The Snake (Owner's Guide to a Happy, Healthy Pet)

Rating:
Summary: My son loves this book!
Review: My seven year old son is getting a snake for his birthday. We borrowed this book from a friend. He is reading it cover to cover. It is providing both of us with all the practical info on what to get (snake and accessories) and how to care for your pet snake. An indispensible guide for a soon-to-be snake owner.

Rating:
Summary: Good but....
Review: The Snake is a well written, well illustrated guide to snakes. It contains many excellent hints on caring for these interesting reptiles. My only concern is the section on snake evolution. As Frank notes, we have no meaningful fossil record in spite of looking for 150 years, but the reason why is not because snake skeletons are very delicate, as Frank claims. The conditions and environment of fossilization are far more important than the bone density in determining preservation (see T. H. Worthy; Lost World of the Moa; Prehistoric Life in New Zealand). Bird fossils are very common and they are usually even less dense than snake bones! Also, the speculation that snakes are distantly related to Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops is pure guesswork (page 17). We have no empirical evidence to back this up. Many theories of snake evolution exist and several of these should be discussed, such as symbiosis and even panspermia. The fact is, we have no evidence about where snakes came from. Therefore, all existing theories are just so stories. Unfortunately, we scientists loose credibility with the public when we engage in speculation without clearly labeling it as such. To speculate is fine, just make it clear that you are doing so. To his credit, Frank did note the ideas on snake evolution he covered are speculation by using such words as "are believed" or "probably" but he should have stressed the fact is, we do not know where snakes came from.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book for Beginning Herpers
Review: This book is a grreat book if you are interested in getting a snake, but don't know how to start. It tells you the best beginner snakes, the worst ones, snake do's and don'ts, and all the infromation a new herper would need. Although not the best book for experienced herpers, it can still be used as a reference for most. This is the best book I've read for selecting your snake and getting started on the care and maintenance.