This work presents a natural history of the Cottonmouth Moccasin, a species of crotaline snake. The writer aimed to help people learn about its economic importance, determine what factors limit its geographic distribution, define the role of the cottonmouth in its ecological community, and compare the cottonmouth's life history with that of other crotalid snakes. Contents include: Introduction Acknowledgments Systematic Relationships and Distribution Description Habitat and Limiting Factors Reproduction Growth and Development Shedding Food Habits Mortality Factors Behavior The Venom The Bite Summary

Natural History of Cottonmouth Moccasin, Agkistrodon piscovorus (Reptilia) By Ray Burkett,

Snakes play a very important role in our ecosystem, helping to balance the food web and maintain biodiversity on Earth. This book highlights the extreme ecological importance of snakes with chapters on snake venom and its therapeutic potential and the ecology of some selected snake species.

The product of fifteen years of work by top herpetologists, this book is a comprehensive examination of the amphibians and reptiles of Arkansas, featuring over 136 species and subspecies. With over five hundred four-color photos, line drawings, and over one hundred maps, this user-friendly book will become the definitive text on the subject.

Many people fear snakes, and watersnakes in particular have one of the worst reputations of any snake found in North America. Some species are commonly mistaken for venomous cottonmouths, and a few may eat popular game fishes. Unfortunately, few people realize the important roles many watersnakes play in natural ecosystems and, consequently, they are still persecuted in many regions today. Seeking to overcome common misperceptions, J. Whitfield Gibbons and Michael E. Dorcas have compiled North American Watersnakes, the first comprehensive study of all fourteen species of watersnakes found in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Cuba. Individual species accounts explore all aspects of the natural history of watersnakes in North America, including their behavior, physiology, life history, ecology, and conservation. Almost 100 color photographs accompany the text, illustrating all 14 species and nearly all subspecies. Supplementing the species accounts are detailed color maps depicting each species distribution and stunning black-and-white drawings by Peri Mason. Easy-to-use keys help readers to identify specimens at hand.

The classic field guide to snakes found in the Old Dominion, now available in paperback.