| Portion of title |
Encyclopedia of snakes |
| Variant title |
Snakes |
| Contents |
Introduction -- [pt. 1]. The origin and evolution of snakes -- Defining snakes -- Origins and evolution of snakes -- Modern snake classification -- [pt. 2]. Morphology and function -- Size and shape -- Colour -- Skin and scales -- Locomotion -- Senses -- Internal anatomy -- [pt. 3]. How snakes live -- The physical environment -- The biological environment -- [pt. 4]. Where snakes live -- Habitats -- Adaptations of habitats -- World patterns of distribution -- [pt. 5]. Feeding -- Types of food -- Methods of hunting -- Overpowering prey -- Swallowing and digestion -- [pt. 6]. Defence -- Predators of snakes -- Defence strategies -- [pt. 7]. Reproduction -- The reproductive cycle -- Breeding seasons -- Mating systems -- Gestation -- Egg laying and birth -- Incubation -- Hatching -- Growth and development -- Reproductive strategies -- |
| Contents |
[pt. 8]. Snakes and humans -- Snake myths and snake worship -- Current attitudes -- Exploitation of snakes -- Conservation -- Studying snakes -- Snakes in captivity -- [pt. 9]. Taxonomy -- Classification -- Nomenclature : how snakes are named -- [pt. 10]. The classification of snakes -- Anomalepididae -- Leptotyphlopidae -- Typhlopidae -- Anomochilidae -- Aniliidae -- Cylindrophiidae -- Uropeltidae -- Loxocemidae -- Xenopeltidae -- Boidae -- Pythonidae -- Bolyeriidae -- Tropidophiidae -- Xenophidiidae -- Acrochordidae -- Viperidae -- Atractaspididae -- Colubridae -- Elapidae -- Bibliography -- Index. |
| Abstract |
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. |
| General note | Originally published: London : Cassell Illustrated, 2007. |
| General note | Rev. and updated ed. of: Encyclopedia of snakes. 1995. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (p. 264-265) and index. |
| ISBN | 069113295X |
| ISBN | 9780691132952 |
