Written by a professional zoo keeper, this handbook provides the reader with a practical, ""hands-on"" approach to the husbandry of reptiles, including venomous snakes. The wide variety of topics is presented in a manner that enables the reader to obtain information quickly. Subjects include nomenclature, taxonomy, physiology, anatomy, selection of species, transporting, handling, housing, hygiene, feeding, nutritional disorders, maintenance of insect colonies, health, medical and necropsy considerations, reproduction and egg incubation. Providing an on-the-job approach, this text bridges the gap between highly technical material for veterinarians and non-technical text for lay readers. It includes tables containing information on the origin, climate, habits, habitats, adult sizes, and food preferences of all reptilian genera.