Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. 1 Talk to the Animals 1
4. 2 In the Beginning 25
5. 3 Snakes 41
6. 4 Songs and Thunderbolts 65
7. 5 A Second Chance 83
8. 6 Of Love, Morals, and Death 99
9. 7 The Lighter Side 115
10. 8 Tailless Wonders, Naked Serpents, and Fire Lizards 131
11. 9 Marshmallow-Eaters, Methuselahs, Spiny-Backs, Were-Lizards, and Protectors 155
12. 10 Move Aside, Viagra 183
13. 11 Pick Your Poison—Blood, Venom, Skin, or Bones 199
14. 12 Like a Hell-Broth, Boil and Bubble 217
15. 13 “How ’bout Them Toad Suckers” 235
16. 14 Singing Tuatara from Their Holes 265
17. Acknowledgments 289
18. References 291
19. Illustration Credits 301
20. Index 305