I think it is safe to say that snakes do not rank high on the roster of most people's favourite animals. The fact that they slither probably has something to do with it; a talking snake in a mythical Garden of Eden foretelling eternal retribution probably doesn't help either.
But the truth is, they are fascinating animals, widespread and breathtaking in their diversity, and a functional component of healthy ecosystems. Some snakes, such as Brown House Snake, are welcomed into houses and outbuildings due to their unrivalled skill in dispatching rodents. A capable snake can be a friend indeed.
This book, yet another in the superb "Lives of" series, provides a complete and comprehensive overview of snakes and their world, and will almost certainly go a long way in convincing even the most diehard skeptic that snakes too have merit.
As with all modern natural history books the illustrations are superb.
The world population of snakes settles in at around 4,100 species, with most occurring in tropical or subtropical regions of the world. Some are venomous in varying degrees, but more are not, and relatively few species pack enough poison to kill a human. Even then the odds are uneven. To inflict harm to you, a snake has to come within striking distance - you can fire a gun, set upon it with a flame thrower, toss a grenade, run over it with your vehicle - when all it wishes is to be left in peace.
Yes, given the will to do so, we really can coexist with snakes. In fact most of us do so unwittingly, since most people never see a snake.
The book covers every aspect of serpentine life, including form and function, dealing with the environment, reproduction, diet and feeding, enemies and defence, and - the elephant in every room in the 21st Century - snakes and humans. Many species are profiled.
Ironically, snakes are quite often kept as pets, until they become too big to handle. The occupation of The Florida Everglades by Burmese Pythons reveals the tragedy of alien snakes released into a perfect environment, absent normal predatory checks. There are now in excess of 100,000 of these huge snakes, breeding prolifically, and destroying resident wildlife. Once the genie is out of the bottle it's impossible to put it back.
The inadvertent introduction of the Brown Tree Snake on Guam has resulted in the near elimination of birds on the island, with three endemic species now extinct.
Snakes, including sea snakes, are affected like every other organism on Earth, sentient and otherwise, by climate change. Their habitat is being destroyed and degraded, rising ambient temperatures are lethal to ectothermic creatures, ocean salinity is changing, prey is diminishing, chemical imbalances are occurring, breeding spaces are disappearing - and so it goes.
These ancient creatures, that have probably been on the Earth for around 150 million years, are now on the precipice - as are we.
Chris Mattison has written an important book, worthy of study, perhaps serving as a prod to all of us that all life is precious, and that we are ultimately bound together in the same fate.
I recommend the book to all who care about nature.
The Lives of Snakes: A Natural History of the World of Snakes - Princeton University Press
Chris Mattison
Hardcover - US$35.00 - ISBN: 9780691250601
288 pages - 7.5 x 9.5 inches (18.75 x 23.75 cm)
150+ colour illustrations
Publication date: 25 March, 2025
Thank you for this latest book review. I always enjoy them and have always had a fascination for snakes. I have been fortunate enough to see a few in the outdoors, usually not the venomous ones.
ReplyDeleteI have seen snakes too, but not as often as I might like.
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteMuch like sharks, snakes lurk in the imagination of many and not in a positive way. Great shame. I've encountered many snakes in my different living places and even stepped on one in an Aussie spring, sunning itself after estivation... a Red-bellied Black. We just stared at each other for a few seconds, then it slithered off into the bush and I continued my hike. A fleeting encounter nearly forty years ago, but never forgotten. It was beautiful. YAM xx
I can well understand, YAM, that kind of experience is not soon forgotten!
Deletewe have a family of black racers, beautiful snakes in our yard, we used to see them but now we don't. not since the drought started about 5 years ago..in 1978 my son had a pet Eastern King Snake, the day I found it in his jeans drawer it was moved to outside headquarters.. they are very strong constrictors and could have strangled us in our sleep...
ReplyDeletewhen he caught it and came home with it, he said he could see only is tail and reached in the log to drag it out. ov vey! we don't bother them and I am very happy we don't live where the rattle snakes do... just a few miles from us..
I hope many of your readers enjoy the book of snakes, David.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
An interesting book for sure. I have never seen a native snake here in Scotland though some of the parks and woodland walks have signs promising them but nothing. I have seen and held a fair few at vets charity events and zoos. I have no problem with snakes whatsoever. I love the cover photo :-D
ReplyDeleteOnce I started to photograph snakes like insects, they fascinated me. I don't go on certain bluffs around here near the Mississippi in the summer because there are abundant rattlers in the area.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I still like them and am intrigued by them. I love finding the little grass snakes in our yard.
I was recently reading an account of early settlement in the Niagara area when local caves were full of rattlesnakes and pigs were turned loose, and would eat them. I am assuming they were immune to snakebites.
DeleteLas he visto en los zoológicos que he visitado, y como protección había una tela metálica.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
Sorry, but I just can't bring myself to like snakes...:-(
ReplyDelete...I've always wanted to stay clear of snakes!
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good book.
ReplyDeleteI don't like snakes, luckily they are only in the zoo here.
There are adders here on the Veluwe.
Greetings Irma
Snakes are amazing, but I like them best this way, through a great book.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are amazing. Snakes are like spiders, people are afraid of them and don't even want to look at them, but they want even less to get close to us...
ReplyDeleteGracias David, un abrazo
Snakes are not for me, I am terrified of them.
ReplyDeleteThere are no snake fans in our home, but thankfully St Patrick took care of that before we got here ;-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the read.
ReplyDeleteSnakes are fascinating, but, I don't think I'd read this book. It'd give me the shivers.
ReplyDeleteI must confess that this book inspires me more to run in the opposite direction than to read it, 😊
ReplyDeletebut i admit they have spectacular and very pretty colors.
Best regards and have a good night, dear friend.
Gros bisous xoxo
Nice review on snakes, the illustrations do look good.
ReplyDeleteNot fond of them at all due to them being poisonous here, all of them.
I am a little surprised at the number of comments that indicate people don’t like snakes - all snakes. I can’t imagine these same people saying that they don’t like all mammals, or all birds, or all Tasmanians or Canadians for that matter. Is there an element of rampant discrimination here?
DeleteThis is a book that I would enjoy. I handled snakes from an early age, my father knew the snake keeper at Bristol Zoo in the UK in the late 40's early 50's. I was never afraid of them, but I have a great deal of respect for a snake that I cannot identify. I have seen a few in the garden here but no vipers, mostly whip snakes it seems. Bisous mon ami, Diane
ReplyDeleteHi David - I wrote about the Grant Museum of Zoology and a young professor, Ben Garrod, as he was then on 2 March 2014, and an earlier one on the Museum 21 August 2013 - when I discovered a great deal about snakes and their attributes and other interesting facts. I don't like them - but they do fascinate me.
ReplyDeleteIn fact - there's a new 'shop' down the road (near the Town Hall) where a youngster (very polite, very knowledgeable) has opened up where his passion about reptiles is shown ... he's been interested since a kid, and rescues them too ... he was a fascinating lad.
Cheers - I'd be interested to see the book ... Hilary
I do love nature, but snakes just aren't my thing.
ReplyDeleteThere's no doubt that snakes have merit! Yes, they slither... They are kind of sneaky and of course they can be deadly. Not a fan....Unless one is very knowledgable about snakes it's hard to know if their bite is deadly....xoxoxo!! Missy
ReplyDeleteQuerido David tu reseña como siempre estupenda. En cuanto a las serpientes es cierto que son fascinantes y despiertan tanta curiosidad como miedo. En mi tierra solo hay una víbora que puede causar problemas y en ocasiones la muerte, se trata de la víbora de Seoane que además es muy abundante. Yo si me encuentra alguna espero lo que haga falta para que siga su camino y poder pasar. Lo demás son culebras inofensivas. Un fuerte abrazo para ti y para Miriam.
ReplyDeleteAn enlightened attitude, Lola.
DeleteGoodness me 4,100 species, I had no idea.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
This is a fascinating review. It's refreshing to see a deep dive into the importance of snakes in ecosystems and their role in biodiversity. It's easy to overlook these creatures, but you’ve really highlighted how interconnected all life is and why preserving them matters. The book sounds like a must-read for anyone passionate about nature and conservation.
ReplyDeleteI just shared a new post you are invited to read: https://www.melodyjacob.com/2025/03/devils-pulpit-finnich-glen-liars-spring-outlander.html
Have a lovely Thursday!
El libro me parece precioso. Por aquí hay algunas variedades de serpientes ( culebras ), la mayoría no son venenosas, sí una que llamamos bastarda Malpolon monspessulanus, los dientes inoculadores de veneno están situados en la parte posterior de la boca y no es peligrosa para el ser humano, víbora nunca la vi, pero seguro que por las sierras se encuentra alguna. Abrazos querido amigo David.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who absolutely admires snakes, I would grab this book immediately if I saw it anywhere. And maybe I will buy it. :) The photographs in it look amazing, I like the classic sea krait diving shot.
ReplyDelete