Snakes Of The Southeast (Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book) [Turtleback]

Whit Gibbons (Author), Mike Dorcas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 23, 2005 | Series: Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book

Fifty-two kinds of snakes can be found in the Southeast, almost half of all species native to North America. Filled with more than 300 color photographs and written by two of the region’s most renowned herpetologists, this is the most comprehensive educational guide to the snakes of the Southeast.

At the heart of the guide are its heavily illustrated, fact-filled descriptions of each species and its habitat. Also included is a wealth of general information about the importance of snake conservation and the biology, diversity, and life cycles of snakes. Useful information about the interactions of humans and snakes is also covered: species that are likely to be found near houses, snakes as pets, what to do in case of a snake bite, and more.

Clearly written, cleanly designed, and fun to use, the guide will promote a better understanding of the habitat needs of, and environmental challenges to, this fascinating group of animals.

Features:

• Conservation-oriented approach
• Over 300 color photographs
• Nearly 50 distribution maps
• Clear descriptions of each species, including differences in the appearance of young and mature snakes
• Size charts, key identifiers (scales, body shape, patterns, and color), descriptions of habitat, behavior and activity, food and feeding, reproduction, predators and defense, and conservation

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Snakes of the Southeast aims to educate about nature of snakes. People either like snakes or fear them." -- Athens Banner-Herald, Athens, GA, May 6, 2005

"Snakes of the Southeast is the most comprehensive educational guide to the snakes of this region." -- Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta, GA, April 26, 2005

"A treasure to anyone having an interest in becoming a herpetologist, and any child having an inclination for learning more." -- Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society March 2006

"An eye-catching new nature guidebook melding good descriptive writing, a dapper design and strikingly crisp photographs." -- Augusta Chronicle, Augusta, GA November 20, 2005

"An informative book for the general public aimed at educating those with a limited knowledge of snakes...easy to read." -- Southeastern Naturalist, 2005

"Clearly written, well designed, and fun to use...will promote a better understanding of...this fascinating group of animals." -- The Center for North American Herpetology, September 2005

"Each account is illustrated with excellent color photos, range maps and a wealth of facts." -- Wildlife Activist Summer 2005

"Really fascinating." -- Weekly Reader August 2005

"There aren't many places where you can find all 52 species of snakes known to inhabit the Southeast." -- Augusta Chronicle, Augusta, GA February 6, 2005

"This comprehensive guide to snakes...includes general topics such as snake conservation and the biology, diversity and life cycles of snakes." --UGA Research Magazine, Athens, GA, Fall 2005

[An] exquisite book...on the herpetofauna of the southeastern United States.... [H]igh-quality, clearly written, with an attractive layout.... [H]as solid introductory information, detailed species descriptions, excellent range maps and color photographs, line drawings showing defining features, and a strong conservation message. There is an explanation as to how to use the species accounts which will be of value to the lay reader. --Herpetological Review, Fall 2008

From the Publisher

Winner of the 2005 National Outdoor Book Award, Nature Guidebook Category

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Turtleback: 253 pages
• Publisher: University of Georgia Press (May 23, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0820326526
• ISBN-13: 978-0820326528
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #308,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Animals > Reptiles & Amphibians

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of its kind, May 22, 2005

By 

T. Anderson "Herplover" (Athens, Ga United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Snakes Of The Southeast (Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book) (Turtleback)

I received this book two days ago and have finished reading it the first day. The book is extremely well organized with facts and features that you won't, but always want to, find in other books such as:

general identifying characterists set out in a box for each species for easy location

identification of the young

what will be the effect of the bite each species of venomous snake

very good glossory and index (which includes both common and scientific names)

I have needed a book like this for a long time for a quick reference with MANY photos to easily identify the specie in questions. If you live in the southeast and want to know more about local snakes or just need a VERY good reference book for quick use, this is a must have.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what you're looking for!, October 26, 2005

By 

Dana D. Mccrory "Dana M." (Albany, LA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Snakes Of The Southeast (Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book) (Turtleback)

This book has everything a child and/or adult needs to know about the snakes that can be found in any given area of the Southeast. Even down to the parish/county you may live in. It gives you hints that let you know which snake is which (enormously helpful for venomous ones). It also shows a way, with only 1 exception (the coral snake), to determine if a snake is venomous by looking at it's shed skin. Now how many times have you or your child come across a snake skin and wondered if it could have been a harmful snake? I bought this book for my 6 year old son who, like his mother, has an interest in snakes and curiosity. I recently noticed my hubby perusing through it & he despises them. Matter of fact, my neighbor has already borrowed it for identification. He then decided to read through it the rest of the way...it's just that insightful!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely One of the Better of Its Kind, August 23, 2005

By 

R. Maynard (Earth) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Snakes Of The Southeast (Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book) (Turtleback)

As many Herp books as I have read through, this book covers all the information provided by most other field guides on snakes in this region, and then some! It has great photos of all the snakes throughout this region and the info on each species is organized in a descriptive, yet reader-friendly fashion. The other contents in this book are very informative and covers everything from the biology of snakes to their predators and defenses, and everything in-between. The final section on "People and Snakes" is AWESOME!! It is important that people will be better informed about snakes and see that they do not live up to their unwarrented reputation. This section of the book does a great job in communicating this message to the reader and also how benificial snakes are to our ecosystems. At the least, this book is a fascinating read and should be accessible to anyone living in this region. The Southeast region is one of the best places, in my opinion, for finding some of the most unique and beautiful snakes in the country. If anything, there is much more to learn from this book than there is from "People" magazine by a long shot!