Snakes ─ Smithsonian Answer Book

This new edition of Snakes in Question has been completely updated to take into account the most recent research available, offering useful scientific information about snakes while dispelling many widely-circulated myths and common fears. Accompanied by 100 stunning color photographs and written in the popular question-and-answer format of Smithsonian's “In Question” series, the book tells how snakes breathe, hear, smell, and much more. It covers not only the life cycle of snakes but also explores such phenomena as the rattlesnake's rattle, the viper's hiss, and the snake charmer's secrets. It addresses common folktales about snakes (do snakes milk cows?) and describes giant snakes, both real and imaginary. The authors also give expert advice on such subjects as distinguishing venomous species from harmless look-alikes and keeping snakes as pets.

George R. Zug is curator of reptiles and amphibians at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. He lives in Virginia. Carl H. Ernst is Distinguished Professor of Biology at George Mason University and the author of numerous books, including Snakes of the United States and Canada. He lives in Virginia.