The Snake Scientist

1. BIBILIOGRAPHY

Montgomery, Sy. 1999. THE SNAKE SCIENTIST. Photos by Nic Bishop. New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0395871697

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Sy Montgomery’s book, “The Snake Scientist,” is about Bob Mason who is the recipient of the National Science Foundation Young Investigator Award. This book takes a closer look at Mason’s extraordinary study of a phenomenon that has been occurring for fifteen years in the forests of Manitoba, Canada. This phenomenon occurs each spring when tens of thousands of non-poisonous red-sided garter snakes awaken from winter hibernation beneath the ground and come pouring out of these pits to create the world’s largest gathering of snakes.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Sy Montgomery is a well known naturalist, newspaper columnist, documentary scriptwriter and an award winning author who has written both adult and children books. To help write “The Snake Scientist, Montgomery and Bishop were able to be a part and observe Dr. Mason’s field study that was conducted on the red-sided snakes. This book takes readers to the snake dens in Manitoba, Canada where Dr. Mason and his team of scientist conduct experiments that include weighing, measuring marking and observing the red-sided snakes in their natural habitat. Montgomery has written this book in a way that is simple but full of interesting facts that will keep the reader wanting to learn more. The photographs that Nic Bishop provides are clear and compliment the text which helps create a book that any nature lover will love. Montgomery explains about the research being conducted and how these snakes are providing information about pheromones and chemicals that are in their bodies and how they relate to humans pheromones and chemicals and how they affect how people behave through the research of these snakes. Although there is a lot of information coming from these experiments, Montgomery has provided a list in the back of the book of unsolved mysteries that Mason and his teams are still trying to solve that will spark the curiosity of readers. She has also provided information on the location of the Narcisse snake dens along with contact information for anyone who interested in visiting these dens.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Horn Book Guide: “With a research topic whose kid appeal is hard to beat, this is a solid introduction to the ethos of experimental science as seen by a genial scientist. Bib., ind. Horn Rating: Superior, well above average.”

School Library Journal: “Gr 5-8-The excitement of science in action fills the pages of these two books. Montgomery focuses on one man and his research on the red-sided garter snake in Canada.”

Booklist: “Gr. 4^-6. Montgomery, author of several animal studies for adults, tries her hand at one for children and accomplishes the task with great success. Her dual focus is on Oregon zoologist Bob Mason, known as the "Snake Scientist," and on one of his favorite subjects, the red-sided garter snake.”

5. CONNECTION

Other books by author Sy Montgomery:

Montgomery, Sy. THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST. ISBN 9780618915774

Montgomery, Sy. QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA. ISBN 9780618496419

Montgomery, Sy. THE GOOD GOOD PIG: THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF CHRISTOPHER HOGWOOD. ISBN 9780345496096

Montgomery, Sy. THE MAN-EATING TIGERS OF SUNDARBANS. ISBN 9780618494903