The Snake Almanac [Hardcover]

Gr 7 Up-This broad introduction is brimming with information. The lucid, detailed text describes the general physical and behavioral characteristics of all snakes, their evolution, types of habitats, images in mythology and folklore, human encounters with dangerous species, international conservation efforts, and more. The longest chapter, entitled "Snake Sketches," is a mini-field guide to 95 representative world species, grouped by geographical regions, that identifies each species by common and scientific name and describes its special characteristics, geographical range, and average size. An insert of clear, color snapshot-sized photographs depicts about three dozen of these snakes. There are also about two dozen mediocre black-and-white photos and a similar number of good pen-and-ink drawings and diagrams. Tips for dealing with wild snakes that have crept indoors and for keeping the reptiles as pets are appended. The text is well organized and clearly written in a lively style. Many of the topics addressed here, such as snake distribution and snakebite statistics worldwide, are not included in other titles. The anecdotes of scientists' and laypersons' encounters with giant snakes and poisonous species are riveting. However, not all of the scientific terms are defined, e.g., "vestigal," "envenomation," "articular." Sandra Markle's Outside and Inside Snakes (Atheneum, 1995) and Caroline Arnold's Snake (Morrow, 1991; o.p.) are excellent introductions that cover some of the same material for younger audiences. Despite its minor flaws, The Snake Almanac will be a useful resource for students and amateur herpetologists alike.

Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.