| Description |
xv, 289 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm |
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text txt rdacontent |
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unmediated n rdamedia |
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volume nc rdacarrier |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 267-290) and index. |
| Contents |
Sylvia -- The big six. Some characteristics of the big six ; A geographical key to the giants -- The world of the giants. Means of dispersal ; distribution of the giant snakes ; Zoogeographic regions ; Habitats ; Distribution and habitats of the giants -- Meeting the world. Senses. Vision ; Hearing ; Heat-sensitive labial pits ; Jacobson's organ and chemoreception ; Sense of touch ; Summary -- Strength and constriction. Handling giant snakes ; Power of constriction ; Flexibility of the vertebral column -- Intelligence -- Locomotion. Overland speed ; Swimming and climbing -- Activity. Characteristics of the six giants -- Shedding. Frequency of shedding ; The process of shedding -- Fuel. What they eat and how much. Food preferences of the species ; Size of prey ; Capacity of the big six ; Frequency of feeding -- Feeding habits. Finding food ; Seizing prey ; Swallowing prey -- Internal economy. Digestion. Digestive juices ; Elimination ; Effect of temperature -- Use of water. Retention and loss ; Danger of dehydration -- Temperature -- Reproduction and growth. Sex and mating. Sex recognition ; Courtship ; Organs of reproduction ; Copulation ; Frequency and time of breeding ; Hybridization and delayed fertilization ; Internal development -- Laying, brooding, hatching, and birth. Behavior of wild females ; Behavior of captive females ; Laying ; Laying season and pre-hatching period ; Hatching ; The egg ; Size of clutches ; Brooding and incubation -- Growth, maturity, and length. Measurement ; Growth before and after maturity ; Maximum length ; Growth of the six giants ; Giant snakes of ages past -- Longevity -- Destroyers of the giants. Enemies and defense against them. Defenses -- Parasites and sickness. Parasites ; Mites and ticks ; Internal parasites ; Protozoa ; Flukes ; Tapeworms ; Roundworms ; Linguatulids ; Parasitism in the giants ; Tuberculosis ; Mouth rot ; "Enteritis" and other diseases -- Relation to man. Man's study of the giants -- Worship. In Australia and southern Asia ; In the Near East ; In the New World ; In Africa -- Beliefs -- Encounters with giant snakes. Anaconda ; Boa constrictor ; African rock python ; Indian python ; Reticulate python ; Summary -- Attacks on man -- Fear of giant snakes. Fear in other primates -- Uses by man. Use as leather ; Use as food ; Use in medicine ; The snake as an aid to agriculture ; Uses in education and entertainment ; Zoological gardens ; Museums ; Lecturers ; Circuses, carnivals, and "charmers" ; Roadside exhibits ; Snake charmers of Africa and Asia ; Theatricals ; Hobby groups ; The press -- Giant pets. |
| Subject |
Snakes.
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Serpents.
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Serpents. (OCoLC)fst01113350
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Snakes. (OCoLC)fst01121833
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