Author / Editor / Creator: Gordon W. Schuett, Mats Höggren, Michael E. Douglas, Harry W. Greene, editors
Publication Identification: Eagle Mountain Publishing, LC. 2002.
When I first considered purchasing Biology of the Vipers, it seemed like the holy grail of reference books for anyone interested in studying vipers. The more I learned about its contents, the more I appreciated just how extensive a scientific resource it was.
Published in 2002, the book builds upon an earlier publication, Biology of the Pitvipers (1992), expanding the scope of research to include both pitvipers and true vipers. Edited by Gordon W. Schuett, Mats Höggren, Michael E. Douglas, and Harry W. Greene, it brings together research from an international group of herpetologists and scientists.
The book examines nearly every major aspect of viper biology, including evolution, taxonomy, ecology, natural history, behavior, reproduction, physiology, anatomy, feeding adaptations, venom, paleontology, and conservation. It explores not only how these snakes live and interact with their environments, but also the evolutionary processes that have shaped their remarkable adaptations.
What makes this book particularly valuable to me is the opportunity to learn from researchers who have devoted years of their careers to studying these animals. Rather than presenting a general overview of vipers, it provides access to specialized scientific investigations and the findings of scientists working in different areas of herpetology.
This is exactly the kind of book I want in my reference library. I look forward to drawing upon the research it contains throughout my college education and future career. Equally satisfying is knowing that this resource will be available to my peers should they wish to consult it in pursuit of their own research and scientific interests.