The Encyclopedia of Snakes

Chris Mattison (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA?This fine resource is organized by broad themes that cover pertinent aspects of the life cycle of snakes?their biology, history, and taxonomy. Chapter topics include origin and evolution, morphology and function, feeding, defense, and reproduction. One especially interesting chapter highlights the tenuous relationship between snakes and humans. Fascinating sidebars offer tantalizing insights into research, history, and misconceptions. The book's organization encourages students to keep reading after locating specific answers to their questions. The detailed index includes both common and scientific names. Numerous colorful, closeup photographs call attention to the text and will attract browsers. An excellent addition to herpetology collections.?Gary Filmore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Mattison opens his large-scale study of snakes (not an encyclopedia of snakes as the title suggests) with the scientific definition of the creature and how it differs from other reptiles. He then moves on to cover their taxonomy, morphology, habitats, diet, reproduction, and protective mechanisms. Especially interesting are the discussions of the snake's relationship with humans in myth and reality. Color photographs illustrate the discussion throughout. A field day for herpetologists and snake-loving readers. To be indexed, generally and by species. Denise Perry Donavin

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Checkmark Books; illustrated edition edition (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816030723
• ISBN-13: 978-0816030729
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,037,440 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it !!, December 22, 1996

By A Customer

This comprehensive, highly illustrated book covers the most popular aspects of snake biology and is intended to be the most informative and comprehensive title on the subject yet published. Throughout, colour photographs show the fascinating variety of snake coloration as well as being used to illustrate and clarify points of interest.

Each chapter consists of a main theme containing text, photographs and diagrams. There is a detailed coverage of snake classification, evolution, natural diversity, size, shape and coloration, physiology, ecology, feeding, defensive behaviour, breeding, mythology, superstition and modern human attitudes to snakes. In addition, there are 'fact boxes'within each chapter, which comprise items of special importance and interest, such as scale-type, population in the wild, egg incubation, etc.

Above all, this will be a major international title for all involved and interested in snakes, their zoology and care in captivity.

Chris Mattison is a professional berpetologist, based in Sheffield in the UK, with an international reputation as a writer on the topic. He is a long- established Cassell/Blandford author, having written Snakes of the World, Keeping and Breeding Snakes and half-a-dozen other related titles. A member of both the British and International Herpetological Societies, he travels widely photographing reptiles in the wild and is in demand as a lecturer on the subject in Europe and North America.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent general introduction to herpetology, March 23, 2000

By	Shan K Casteel (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This books provides great info for snakes and their physiology, as well as taxonomy/classification. The main thing I found lacking was information on specific species; though it cover family/genus info fairly well, I felt it forsook the "trees for the forest." But overall very good.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful for the amateur to intermediate, February 19, 2000

By	Shadowfire (College Park, MD) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Although not quite a good reference work for the true professional, The Encyclopedia of Snakes covers a wide array of topics and goes through the classification of the snakes in a comprehensible family by family format. The quality of the photographs is quite excellent, and, coupled with the extensive tidbits on habits, anatomy, classification, and range makes a wonderful and compelling read.