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This title is intended as a companion volume to 'A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa'.
Southern Africa is home to a remarkably diverse and rich reptile fauna. 'A Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa' introduces the 517 species currently described in the region, arranged into three main groups - snakes and lizards, crocodiles, and shelled reptiles. Drawing on the latest scientific research, the authors start with a discussion of reptile identification, diversity, biology, distribution patterns, and where to find and observe them, as well as unravelling the facts and fallacies of snakebite.
The introductory section covers: How to use this book; Distribution patterns of southern African reptiles; The diversity of reptiles; The biology of reptiles; Behaviour; Finding and observing reptiles; and Snakebites.
Informative panels provide key information at a glance, with a distribution map and clear icons giving typical habitat and period of activity. The full colour photographs throughout brings the subject matter vividly to life. This book will appeal to all wildlife enthusiasts, both professional and amateur, and will prove to be a valuable guide in the field.
Graham Alexander is an associate professor at the University of Witwatersrand, where he lectures courses in physiology, environmental physiology, evolution, and biogeography. He supervises several postgraduate students working on herpetological research and has published more than 30 scientific papers and book chapters. His research on snake biology has been the subject of many documentaries that have appeared on National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel and the SABC. He was editor of African Journal of Herpetology and an associate editor for African Zoology from 2000-2006. Alexander has previously worked as a curator at FitzSimons' Snake Park and as curator of herpetology at the State Museum in Windhoek Johan Marais is an entrepreneur, naturalist and photographer, who has contributed significantly toward the conservation of reptiles in the past three decades. He has lectured widely on the topic, is past chairman of the Herpetological Association of Africa, serves as a member of the Crocodile Specialist Group (Species Survival Commission) of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and is the chairperson of the South African Reptile Conservation Assessment.. Marais has authored a range of books (including the popular A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa), technical papers and popular articles, both locally and abroad. He spends a great deal of time researching reptiles in southern Africa (particularly in Namibia and Mozambique), as well as working on reptile surveys in Malawi and Mozambique. Marais is currently registered for a Masters' Degree at the University of the Witwatersrand.
