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, scheduled for publication in Spring 2012, will cover the twenty-one rattlesnakes found in the United States, Canada, and, for the first time, species found only in northern Mexico. Of unsurpassed value is the detailed information that Ernst and Ernst have painstakingly researched and verified. No detail of the lives of these fascinating and sometimes deadly animals is left out. Venomous Reptiles of the United States, Canada, and Northern Mexico provides information on each animal's diet, reproductive behavior, physiology, ecology, and conservation status. Also covered are details on snakebite, how venom is delivered, venom composition, antivenom production, and medical treatments of envenomation. Included in each species account are 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.Critical acclaim for Venomous Reptiles of North America'Likely to remain the standard reference for the next 20 years.' -- SciTech Book News'Ernst has provided a beautiful summary of the literature in this area. Anyone interested in the biology of these reptiles will find in this book a spectacular time-saver... He has done the field of herpetology a great service.' -- The Quarterly Review of Biology
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, Taylor's Cantil Sistrurus catenatus, Massasauga Sistrurus miliarius, Pygmy Rattlesnake Glossary of Scientific Names Bibliography Index to Common and Scientific Names
""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.""
