Books on Animals
Reptiles and amphibians: Books about Snakes
If you want to buy a book, clicking on the book cover will take you directly to that book on the Amazon.co.uk web site.
See also:
Books
on lizards
Books on tortoises, turtles and terrapins
Books on amphibians
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The Biology, Husbandry and Health Care of Reptiles: The Biology of Reptiles
Volume 1 of a three-volume set which is geared to reptile keepers and biology students, and which is also useful for vets because of the detail that it goes into. The issues are well-explained, and the material is well-presented and up-to-date. These volumes are a very useful resource for any serious herp enthusiast who finds that their collection is increasing. This volume deals with biology, while the other two deal with husbandry (vol 2) and health care (vol 3).
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The Biology of Reptiles: Husbandry
Volume 2 of a three-volume set which is geared to reptile keepers and biology students, and which is also useful for vets because of the detail that it goes into. The issues are well-explained, and the material is well-presented and up-to-date. These volumes are a very useful resource for any serious herp enthusiast who finds that their collection is increasing. This volume deals with husbandry, while the other two deal with biology (vol 1) and health care (vol 3).
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The Biology of Reptiles: Health Care
Volume 3 of a three-volume set which is geared to reptile keepers and biology students, and which is also useful for vets because of the detail that it goes into. The issues are well-explained, and the material is well-presented and up-to-date. These volumes are a very useful resource for any serious herp enthusiast who finds that their collection is increasing. This volume deals with health care, while the other two deal with biology (vol 1) and husbandry (vol 2).
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Collins Field Guide: Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe
A delightful book for anyone going on holiday in Europe or the UK, who wants to check out the local herps. This book is a comprehensive survey, giving detailed descriptions of different species, with illustrations and distribution maps. There is also information on juveniles as well as adults. The best field guide for European reptiles and amphibians.
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Terrarium and Cage Construction and Care
A very useful guide to what to put in your terrarium, and how to create habitats suitable for different types of reptiles and amphibians. It doesn't go into the DIY of building cages and terrariums in detail, but provides some general help, with more detailed coverage of furnishings and plants. This book is a very good source of ideas, even for experienced herp keepers.
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New Naturalist: Reptiles and Amphibians (The New Naturalist)
The most authoritative guide to British herps. The subject of ecology and herps is dealt with comprehensively, inclusing accounts of why some British herps are endangered. There are also accounts of how some introduced species have managed to survive our inclement weather, and the extent to which they could pose a threat to 'native' species. Herp-human relationships throughout history are described in detail, including legends linking herps to witches. The book is very well illustrated, with drawings and colour photos. This is the paperback edition. The hardback edition costs around a tenner more (which is more than ten euros more), and is below, for those of you who are feeling flush (translation for non-English speaking Europeans, 'flush' = 'confident about one's financial state').
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New Naturalist: Reptiles and Amphibians (The New Naturalist)
The hardback edition of the above
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277 Secrets a Snake Wants You to Know: Unusual & Useful Information for Snake Owners and Snake Lovers
This book is not only very informative, it's also very funny, and contains tips and information that come from experience and which which you can't find elsewhere. Various snake quirks, likes and dislikes are explained, and there's a lot of help on 'what to do it...' . There is even help with your human-human relations if you are a snake keeper, for example, how you reassure the landlord that your snake is safe. There's help with finding lost snakes, getting snakes to say 'Ahh', and with getting them to release you. You can pick up tips on travelling with snakes, and taming them so their manners improve with you and they don't bite. There are also useful health care tips, such as advice on fat, couch-potato snakes, or snakes with constipation. Very well-worth reading.
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The Reptile and Amphibian Problem Solver: Practical and Expert Advice on Keeping Snakes, Lizards, Frogs and Other Reptiles and Amphibians
This is a very useful trouble shooting guide with over 450 common problems tackled. There is also information on how to care for over 100 species of amphibians and reptiles. The advice is clearly written, and this manual is very useful for those needing a quick reference book to deal with any problems that may affect their herps.
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The General Care and Maintenance of Burmese Pythons, Including Notes on Other Large Pythons
This is a classic, inexpensive, introductory guide for would-be and novice owners of pythons. Burmese pythons are not really recommended unless you have a lot of space, because they can grow to be so large, but if you are smitten, then this is a very good starting point. Enthusiasts specialising in non-Burmese pythons are likely to want more, but this book has a lot to offer in terms of help with avoiding pitfalls in setting up a home for your snakes, and ensuring that they have the correct diet and stay healthy.
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The New Encyclopedia of Reptiles and Amphibians
This encyclopedia contains up-to-date research from well-known zoologists, presented in a way that is accessible to a wider audience. It gives a fascinating overview of amphibians and reptiles, providing a wealth of information on a wide range of topics. It's accessible enough to interest older children, as well as being thorough and accurate enough to satisfy the most demanding herp enthusiast. It's also very well-illustrated. One of an excellent series from OUP, which also includes mammals.
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Understanding Reptile Parasites: a Basic Manual for Herpetoculturists & Veterinarians
A short, inexpensive guide to reptile parasites, which is worth buying, whether you are a novice or an experienced keeper. Prevention is better than cure, and this applies to preventing diseases in humans that can be caught from reptiles, as well as problems in reptiles themselves. It is useful for vets, but is also accessible enough for the general reader, taking one gently into such arcane pursuits as the study of fecal matter, and parasite identification.
Reptile Medicine and Surgery
A fairly pricey, fat reference book for vets and serious herpetologists. This book deals with health problems of amphibians as well as reptiles. It is comprehensive, with input from experienced specialists in the field. There are also some very useful nutritional tables. It's easy to use, and is designed for quick reference, with helpful illustrations. There's enough here to interest vet specialists in this field, as well as serious keepers of reptiles and amphibians.
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Keeping and Breeding Snakes (3rd edition)
Another useful, well illustrated, reference manual from Chris Mattison, this is a classic, which has been updated. It covers all types of snakes, and is clearly written, and accessible to beginners, as well as containing enough information to be useful to more experienced snake keepers. Again, you may prefer a more in-depth book on a particular type of snake if you own a more challenging character, such as a royal python, but it's difficult to beat this book as a general guide to snake keeping.
The Encyclopedia of Snakes
Chris Mattison seems to have enjoyed writing this book - it is certainly a pleasure to read. He is one of the top writers in this field, but wears his expertise lightly, and has written a book which is accessible to a general audience. He covers a range of topics, such as the life cycle of snake, their origin and evolution, classification, colours, shape, feeding, and reproduction. There is also a very interesting account of how humans and snakes have got on over the centuries, and snake myths and supersitions. There are around 200 colour photos, which help make this book very attractive for browsers, as well as a useful reference book for snake enthusiasts, naturalists and biologists.
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What's Wrong with My Snake?
An essential health care guide for all snake owners, which can save their pets' lives. It is comprehensive and thorough. Snake owners can use this as a quick reference book to check out whether a problem is serious and needs instant vet attention, or whether and how they can deal with the problem at home. There are useful illustrations for understanding and recognising snake health problems. The book is also reasonably priced for the amount of information made available to snake owners.
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Boas
This is a very good introduction to keeping boas, which is well set out and well illustrated. There's a lot of information on basic care for your boa, and how to keep it healthy, as well as a chapter on understanding your boa's nature and special needs. It's an inexpensive, slim volume, but has enough information to satisfy experienced reptile enthusiasts embarking on keeping a boa. Boas are not, perhaps, the best snake for beginners to start with!
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Herpetology: An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles
A little pricey, but you get a lot of book for your money! This is thorough enough for degree-level students, yet is accessible to the general reader with an interest in herps. It is the second edition of a well-loved text, which has been fully revised to bring it up to date and make it easier to use. Anyone who likes herps will find it fascinating, and it is the leading work in herpetology for biologists.