For centuries, man has been fascinated by the venomous snakes. From the jungles of South American to the sands of Egypt, these killer serpents have been the focus of mystery, worship and intrigue. In this handsome, colorful volume, author W. P. Mara explores a multitude of topics concerning these fascinating creatures, from the dangerous process of venom extraction to the sometimes strange relationship between them and mankind. For those who need to keep venomous snakes for professional purposes, there are chapters on breeding, feeding and acquiring. And finally, there is a special anecdotal section filled with a series of riveting accounts written by five of the most respected figures in the herpetological world. This alone makes the book bot only a great buy but a collector's item aw well. With over 220 pages of well-written, informative text highlighted by beautiful photography, this valuable book is sure to become a permanent part of every herpetologist reference library.