How Snakes Work

This book brings together a lifetime of experience, to explain in easy-to-understand terms what snakes do, and how and why they do it. I am sure that this attractive volume not only will educate people about snakes, but also will inspire its readers and help them to understand why we need to conserve these amazing creatures for future generations. --Rick Shine, University of Sydney Of the many books on snakes for a general readership, this one is unique in its focus on the physiological ecology of these fascinating creatures. The author's extensive experiences in the field and laboratory shine through, as he offers insights into how snakes function in their natural environment. For anyone wondering how snakes breathe, swim, perceive their prey, or pump their blood, this book has the answers, while posing important questions that have yet to be studied. Detailed information fills every page, interspersed with compelling photos and tales from the author's many encounters with serpents in the wild. --Alan H. Savitzky, Utah State University, Logan This expertly written book combines the authority of a thoroughly researched scientific treatise, with the illustrative quality and popular appeal of a coffee-table book. It is an informative and pleasurable read. --1. Harold Heatwole, North Carolina State University, Raleigh How Snakes Work will fascinate anyone interested in nature's innovations. ...a valuable scholarly reference for anyone interested in understanding snakes -- not just biologists but engineers, roboticists, and simply anyone with an active scientific curiosity. --Scientists' Nightstand, American Scientist