A richly illustrated introduction to the marvelous world of snakes

Descended from prehistoric lizards, snakes have been slithering across the earth for more than a hundred million years. There are some 4,100 species known to exist, and many are venomous, but many more are not. Snakes experience the world in unique ways, smelling the air with their tongues and relying on signs of movement for orientation. They are ectothermic, needing external heat for energy, and must shed their skin to grow. This guide offers a unique look at the lives of snakes, exploring their life cycles, diets, defenses, locomotive strategies, and more. Written by an internationally recognized herpetologist and informed by the latest science, The Lives of Snakes blends captivating photos with engaging, fact-filled profiles of selected species to provide an invaluable introduction to these splendid reptiles.

• Combines beautiful illustrations, clear graphics, and lively text to inform and entertain
• Features dozens of representative species profiles
• Covers topics ranging from evolution and diversity to habitats and reproduction
• Examines how snakes coexist with humans
• Discusses threats to the world’s snake populations and their conservation
• A must for snake lovers everywhere

"This book, yet another in the superb 'Lives of' series, provides a complete and comprehensive overview of snakes and their world, and will almost certainly go a long way in convincing even the most diehard skeptic that snakes too have merit. . . . The illustrations are superb."---David Gascoigne, Travels with Birds
"Mattison's book weaves a story of intrigue and respect. . . . A must read for professionals and curious naturalists alike."---Howard O. Clark, Jr., Sonoran Herpetologist
"[A] magnificent book."---Marcel van der Voort, Litteratura Serpentium

Chris Mattison is a natural history writer and photographer who specializes in reptiles and amphibians. His many books include Frogs and Toads of the World and The New Encyclopedia of Snakes (both Princeton). His photography regularly appears in books and magazines throughout the world.