Customer Reviews

Venomous Reptiles of North America

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Thorough, organized guide to North America's venomous lizards, elapids, and vipers. Dr. Ernst provides, for each individual species, a detailed description & confusing species, karyotype, fossil record, distribution/range map, habitat information, typical behavior (including reproduction & feeding), predators/defense, and geographic variations. Additionally, he provides detailed information on each species' venom (toxicity, symptoms, antivenin information). At least one high-quality color photo for each species as well as several black & white prints. Overall, the book is technical enough for more advanced readers while still coherent to those less versed in the content area.

The rattlesnake is by far the most dangerous and widely distributed of the venomous varieties in the United States and Canada. It is aggressive and attacks with little warning. It has the rattler on the tip of its tail, which shows it has been agitated and will fight to kill. On the map, it cover half of the country and goes part way down into Mexico. It does not have to have dry desert surroundings. They thrive here in the Smoky Mountains and in the Appalachians. You can also find them in coastal areas and sand dunes. They need rock crevices to hide in; they are the most active in attacking people from April through September. In Calofornia, they are never hibernating and always ready for action.

In Tennessee, some offbeat relgious zealots use rattlesnakes in church services called 'handling them." There is no way to 'handle' a snake except in a zoo where they are restrained from getting out among the public.

There are more copperheads in this area; could be that is the reason that moniker was given to Southern sympathizers during the American Civil War. Its head glows in the sun which automatically alerts the victim that it is a copperhead. It is swift and dangerous when it chooses its prey. I was taken on a trail in the Smokies by a weird 'friend' to see if I would be afraid of the bears. A female teacher had been killed on that trail by a bear when her companion went on ahead and she could not defend herself. All along the trail after we reached the peak and was away from the water, I kept hearing stirrings off in the branches. Finally, I told her I felt I had gone far enough. We had not reached the death scene which was on the plateau. At the beginning of this first trail walking, I had told her that I am very much afraid of snakes. She swore we would not see one. Because of my balance problem, I insisted on walking on the left down the hill away from the deep drop off to the water. I can't swim and I didn't want any broken bones. Halfway down the hill, I saw something sliver and shine in the sunlight (and my eyes are not good), and I asked her what that could be. She scooted out of the way in a hurry and changed places with me after that so that I would be near the water. She matter-of-factly said that it was a copperhead and would have bit her if I hadn't seen it. She once said that she is a 'reptile' as it takes her four hours to put her makeup on before she will leave her apartment. Coming from Hawaii to Florida before finding her 'place' here in the Smoky Mountains, I have often wondered which species.