Young Ray Ditmars thought that collecting live snakes was the most fascinating hobby in the world. And once he had captured them, quite naturally he wished to keep them in his own home! His mother and father didn't care for that idea at all.

But Ray persisted. Even though his home was in New York City, he found snakes in Central Park. And in the end, he won his point with his family.

This was the beginning of a most distinguished career. And when, after many exciting experiences, he was appointed to the staff of the Bronx Zoological Park, he was a happy young man.

Expeditions to far corners of the earth, danger and daring and miraculous escapes came to Raymond L. Ditmars then. This true story of his thrilling life takes you with him on his adventuring and reveals his important scientific discoveries, the benefits of which he gave to all mankind.

From the dust jacket