The new encyclopedia of snakes /
Encyclopedia of snakes Snakes
Chris Mattison.
- Revised and updated edition.
- 272 pages : color illustrations, color maps ; 29 cm
Revised and updated edition of: Encyclopedia of snakes. 1995.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 264-265) and index.
The origins and evolution of snakes. Defining snakes ; Origins and evolution of snakes ; Modern snake classification -- Morphology and function. Size and shape ; Colour ; Skin and scales ; Locomotion ; Senses ; Internal anatomy -- How snakes live. The physical environment ; The biological environment -- Where snakes live. Habitats ; Adaptations of habitats ; World patterns of distribution -- Feeding. Types of food ; Methods of hunting ; Overpowering prey ; Swallowing and digestion -- Defence. Predators of snakes ; Defence strategies -- Reproduction. The reproductive cycle ; Breeding seasons ; Mating systems ; Gestation ; Egg laying and birth ; Incubation ; Hatching ; Growth and development ; Reproductive strategies -- Snakes and humans. Snake myths and snake worship ; Current attitudes ; Exploitation of snakes ; Conservation ; Studying snakes ; Snakes in captivity -- Taxonomy. Classification ; Nomenclature : How snakes are named -- The classification of snakes. Anomalepididae ; Leptotyphlopidae ; Typhlopidae ; Anomochilidae ; Aniliidae ; Cylindrophiidae ; Uropeltidae ; Loxocemidae ; Xenopeltidae ; Boidae ; Pythonidae ; Bolyeriidae ; Tropidophiidae ; Xenophidiidae ; Acrochordidae ; Viperidae ; Atractaspididae ; Colubridae ; Elapidae.
The subject of this narrative is the generic snake. Intended for amateur herpetologists and general naturalists the work treats the origin, evolution and classification of snakes and then discusses morphology and function, how and where snakes live (habitat, adaptations and world patterns), feeding, defense, and reproduction. A chapter deals with the relationships of snakes and humans, and there are sections on taxonomy and classification with minimum information on individual species.--
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Snakes--Encyclopedias. Snakes--Anatomy--Encyclopedias. Snakes--Behavior--Encyclopedias. Snakes as pets--Encyclopedias. Snakes. Snakes--Anatomy. Snakes as pets. Snakes--Behavior. Snakes.