A Guide to the Snakes of Uganda by Captain Charles R. S. Pitman 1938 The Uganda Society
A Guide to the Snakes of Uganda by Captain Charles R. S. Pitman, published in 1938 by The Uganda Society, is a landmark work in African herpetology and one of the earliest comprehensive studies devoted specifically to the snakes of East Africa. Written by Captain Pitman, who served as Game Warden of Uganda and was widely respected for his zoological expertise, Snakes of Uganda reflects years of field observation and systematic research conducted during the colonial period.
Snakes of Uganda provides detailed descriptions of the snake species recorded in Uganda at the time of publication, including diagnostic characteristics, habitat distribution, behavior, and notes on venomous species of medical importance. Pitman combines scientific rigor with practical guidance, making the work valuable not only to zoologists and natural historians but also to medical officers, game wardens, and residents requiring accurate information about potentially dangerous reptiles.
As a publication of The Uganda Society, an organization dedicated to the study of the country’s natural history and culture, this 1938 edition represents an important contribution to early East African scientific literature. Today, A Guide to the Snakes of Uganda remains highly regarded by collectors of natural history, Africana, and herpetological works. It stands as both a scientific reference and a historical document reflecting the development of wildlife study in East Africa during the early twentieth century.
