Pythons of Australia: A Natural History
J Herpe Med Surg 11[4]:44 Winter'01 Book Review 0 Refs

This book is a very comprehensive study of the pythons of Australia. It is divided into the following chapters: History, Anatomy and Physiology, Behaviour, Reproduction and Life history, Food and Feeding, Conservation and Management, and Captive Care. The book also contains sections on species accounts and a two-page suggested reading list. I found this book very easy to read and very informative. Despite the fact that the species information is limited to Australia, the general information on pythons is very useful. ... There is a discussion on taxonomy noting current terminology for some of the python species whose generic name has been recently changed i.e., Chondropython to Morelia. ... The behaviour chapter is quite interesting and covers such topics as activity patterns, courtship and mating, and combat. It continues by discussing home ranges, locomotion and thermoregulation. Throughout the book, numerous studies have been cited to lend credence to the information, and in this chapter, the tracking studies are quite informative. ... The Reproduction and Life History chapter contains valuable information such as gestation and incubation times, egg laying behavior and average clutch sizes ... Reproductive success, color change, sexual dimorphism and sex ratios are also covered. ... The center of the book contains 34 color plates that are of high quality and depict different pythons for identification, feeding activity and hatching. ... This book would be an asset to anyone that has an interest in snakes especially if they have a specific interest in pythons. The information contained in the book, the easy to read format, and the color plates make this book very desirable to have for reference material or to increase knowledge. Reviewed by Nancy A. Carpenter, DVM