Snakes & Reptiles of Zambia & Malawi (Pocket Guide)

Title: Snakes & Reptiles of Zambia & Malawi
Series: Pocket Guide
Author: Darren Pietersen; Luke Verburgt
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Imprint: Struik Nature
Cape Town, South Africa 2023
ISBN 9781775847168 / ISBN 978-1-77-584716-8
Softcover, 11 x 18 cm, 152 pages, throughout colour photographs and distribution maps

About: Snakes & Reptiles of Zambia & Malawi (Pocket Guide)

Of all encounters with reptiles, those with a live snake are often the most memorable. Some people may find such an encounter exciting and profound, while others will find it terrifying and try to get away or even kill the snake. Such fears are often the result of learned behaviour, passed on by parents, family, friends or even within communities, rather than the outcome of an actual encounter with a snake. These fears are also grounded in a mistaken belief that all snakes are venomous and can cause serious harm if they bite you. Together, Zambia and Malawi are home to 115 snake, 108 lizard, 14 terrapin and tortoise, and two crocodile species. Fifteen of these species occur nowhere else on Earth. Of all the venomous species in the region, only 15 have venom that can be life-threatening to humans.

Another 13 species have venom that can be dangerous and may require medical attention, but they are not known to have killed anyone. Some of the remaining species have venom that causes only mild symptoms, while the rest have no venom at all and are completely harmless. This means that over 70% of snake species in the region are unable to cause any harm to humans. Snakes & Reptiles of Zambia & Malawi (Pocket Guide) features the most common and widespread reptile species in the region. Species excluded are those that occur only marginally in the region; are known only from a handful of individuals; have extremely small ranges; or lack features to easily differentiate them from similar-looking species already included in the book.

Of those not included, five are venomous. However, misidentifying them is unlikely as similar-looking species in the same genus are shown in this guide, along with warnings about their venom potency. This pocket guide will serve as a first step towards better understanding reptiles. Presented in an accessible, easy-to-follow style, and accompanied by clear colour photographs, Snakes & Reptiles of Zambia & Malawi (Pocket Guide) will help readers to quickly identify reptiles encountered both in the wild and close to home.

Content: Snakes & Reptiles of Zambia & Malawi (Pocket Guide)

INTRODUCTION
What are reptiles?
Role of reptiles in the ecosystem
Reptile diversity in Zambia and Malawi
The Zambian and Malawian environment
Vegetation types
Snakebite and venom types
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
SPECIES ACCOUNTS
Snakes
Lizards
Terrapins and tortoises
Crocodiles
Glossary of terms
Further reading
Picture credits
Index to scientific names
Index to common names