Overview
This book, first published in 1987 and here reprinted with a new foreword by the authors has become a classic in the field of herpetology.In ecological and evolutionary research snakes occupy a unique niche. Studies of their adaptations and life histories have broad applications for the most basic questions in biology.
This book fills the need for an up-to-date text/reference in the growing field of snake ecology and evolutionary biology. Here, in one volume is an extensive review of the biology of these fascinating reptiles, including topics such as zoogeography, fossil history, systematics, foraging and reproduction. With contributions from many leading herpetologists the work is divided into sections on Systematics and Morphology, methods and techniques and Life History and Ecology. Each section summarizes what is known about these major fields of snake biology. This book serves the needs of those actively involved in research as well as the amateur naturalist and the beginning student.