2012 Outstanding Academic Title, Choice Magazine
Carl H. and Evelyn M. Ernst have completely revised their landmark
reference Venomous Reptiles of North America to present the most
comprehensive review of these animals in years.
The first volume contains species accounts of the venomous lizards and
elapid and viperid snakes found north of Mexico's twenty-fifth parallel.
Volume 2 of this definitive work covers the twenty-one species of the
genus Crotalus found in the United States, Canada, and, for the first
time, those found in northern Mexico.
Mixing their own research with careful data description and intriguing
stories, Ernst and Ernst present the most accurate and interesting view
of North America's rattlesnakes available. They provide general
background information on Crotalus, including venom delivery systems,
how rattles function, what rattlesnakes eat, and what eats rattlesnakes.
Additionally, they offer specific and fascinating details, such as
observations of rattlesnakes swimming to offshore islands, accounts of
male combat bouts, possible "anting" behavior in Crotalus viridis, and
the features of the Santa Catalina Island rattleless rattlesnake. Each
species account includes vivid photographs, range maps, and explanations
of the limits to their respective distribution.
Presenting the latest research on venomous reptiles in the United
States, Canada, and northern Mexico and featuring an extensive
bibliography of literature on the subject, this volume contains a wealth
of information for anyone with an interest in venom, snakes, or
herpetology in general.
