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.
Customer Reviews:
Great book.......2007-06-02
Must have book for boa and python keepers loads of info and great pictures.
Stay away from this book!.......2005-10-03
The only reason that I give this book a single star is for the pictures. Honestly, I couldn't belive what a complete waist of money this book was. The information that passed on as "the most up to date" was just laughable. Now make sure that your snake is eating a well balanced meal and that you supplement it properly. Hello....a mouse is a complete meal. That was the most blaringly obvious stupid comment. And yet there's like two or three pages devoted to that drivel.
The authors don't have much experince to begin with and this book very obviously shows that. I don't understand how they possibly got a book deal in the first place! They talked about various health problems that they had with some of their snakes. Health problems that most if not all knowledgeable reptile keepers just don't come across. All the health problems they talked about were basically a result of the keeper (aka the authors) not knowing what they were doing and not having done enough research into the care and maintenance of their animal.
Anwhow, I STRONGLY recommend that you stay as far away from this book as possible!!!
ALL ROUND GOOD BOOK!.......2000-07-13
THIS BOOK IS VERY GOOD FOR THE NEW SNAKE OWNER AND THE UNSURE. IT HAS USEFUL INFORMATION ON MANY DIFFRENT TYPES OF BOAS AND PYTHONS. THE BOOK DOES NOT USE "LARGE WORDS" THAT COULD CONFUSE READERS AND THOSE IT DOES THEY EXPLAIN THEM IN THE BACK. I WORK IN A PETSHOP AND THE BOOK IS REALLY CLOSE TO THE REAL THING. IT'S A GOOD BOOK FOR GETTING STARTED. IT ALSO HAS GREAT PICTURES.
Not enough information on breeding, excellent photographs.......2000-05-15
It has excellent photos and it covers most of the boas and pythons you may purchase but, if you already have the snakes and you are looking for information about breeding them this book doesn't help much. It has enough information to help you make up your mind if you still haven't decided on what species to buy for breeding.
Great photographs, not enough information........1999-01-07
This book has some great photographs, but does not say enough about breeding. Maybe breeding is very simple. If so, the authors should say so. When I finished the book, I did not feel that I had learned much about breeding. It was kind of like leaving a restaurant without feeling full.
Product Description
This new expanded edition provides chapters on the evolutionary convergence, housing requirements, selection, taxonomy, distribution in the wild, natural history, physical descriptions, mutations and hybrids, care, breeding, and diseases of the Green Tree Python and the Emerald Tree Boa. Over 259 full-color photographs, 28 color illustrations, distribution maps, tables, and extensive bibliography.
Book Description
The NIGERIA-BIAFRA war started in mid 1967 when a tiny region of Nigeria seceded from Nigeria to become Biafra. With the complete support of the British government, Nigeria instituted a very powerful and effective blockade on Biafra. The only communication that Biafra had with the rest of the world was through the RED CROSS and CARITAS relief flights that were flown into Biafra at nights under heavy attacks from Nigerian forces. Some of the planes were shot down. With no powerful nation backing Biafra, coupled with the blockade and the consequent lack of food and medicine, surviving in Biafra became a matter of improvisements for both Biafran forces and citizens. In an area that was replete with diseases like malaria, typhoid and kwashiorkor, this book explains how the Biafran citizens were able to survive for almost three years until Biafra was defeated in January 1970.
Customer Reviews:
A must-read book on surviving in Biafra.......2007-05-07
Chief Jim Ojiaku has written a fantastic and excellent expose' of the events of the Nigerian civil war from the home perspective. The rendition of his experiences, his free style of writing, enabled him to compress a large volume of facts with eloquence and details, thus, reminding the reader about why 'war is raw'. Chief Ojiaku wrote from the heart--a testament of the originality that would be a point of reference for future writers, hence there were no bibliographical references. The book portrayed how a determined people (Biafrans) courageously persevered over a thirty-month bloody civil war in the face of adversity perpetrated by world super-powers who coerced the international community to look away while they helped the Federal Government of Nigeria in its failed effort to win the war in forty-eight hours, then resorted to blockade and blanket the Biafrans both by sea, air, and land and executed the blood-letting and starvation that led to an eventual surrender to peace in 1970.
Chief Ojiaku indicated that although the battle ended in the war front, the war rages on as people from the Biafran side continue to be marginalized in almost all aspects of Nigerian life--politics, university admissions, road constructions and what have you! This book showed that Chief Jim Ojiaku can successfully make use of good advice. Thanks to his brother in law--Professor Joe Akunna who sincerely advised him to put down his thoughts in black and white.
Surviving the iron curtain exemplified how Biafra was killed in a genocidal civil unrest, but the people refused to die. The planned extermination of the Biafrans from the surface of the earth--how civilians were tortured and starved, the poor state of Biafra, how ill-equipped young people joined the war to save their people, how the Biafrans used improvises to fight valiantly as the Biblical David against Goliath. Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku did not forget the benevolence of the Red Cross and other relief organizations in breaking the iron curtain despite enemy attack. Worst still was the only twenty pounds which Biafrans received from the Nigerian Government who had any bank account in Biafran banks--being the only rehabilitation received since after the war.
Chief Jim Ojiaku deliberately refused to deal with the blame game that characterizes every war. He was right to blame both sides in order to allow the reader to understand his reason for writing the book. Finally Biafra surrendered through the courage and bravery of Colonel Philip Effiong who helped to salvage the human skull that was left of Biafra--in 1970. I strongly recommend this book to all who profess to the Biafran cause-both old and young--a reminder of the indelible scar--that was Biafra.
Surviving the iron curtain by Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku.......2007-04-23
In reading Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku's book I learned a piece of history that needs to be read by everyone and the world needs to remember the horrors of the war between Nigeria and The Republic Of Biafra and a war that tore apart a country.
He tells of one story about his brother Emmanuel who is killed at the front at the young age of 19 and the beautiful touching letter his father writes to his dead son, "An Epitath To Lt. Emmanuel Ojiaku."
This letter is heart breaking and no one would forget reading it. He writes very lovingly about his mother, father, brothers and sisters and especially about his love for his people. He brings forth in his book many beautiful photographs and diagrams on the many foods in his region and explains in great detail on each food and how they're prepared.
This book is a must read. Jim brings forth the great love he has for his people, his family and most of all his great country.
I give Chief Uche Jim Ojiaku five stars ***** for a book well written.
Joseph Frank Baraba
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.
Average customer rating:
|
Pythons and Boas (First Sight)
Lionel Bender
Manufacturer: Franklin Watts
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Nonfiction
| Reptiles & Amphibians
| Animals
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0531172619 |
Customer Reviews:
Out of date, 'strange' classification of snakes and poor photos........2007-02-21
I am guessing that this book is just old, so not going along with todays knowledge, and this is just another edition. One definitely can find some information in it, but I did not like it. Another positive is its visually attractive issue.
Pythons and Boas.......2005-03-22
Pythons and Boas have long been among the most fascinating of snakes, and with continued encroachment upon their habitat they are now also among the most threatened. Pythons and Boas provides an up to date look at the Boidae, with emphasis being placed on the boids as threatened animals whose futures lie with increased captive breeding by concerned hobbyists. Every genus is covered, from the largest pythons to the smallest wood snakes, with summaries of what is known of their natural history and care in captivity. A special chapter spotlights methods of breeding boas and pythons in captivity. This volume includes the only available modern checklist of the species and subspecies of living boids, as well as a simple key to the genera. Heavily illustrated, with 111 color photos and numerous black and white illustrations and maps.
Great book for a new snake owner, great overall coverage........1998-11-20
This is great for a beggining pet owner. It has over 100 color photos of different types of snakes and also pictures and diagrams of afflictions. It covers everything from history, nomenclature, care and breeding. There is even a guide to help you determine what type of snake (proper name and origin) you have. Since this is a book on both boas and pythons, it doesn't spend much time or detail on either. Perhaps it's only shortcoming was that there is not much, if anything about IBD (Inclusion Body Disorder)that I have found in other books. Also, there was very little time spent on treating any of the diseases, except how to recognise them, and generally how they are treated. Otherwise, this is a great reference book and good reading for those that wish to know more about boas and pythons.
Customer Reviews:
Book Description.......2007-02-28
The most detailed and comprehensive book ever written about one species of snake. Twenty chapters are devoted to general topics of interest and importance to keepers and breeders of ball pythons. A comprehensive bibliography lists articles, papers, and books written about the species. Includes carefully researched and detailed information relevant to the maintenance and breeding of all species of snakes. All snake keepers-hobbyists and scientists, professionals and beginners-will find this book a treasure. 320 pp. Hardcover w/DJ individually boxed.
At this time, ball pythons have an unprecedented popularity around the world. Authors Dave and Tracy Barker are keepers renowned in the world community of herpetoculture; they are biologists with decades of hands-on experience with pythons. Their expertise and success in working with pythons are unequaled. The Barkers have kept and bred more species of pythons than any other facility or institution. They bring to this book a rare consolidation of herpetoculture and herpetology, combined with their obvious affection for pythons.
Twenty chapters are devoted to general topics of interest and importance to keepers and breeders of ball pythons. A comprehensive bibliography lists articles, papers, and books written about the species. And because of the book's breadth of information, all snake keepers-hobbyists and scientists, professionals and beginners-will find this book a treasure of carefully researched and detailed information relevant to the maintenance and breeding of all species of snakes.
Ball pythons are beautiful snakes, and the book is illustrated throughout with informative and fascinating figures and images. The extraordinary variations of color and pattern for which ball pythons are known and selectively bred are showcased in a gallery featuring some of the most beautiful snakes in the world.
Book Description
The Reproductive Husbandry of Pythons and Boas is the first reptile textbook to integrate the data accumulated by professional and amateur herpetologists in reptile husbandry with research in the reproductive physiology of reptiles. The result is over ten years of research conducted by the Institute for Herpetological Research; this book is the most comprehensive guide to maintaining and breeding reptiles in captivity available. The material in this book has been designed to provide detailed information on every aspect of captive propagation of pythons and boas, as well as valuable material on breeding and general husbandry of other reptile species. Every serious herpetologist will find this book an essential and invaluable aid.
Customer Reviews:
the gospel.......2005-08-05
This book is the real deal. If you are interested in breeding or just curious this is the book to own. I have bred boas and pythons and I refer to this as often as possible. Even if you are not interested in breeding and just want to bone up on your knowledge this is a must have book in your library. Every self respecting herper should own this book!! It is "THE WHAT IT IS" book.
A must have for those interested in Boids!.......1998-04-12
This is a book that you simply must have if you are at all interested in the keeping and or breeding of Boa and Python snakes. This is one of the most complete works on the subject available to date. It is an easy reading book that even though there are some technical discussions, even an amature hobbyist will be able to follow along. Advanced hobbyists will also learn things from this book that they had not learned before, and it will make them think in a way that they had not thought before. This is a book that you will find yourself reffering back to for years to come. Not to mention you'll see incredible photos that you will not see anywhere else. This one goes on my top shelf for sure!
Book Description
From coast to coast, home boatbuilders have turned to Chris Kulczycki for everything they needed to know about making their own kayaks from high-grade marine plywood and epoxy. In The Kayak Shop, a long-time popular standard, Kulczycki provided explicit directions and plans for building three sea kayaks: a high-performance single, an expedition single, and a touring double. The New Kayak Shop details three new Kulczycki designs that are more elegant and even more suitable for today’s paddlers. The building instructions are also updated, with new sections on paint and varnish, seat construction, power tools, computer programs for amateur designers, and tips on building multi-chine and round-bottom boats. The New Kayak Shop offers the best, most refined designs and building methods in a single, accessible volume.
Customer Reviews:
kayak shop.......2007-01-15
This is a good book. Clear conceptions are presented. Good ideas and techicnics. building plans are a little limiteds and you will need some skill to make it usefull, but this is a book to people who has some skill. So the middle point is that books makes directions in sale building plans, may be this is the better idea to a kayak homemade. Plans could be more clear and you don't need to use a lent to read this font numbers or break your mind thinking how do somethings. To avoid this you will need to buy authors building plans.
Very good book for those who want to learn the stitch&glue method and have no background .......2007-01-10
The Kayak plans are detailed enough. No need to order the plans separately.
I think that if you don't have any background in stitch&glue it is a good start with.
I have found the book very useful.
Good Book that will help yo build a Beautiful Wooden Kayak.......2003-10-23
This book is a complete presentation of what you will beed to do to build a stich and glue kayak, beginning to end. The designs in the boat are suitable for beginner and intermediate paddlers. People with even modest amounts of woodworking aptuitude will be able to build boats from this book if you can make the time and money committments, in my experience begin at 100 hours and $500. Tool requirements are modest, mostly hand tools, and are discussed in the book.
I built another of Chris K's designs using plans supplied by Chesapeake Light Craft after reading this book. Note that you can get a great deal of additional information from additional sources. The Builder's Forum on Cheaspeake Light Craft's website - www.clcboats.com - contains a wealth of info about building these boats. Please note that CLC is the company that Chris K founded - he has since sold the company, and the current management continues to introduce additional designs. A very large community of CLC builder/owners provide feedback on building issues continuously. Another source - I found it helpful to purchase the full size plans for the particular design I wanted from CLC, which was not included in this book. More on designs below. For $75, you can get the plans and a detailed manual for the design you want. (Note that if you buy plans from CLC, you are entitled to their very good technical support via telephone and email). I found the plans useful, but you can build straight from this book. The boatbuilding forum on www.kayakforum.com also serves a large community of kayakbuilders that are quite ready to answer questions.
Kayaks are like sneakers - they come in particular sizes to fit the paddler, and are designed for particular uses. There are plans for three designs in this book, but do be aware that CLC also has about 20 other kayak designs of various sizes and purposes in their line-up, so don't limit your options by sticking to the plans in the book if it is not going to be the best boat for you. That said, the three designs in the book are as follows: The Severn, a 14 foot, very light kayak for calm water use; the Chesapeake 16, a touring kayak that is probably CLC's most versatile design; and the West River 180, a faster, narrower, and less stable boat better suited for kayakers with some experience. Regarding the Severn, it is harder to build than other CLC designs. If you are interested in a flatwater boat, CLC's current Mill Creek 13 is more versatile and much more stable, is easier to build, and has a large cockpit opening. It is a great boat for beginners and fishermen. If you want a small decked kayak, their 14 foot Chesapeak design is a better choice. I do not think that the Severn ever developed much of a following. Plans for this boat are no longer published by CLC.
The Chesapeake 16 is a good all around touring kayak, and has a lot of storage room. Be aware that is it a large volume boat and is sutiable for heading out loaded with camping gear. It works as an unloaded day boat, but not as well as lower volume kayaks. Plans for this boat continue to be sold by CLC, and many of these have been built to date.
The West River 180 is a fast narrow, tippier boat that can cover a lot of ground quickly. It is, conversly, hard to turn. It is also one of the sleekest looking stitch and glue kayaks. CLC recently retired this design, replaceing it with the updated WR 18, which reportedly offers handling improvements.
CLC holds free demos where you can try out their various boats. These are regularly scheduled in Annapolis, Maryland, and are occassionaly held in various other parts of the country seasonally - check their website for details. If you can't get to a demo, check out the CLC Owner's Club at the website to find a builder near you for the design you are interested - many folks would let you see or try the CLC boat they built themselves.
Finally, if you are new to kayaking and kayak building, it is relatively easy to learn to build and paddle these boats. It is much harder to develop good judgement as to safety in various wind and water conditions. If you are new to this sport, please develop safe practices and judgement by taking lessons, joining a kayking club, and/or reading books dealing with the subject. "Sea Kayaker: Deep Trouble", available right here on Amazon, analyzes a number of sea kayaking accidents, including many fatalities. Amazon sells other good kayaking books as well. If you don't think that kayaking can be dangerous, or that it won't happen to you, you are in over your head, are at risk for mishaps, and owe it to yourself to get educated about how not to become a statistic. This is a great sport that is safe when practiced prudently, however, unfortunately, people die each and every year by being ignorant of the hazards.
Happy building and paddling.
Steve C
Great book with only one gripe..........2003-01-30
My one gripe is that the plans included with the book are close to useless. They're on tiny paper, and need to be severely enlarged before they can be used.
Other than that, this book is an excellent look at what goes into building a stitch and glue kayak. I've built a boat designed by this author, using only plans purchased through the resources listed in the book, and spent many hours on Long Island Sound, the Connecticut River, and the Texas Gulf Coast enjoying slipping silently through the water.
The time estimates are correct, even for someone who is only moderately familiar with wood-working. His materials lists are complete, and the recommendations made are worth paying attention to. In my building, I went contrary to a couple of the book's reccommendations; in hindsight, I would have followed the book much more closely.
A valuable read for the novice boat builder........2001-09-10
I'm planning to build one of Chesapeake Light Craft's Mill Creek kayaks this winter. I've been reading the CLC forums, the many customer web sites and the back issues of Wooden Boat magazine with articles on building CLC boats, but the most helpful read so far has been this book.
There is a lot to learn about boat building, from techniques to vocabulary. This book will help you build a knowledge base to take on the project of building your own kayak.
Thanks to Chris for this helpful guide!
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Books Index
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