Professional and scholarly , General/trade , Professional & Vocational , General Format: Hardback Publisher's Status: Active Availability: In Print  This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us. Table of ContentsReviewsIt is impossible to be neutral about this marvelous new book on rattlesnakes . . . . Three excellent appendixes contain scientific and common names (in English and Spanish) of all species of rattlesnakes, addresses of North American herpetological societies, and a glossary of biological terms relevant to rattlesnakes. A lengthy bibliography completes an extremely valuable book. --Booklist In this remarkable study, Rubio provides detailed information on almost everything anyone would want to know about rattlesnakes--their origins, habitats, physiology, and anatomy. But he doesn't stop there. He also examines our different relationships with them, from commercial exploitation to their place in lore and religion. . . . The real draw of Rattlesnake, however, is the more than 250 full-color photographs that capture both the beauty and the power of these reptiles. . . . This book will hold the attention of both recreational readers and budding herpetologists. --School Library Journal A particularly handsome work of natural history. --Kirkus Reviews It is impossible to be neutral about this marvelous new book on rattlesnakes . . . . Three excellent appendixes contain scientific and common names (in English and Spanish) of all species of rattlesnakes, addresses of North American herpetological societies, and a glossary of biological terms relevant to rattlesnakes. A lengthy bibliography completes an extremely valuable book. Booklist In this remarkable study, Rubio provides detailed information on almost everything anyone would want to know about rattlesnakes their origins, habitats, physiology, and anatomy. But he doesn't stop there. He also examines our different relationships with them, from commercial exploitation to their place in lore and religion. . . . The real draw of Rattlesnake, however, is the more than 250 full-color photographs that capture both the beauty and the power of these reptiles. . . . This book will hold the attention of both recreational readers and budding herpetologists. School Library Journal A particularly handsome work of natural history. Kirkus Reviews “It is impossible to be neutral about this marvelous new book on rattlesnakes . . . . Three excellent appendixes contain scientific and common names (in English and Spanish) of all species of rattlesnakes, addresses of North American herpetological societies, and a glossary of biological terms relevant to rattlesnakes. A lengthy bibliography completes an extremely valuable book.”—Booklist “In this remarkable study, Rubio provides detailed information on almost everything anyone would want to know about rattlesnakes—their origins, habitats, physiology, and anatomy. But he doesn't stop there. He also examines our different relationships with them, from commercial exploitation to their place in lore and religion. . . . The real draw of Rattlesnake, however, is the more than 250 full-color photographs that capture both the beauty and the power of these reptiles. . . . This book will hold the attention of both recreational readers and budding herpetologists.”—School Library Journal “A particularly handsome work of natural history.”—Kirkus Reviews Rubio, a photographer, provides some 250 color photographs of North American rattlesnakes, as well as a useful, succinct summary of what's known about rattlesnake evolution, anatomy, and behavior. The photographs of the snakes in their natural terrains stress the perfection of their camouflage - many can coil perfectly into their surroundings. The shots also capture the extraordinary beauty and grace of these lethal (though generally shy) creatures. Several chapters are devoted to the impact rattlesnakes have had on American art (especially the art - and religion - of some southwestern Indian tribes) and the American imagination (there is a chapter on churches that practice the handling of rattlesnakes as part of an ecstatic communion with God). While it's unlikely that Rubio's work will much change the attitude of those who view the rattlesnake as a candidate for extermination, it may sway those still undecided into a more balanced, and even appreciative, view of an ancient, resourceful, and often quite beautiful species. A particularly handsome work of natural history. (Kirkus Reviews) It is impossible to be neutral about this marvelous new book on rattlesnakes . . . . Three excellent appendixes contain scientific and common names (in English and Spanish) of all species of rattlesnakes, addresses of North American herpetological societies, and a glossary of biological terms relevant to rattlesnakes. A lengthy bibliography completes an extremely valuable book. -- Booklist <br> In this remarkable study, Rubio provides detailed information on almost everything anyone would want to know about rattlesnakes--their origins, habitats, physiology, and anatomy. But he doesn't stop there. He also examines our different relationships with them, from commercial exploitation to their place in lore and religion. . . . The real draw of Rattlesnake, however, is the more than 250 full-color photographs that capture both the beauty and the power of these reptiles. . . . This book will hold the attention of both recreational readers and budding herpetologists. -- School Library J Author InformationManny Rubio is a professional photographer who has published numerous papers and magazine articles on herpetology. Tab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |
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