Overview

Feared, revered, and often misunderstood, venomous snakes have been a source of legend and nightmare since time immemorial. In this comprehensive volume, author Mark O'Shea has combined expertly written, in-depth descriptions of the world's common and exotic venomous snakes, highlighted by previously unpublished gripping accounts of his adventures with snakes, including personal observations and several serious snakebite episodes. The book begins with a description of the anatomies of venomous snakes, along with their diversity and distribution. Also included is a unique in-depth look at the various types of snake venom and the ways that each type attacks the body. A section on anti-venom, including thoughts on the looming anti-venom crisis, is also presented. Information on the adaptations of ocean-dwelling snakes and issues of snake conservation as well as an examination of venomous lizards follow. From bamboo pit vipers to deep-diving sea snakes, and from adders and asps to terciopelos and the massasaugas, this book takes an original approach to examining these enthralling creatures. Rather than the typical taxonomic categorization, the snakes are grouped by geographic location: the Americas, Africa, Eurasia, Tropical Asia, Australasia, and the Oceans. Each section is illustrated with stunning and rare pictures, many of which were taken by the author himself. Suitable for professional snake handlers and armchair herpetologists alike, this extremely accessible book is an enthusiastic celebration of the diversity and beauty of venomous snakes worldwide. It explores the secret world of venomous snakes, revealing their habitats, characteristics, and hunting and feeding behaviors. It contains thrilling details of O'Shea's own encounters with snakes. It provides detailed information on venomous snake diversity, venom types, and conservation. It includes a world map illustrating venomous snake distribution and detailed accounts of more than 170 species. It features over 150 full-color photographs, many of them of extremely rare species.

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9780691124360

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Reviews

[D]azzling, a photographic journey among the scaly and the lethal. -- Anneli Rufus, East Bay Express

This is a large book with more than 150 quality full-color photographs, some of which may frighten the serpent-phobic. -- Alvin Hutchinson, Library Journal Poisonous snakes have been part of human legends - and nightmares - since the beginning of time. -- The Globe & Mail [D]azzling, a photographic journey among the scaly and the lethal. -- Anneli Rufus, East Bay Express

Author Information

"Mark O'Shea is the Curator of Reptiles at West Midland Safari Park. He has participated in more than 60 expeditions, fieldwork, and filming trips to every continent except Antarctica. His publications include the definitive ""A Guide to the Snakes of Papua New Guinea; Nature Watch: Lizards;"" and ""Reptiles and Amphibians"", coauthored with Professor Tim Halliday of Oxford University. O'Shea has written more than 100 articles and papers on herpetological subjects. His website can be found at www.markoshea.tv. O'Shea has presented 36 herpetological adventure films for Animal Planet, Discovery Channel and the UK's Channel 4. He is a Fellow of the Explorers' Club of New York and the Royal Geographical Society; a Scientific Fellow of the Zoological Society of London; and President of the International Herpetological Society. In 2000, O'Shea received the Millennium Award for Services to Zoology from the British Chapter of the Explorers' Club of New York. O'Shea holds an honorary degree of Doctor of Sciences from the University of Wolverhampton for his contributions to herpetology."

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