True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers (Hardcover)

~ (Author), David Ludwig (Author), Goran Nilson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This is a comprehensive, detailed reference work on the nine genera and their species in the family Viperidae. The book incorporates the efforts of David Mallow and David Ludwig as well as the up-to-date taxonomy of Göran Nilson. The result is a valuable reference describing the frontier of knowledge of viper taxonomy. Each species account is based on a thorough review of the world literature and includes information on ecology, biology, physiology, toxinology, distribution, behavior, and husbandry. This book is an invaluable reference for professional and amateur herpetologists; for ecologists and environmental scientists; for educators; and for keepers and breeders. The text is supplemented by 71 color plates and includes an extensive bibliography.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 410 pages
• Publisher: Krieger Publishing Company; Original edition (May 20, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0894648772
• ISBN-13: 978-0894648779
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #846,666 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource, must have, July 9, 2004

By	W. Paul W. "paulwhite959" (Canyon TX, USA) - See all my reviews

This book covers all known true vipers, presenting much of the known information about many of them. Granted, there isn't always much info on a given species, but that's to be expected; many of them haven't yet been studied.

The book covers range, distribution, habitat, taxonomy, toxinology, and several other categories. There is a "remarks" section where various miscellanious tidbits go. It is here that info on captivity is provided, although that is not the focus, and remarks on captive care are limited. However, more than enough info on microhabitat is included to get a good start on captive husbandry.

The book starts with a whale of an introduction; it runs 10 or 11 pages, and seems mostly focused on basic toxinology, which helps lay the groundwork for the more in depth information in the text.
The book treats each of the genera of true vipers (Azemipinae, Causinae, Viperinae, Atheris, Bitis, so on).Those are divided into thier subgenera, wherein the species belonging to that subgenera are dealt with. Typically, the authors give an overview of the whole genus, and of the subgenra, discussing toxinology, morphology, range, etc. They then delve into more specific species info. Subspecies are covered within the species accounts.

There are admittedly large stretches where info is scarce; it seems not much research has been done on some genera. However, this book contains what information there is (tons of it overall, espically on more studied species), and is well worth the price (although I wish they had a paperback edition!).

The bibliography is great too, citing scientific journals and literature, and field studies directly (primary sources, yay!). Some of the sources cited are not in English, but I'm going to start tracking down and reading most of what is. This book is entirely worth the price,a nd is a must buy for anyone interested in true vipers. I just hope the authors A: update it as more info becomes available, and B: do something similar for pitvipers and/or elapids! It's the best work I've seen on vipers in general, and well worth buying and reading (again and again and again).

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A professional, detailed, and extensive reference, November 13, 2003

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Collaboratively written by biologist David Mallow, ecologist and environmental scientist David Ludwig, and herpetologist Goran Nilson, True Vipers: Natural History And Toxinology Of Old World Vipers is a professional, detailed, and extensive reference concerning the nine genera and their species of the family Viperidae - colloquially known as Old World vipers. An inset section of color plates illustrates this practical and authoritative guide offering exhaustive species descriptions, as well as information on taxonomy, distribution, habitat, feeding, behavior, reproduction, and information about the venoms of these amazing reptiles. An excellent and well-organized resource, True Vipers is an essential addition to any professional or academic Herpetology Studies reference collection. Also very highly recommended from the Krieger Publishing Company is C.H. Curran and Carl Kauffeled's Snakes And Their Ways.

8 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great, July 1, 1999

By A Customer

I am a biology teacher at a high school in georgia, and this one of the most detailed books I have ever read. The details it goes into will shock you how someone took so long too write such a great book.