Book Description
Few reptiles command more respect than the mighty boas and pythons. Prized for their size, relative docility, and spectacular coloration and patterning, they are the most dramatic snakes in the world. But the same snakes that many consider gentle giants--the Green Anaconda can exceed twelve yards in length--are also finely tuned killing machines. In Boas and Pythons of the World, renowned snake expert Mark O'Shea takes readers on an exciting continent-by-continent journey to look at these snakes in their native habitats. Stunning color photographs and intriguing stories from O'Shea's encounters with these snakes in the wild bring these reptiles to life.
There is a tremendous variety of boas and pythons. While the largest are measured in yards, the smallest, the Javelin Sand Boa, is no longer than thirty-two inches. And they inhabit a vast range of habitats on five continents, from stony desert to lush tropical forest. In more than one hundred detailed species accounts, Boas and Pythons of the World examines snakes as different as the cryptically patterned Madagascan Ground Boa and Australasia's beautiful Green Tree Python.
Although some of these snakes are capable of attacking and killing humans, boas and pythons are much more likely to be man's victims. Across the world, these snakes are retreating in the face of habitat destruction, hunting, and climate change. Addressing the dire risks they face, O'Shea discusses what can be done to help save what are among our most fascinating reptiles.
- Snake expert Mark O'Shea's tour of the fascinating world of boas, pythons, and basal snakes--from primitive blindsnakes to the mighty anaconda
- Dramatic accounts of O'Shea's personal encounters with these great snakes in their natural habitats--on five continents
- Detailed information about the snakes' habitats and behaviors
- Over 150 superb color photographs that capture the diverse beauty of more than 100 species, including rarely seen and endangered species
- Two world maps showing the distribution of the various families of boas, pythons, and basal snakes
Customer Reviews:
O'Shea,s BOAS AND PYTHONS.......2007-05-10
Mark O'Shea,s "Boas and Pythons" is 160 pages covering boas and pythons as well as other "basal" snakes, such as the blindsnakes, closer in evolutionary terms to the lizards from whom snakes are derived. The coffee-table sized volume examines these in their geographical categories ("The Americas", Australasia and the Pacific Ocean Islands"), etc. The first part of the volume briefly describes snake evolution, anatomy, internal organ structure, diversity, the place in the suborder serpentes of the snakes described and their families. The author goes on to the subject of constriction and a discussion of snake size, myths about snakes and snakes as maneaters.
This book is directed at the amateur with an interest in herpetology, perhaps, someone whose interest in snakes stems from having watched some of the Mr. O'Shea,s TV episodes. A minimum of technical terminology is used, descriptions being clear and understandable to non-professionals. THe book is richly illustrated with photographs of most of the species. After each species is discussed, i.e., the discovery history, scale numbers, color variation and other information, the author provides a final paragraph briefly summarizing range, size, habitat, prey, egg-laying(number of eggs) or live birth and similar species. A four page index and two page bibliography for further reading appear at the end of the book. An interesting feature throughout the text are italicized paragraphs quoting the personal field experiences of O'Shea and other herpetologists with some of the snakes described.
Maps are printed on the inside front and rear covers, sketching the world's continents with colored outlines of the ranges of the families covered in O'Shea's book. One drawback to this feature is that the author, in referring to islands and nations within a species range, does not provide a detailed-enough map to locate these, i.e., the Sunda Islands. Most readers would have to refer to a world atlas to determine where these are found.
Nevertheless, O'Shea does a fine job informing and stimulating the interest of non-professionals in these families of snakes and in herpetology, in general.
Average customer rating:
- Delightful!
- Xavier, 1st grader in Spain
- Easy Reading, Funny Pictures
- Good Children's Book
- The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash
|
The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash
Trinka Hakes Noble
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Fiction
| Pets
| Animals
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Humorous
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Fiction
| Farm Life
| Where We Live
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Kellogg, Steven
| ( K )
| Authors & Illustrators, A-Z
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Baby-3
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Fiction
| Pets
| Animals
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Kellogg, Steven
| ( K )
| Authors & Illustrators, A-Z
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Baby-3
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Humorous
| Literature
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Fiction
| Farm Life
| Where We Live
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Jimmy's Boa and the Big Splash Birthday Bash (Picture Puffins)
-
Jimmy's Boa Bounces Back (Picture Puffin Books)
-
Can I Keep Him?
-
Jimmy's Boa & the Bungee Jump Slam Dunk
-
the Mysterious Tadpole
ASIN: 0140546235 |
Customer Reviews:
Delightful!.......2007-05-24
I'm 21 and I still love this book. Maybe it's not exactly a comedy routine, but it's so much fun; you have to smile reading it.
Xavier, 1st grader in Spain.......2007-03-20
I liked this because the boa ate the wash. My favorite character is Jimmy. You should read this book because it is a really good book.
Easy Reading, Funny Pictures.......2007-03-09
A fun book, not too many words per page, with a lot of the fun of the story being in the pictures. However, when I read this to three 1st and 2nd graders, I was surprised that they didn't laugh at all. I'm not sure if it was because they've never been on a field trip, or because the other books I've read them had more complex plots. Much of the humor of this book is in the funny pictures, but the plot is very basic. You don't come away feeling like you've really gotten to know any of the characters.
Good Children's Book.......2007-01-12
Not as funny as I expected but well written with vibrant pictures. I'm glad I added it to my son's collection and bought it for his friend as a Christmas gift. There are better books out there but for the great price Amazon offers, this was a good purchase.
The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash.......2006-11-10
Very entertaining. Beautifully illustrated. Children of all ages will love this funny story.
Product Description
Colombian common boa constrictors are rated among the best of the large pet snakes, being attractive and relatively docile and safe. Three experts discuss the husbandry, breeding and medical problems of these popular snakes. Diseases and disorders are thoroughly covered. An epidemic viral disease in captive boas, IBD, is discussed in great detail. All subspecies and many of the currently bred pattern and color morphs are displayed in outstanding color photos. A must-have for beginner or expert.
Customer Reviews:
Read this before you get the snake!.......2006-04-18
Many pet shop workers don't know enough to give you decent care instructions for a goldfish, let alone a boa. These snakes are no joke. If you get one and decide you can't handle it after a certain point, you'll discover that finding someone to take it off your hands is not easy. (I would highly recommend not buying a snake at all, but rescuing one.)
My Columbian boa was acquired as an 18" infant. By age six, he was ten feet long and, at his widest point, as big around as the narrowest part of my thigh. He gladly ate pre-killed food and never had a sick day in his life, thanks to a good exotic pet vet. and this remarkable book.
De Vosjoli knows what he's talking about. From species ID to safe and appropriate handling to housing, humidity, and temperature requirements, this book can't be bettered. Given some of the snake-handling mishaps that end up in the news now and then, it's refreshing to find a book that dares to admonish us thusly: "Don't be stupid."
Must read!.......2002-06-05
Anyone thinking of owning a boa constrictor must read this book. I foster abandoned boas and this book would save the snake and future owners lots of trauma. Buy it now!
Wonderful.......2002-03-11
If you could only buy one book on Boa Constrictors, this would be it. I had the first printing of this title, and just got the updated version- definitely an improvement. The book details all aspects of their care and breeding, and gives you the hard facts of owning these large beautiful creatures. You will not find redundant or conflicting information unlike some other boa books. Even if you are only considering getting a red tail, do yourself a favor and read this book to find out what you're getting yourself into. I also recommend the books "What's wrong with my Snake?" and "Understanding Reptile Parasites" if you own or are thinking of owning a boa.
Required Reading.......2002-01-07
I had owned a copy of the original version of this book, and I have to say that this updated edition is even better. It's got some great information about breeding, disease and care that goes far beyond what the original contained, making it even more valuable than before. Like probably almost everyone else says, if you're only going to buy one book regarding the proper husbandry of boa constrictors, this is the book you should buy. It's so reasonably priced, there's no excuse not to.
The Boa Constrictor Manual.......2001-06-06
I was impressed by the no-nonsence approch of this book. If you are looking for useful, up-to-date information on Boas this is your book.
Product Description
Boas are considered by many to be the most beautiful of all snakes, but because they originate in the tropics they require special care when they are kept and bred in captivity. This book stresses the importance of maintaining proper living conditions for the boa, describes basic anatomy, and advises on purchasing, feeding, breeding, and general health care. Paperback / 96 Pages / 6 1/2 x 7 7/8 / 1994
Customer Reviews:
Totally Average.......2006-02-01
I've had this book for several years, and find it to be roughly the same as almost any other small, paperback, guide to owning a pet. I have many books on snakes, a lot of them which are this same type of very general guide. It would be a good read for somebody considering getting a boa. However, I found it to have a lot of generalized information (as many other guide books do). If you are looking for an introduction to boas, this is a good book for you. I would hope that a new boa owner should have done their homework, and found out all of this information prior to getting their new snake. However, in the event that the new boa owner has jumped into an unplanned or impulse purchase, this is a good way to catch up and get the most basic of information. Experienced boa owners may find this to be too general.
Fantastic. To the point. Informative........2000-10-22
I commend the author on his works. I have purchased many small books on Boids but so far this is the best. Most books overload their pages with pictures and unuseful information, but this author knew what he was doing. A great book for novice and intermediate boa lovers, and would recommend it over and over again. Thanks for a great book.
Very Usefull.......2000-06-30
I have read some books about boas, and this one is very usefull when it comes to talk about diseases, even when the chapter about disease is short, it's clear and concise. It also talks about genetics, a little confusing for someone new in breeding but usefull too. I consider this book is for begginers and intermediate boa owners.
One of my favorites.......1999-06-19
This has become one of my favorite snake books. It has really solid information for the size and price. The pictures are great, but it's the little details that make it unusual, things I never would have thought to do or not do.
nice book.......1999-04-23
the book hase alot of information in it alot of picture its a nice book fun to read!!!!
Product Description
A comprehensive book which has brought so much critical information on color and pattern mutations in one handy reference. 209 morphs, 275 full-color photographs.
Book Description
Titles in the Reptile and Amphibian Keeper's Guides series instruct in all aspects of housing, feeding, breeding, and general maintenance of reptiles and amphibians. This guide deals with three varieties of terrestrial and fossorial snakes. Two varieties are from the southwest United States and Mexico, while the third (sand boas) are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Detailed information on keeping these constrictor snakes is supplemented with a wealth of instructive color photos.
Average customer rating:
- No wonder Jimmy says, "Best birthday ever"
- What a Lot Of Fun!
- Jimmy's Boa and the Birthday Splash
|
Jimmy's Boa and the Big Splash Birthday Bash (Picture Puffins)
Trinka Hakes Noble
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Humorous
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Picture Books
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Kellogg, Steven
| ( K )
| Authors & Illustrators, A-Z
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Issues
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Picture Books
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Kellogg, Steven
| ( K )
| Authors & Illustrators, A-Z
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Issues
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Humorous
| Literature
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Jimmy's Boa Bounces Back (Picture Puffin Books)
-
The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash
-
Jimmy's Boa & the Bungee Jump Slam Dunk
-
Can I Keep Him?
-
The Day the Goose Got Loose (A Puffin Pied Piper)
ASIN: 0140549218 |
Customer Reviews:
No wonder Jimmy says, "Best birthday ever".......2005-01-10
This is a wonderful book, where the imagination of a child runs wild over a visit to Sea World. It involves sharks, penguins, goldfish, whales, an octopus and a heroic boa constrictor. The group goes to Sea World and the supervising mother is accidentally bumped into the whale tank. She yells, "I can't swim", but the children hear, "Jump in!" They do, unleashing a chain of events where the animals and children play together. After being kicked out of Sea World, all of the children buy Jimmy a goldfish and they have a party at Jimmy's house. At the end, Jimmy's mom is totally stressed, but Jimmy is thanking her for a wonderful birthday. I loved it and I passed through my real childhood decades ago.
What a Lot Of Fun!.......2000-08-09
I knew from the first sentence in this book that we (my 3 boys and I) were going to love it. It is a riot to read this a loud. A wonderful combination a reptile and truely creative writing. We are going to buy every Jimmy's Boa book we can find!
Jimmy's Boa and the Birthday Splash.......2000-04-05
This is a wonderful book for children and adults as well. The humor in the book was easily understood by the children. The book was easy enough to read but yet challenging. It was such a great hit in my class that we had to get another copy!
Average customer rating:
|
Rabbits & Boa Constrictors
Fazil Iskander , and
Ronald E. Peterson
Manufacturer: Ardis
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Eastern European
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Foreign Languages
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 088233557X |
Book Description
A humorous tale about the deteriorating relations between two groups: the rabbits and boa constrictors, Iskander's story, like Animal Farm, is also a humorous critique of power.
Average customer rating:
- Tall tales that are a lot of fun
- So-So Book - a review of "The Narrow Escapes of Davy Crockett"
|
The Narrow Escapes of Davy Crockett: From a Bear, a Boa Constrictor, a Hoop Snake, an Elk, an Owl, Eagles, Rattlesnakes, Wildcats, Trees, Tornadoes,
Ariane Dewey
Manufacturer: Mulberry Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| United States
| Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0688122698 |
Customer Reviews:
Tall tales that are a lot of fun.......2007-09-11
I checked this book out from my local library and it was an instant hit with my 6 year old son, and with me too. We've read it every night for a week at his request so we're buying our own copy. The title makes it clear that this is not a typical story that tells one tale from start to end, but it's a collection of tales: the narrow escapes of Davy Crockett. It even spells out the various animals and things that the tales are about. It may not have seamless transitions, but this, for us, in no way detracts from the enjoyment of the book. The back of the title page notes that "Most of the stories and some of the original language come from the Crockett Almanacs, published between 1835 and 1856." For me, the story should be judged not just on the flow between the tall tales, but on the fact that it captures the flavor of the time period it is based on, and that it captures the imagination of young readers. I also enjoy the illustrations and think that art is a matter of personal reaction, you either like it or you don't. I recommend this book for adventurous young kids who can relate to feeling like they are the biggest, strongest, fastest, everything-est there ever was. It's a fun book!
So-So Book - a review of "The Narrow Escapes of Davy Crockett".......2006-07-31
"There never was anyone like Davy
Crockett. By the time he was eight years
old he weighed two hundred pounds with
his shoes off, his feet clean, and his
stomach empty."
This books starts off very promising (see above) but then flounders. For one thing, the stories run together without titles or other demarcation. After reading it through once you figure that out, but it is still an awkward and annoying feature.
For example, in describing a scene in which Davy is being hauled out of a hollow tree by a bear, the last sentence is;
The bear was sore behind, and fled before
Davy could thank it for the ride!"
This is the last sentence on the page and it is not at clear that it is the last sentence of the story. The next sentence on the following page is; "Davy was exhausted, so he sat down, rested his head in the fork of a young tree...."
Sounds reasonable that ole Davy might be tired after wrestling with a bear BUT it is a different story. Arggh.
Three Stars. [C-] Artwork not so good. Stories run together and are not in the clearest prose. Three stars because I have not found another text that offers any of these tall Americana tales which I think are valuable for young children.
Books:
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Complete Pet Owner's Manuals)
- Customer Mania! It's Never Too Late to Build a Customer-Focused Company
- Diseases of Wild Waterfowl
- Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
- Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
- Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
- Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
- Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Sharks and Other Sea Monsters
- Facing Your Giants: The God Who Made a Miracle Out of David Stands Ready to Make One Out of You
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Mathematics for Finance: An Introduction to Financial Engineering
- Celtic Knots for Beaded Jewellery
- The ICSA Meetings and Minutes Handbook
- This Place Is Lonely: The Australian Outback
- Whatever It Takes: How Professional Learning Communities Respond When Kids Don't Learn
- Death by Meeting: A Leadership Fable
- African Safari Photography
- The "First Stage" Guitar Chord Chart - Learn How To Play The Most Commonly Played Guitar Chords
- Understanding Income Statements
- Nop's Hope
Venomous Snakes of the World
The New Encyclopedia of Snakes
Turtles of the World
The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere, 2 Vol. Set (Comstock Books in Herpetology)
Pythons (Complete Pet Owner's Manuals)
