Richard D. Bartlett & Patricia Bartlett
With the Bartlett’s definition of Eastern and Central extending to western Texas, North Dakota and Manitoba, this gives Texas a choice of THREE state/regional guides along with the Peterson, Golden and Audubon guides. What’s the difference? Compared to the other Texas guides? The main difference is the nice large, clear pictures placed within the text. With all the interesting snakes to the north and east, it’s an entertaining read and great reference. No matter where you live or what other local books you have available, you’ll benefit from the ease of the numbering system. The Bartletts first number the species in the Table of Contents, then use that number in the species accounts and illustration. This guide, while not the handy field guide format birders and butterfliers have come to expect, is both useful and a good read. Of interest will be the information on the care and feeding, and conservation status.
From the publisher: “Features 200+ species and subspecies, color photos, identifying factors, size, abundance/range, habitat, plus 98 distribution maps, notes on similar species, information on legal status.
"Photographic expertise, coupled with the extensive field experiences of the authors, makes this book a significant contribution to popular and semi-popular herpetological literature."
—Jim Harding, Michigan State University
This volume provides an up-to-date guide to the identification, range, habitat, and status of snakes found within eastern and central North America, from west Texas, to western Manitoba, to the eastern seaboard. Species accounts are grouped by family (Blind Snakes, File Snakes, Boas and Pythons, Colubrid Snakes, and two families of venomous snakes) and illustrated with 251 color photos showing species, subspecies and most natural intergrades and color phases. The descriptive text combines details of appearance, naturally occurring color morphs, behavior, range/habitat, prey, and look-alikes with the authors' personal field observations. Enhancing the text are 98 distribution maps. For ease of use, photos, range maps, and descriptive text are presented on the same page. Introductory chapters explain snake taxonomy and habitats, and they survey the legal and safety issues that should govern any attempts to handle these animals.
For the general reader curious about the identity of a backyard visitor, the resource manager or naturalist seeking an engaging and informative handbook, or the herpetologist seeking an authoritative single volume devoted only to snakes, the Bartletts' guide provides a handy, detailed, readable, and richly illustrated guide.
About the authors:
Richard D. Bartlett and Patricia Bartlett are coauthors of numerous books, including Florida’s Snakes: A Guide to Their Identification and Habits and A Field Guide to Florida Reptiles and Amphibians
Paper, 368 pages, 6 x 9 inches, full-color photographs, 98 distribution maps, August 2006"
