Chris Mattison – författare

An easy-to-use and authoritative guide to over 220 species of snake from around the world, each entry specially selected to show the diversity of size, shape and colour of these respected creatures.There are about 2,500 species of snakes in the world, and the majority of these can be found in warmer parts of Europe, North America, southern Africa, southeast Asia and Australia. Of these often beautiful creatures, about 400 are some of the most venomous creatures in the world, and over 100 of them are deadly to humans.Arranged into 15 families of most closely related species, this book will guide you through each one. Details are given of: Size and shapeSensesFeedingSelf-defenceCamouflageReproductionHabitatsConservationEach entry is illustrated with a full-colour photograph, and there is an ID factfile to help enable quick and accurate idenitification. Packed full of fascinating information, Collins Gem Snakes is the perfect introduction for any budding herpatologist.

Find out about snakes from all over the world in this best-selling visual guide, with information about snake evolution, habitats, reproductive behaviour, feeding, defence, and much more.Snake is the essential guide to the world of serpents, featuring more than 3,000 species. With a clean fresh look, classifications, stunning photography, and amazing artworks, this is a must-have reference for all herpetologists.Packed with fascinating facts such as physical and behavioural characteristics, this guide also includes focused profiles of 60 snakes, from the Rainbow Boa to the Tropical Rattlesnake. Each profile includes a stunning full-page photograph of the snake, supporting images to highlight important features, and a 'Fact File' sidebar to give at-a-glance information. Plus, a complete directory lists all known species of these fascinating reptiles, including venomous snakes such as cobras.Snake is a beautiful and comprehensive guide to some of nature's most compelling animals.

Leap into the incredible world of frogs and toads!Do you know why some frogs glow in the dark? Can a toad really pretend to be a rock? Explore the colourful lives of frogs and toads, from tree frogs to desert toads! Learn about their amazing adaptations and clever tricks that keep them safe - from sticky tongues to mind-blowing camouflage.Discover why these amphibians are vital for a healthy planet and what we can do to protect them. Follow the incredible lifecycle from tiny eggs to hopping adults. See what tadpoles look like as they grow and change. Packed with fun facts and vivid images, An Anthology of Frogs and Toads will spark curiosity and inspire young nature lovers to care for these incredible creatures. A must-have for every budding herpetologist!

A richly illustrated introduction to the marvelous world of snakesDescended from prehistoric lizards, snakes have been slithering across the earth for more than a hundred million years. There are some 4,100 species known to exist, and many are venomous, but many more are not. Snakes experience the world in unique ways, smelling the air with their tongues and relying on signs of movement for orientation. They are ectothermic, needing external heat for energy, and must shed their skin to grow. This guide offers a unique look at the lives of snakes, exploring their life cycles, diets, defenses, locomotive strategies, and more. Written by an internationally recognized herpetologist and informed by the latest science, The Lives of Snakes blends captivating photos with engaging, fact-filled profiles of selected species to provide an invaluable introduction to these splendid reptiles.Combines beautiful illustrations, clear graphics, and lively text to inform and entertainFeatures dozens of representative species profilesCovers topics ranging from evolution and diversity to habitats and reproductionExamines how snakes coexist with humansDiscusses threats to the world’s snake populations and their conservationA must for snake lovers everywhere

A richly illustrated introduction to the marvelous world of snakesDescended from prehistoric lizards, snakes have been slithering across the earth for more than a hundred million years. There are some 4,100 species known to exist, and many are venomous, but many more are not. Snakes experience the world in unique ways, smelling the air with their tongues and relying on signs of movement for orientation. They are ectothermic, needing external heat for energy, and must shed their skin to grow. This guide offers a unique look at the lives of snakes, exploring their life cycles, diets, defenses, locomotive strategies, and more. Written by an internationally recognized herpetologist and informed by the latest science, The Lives of Snakes blends captivating photos with engaging, fact-filled profiles of selected species to provide an invaluable introduction to these splendid reptiles.

Combines beautiful illustrations, clear graphics, and lively text to inform and entertainFeatures dozens of representative species profilesCovers topics ranging from evolution and diversity to habitats and reproductionExamines how snakes coexist with humansDiscusses threats to the world’s snake populations and their conservationA must for snake lovers everywhere