Carl and Evelyn Ernst have completely revised their landmark reference Venomous Reptiles of North America to present the most comprehensive review of these animals in years.
Volume One of this definitive work presents dramatically improved species accounts of the venomous lizards and elapid and viperid snakes found north of Mexico’s twenty-fifth parallel. Volume Two will cover the twenty-one rattlesnakes found in the United States, Canada, and, for the first time, species found only in northern Mexico.
Ernst and Ernst have painstakingly researched and verified the highly valuable and detailed information in this volume, including every detail of the lives of these fascinating and sometimes deadly animals. Venomous Reptiles of the United States, Canada, and Northern Mexico provides facts on each animal’s diet, reproductive behavior, physiology, ecology, and conservation status. The book also covers details on snakebite, how venom is delivered, venom composition, antivenom production, and medical treatments of envenomation. Each species account includes vivid photographs that aid with identification and detailed maps that show the species range.
Venomous Reptiles of the United States, Canada, and Northern Mexico represents the latest research on these animals and includes the most extensive bibliography of literature on the subject. Anyone with an interest in venom, snakes, or herpetology in general will find a wealth of information within the pages of these impressive volumes.
Carl H. Ernst, professor emeritus at George Mason University and a research associate at the Smithsonian Institution, is coauthor of Turtles of the United States and Canada, also published by Johns Hopkins
Evelyn M. Ernst taught high school chemistry and biology and was an administrator with the National Science Resources Center. Together they wrote Snakes of the United States and Canada.
Preface
Introduction
List of Abbreviations
Venom
Envenomation by North American Reptiles
Treatment of Envenomation by Reptiles
Conservation of Venomous North American Reptiles
Identification of the Venomous Reptiles of Canada, the United States, and Northern Mexico
Key to the Families of North American Venomous Reptiles
Helodermatidae: Beaded Lizards and Gila Monsters
Heloderma horridum, Beaded Lizard
Heloderma suspectum, Gila Monster
Elapidae: Elapid Snakes
Micruroides euryxanthus, Western Coralsnake
Micrurus distans, West Mexican Coralsnake
Micrurus fulvius, Harlequin Coralsnake
Micrurus tener, Texas Coralsnake
Pelamis platura, Yellow-bellied Seasnake
Viperidae: Viperid Snakes
Agkistrodon bilineatus, Cantil
Agkistrodon contortrix, Copperhead
Agkistrodon piscivorus, Cottonmouth
Agkistrodon taylori, Taylors Cantil
Sistrurus catenatus, Massasauga
Sistrurus miliarius, Pygmy Rattlesnake
Glossary of Scientific Names
Bibliography
Index to Common and Scientific Names
A winner.
— Midwest Book Review
This is an authoritative summary of the authors personal research and more than 3,000 literature sources. It, and the upcoming second volume, will be an excellent resource for professionals in many fields for years to come and a detailed reference book for anyone wishing to know about venomous snakes. Highly recommended.
— Choice
A valuable source of information for anyone interested in these species, and is sure to be a standard reference for serious herpetologists.
— Steven Winchell— Reptilia
Venomous Reptiles of the United States, Canada, and Northern Mexico represents the latest research on these animals and includes the most extensive bibliography of literature on the subject. Anyone with an interest in venom, snakes, or herpetology in general will find a wealth of information within the pages of these impressive volumes.
— Southeastern Naturalist
Likely to remain the standard reference for the next 20 years.
