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Snakes of the Southeast
Featuring more than three hundred color photographs and nearly fifty distribution maps, Snakes of the Southeast is stuffed with both entertaining and detailed, in-depth information. Includes and explores size charts, key identifiers (scales, body shape, patterns, and color), descriptions of habitat, behavior and activity, food and feeding, reproduction, predators and defense, and conservation.
253 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2005
About the author
Whit Gibbons
25 books3 followersAlso published under J. Whitfield Gibbons: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 9, 2016
The somewhat reclusive stars of this glossy full-color guide, “Snakes of the Southeast,” are sleek and attractive with serious animal magnetism, and unusual appetites. [Plot Spoiler] The villains are just deeply misunderstood. Watch for cameos by heavies from Africa, Latin America and the Indian sub-continent.
The authors have set out to cure Ophidiophobia, one glossy page at a time. The southeastern states of the US have more than fifty native species of snakes; more than twenty are bright gems in shades of red, orange, yellow and green and easy to identify. Only a handful are venomous and you are more likely to be hit by a bolt of lightning than die from a snakebite. Or win the big lottery jackpot. That puts it in perspective, doesn't it?
This gorgeous guide to snakes will encourage nature lovers, educators, parents and couch potatoes who know they really ought to get outside more often, to tread lightly and embrace the reptilian denizens of our wild and urban landscapes. (Kids already love snakes, no need to stimulate their curiosity.) “Being able to identify animals and plants is one of the first steps in developing an appreciation for nature . . . Such information is easy to learn and can greatly add to your enjoyment of nature in general and snakes in particular.” Truer words were never spoken.
Species accounts aka “What Snake Is That?” include crystal clear photos, field marks, range maps and snake trivia even snake aficionados, myself included, will find remarkable. Who knew that cottonmouths, or water moccasins, were reluctant to defend themselves by biting? And how do we know this? “Investigators tested how more than fifty cottonmouths responded to being stepped on and picked up by humans.” You’ll have to read the book to see what the heck that was all about.
Some startling statistics are found throughout: Those stories you’ve heard about mega-pythons proliferating in the Everglades? All true. A few years after breeding populations of non-native pythons were discovered the relative abundance of raccoons and possums dropped 99%. Formerly abundant rabbits? A big fat zero. Pythons have even been known to eat alligators. Now there’s an Instagram photo op.
This book is a real find, the authors have pulled together a useful and attractive handbook on snakes for your next nature ramble, whether it’s in your backyard or deep into the subtropical habitats of the southeast. (Armchair naturalists welcome.)
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The authors have set out to cure Ophidiophobia, one glossy page at a time. The southeastern states of the US have more than fifty native species of snakes; more than twenty are bright gems in shades of red, orange, yellow and green and easy to identify. Only a handful are venomous and you are more likely to be hit by a bolt of lightning than die from a snakebite. Or win the big lottery jackpot. That puts it in perspective, doesn't it?
This gorgeous guide to snakes will encourage nature lovers, educators, parents and couch potatoes who know they really ought to get outside more often, to tread lightly and embrace the reptilian denizens of our wild and urban landscapes. (Kids already love snakes, no need to stimulate their curiosity.) “Being able to identify animals and plants is one of the first steps in developing an appreciation for nature . . . Such information is easy to learn and can greatly add to your enjoyment of nature in general and snakes in particular.” Truer words were never spoken.
Species accounts aka “What Snake Is That?” include crystal clear photos, field marks, range maps and snake trivia even snake aficionados, myself included, will find remarkable. Who knew that cottonmouths, or water moccasins, were reluctant to defend themselves by biting? And how do we know this? “Investigators tested how more than fifty cottonmouths responded to being stepped on and picked up by humans.” You’ll have to read the book to see what the heck that was all about.
Some startling statistics are found throughout: Those stories you’ve heard about mega-pythons proliferating in the Everglades? All true. A few years after breeding populations of non-native pythons were discovered the relative abundance of raccoons and possums dropped 99%. Formerly abundant rabbits? A big fat zero. Pythons have even been known to eat alligators. Now there’s an Instagram photo op.
This book is a real find, the authors have pulled together a useful and attractive handbook on snakes for your next nature ramble, whether it’s in your backyard or deep into the subtropical habitats of the southeast. (Armchair naturalists welcome.)
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2022
Lots of good pictures and information, though at times it felt geared too much to a non-herp person (who, I would argue, probably isn't the kind of person that would be reading this book).
The taxonomy is outdated for several species, but I'm not sure if that's because of changes made since 2015 (when the second edition was published) or because the refusal of the two authors to agree with current taxonomic perspectives haha
I would give it 3.5 stars, but half stars aren't an option. The pictures are good enough that I had to round up.
The taxonomy is outdated for several species, but I'm not sure if that's because of changes made since 2015 (when the second edition was published) or because the refusal of the two authors to agree with current taxonomic perspectives haha
I would give it 3.5 stars, but half stars aren't an option. The pictures are good enough that I had to round up.
October 27, 2008
A good reference on snakes, I think. I don't know much about snakes, so take my review with caution. I found it difficult to look up those I didn't know anything about, but I also don't get a lot of practice & I know from looking up birds & trees that this kind of reference takes practice.
Part of the problem is the pictures. It is impossible to show all the permutations of the most common species around here, the Hog-nosed snake. It does give fairly good, descriptions of habitat, likely ranges & such.
In north-central Kentucky, we're on the very northern edge of the south-east US, just south of the north-east & at the far west of the Eastern range. Many snakes in the book don't usually apply to us, while others that do aren't mentioned - maybe. I think they did a pretty good job on the likely ones.
Part of the problem is the pictures. It is impossible to show all the permutations of the most common species around here, the Hog-nosed snake. It does give fairly good, descriptions of habitat, likely ranges & such.
In north-central Kentucky, we're on the very northern edge of the south-east US, just south of the north-east & at the far west of the Eastern range. Many snakes in the book don't usually apply to us, while others that do aren't mentioned - maybe. I think they did a pretty good job on the likely ones.
November 16, 2024
So, for the last of the Wormsloe books on the herptofauna of the American Southeast we cover perhaps the most controversial of all reptiles due to the fear they generate. Luckily this book will help to clear the air of this fear. First it discusses the group's traits, habitats, diets, reproductive manners, and defines what exactly it will be covering. When we get to the structure of the books coverage despite it not being divided by family which is my preference it's actually fairly good at easing a person into snakes, starting with the smallest native land species, then going to middle sized ones. then going to the large ones. It then ends the coverage of native species with the six venomous species of snakes, five vipers one elapid. The last section discusses some introduced species of which at the time only two were known. Not all species get their own entry, as the very similar Western and Eastern Ribbon snake were condensed into
In terms of positives I have to say all species are represented by beautiful photographs that properly represented both the species and subspecies of each snake. It also manages to discuss the danger of venomous snakes in a healthy yet also firm manner not resulting in any fear mongering. The few negatives that this book have are some stuff that has become out of date. Firstly this book treats the Florida Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon conanti) as a subspecies of the Common Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) this is no longer the case and it can be distinguished from it by differs from the northern cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) in having a pair of dark vertical lines at the tip of the snout, though really you should never get that close and instead rely on location to id it. And sadly several new introduced species have been reported from Florida. The most common are the Ball Python, African Rock Python and Boa Constrictor. But others include The Central American Boa, the Lined Snake, the Plains Hognose snake, the Ladder Snake , and the West Mexican Milksnake
In terms of positives I have to say all species are represented by beautiful photographs that properly represented both the species and subspecies of each snake. It also manages to discuss the danger of venomous snakes in a healthy yet also firm manner not resulting in any fear mongering. The few negatives that this book have are some stuff that has become out of date. Firstly this book treats the Florida Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon conanti) as a subspecies of the Common Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) this is no longer the case and it can be distinguished from it by differs from the northern cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) in having a pair of dark vertical lines at the tip of the snout, though really you should never get that close and instead rely on location to id it. And sadly several new introduced species have been reported from Florida. The most common are the Ball Python, African Rock Python and Boa Constrictor. But others include The Central American Boa, the Lined Snake, the Plains Hognose snake, the Ladder Snake , and the West Mexican Milksnake
November 28, 2025
the reason I read, my first real book and the inspiration of a life long career in Herpetology. Dr. Gibbons made a huge impact on my life and it was an honor to spend time with him, even having a personally signed copy.
January 18, 2009
A good companion to Reptiles and Amphibians of Alabama because it has wonderful color photographs. It also has lots of fascinating information about snakes. I received this book, as well as the reptiles and Amphibians book, for Christmas. because I live in a rural area and often see snakes, I wanted to know more about them. I am glad I took the time to learn a little more. There is a big black snake that lives in my yard (a non-poisonous Black Racer). From reading these two books I discovered that I should definitely allow the Racer to remain living in the yard as 1) Snakes are terratorial so it will keep other snakes at bay and 2) they will sometimes eat Copperheads - a snake I DO NOT want around my home.
January 22, 2016
Snakes of the Southeast by Whit Gibbons and Mike Dorcas (University of Georgia Press 2005) (597.96). This is a thorough and comprehensive field guide to snakes of the Southeastern United States. My rating: 7/10, finished 2007.
April 4, 2011
Uuuuuhhhuummmm.....I didn't read this for fun so like eheh....don't think I am a dork or anything but yeah. It was very informational tho! Like all the snakes of The South and Mid Eastern coast was up in there!
November 18, 2015
This is a really great reference book. They go into great detail about the different snake species found not only in Georgia but all of the southeast. I am really tempted to buy this book to keep around. I live on 10 acres of land and we see snakes a few times a month.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews