Venomous Snakes of Texas A Field Guide

About this book

Texas has about one hundred twenty native species and subspecies of snakes, fifteen of which are venomous. Since 1950, Texans have turned to the "Poisonous Snakes of Texas" pamphlet series published by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for help in identifying these snakes and for expert advice on preventing and treating snakebite.

"Venomous Snakes of Texas", a thoroughly revised and updated edition of "Poisonous Snakes", carries on this tradition as a one-stop, all-you-need-to-know guide to Texas' rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and coral snakes. In this authoritative field guide, you'll find: full-colour photographs and a county-by-county distribution map for each species; each species' common and scientific name, description, look-alikes, and a summary sketch of its habitat, behaviour, reproduction, venom characteristics, predator-prey relationships, and fossil record; up-to-date advice on recognizing venomous snakes and preventing and treating snakebite, both at home and in the field; a glossary of terms and an extensive bibliography.

A special feature of this guide is an expanded treatment of the ecological and evolutionary context in which venomous snakes live, which supports Price's goal 'to lessen the hatred and fear and to increase the understanding, the respect, and even the appreciation with which venomous snakes should be regarded'.

Contents

Preface Introduction Precautions at Home; Protection in the Field; Recognizing Venomous Snakes; Venom; Snakebite; First Aid; Medical Treatment Pit Vipers: Genus Agkistrodon: Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix); Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) Rattlesnakes: Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox); Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus); Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus); Blacktailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus); Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus); Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis); Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus); Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius) Family Elapidae: Harlequin Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) A Word about Conservation; Useful Sources of Information Glossary; References; Index

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