This book is a benchmark for all forthcoming books, not only on venomous snakes, but snakes in general. The width and depth of information presented is unrivaled. The combination of first-hand knowledge on the ecology, result of long time studies in the nature, and keeping and breeding is outstanding.Scott and Tyese Eipper have had extensive experience with these challenging snakes - finding them, catching them, keeping them in captivity and breeding them. Add to this knowledge their outstanding photographic skills and we have here a comprehensive, author-itative, and beautifully illustrated volume that provides all the critical information needed for the successful maintenance in captivity of the great variety of elapid snakes found in the Australian region.Dr. HAL COGGER.
The book starts with a forword by Dr. Cogger, succeeded by the following sections, each with numerous sub-chapters: Introduction, Recreational private keeping, Social behaviour, Habits and characteristics, Sloughing, Specimen and species selection, Hygiene, Quarantine, Record keeping, Handling, Transportation and freight, Legal requirements, Venomous room/building design, Security, Housing, Indoor enclosures, Outdoor enclosures, Temperature and thermoregulation, Lighting, Ultraviolet lighting, Ventilation and air exchange, Humidity, Cage furnishings, Foods and feeding, Reproduction and breeding, Snake venom and snakebite, Snakebite protocols, Common ailments and disease.