Courting the Wild: Love Affairs with Reptiles and Amphibians
Jamie K. Reaser (editor)
Praise for Courting the Wild: Love Affairs with Reptiles and Amphibians
Ever since that infamous episode in The Garden of Eden, we humans have desperately needed to heal our relationship with the scaly and slippery ones. Unfairly disenfranchised from our goodwill for thousands of years, “herps” deserve to be loved for what they really are: fascinating, life-giving, and the only creatures with perpetual smiles. —Susan Chernak McElroy, author of Animals as Teachers and Healers
Courting the Wild: Love Affairs with Reptiles and Amphibians is a must read! This riveting book provides a unique glimpse into the fascinating world of reptiles, amphibians, and the people who love them. Finally, there is some good PR for herps, as well as proof that I’m not insane or alone in my desire to kiss a snake. —Donald Schultz, Producer and Host of Discovery television series I Was Bitten, Feeding Frenzy
This wonderful collection of essays offers a glimpse into the special world of reptiles, and the spell they cast on those who have devoted their lives to their study. If you love nature, whether or not you’re “into” reptiles, you’ll find much to enjoy, and you just may come away with a newfound appreciation and respect for these fascinating, often beautiful and frequently misunderstood creatures. —Russ Case, Editor, Reptiles Magazine and ReptileChannel.com
How does it happen that ordinary, well balanced, people end up dedicating their lives to snakes? This book by Reaser and her colleagues answers this question, not only for snakes, but for turtles and lizards, and frogs and toads and salamanders, too. Enjoy these stories. If you are young (or young at heart), there may be an epiphany awaiting you. If “herps” have long since been your passion, let these tales take you back to those early formative days, when everything that has happened since first began. —Michael J. Lannoo, Ph.D, Professor, Indiana University School of Medicine and editor of Amphibian Declines: The Conservation Status of United States Species
This is a book you can only read until sundown, at which time you will be inspired to visit the amphibians and reptiles in your own neighborhood. The stories contained herein will rekindle memories of your own first connection to nature, making you want to relive that moment and motivating you to help protect these amazing animals and their wild habitats. —Shelly Grow, Conservation Biologist, Association of Zoos and Aquariums