University Press of Mississippi Mississippi Snakes: Their Identification, Natural History, and Influence on the Culture of the Magnolia State

Mississippi Snakes: Their Identification, Natural History, and Influence on the Culture of the Magnolia State is more than just a guidebook about snakes. It is a new approach to understanding the natural history of one of the most biologically diverse and culturally rich states in the country. Authors Terry L. Vandeventer and Robert A. Young share facts, stories, and practical advice about the more than fifty different kinds of snakes living in Mississippi. The topic of snakes slithers to the forefront of conversations held on porches and around campfires throughout Mississippi. However, most people know very little about snakes, and what they believe is often steeped in myth and inaccuracies. The authors present facts and answer questions about the often-misunderstood reptiles. "What are snakes good for?" "Do snakes really chase people?" "Can you age a rattlesnake by the rattle?" "What do I do if I’m bitten by a snake?" With 350 beautiful color photographs, the authors teach readers how to identify snakes and how to determine what they eat and where they live. They also delve into how snakes feature in our history, music, and everyday activities. Written for the general audience but containing a wealth of accurate scientific data, the book appeals equally to the layperson and the professional herpetologist.