Customer Reviews:
 The Classical Book on Venomous Herpetoculture December 31, 2005
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Ludwig Trutnau's "Venomous Snakes: Snakes in the Terrarium" has been considered the classical work on venomous snake husbandry in German-speaking countries for years, and is now finally available in English. Translated by Donald Stremme, the original format and plates were all maintained in the English version, with the exception of some of the legality aspects. In fact, several taxonomic updates were undertaken in the English version that had since become outdated in the German version.
The book is written specifically for herpetoculturists, and therefore focuses on captive husbandry techniques and propagation data for each of the species. The species accounts also include relevant information on the behavior and demeanor of the given taxa. In these aspects, the book offers more valuable information than probably any other work of herpetological literature available.
The book does not offer any taxonomic keys and contains generally little taxonomic information. Basic descriptions are provided in the beginning of each species account, including appearance and distribution, but is kept rather basic in accordance with its goal and intented target audience. There is hardly any information on the biology of the discussed taxa.
Bottom line: This book is an absolute must for herpetoculturists, zoo keepers and herpetologists who maintain live specimens in their labs, as it contains more useful husbandry and captive propagation info than any other available book. On the other hand, herpetology students and anyone with a more academic interest in the subject is not likely to benefit very much from this book.
 Full and complete descriptions of 171 difference species October 9, 2004
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Venomous Snakes: Snakes In The Terrarium by Ludwig Trutnau is finally available for an American readership having been competently translated into English by veterinarian Donald W. Stremme. Providing full and complete descriptions of 171 difference species, Venomous Snakes is beautifully enhanced with 126 color photographs. The highly accessible text describes the behavior and care in captivity of venomous snakes from the Elapidae family (cobras, kraits, coral snakes); Viperidae family (adders, vipers); and Crotalidae family (pitvipers). Subspecies and color variations are expertly detailed as well. Informed and informative, Venomous Snakes is a critically important and basic addition to the professional reference library and supplemental reading lists of zookeepers, herptoculturists, veterinary clinics, and academic library collections.
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