Carl H. Ernst

Evelyn M. Ernst

Snakes of the United States and Canada

Roger W. Barbour

Jeffrey E. Lovich

Turtles of the United States and Canada

George R. Zug

Answers commonly asked questions about snake senses and behavior, the truth behind serpent folklore, giant snakes, snakebite, and the relationship between humans and snakes

The Smithsonian Answer Book

Snakes in Question

The first volume contains species accounts of the venomous lizards and elapid and viperid snakes found north of Mexico's twenty-fifth parallel. Volume two covers the twenty-one species of rattlesnakes found in the United States, Canada, and northern Mexico.

Heloderma, Micruroides, Micrurus, Pelamis, Agkistrodon, Sistrurus

Venomous Reptiles of the United States, Canada, and Northern Mexico

Roger William Barbour

The first treatise to be published in thirty years on the 58 snakes found in eastern North America, Snakes of Eastern North America provides a current summary of the taxonomy, ecology, and behavior of each species. Selected by CHOICE as Outstanding Academic book of 1989. Table of Contents: Preface; Introduction; Identification of Snakes; Typhlopidae: Blind Snakes; Colubridae: Colubrid Snakes; Glossary of Scientific Names; Bibliography; Index

Snakes of Eastern North America

Carl H.. Ernst

Ernst and Lovich’s thoroughly revised edition of this classic reference provides the most updated information ever assembled on the natural histories of North American turtles. From diminutive mud turtles to giant alligator snappers, two of North America’s most prominent experts describe the turtles that live in the fresh, brackish, and marine waters north of Mexico. Incorporating the explosion of new scientific information published on turtles over the past fifteen years—including the identification of four new species—Ernst and Lovich supply comprehensive coverage of all fifty-eight species, with discussions of conservation status and recovery efforts. Each species account contains information on identification, genetics, fossil record, distribution, geographic variation, habitat, behavior, reproduction, biology, growth and longevity, food habits, populations, predators, and conservation status. The book includes range maps for freshwater and terrestrial species, a glossary of scientific names, an extensive bibliography for further research, and an index to scientific and common names. Logically organized and richly illustrated—with more than two hundred color photographs and fifty-two maps—Turtles of the United States and Canada remains the standard for libraries, museums, nature centers, field biologists, and professional and amateur herpetologists alike.

This new edition of Snakes in Question has been completely updated to take into account the most recent research available, offering useful scientific information about snakes while dispelling many widely-circulated myths and common fears. Accompanied by 100 stunning color photographs and written in the popular question-and-answer format of Smithsonian's “In Question” series, the book tells how snakes breathe, hear, smell, and much more. It covers not only the life cycle of snakes but also explores such phenomena as the rattlesnake's rattle, the viper's hiss, and the snake charmer's secrets. It addresses common folktales about snakes (do snakes milk cows?) and describes giant snakes, both real and imaginary. The authors also give expert advice on such subjects as distinguishing venomous species from harmless look-alikes and keeping snakes as pets.

Carl H. Ernst

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