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Snakes: The Evolution of Mystery in Nature (A Director's Circle Book of the Associates of the University of California Press)
by Harry W. Greene
Product Group: Book
Publisher: University of California Press (1997-06-17)
ISBN: 0520200144
EAN: 9780520200142
Dewy Decimal #: 597.96
Hardcover: 366 pages
Edition: 1
SKU: 07110465
Condition: Like New Like New
Comments: Oversize Hardcover. Like new cover and text. Like new dust jacket with minor shelfwear and slight scratches on jacket. Near Fine condition. Beautiful book.
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
This is a book about some of nature's most alluring and forbidding creatures, written by a man with an abiding passion for snakes, as well as for science, the fate of the planet, and the wonder of life. Harry Greene presents every facet of the natural history of snakestheir diversity, evolution, and conservationand at the same time makes a personal statement of why these animals are so compelling. This book provides an up-to-date summary of the biology of snakes on a global basis. Eight chapters are devoted to general biology topics, including anatomy, feeding, venoms, predation and defense, social behavior, reproduction, evolution, and conservation; eight chapters survey the major snake groups, including blindsnakes, boas, colubrids, stiletto snakes, cobras, sea snakes, and vipers. Details of particular interest, such as coral snake mimicry and the evolution of the rattle, are highlighted as special topics. Chapter introductory essays are filled with anecdotes that will tempt nonspecialists to read on, while the book's wealth of comprehensive information will gratify herpeto- culturalists and professional biologists. Greene's writing is clear, engaging, and full of appreciation for his subject. Michael and Patricia Fogden are known internationally for their outstanding work, and their stunning color photographs of snakes in their natural habitats are a brilliant complement to Greene's text. Here is a scientific book that provides accurate information in an accessible way to general readers, strongly advocates for a persecuted group of animals, encourages conservationnot just of snakes but of ecosystemsand credits science for enriching our lives. In helping readers explore the role of snakes in human experience, Greene and the Fogdens show how science and art can be mutual pathways to understanding.
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Amazon.com Review
Herpetologists are sure to rejoice at this information-dense study of the world's snakes, illustrated with more than 200 photographs of the reptiles in action. Harry W. Greene offers life histories of cobras and adders, of rattlers and constrictors, showing the astonishing variety in what is, all in all, a fairly simple form. He discusses snake locomotion, adaptation, coloration, nomenclature, mimicry, and habits; and he offers a rigorous account of herp physiology, all the while peppering his scientific prose with personal notes on encounters with sometimes testy subjects around the world. He ends his absorbing book with a detailed discussion of issues in snake conservation, especially identifying and protecting key habitats that are in danger owing to human economic development.
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Customer Reviews
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Very Informative
Rating  (5)
Date: 2007-12-23
0 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
A well put view into the world of the serpent. It lays it out so even us laymans can understand it.
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GREAT book!
Rating (5)
Date: 2006-10-31
Though it is an old book (1997) it is still a really really good book, which I think is a MUST for everyone keeping snakes. Some things like the taxonomy and "rearfanged-anatimy" is outdated, but still there is a LOT of really good basic info on snakes to get in this book.
I have yet to find one book covering so many topics and give so much information in a easy-to-understand language.
It is also quite easy to read, though english is not your native language.
The book is made up of 3 parts, which again is divided in chapters.
Part one is "Lifestyle"
Some topics covered here is Classification, General biology, Feeding, Venomous snakes, Reproduction etc.
Part 2 is Diversity.
Here the different families like elapids, viperids, colubrids etc are covered.
Part 3 is Synthesis.
Here Greene write s about evolution and biogeography as well as a historic chaåter where he discuss snakes in the past, present and future.
Furthermore there are 16 "special Topics" in the book. These are a few pages coverings topics like "Deadly colubrids and famous herpetologists "The coral snake mimicry problem" etc.
I, for one, would love to see an updated version of this fantastic book, since much has happend since '97.
This was my first "serious" snakebook and i have read it several times. Sometimes i still take it down from the shelf nd read my favorite chapters.
I highly recommend this for people who wants to know a little more than cage temperatures and humidity ;)
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Excellent Book About Snakes
Rating (5)
Date: 2006-08-15
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
Snakes: The Evolution Of Mystery In Nature, is one of the best books on snakes I have ever owned. It is a classic right up there with Ditmars, Klauffeld, and Conant. The illustrations are flawless, and include many rarely seen species. The text is extremely well edited, with virtually no typos or spell-check misuse of words. Factually, the book is spot on, with no misidentified species, no incorrect references, and no gaffes. All of the information presented is up to date, and based on state-of-the-art research.
The author relates his personal experiences to introduce each chapter, evoking at-the-scene imagery, and lyrically conveying his point of view. The chapters are packed with information, conveying many new and fascinating tidbits of information about well know and lesser know serpents. Additionally, the chapters have special topics, which go into detail concerning specific aspects of snakes, such as the rattlesnake's rattle, mimicry of coral snakes by harmless species, and the ability of some snakes to swallow proportionately huge food items, and how these specializations may have evolved. Both the introductory essays and the special topics are illuminated by appropriate photos.
If you like snakes, reptiles, are fascinated by nature, or simply interested in evolutionary theory, this is a book you must have.
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An excellent text
Rating (5)
Date: 2005-09-25
1 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
Professor Greene does a beautiful job revealing the complexities of ophidian natural history. The text is, unlike most scientific works, engaging and a joy to read. The book is further improved by the addition of personal anecdotes that shed light on both snakes and the rewards of being a herpetologist with a particular fascination in snakes. Each chapter has a section devoted to a special topic that discusses some puzzling or interesting facet of snake evolution and natural history. Professor Greene's particular interest in venomnous snakes is evident at times but certainly not overwhelming. This is truly a text for both amateur and professional alike. A great read; it will never collect dust.
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A Wonderful Introduction to the Serpents
Rating (5)
Date: 2005-03-23
4 out of 4 customers found this reveiw helpful
I am an amateur reptile enthusiast, with a special passion for snakes, and picked up this book hoping to use it as a sort-of reference and something to flip through when I was bored. Instead, I read it cover-to-cover. One of the most rewarding and interesting books that I have ever read, I recomend it to anyone with a passion for these beautiful creatures.
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