Snakes in Question: The Smithsonian Answer Book, Second Edition - Softcover

George R. Zug; Carl H. Ernst

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1588341143 ISBN 13: 9781588341143

Publisher: Smithsonian Books, 2004

Synopsis

This new edition of Snakes in Question has been completely updated to take into account the most recent research available, offering useful scientific information about snakes while dispelling many widely-circulated myths and common fears. Accompanied by 100 stunning color photographs and written in the popular question-and-answer format of Smithsonian's “In Question” series, the book tells how snakes breathe, hear, smell, and much more. It covers not only the life cycle of snakes but also explores such phenomena as the rattlesnake's rattle, the viper's hiss, and the snake charmer's secrets. It addresses common folktales about snakes (do snakes milk cows?) and describes giant snakes, both real and imaginary. The authors also give expert advice on such subjects as distinguishing venomous species from harmless look-alikes and keeping snakes as pets.

About this title

About the Author:

George R. Zug is curator of reptiles and amphibians at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. He lives in Virginia. Carl H. Ernst is Distinguished Professor of Biology at George Mason University and the author of numerous books, including Snakes of the United States and Canada. He lives in Virginia.

From Booklist:

This is a wonderful book. Carl Ernst and George Zug are eminent herpetologists who have produced a well-written book on an extremely popular subject. Divided into five large chapters and five appendixes, the book is set up in a question-and-answer format. Depending on the question (What is a snake? Do snakes get sick? How do fangs work?), the answers range from one or two paragraphs to multiple pages and are illustrated with photographs or line drawings. Two of the sections will be eagerly used by librarians answering questions--that on giant snakes (boas and pythons) and that on poisonous snakes (vipers and cobras). The appendixes offer further information on the classification and sizes of snakes and provide a useful directory of herpetological organizations. A glossary defines some of the more technical terminology. Finally, two bibliographies provide a comprehensive overview of the scientific literature on snakes. This exceptional book should be in every library. Nancy Bent

About this edition

• Publisher: Smithsonian Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 1588341143
• ISBN 13: 9781588341143
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 182