The Venomous Reptiles of La- tin America. 1989. 504 color photos. 4 black&white photos. 64 line drawings. 115 maps(incl. 6 color physiographic and vegetation maps). 34 tabs. XII, 425 p. Lex8vo. Cloth.

Treating a total of 145 species of snakes and 2 species of lizards,this volume is the first to provide a comprehensive coverage of thedangerously venomous reptiles known to inhabit Latin America. The bookcontains sections by two physicians, the first on medical aspects ofsnakebite - describing prevention, field treatment, and medicalmanagement - and the second a pertinent bibliography and a guide toproducers of antivenom. Regional accounts are provided for each countrypossessing venomous reptiles from Mexico south through Argentina. Theseaccounts include descriptions of the physiology, climate, andvegetation, as well as tables showing species' distribution within acountry and identification keys. Most of the book is devoted to detaileddescriptions of the venomous reptiles. Organized by genera, the speciesaccounts for each genus begin with a summary of the salient charactersof the genus. Next individual species are described. Included are localnames, overall distribution, habitats, features of color andscutellation, similar species and pertinent references. The authors alsodeal in some detail with mimicry, mildly venomous species, false coralsnakes, and pitviper lookalikes, with accompanying tables, illustrationsand keys.