Stephen Spawls went to Kenya when he was four, and caught his first chameleon at the age of six. African herpetology is his major interest, and he has spent 39 years on the continent. His publications include Kenya: A Natural History and Field Guide to East African Reptiles. Bill Branch was one of Africa’s most well known herpetologists. Based in South Africa for over 40 years, Bill published more than 600 works on African herpetofauna, including the only comprehensive guide to the entire reptile fauna of Southern Africa. Bill sadly died shortly before the publication of this book.
The Dangerous Snakes of Africa does exactly what it sets out to do, presenting a comprehensive and informative treatment of these ecologically and medically important species in a format accessible to the general public. It is workable as both a guide to species and a guide to bite avoidance and treatment, and is an especially attractive option for non-specialists who plan to travel or work in the field in Africa. -- Matthew P Heinicke * Herpetological Review *