Each year, an estimated 30,000 dogs in the U.S. are bitten by venomous snakes. Last month, my dog Murphy became one of them. We let him out before bed, as we always do, and he came back limping, unable to put weight on his back leg. Within minutes, his paw swelled, and two small puncture wounds made the cause unmistakable. It was a snake bite. Thankfully, we rushed him to the emergency vet, and he’s made a full recovery. Still, I’d be lying if I said the thought of snakes lurking in my backyard doesn’t unsettle me. Like many people, I grew up believing the best snake was a dead snake.
In his newest book Slither, Stephen S. Hall shows just how common—and deeply ingrained—those fears are. But he also challenges them, arguing that if we took the time to understand snakes, our fear might shift into a deeper understanding.
As we look back through history, it’s no wonder snakes have been both reviled and revered. From the sacred deities of ancient Egypt to the cautionary tales of the Garden of Eden, serpents have slithered their way through mythology, art, and religion. Stephen S. Hall traces this complex relationship with precision, showing how the enigma of snakes—their beauty, danger, and mystery—has shaped human culture for millennia. But what makes Slither most compelling is the way Hall blends that rich history with cutting-edge science.
For better or worse, much of what we now know about snakes has only come to light in recent decades. For centuries, fear and superstition kept us from asking what we might learn from them. Hall highlights startling discoveries. He shows how pythons, for instance, spend most of their lives in metabolic stillness, with their stomachs at a pH similar to that of water—only to completely rewire their biology after a massive meal. Their organs grow and regenerate at astonishing rates before shrinking back to normal, a process scientists believe could unlock clues about metabolism and tissue repair. And that’s only scratching the surface.
Slither is a sweeping, comprehensive study that weaves science and biology with mythology, artistic depictions, and cultural fascination. Hall captures the wonder of what we still don’t fully understand, from snakes’ mysterious mating habits to their resilience against biological swings that would kill most other animals. He also explores the long-term consequences of human interference, like the exploding population of non-native Burmese pythons in Florida. By the end, I found myself with a healthier respect for snakes. I’m still wary of them, but Hall convinced me of their vital place in our world and the importance of continuing to study them.
For more information, visit Amazon and Goodreads.
(2025, 65)
Your poor dog! I'm glad he's okay. I'm not a huge fan of snakes, though I did use to play with garter snakes when I was little. For some reason, I wasn't afraid of them back then. Now I don't want any snakes in my backyard. I don't mind reading about them though, and this book does sound like an interesting one.
ReplyDeleteI've always had a healthy fear haha
DeleteI fear them so much, and we only have like 2 snakes in my country and one is venemous, and well not a lot
ReplyDeleteThey're pretty common in my area, but this was the first time I've ever had one attack.
DeleteYour poor dog. I'm glad he was ok afterwards. I've seen snakes a few times back when my late husband and I used to hike out in the woods. I don't mind snakes as long as they stay where they are. This sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. I'm okay with them as long as they mind their business haha
DeleteOMG! Poor Murphy! Snakes, I hate snakes, though I appreciate all the different angles the author covered with respect to this reptile.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, he's okay now, but it was definitely scary!
DeleteYour poor dog! I'd be terrified if my cat was attacked. I'm so happy he's okay! I am scared of snakes. I stay away from them and hope they stay away from me, but I appreciate all the views this book shared about their importance. I think there's a reason for every species and it's important. Well, except for mosquitos! I'd like them to go away permanently!
ReplyDeleteI'll second the mosquitoes! They're such pests!
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