March 2023 MBR The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa, third edition
Johan Marais
Penguin Random House South Africa
c/o Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781775847472, $30.00, PB, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Snakes-Southern-Africa/dp/1775847470

Synopsis: Newly updated and revised, this third edition of "A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa" continues to be a fully comprehensive guide to more than 150 dangerous and common harmless snakes in the region.

Detailed species accounts, covering identification, behavior, reproduction and snake venom, are accompanied by full-color photographs, distribution maps, and information boxes highlighting diagnostic features. "A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa" also introduces the reader to snake biology and behaviour; gives guidelines for keeping snakes in captivity; and provides information on the prevention and treatment of snakebite. New information based on recent discoveries and research data has been included, and the taxonomy has been brought in line with recent changes in the classification of species and subspecies.

Critique: Impressively informative, exceptionally well organized, and thoroughly 'user -friendly' reference and guide, "A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa" will prove to be an invaluable resource for herpetologists, snake collectors, students, campers, hikers and gardeners, or non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject. Profusely illustrated throughout with full color photographic illustrations of the various snakes profiled, "A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and community library Wildlife collections and supplemental Herpetology curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).

Editorial Note: Johan Marais, a leading reptile expert in Africa, is a conservationist, photographer and author of many books and scientific articles on the subject. He is also the CEO of the African Snakebite Institute (https://www.africansnakebiteinstitute.com/about) and advises hospitals and clinics throughout Africa on snakes and snakebite and provides a variety of snake awareness and handling courses.

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