Venomous Snakes in Captivity: Safety and Husbandry [Paperback]

B. W. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 2005

This Book Includes: Proper Housing, Responsible Husbandry, The Tools and Equipment, Safe Handling Practices, Mistakes to be Avoided, Tips for Safety and Effeciency, Federal and State Regulatory Agencies, Emergency Contacts and 76 FULL COLOR Illustrations. Endorsed by the Miami Dade Antivenom Unit.

Product Details

• Paperback: 147 pages
• Publisher: Lulu.com (May 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1411629493
• ISBN-13: 978-1411629493
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,531,709 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Read, January 25, 2006

By 

NicoleRussell "Yours, NicoleRussell" (NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Venomous Snakes in Captivity: Safety and Husbandry (Paperback)

I have read a million animal books--veterinary, reference, pharmacology and how to's up the yingyang. Many of them were interesting ---many informative--but I have never felt the urge to keep reading like this unless the book was fiction. As an avid reader of fiction as a young adult I can only compare my experience with this book---to those days.

I was an english major once upon a time---and I have read my share of stuff.

I REALLY like the style in which it was written. It's easy to understand without allowing the reader to feel bored for a moment or condicended to at all.

I don't keep hots, and yet I was able to follow along and really grasp what he was saying. He spells it out but not to the point of obsurdity. I feel reading books that spoon feed you bits of info is like watching paint dry.

Books that are so technical though can give your eyes a glassy look that I used to get in organic chemisty.

The details are wonderful---he seems to be covering everything imaginable--there are even pages and pages of emergency contacts in the back of the book...and the numbers are bright RED so you have no problem finding them.

His points----which are practical and at times even profound---keep you going and get you to turn the pages. His opinions are interesting---and I defy anyone not to learn something with each page you finish.

I really recommend this book to anyone who has hots---is remotely considering them---or even for those of us who have a side interest in them (from afar LOL).

You won't be disappointed

I have learned volumes about venomous snakes...I could sit here all day typing but instead, I would rather write about the very important thing I learned about myself.

I'm not ready for any venomous at this time.

Sounds pretty simple, but to me it was never more true then now---after finishing and digesting everything I have read in VSIC.

I used to believe it was because of the children, and that's an important factor, but child safelty aside--this book makes it painfully obvious there's more to keeping hots then a want or a desire.

As BW Smith points out, so many people will NEVER be ready, and those that do get there realize it's a LONG road, not a graduation or RIGHT of passage.

These beautiful, interesting --and dangerous-- animals, require years of study, observation and RESPECT. You don't get that from finishing this or any other book. Although BW states this at the start it wasn't until I finished it that I truly "got it".

I have a new found respect for venomous handlers who did it RIGHT...trained under the watchful eye of a great teacher instead of annointing himself somehow "ready" either a) because he owned a ball python for 10 years or b) because he decided to buy a huge collection in a matter of 5 years and crowned himself some sort of expert.

This is one book that will most likely become a staple read for anyone who keeps any type of snake--not just venomous ones. No matter who you are or where you are at on your journey, this publication is a valuable--and in my opinion---a necessary, step.

Great work.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bob, August 5, 2007

By 

Robert C. Thomsen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Venomous Snakes in Captivity: Safety and Husbandry (Paperback)

This book has a ton of excellent information on venomous reptile care and handling. The only reason I rated it 4 out of 5 it's very overpriced for a paperback book. That was a disappointment. 80.00 for a paperback book with less than 200 pages ?