Anaconda: The Secret Life of the World’s Largest Snake

I expect that, although herpetologists will certainly find this a great addition to their library, anyone with interest in the natural history of the world's mysterious creatures ought to read it and prepare to come away with an appreciation for these magnificent snakes and for new insight into what conservation means. * R. Graham Reynolds, Biology, University of North Carolina, Asheville, North Carolina, The Quarterly Review of Biology * I loved reading this book ... the work is well constructed, rich in clear and digestible information. The author is original, engaging, and his ideas interesting. * Ivan Ineich, Bulletin de la Société Herpétologique de France * Snakes are widely feared and despised, and it takes an unusual person to devote her or his life to studying them. The challenge is even greater if the serpent in question is the largest in the world, with a fearsome reputation. But Jesús Rivas is a remarkable man, with an unquenchable curiosity about everything involving snakes and, indeed, with insight ranging from social issues to free-market economics. In this book, Rivas speaks from the heart and takes the reader on a wild ride through his long and insightful research on the anaconda, the trials and tribulations of fieldwork on giant snakes in remote tropical floodplains, and what he has learned from those experiences. * Rick Shine, Macquarie University * This fascinating book gives us deep glimpses into how these animals live in nature. It combines detailed studies of the behavioral ecology and ethology of anacondas with the personal story of how Jesús developed as a scientist and field biologist along with his often-provocative ethical and political views on research and conservation. This book is a rare treasure for anyone interested in the lives of large potentially dangerous animals and the scientists who study them. * From the foreword, by Gordon M. Burghardt, University of Tennessee *