Saving Snakes

Beautiful to behold and extremely sensitive to its environment, the snake is nonetheless stigmatized as a serpent, a creature that almost universally inspires fear. At a time when so many animals are endangered, who will speak up for the snake? Snake populations are declining precipitously around the globe, but calls for their conservation are muted by fear and prejudice. Saving Snakes offers a new approach to understanding snakes and preserving their populations—an approach built on respect. Nicolette Cagle has traveled the world in search of snakes, from the Midwest and the southeastern United States to Cuba, Nicaragua, and Australia, and spent decades conducting natural science research on the patterns of snakes in regions where urban development encroaches upon the natural world. Her book offers a firsthand account of the strange and secretive lives of snakes, and reveals their devastating losses. Beautifully and accessibly written, Saving Snakes entwines Cagle’s personal narrative with deep scientific and historical research. Through the author’s exploration of her evolution as a field naturalist, it provides a blueprint for developing a conservation consciousness among young people and paves the way for increased inclusivity in the male-dominated field of herpetology. While fundamentally a book about snakes, this is also the story of one woman's pursuit of her passion as she searches for, studies, and advocates for these enigmatic creatures.

When Naomi's veterinarian mother brings home a sick snake, Naomi is inspired to form a snake rescue club, and while her best friend Emma and brother Nolan are on board, her next door neighbor, who is afraid of snakes, is less than thrilled. Includes glossary, discussion questions, and writing prompts.

SNAKES! From rattlesnakes to pythons and the deadly boa constrictor, this accessible narrative is packed with full color photos and fascinating information about every kid's favorite subject. Snake profiles highlight facts and figures about snakes around the world, "Fact File" features go in depth on important animal biology features, and "In Your Newsfeed" teaches readers about breaking news in the field. Packed with information for thrill seekers and animal lovers alike, this is the perfect book for new readers who are ready to take a deeper dive into their favorite subject.æ

Destruction of habitat due to urban sprawl, pollution, and deforestation has caused population declines or even extinction of many of the world's approximately 2,600 snake species. Furthermore, misconceptions about snakes have made them among the most persecuted of all animals, despite the fact that less than a quarter of all species are venomous and most species are beneficial because they control rodent pests. It has become increasingly urgent, therefore, to develop viable conservation strategies for snakes and to investigate their importance as monitors of ecosystem health and indicators of habitat sustainability. In the first book on snakes written with a focus on conservation, editors Stephen J. Mullin and Richard A. Seigel bring together leading herpetologists to review and synthesize the ecology, conservation, and management of snakes worldwide. These experts report on advances in current research and summarize the primary literature, presenting the most important concepts and techniques in snake ecology and conservation. The common thread of conservation unites the twelve chapters, each of which addresses a major subdiscipline within snake ecology. Applied topics such as methods and modeling and strategies such as captive rearing and translocation are also covered. Each chapter provides an essential framework and indicates specific directions for future research, making this a critical reference for anyone interested in vertebrate conservation generally or for anyone implementing conservation and management policies concerning snake populations.

The author describes his passion for book collecting, which has taken him around the world in search of rare books, finding treasures and meeting interesting people along the way.

Snakes are often seen with their tongue sticking out. They’re not being rude; they’re tasting the air! Snakes use their tongue to sense the world around them. Readers discover this and more as they explore fun facts about snake senses. They also learn about other animals that taste the air, including a variety of lizards. Readers are presented with a helpful graphic organizer as well as bright, detailed photographs of these animals in their natural habitat. The engaging text and colorful photographs present science curriculum topics in a way that will keep readers entertained as they’re learning new things with each turn of the page.

Object Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things. Feared and worshiped in equal measure, snakes have captured the imagination of poets, painters, and philosophers for centuries. From Ice Age cave drawings to Snakes on a Plane, this creature continues to enthrall the public. But what harm has been caused by our mythologizing? While considering the dangers of stigma, Erica Wright moves from art and pop culture to religion, fetish, and ecologic disaster. This book considers how the snake has become more symbol than animal, a metaphor for how we treat whatever scares us the most, whether or not our panic is justified. Object Lessons is published in partnership with an essay series in the The Atlantic.

Discusses the various types of snakes found around the world, and offers games, activities, and experiments for hand-on learning.