Book Review - Snakes of Australia - Princeton Field Guides

      It might be argued that Australia is best known for its kangaroos and koalas, its parrots and cockatoos, even the Sydney Opera House, but it undoubtedly has also gained a reputation for its snakes. 

      They are numerous, many are highly venomous, but nowhere near the omnipresent threat to life and limb presented in scurrilous journals and sensationalized TV shows, some of which rival print tabloids for utter nonsense. Rather, they are an essential part of the ecosystems in which they have evolved, no more and no less than their prey and their predators. Balance is always the key, and left to its own devices Nature has a wonderful way of regulating it. It is when humans start interfering that equilibrium goes awry. 

      I am far from an expert on Australian reptiles, but Scott Eipper and his wife Tie are names that I know, and they are pre-eminent in their knowledge of, and experience with, Australian snakes. Seeing their name on the cover of the book I felt I was in good hands. 

     As is always the case with Princeton Field Guides, this is an excellent work, comprehensive in its coverage, and superbly illustrated.

      The introductory sections follow a standard format, comforting and useful by its very familiarity; unusual, however, in that the glossary is at the beginning of the book instead of in its usual position at the end.

      Snakes bites engender serious concern, as they should, but few events are more overhyped than the consequences of being bitten. With proper care and access to medical intervention, complete recovery is often the outcome with no long term effects. Death sometimes occurs, but you are far more likely to be hit by a car than killed by a snake. Important sections are devoted to snake myths and fallacies, prevention, first aid and correct care of the victim. If you live in Australia, or are planning a visit, read this information carefully.

     The reality is, however, even for those anxious to see a snake, you are unlikely to encounter them.

     The bulk of the book is devoted to species accounts with informative text, a range map and full colour pictures.

     Many of the species are cryptic, nocturnal and very difficult to spot, so to have pictures of all the snakes is an achievement in itself. Most of the photographs have been taken by the Eippers, but other committed herpetologists have contributed also.

     These Princeton Field Guides have, in my opinion, become the hallmarks of excellence in works of this genre, and Snakes of Australia takes its rightful place on the bookshelves of naturalists and herpetologists the world over.  

      A job well done!

Snakes of Australia - Princeton Field Guides 

Tie Epper and Scott Epper

Hardcover - US$45.00 - ISBN: 9780691269931

364 pages - 6 x 9 inches (15 x 22.5 cm)

Publication date: 11 February, 2025