This 216-page title is the latest pet owner/breeder reference on Australian pythons in captivity to be published in Australia.

Written by Adam Elliott, with contributing authors, Dr Robert Johnson presenting the Health and Disease chapter, and Dr Justin Julander presenting the Taxonomy, Hybridisation and Morphs sections, the information is aimed at the novice to medium-skilled keeper.

All aspects regarding the captive care of pythons are presented in simple-to-follow layout. Over 400 images support details on general management including selection, handling, housing, temperature, thermoregulation, lighting, humidity, feeding—what to feed, nutrition, how to feed and feeding problem, breeding including gravid females, egg-laying and incubation.

The health and diseases chapter equip the keeper with the basics of maintaining a healthy collection to prevent sickness and details on how to recognise disease with an overview of common infectious and non-infectious ailments.

The 18 species and subspecies of pythons kept in captivity in Australia are presented in individual chapters detailing description, distribution maps and wild habitat. In captivity the topics of housing, diet, breeding biology and ease of keeping are presented for each species.

This book is an essential reference for any responsible keeper of pythons and will prove as popular as the other eight titles in the A Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians series.