The Best Books About Snakes Around the World

Snakes have a bad reputation in many parts of the world. Something about their legless slithering is more than a little creepy if you’re not into reptiles. Then, there’s the fact that there are some truly dangerous snakes. However, they’re also an endless fascination to those who love these cold-blooded rodent-eaters.

There are about 4,000 species of snakes worldwide, spanning over 30 families in the suborder Serpentes. The number consistently changes as more species are discovered and as genetic research reveals new information.

There are many different books about snakes out there, so we’ve done the hard work and provided you with a detailed review of the best out there! Let’s get started!

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Books About Snakes

#1 Best Overall: Snake: The Essential Visual Guide by Chris Mattison

Our selection as the best overall is Snake: The Essential Visual Guide by Chris Mattison which is a phenomenal and a terrific overall book on snakes.

This book is dripping with facts, natural history, gorgeous photography, and artwork and includes information on over 3,000 species of snakes, with 60 in-depth snake profiles. One of the main advantages of this book is that it’s kid-friendly. Your six year old may not be able to read all of the text. However, he or she may spend hours looking at the photos generously placed throughout the book.

It’s important to note that this is not a local guidebook. You may indeed be able to find information on the eastern indigo snake you think you spotted, but it’s organized by family (or type of snake), not region.

Pros and Cons of Snake: The Essential Visual Guide by Chris Mattison

Best Overall

Snake: The Essential Visual Guide

• Includes information on over 3,000 species of snakes, with 60 in-depth snake profiles
• Lots of photos make it kid-friendly
• Published by the Smithsonian

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2. Best Introductory Book: The Book of Snakes: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species from Around the World by Mark O’Shea

As the best introductory book about snakes we recommend The Book of Snakes: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species from Around the World by Mark O’Shea.

This book is overflowing with information and stunning photos covering almost one-seventh of all known snake species worldwide. It is a fabulous desk reference for snake lovers; it’s organized alphabetically and has alphabetical indices for both species and common names. Plus, it includes many not-so-common species that you may never have heard of were it not for books like this.

If there’s a complaint, it’s that there’s only one photo of each species, and the “life-size” description is a rather subjective term that depends upon the age and sometimes subspecies of the snake in question.

Pros and Cons of The Book of Snakes: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species from Around the World by Mark O’Shea

Best Introductory Book

The Book of Snakes: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species from around the World

• Overflowing with information and photos
• Great desk reference for snake lovers
• Universally positive reviews on Amazon

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3. Best About Constrictors: Boas and Pythons of the World by Mark O’Shea

While venomous snakes get in the news because of their danger level, we think boas and pythons are awesome. That’s why we recommend Boas and Pythons of the World by Mark O’Shea.

This book includes information on over 100 species, including rare and endangered snakes. It contains an introduction to snake biology, evolution, and anatomy and dispels myths and misconceptions with scientific facts (no, that snake probably can’t eat you). Plus, it’s organized by region, making it easy to find the snake you’re seeking. It also features stunning photography, and when you combine it with O’Shea’s personal experiences with some of the world’s biggest snakes, you get more than just an encyclopedia of snakes: it’s an adventure.

Pros and Cons of Boas and Pythons of the World by Mark O’Shea

Best About Constrictors

Boas and Pythons of the World

• Contains an introduction to snake biology, evolution, and anatomy
• Dispels myths and misconceptions with scientific facts
• Includes information on over 100 species

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4. Best Guidebook: U.S. Guide to Venomous Snakes and Their Mimics by Scott Shupe

If you’re looking for a good guidebook about snakes then we suggest U.S. Guide to Venomous Snakes and Their Mimics by Scott Shupe.

The question in online snake groups that follows the species identification is, “Is it dangerous/venomous?” After all, that’s what we really need to know — especially when we have children or pets that play in the yard where we spotted the snake.

This book identifies venomous snakes in the United States and is packed full of excellent color photographs of each species. The author also includes a few snakes with variances in their patterns or colors so that you can still identify the species. It is organized by region and includes a color-coded map of the United States, making it easy to flip to the right section. Plus, it helps you narrow down species identification by location, general ecology, and natural history. It then gives further information on the snake’s danger level — including identifying nonvenomous Batesian mimics.

The guidebook includes photos of every species of venomous snake in the country, designed for easy identification. Even if you know the snakes, you’ll love being able to quickly reference them for your friends who may not be as knowledgeable.

Pros and Cons of U.S. Guide to Venomous Snakes and Their Mimics by Scott Shupe

Best Guidebook

U.S. Guide to Venomous Snakes and Their Mimics

• Packed full of excellent color photographs of each species
• Includes a color-coded map of the United States, making it easy to flip to the right section
• Photos of every species of venomous snake in the country, making for easy identification

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5. Best About Dangerous Snakes: Venomous Snakes of the World by Mark O’Shea

If you’re looking for a good book about dangerous snakes then check out Venomous Snakes of the World by Mark O’Shea.

All by themselves, snakes terrify people but add fangs and venom into the mix, and you’ve got a fearsome animal — the stuff of nightmares for some people. Yet, they’re mostly a misunderstood bunch. They’re not typically aggressive and would much rather avoid you than have a confrontation. None of the world’s snakes are out to get you, humans are not on their dietary menu, and a little knowledge goes a long way toward building respect for the “spicy noodles” of the world.

In this book, readers can explore each region’s venomous snakes. Over 170 venomous snake species are profiled with a range map showing their distribution. The author also includes his own experiences with the snakes, and his passion for the animals shines on every page of the book. This book contains some of the most common venomous snakes and many rarer species. It’s a great overview of worldwide venomous snakes for the snake-lover in your life.

The only drawback to this book is that some reviewers reported that they would have liked it to have had aa little more in-depth information in it about the different species.

Pros and Cons of Venomous Snakes of the World by Mark O’Shea

Best About Dangerous Snakes

Venomous Snakes of the World

• Covers all 136 species of snake in Africa
• Also covers the type of venom produced by each species and its effects on victims
• First aid advice also provided

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6. Best on African Snakes: The Dangerous Snakes of Africa by Stephen Spawls

Africa is home to several hundred snake species, and The Dangerous Snakes of Africa by Stephen Spawls covers all of them.

This book covers all 137 species of snakes in Africa, and as well as covering the dangerous ones, this book includes 70 species that are often confused with the venomous species. It also covers the type of venom produced by each species and its effects on snakebite victims. It features stunning photos and depicts all of the snake species in the book with a thorough profile of each. Also included is first aid advice if you get bit and tips on how to avoid being bitten in the first place.

The only drawback to this book is that the pictures could do with being bigger.

Pros and Cons of The Dangerous Snakes of Africa by Stephen Spawls

Best on African Snakes

The Dangerous Snakes of Africa

• Covers 170 dangerous snake species in Africa
• Also covers the type of venom
• Great photos

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7. Most Comprehensive Book: Snakes of the United States and Canada by Carl H. Ernst and Evelyn M. Ernst

The most comprehensive book on the list is Snakes of the United States and Canada by Carl H. Ernst and Evelyn M. Ernst.

This snake book includes 131 species — all of the species known in the U.S. and Canadian at the publication date. It includes information about geographic variation, distribution, and even known fossils in North America. It also contains detailed profiles and excellent photos of the snakes which help you identify which snake you’re staring down on your front porch. In an almost textbook-style thoroughness, this book sends you on a deep dive into the world of snakes. It also includes detailed range maps, reproduction, and other behavioral traits.

The only complaint is that this hasn’t been updated with current information on snake families.

Pros and Cons of Snakes of the United States and Canada by Carl H. Ernst and Evelyn M. Ernst

Most Comprehensive Book

Snakes of the United States and Canada

• Contains detailed profiles and excellent photos of the snakes
• Sends you on a deep dive into the world of snakes
• Information on 131 species of snakes

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8. Best Field Guide: Snakes of the Eastern United States by Mike Dorcas and Whit Gibbons

The eastern United States has over 60 species of snakes — it’s an area of extreme biodiversity of reptiles and amphibians. This makes correct identification difficult yet vital. Therefore, Snakes of the Eastern United States by Mike Dorcas and Whit Gibbons is our pick for the region’s general field guide on snakes.

This comprehensive guide covers the states east of the Mississippi, from Wisconsin to Mississippi eastward to the Atlantic coast. This book includes beautiful photos of all known snake species in the region, maps showing their geographic range, and complete profiles of each species. Each profile includes all the information a non-biologist needs to correctly identify a snake.

The 400+ pages in this book are filled with detailed information that anyone interested in snakes will love reading. It’s a bit big to take with you on a hike. However, it’s a great addition to your library.

Pros and Cons of Snakes of the Eastern United States by Mike Dorcas and Whit Gibbons

Best Field Guide

Snakes of the Eastern United States

• Covers the states east of the Mississippi, from Wisconsin to Mississippi eastward to the Atlantic coast
• Includes beautiful photos of all known snake species in the region
• Filled with detailed information that anyone interested in snakes will love reading

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Choosing the Best: What to Look For

There are many different books about snakes available and choosing the right one can be a mine field. However, there are a few things to consider that can help you narrow it down. The first is to consider whether you just want a general book to help you learn more about snakes, or if you want a detailed guide. If you prefer a more detailed guide, then you may want to consider whether you want a book about a wide range of species or whether you want something specifically about venomous snakes, or perhaps about constrictors. If you’re looking for a field guide to help you identify the snakes in your area then choosing a book that specifically covers the snakes in your region is the way to go, or at least a book that categorizes snakes by region so that you can search it easier.