Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

All about snakes. Why snakes? ; General biology of snakes ; Snake diversity ; Food and feeding ; Predators ; Defense ; Reproduction ; Locomotion ; Activity ; Temperature biology ; Identifying snake species of the eastern United States -- Species accounts. Introduction ; How to use the species accounts ; Small terrestrial snakes ; Midsized terrestrial snakes ; Large terrestrial snakes ; Watersnakes ; Venomous snakes ; Introduced species -- People and snakes. What is a herpetologist? ; Urban snakes. Most common snakes found in 25 of the largest eastern cities ; Snakes as pets ; Snake conservation ; Attitudes about snakes ; Frequently asked questions about snakes -- What snakes are found where you live? What kinds of snakes are found in your state? ; Conservation statues of snakes in the eastern United States ; Distribution of all snake species ; Distribution of venomous snake species.