1st Edition
So Many Snakes, So Little Time Uncovering the Secret Lives of Australia’s Serpents
Preface
Chapter 1. Boyhood and adolescence
Chapter 2. Serpents in the sheep paddock
Chapter 3. Peering into the love lives of Blacksnakes
Chapter 4. Long-dead snakes at the museum
Chapter 5. A plethora of pythons
Chapter 6. Between a rock and a hard place
Chapter 7. Snakes in need of a defamation lawyer
Chapter 8. Rough characters in the billabong
Chapter 9. Snakes, rats and rainfall
Chapter 10. Science on the floodplain
Chapter 11. Our evolving relationship with serpents
Acknowledgements
References
Biography
Rick Shine has conducted pioneering research on the ecology and conservation of snakes. He has studied many types of snakes in many types of ecosystems, and has revolutionized our understanding and appreciation of these mysterious creatures. His work has resulted in more than a thousand scientific publications, and has attracted numerous national and international awards.
“… a good balance between personal and professional aspects: there is fascinating science, a fair presentation of colleagues (even the not-so-easy-to-tolerate aspects of personalities are presented in good spirit), warmth, wit, and humor, and the photos are informative and good. The first great generation of conservation scientists is about to disappear, and several of them have recently published their autobiographies. Shine’s is the best one I have read so far. I risk to declare the appearance of a classic. It is recommended to all scientists and laypersons with an interest in natural history, evolution, ecology, or (Australian) natural history. Read it and enjoy.”
Gabor Lovei
Senior Scientist Emeritus, Professor, Member of Academia Europea
Book Review Editor, Conservation Biology
“The stories of the snakes explored in this book transition effortlessly from descriptions of their natural history to how ground-breaking research generating new ways to think about ecology and evolutionary biology emerged. The book celebrates the importance of big thinking and long-term approaches in research, but it also highlights the critical role that observation, description and a passion for nature play in shaping the world views of ecologists.”
Dieter F. Hochuli
Book Review Editor, Austral Ecology
