Snake Talk (Dr. Chris Jenkins)

Dr. Jenkins sits down with McKayla Spencer, the Interagency Python Management Coordinator with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They talk about everything python in Florida. They walk through a timeline of the invasion including how the snakes arrived and how the partnerships’ control methods have changed over the years. They also discuss python regulations in Florida, how the snakes are humanely euthanized, new technologies for detecting them, scout snakes and much more. You do not want to miss this episode!

Connect with McKayla and read more about pythons at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Rich Baxter is a Director of a new organization, the Indian Ocean Tortoise Alliance or IOTA. IOTA is focused on the conservation of Giant Tortoises in the Indian Ocean and is based in the Seychelles. Chris and Rich discuss Rich’s path to becoming a tortoise biologist, Global patterns in Giant Tortoise distribution, Ecology of Aldabra Tortoises, and IOTA. Listen in as both Chris and Rich tell stories of their experiences with these amazing animals.Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Gabriel Blouin-Demers, a professor at the University of Ottawa’s Department of Biology, to explore the fascinating world of the Black Ratsnake (Pantherophis obsoletus), one of the most commonly encountered snake species in eastern North America. Drawing from Gabriel’s extensive research at the northern edge of the species’ range in Ontario, they begin by discussing the unique landscape where these snakes thrive. The conversation then delves into the Black Ratsnake’s natural history before focusing on Gabriel’s research, which highlights the critical role edge habitats play in various aspects of the species’ ecology.

Connect with Gabriel at the University of Ottawa.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with returning guest Noah Fields to talk about “flashy” colubrids. They start by discussing the colorful, large, and awe-inspiring characteristics that draw people to some of these snakes. Then, they delve into both kingsnakes and milksnakes, including their distribution, species vs. subspecies, and natural history. The conversation transitions from Scarlet Kingsnakes in unusual places to milk snakes living in the North. They finish the episode by focusing on Eastern Kingsnakes, specifically field herping for them, their natural history, and their conservation status in the Southeast.

Connect with Noah on YouTube.

Check out Noah’s photos 1, 2 and 3 of the Eastern Kingsnake feeding on the Eastern Ratsnake, referred to in the podcast.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Alison Rabosky, the Curator of Herpetology at the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, to talk about museum collections of snakes. They begin by talking about Alison’s research on color patterns and mimicry in lizards and snakes. They delve into the acquisition and management of museum collections, and highlight a recent acquisition that now positions the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology with the largest collection of snakes in the United States, if not the world. The conversation also addresses criticisms faced by natural history museums, emphasizing their significant contribution to understanding snake biology and conservation.

Connect with Alison at the University of Michigan.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Chris Urban is the Chief of the Natural Diversity Section for the Pennsylvania Boat and Fish Commission.  In this episode, Dr. Jenkins and Mr. Urban talk about the history of Timber Rattlesnakes in Pennsylvania.  They discuss how active management techniques such as a regulated hunting program have resulted in the population rebounding, making the Timber Rattlesnake populations in Pennsylvania some of the strongest in any state.

Read more about Timber Rattlesnake Conservation and Management.

Connect with Chris Jenkins on Instagram or at The Orianne Society website.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins dives deep into the world of snake venom with renowned expert Dr. Stephen Mackessy. They begin with Steve’s early experiences working with venomous snakes, including a memorable bite from a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake. The conversation then explores the complexities of venom: what it is, its composition, how it varies across a species’ range, and how it changes throughout a snake's life. They also discuss the remarkable medical and practical applications of snake venom, including its role in developing life-saving medicines for humans.

Connect with Stephen at The University of Northern Colorado.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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In this episode of Snake Talk, Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Michael Dreslik from the Illinois Natural History Survey. With a career dedicated to wildlife research in Illinois, Mike has led several long-term studies, including one focused on the Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus), one of the most threatened rattlesnake species in the state. Together, they explore the ecology of these fascinating snakes, ongoing conservation efforts, and the challenges they face for survival. 

Connect with Mike at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Kevin Messenger to talk about snake diversity in China.  A unique opportunity first brought Dr. Messenger from his home state of North Carolina to a remote region of China.   Listen as we learn about China’s ecosystems and climate and how similar they are to the United States, as well as the widely variable diversity of snakes in the country - ranging from no species in the high western deserts to over a hundred species in the tropics.  Finally, discover more about the natural history and ecology of Rat Snakes, Mang Vipers, and Fea’s Vipers.

Connect with Kevin on Facebook or Instagram.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Melissa Amarello is the Executive Director of Advocates for Snake Preservation (ASP). Tune in to hear about her research on social interactions in snakes, ranging from how snakes care for their offspring to who snakes are “friends” with. ASP uses these types of studies on snake behavior to implement education programs geared to changing the public’s perception of snakes. Melissa also discusses how ASP works in the advocacy arena using their work on Rattlesnake Roundups as an example. Check out ASP’s website at www.snakes.ngo. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Xavier Glaudas to discuss his career studying vipers. Xavier was born in France but has spent his career moving around the world studying viper populations. They discuss Xavier’s time in the United States studying Cottonmouths and Speckled Rattlesnakes, adventures in Africa with Puff Adders, Russell’s Vipers in India, and using videography to study vipers in Brazil.

Connect with Xavier on his website.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Bruce Means to talk about everything Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (EDB). They begin with a discussion of his time working at Tall Timbers and his early studies of the species. They then do a deep dive on the ecology of EDBs talking about their movement, habitats, breeding, diet, and life history. The ecology conversation transitions into how the roundups and broad scale habitat changes in the region have impacted EDB populations. They finish the episode by talking about Bruce’s work in a remote region of South America which has been the recent focus of a National Geographic article and a Disney+ series.

Check out Bruce’s book.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Jeff Corwin to discuss the fascinating topic of Media, Snakes, and Conservation.  They go through the early years when Chris and Jeff took Herpetology together in the 1990s and discuss how Jeff’s interest in both snakes and media developed over time.  Jeff talks about his most successful shows, the genesis of each and what happened behind the scenes.  They also discuss the importance of media in the conservation of snakes.  Finally, Jeff talks about the project he is currently working on.

Connect with Jeff on Facebook or Instagram.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Vipers are one of the most endangered groups of snake on the planet. Chris joins Drs. Stephen Spear and Jesus Sigala to discuss the IUCN Viper Specialist Group. They also discuss research and conservation of viper species across Central America including Bushmasters and Mountain Island Rattlesnakes.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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In this episode, Dr. Chris Jenkins sits down with Dr. Jelka Crnobrnja-Isailović, a snake biologist from Serbia, to share her extraordinary journey. Jelka recounts her early fascination with amphibians and reptiles, research on newts and lizards, and a strong desire for working with snakes. Against the backdrop of her PhD studies, Jelka faced the upheaval of the Yugoslav Wars, navigating the challenges of pursuing science in a nation fractured into new borders. Despite these hardships, she built an inspiring career as a researcher and professor in Serbia, dedicating her work to the conservation and study of vipers in the Balkans.

Connect with Jelka on LinkedIn.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Johnny Carrol Sain is a writer, editor, and deep thinker of everything related to nature and rural culture. Johnny joins Dr. Jenkins to discuss the disconnect between culture and nature and then the even deeper disconnect between nature and snakes. They also discuss the importance of people having at least a base understanding of ecosystems and the interconnectedness of nature.Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with returning guest Dr. Emily Taylor to discuss some exciting new developments in the world of snakes. First, they delve into her new book, "California Snakes and How to Find Them," which explores each species in California and offers field herping advice for encountering the state's diverse snake population. Then, the conversation shifts to a Prairie Rattlesnake den and gestation site in Colorado. This site is home to thousands of rattlesnakes, and Emily is installing a live streaming camera that will enable viewers to observe the snakes in real time.

Connect with Emily at California Polytechnic State University. Purchase California Snakes and How to Find them. Check out Project RattleCam!

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Daniel Beck to discuss ecology and natural history of Gila Monsters.  They cover everything from the origins of the name, their distribution, habitat needs, reproduction and much more.  They also touch on the closely related Beaded Lizards and chat about rattlesnakes.  Dr. Beck finishes with an incredible story about camping in Gila Monster country.

Connect with Dr. Beck at Central Washington University.

Here is Dr. Beck’s book, Biology of Gila Monsters and Beaded Lizards.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Chris talks snakes with Zack Dalton, Director of Sales for Sage, Redington, and Rio products. This is the first of many podcasts where Chris will talk with people who are not snake experts but are in a field that brings them in contact with snakes in the wild. Tune in to hear a unique perspective on the perception of snakes, strategies for communicating to the fishing community about snakes, and the ecosystem based conservation ethic in the fly fishing world. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins has had a long-standing interest in snake bite treatment and frequently speaks on the subject of treatment in wild settings.  He welcomes Dr. Spencer Greene to Snake Talk for a deeper discussion on the subject of treating snake bites.  They talk about the field of Medical Toxicology, what to do (and not to do) when treating a snake bite, and they go into treatment of pregnant snake bite victims.  Chris introduces his friend Lisa Damron who reveals her life changing experience of receiving a rattlesnake bite while she was pregnant.  Be sure to listen until the very end - this is an informative and emotional episode.

Connect with Spencer on his website.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Chris discusses Pygmy Rattlesnakes with Dr. Terry Farrell, a professor at Stetson University in Florida. Drawing on his extensive 30-year experience in studying the ecology of Pygmy Rattlesnakes, Dr. Farrell shares information about this common yet understudied snake. Their conversation encompasses various aspects of natural history, including habitat, diet, movements, venom, and more. Additionally, they talk about long-term population monitoring in Florida. Dr. Farrell also shares his personal experience, detailing how his prolonged interaction with the snakes led to the development of a sensitivity and allergy to their venom.

Connect with Terry at Stetson University.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Josh Parker to talk about one the most fascinating rattlesnakes, the Midget Faded Rattlesnake. Josh has an interesting life story - he overcame a fear of snakes and has never looked back, building a career and life around keeping and studying these amazing animals. They discuss this relatively small and obscure rattlesnake’s natural history covering distribution, movement, habitat, diet, venom and much more. They also spend quite a bit of time discussing Josh’s long-term research in Wyoming and Colorado. Finally, they talk about two threats to the species, collection and energy development. 

Connect with Josh at Fresno City College.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

In this episode, Dr. Jenkins moderates a panel of snake experts from the Pacific Northwest. The panelists include Lisa Hallock, Herpetologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; Dede Olson, Research Ecologist with the Forest Service; Lameace Hussein, former WA resident and current PhD student; and Dr. Steve Mackessy, Professor, Northern Colorado University. Each panelist focuses on a particular area of future research and conservation, discussion areas include Natural History, Snake Fungal Disease, Education/Outreach, and Venomics.

Connect with the snake experts at Northwest Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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This episode is also available on YouTube! 

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Dr. Dan Natusch is a herpetologist, Director of Epic Biodiversity, and chairman of the IUCN Boa and Python Specialist Group. Dan joins Chris to discuss everything pythons from where you find them in the world, their biogeography in Australia, to the phenomenon of vary color morphs in young Green Tree Pythons. They also discuss an event that has been in the news where a python attempted to eat a person. Dan talks about this particular event as it was one of his study snakes that attempted to eat the woman. They also discuss what about a pythons head allows them to eat such large prey.Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Bob Ashley to talk about his life - he has found a unique path that has allowed him to pursue many different avenues relative to snakes.  They talk about a range of interests Bob has, including keeping and breeding snakes, collecting rare books and artifacts, and publishing.  Specifically, the discussion centers on Bob’s transition from growing up in Michigan and breeding snakes to being the founder of the Chiricahua Desert Museum.  They also discuss Eco Publishing, the International Herpetological Symposium, and the North American Reptile Breeders Conference.

Connect with Bob at the Chiricahua Desert Museum, the International Herpetological Symposium, or the North American Reptile Breeders Conference.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Harold Heatwole, who has arguably spent more time among sea snakes than any snake expert in the world and literally wrote the book on sea snakes. They discuss interesting aspects of sea snake ecology and natural history ranging from taxonomy, biogeography, habitats, feeding, adaptations to marine life, venom, and diet. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Heatwole weaves in stories of adventure diving with these amazing species. You are not going to want to miss this 88 year old legend in snake biology.

Connect with Dr. Heatwole at NC State University.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. David Steen works for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission where he leads amphibian and reptile research efforts. Chris and Dave talk about how persistence and hard work led to a diversity of experiences and jobs as he worked towards his current position. They talk about some of the species that his group prioritizes and how they develop those priorities. Dave also has created a Foundation called Living Alongside Wildlife and they discuss the grant-making approach the foundation employs. Finally, Dave has published a book on snake myths and he discusses issues covered in the book, such as how the size of snakes are typically grossly exaggerated and what science tells us about the true size of snakes. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Lameace Hussain (they/them) to talk about an interesting journey - starting with a rural upbringing in Kentucky, Lameace’s deep interest in Herpetology, research they conducted in Washington on a variety of species including Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes, and what brought Lameace to their current project, working in Human Dimensions. Specifically, examining how well government agencies and academic institutions incorporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion into their work. 

Connect with Lameace on Twitter or by email.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Rhett Stanberry to talk about traveling to snake hunt and field herp. Learn about a range of topics including how to select a country, how to focus on regions within the country, how laws and regulations change from area to area, lodging and travel, visas, and how understanding the snakes’ biology can help you plan. Also, listen in to the conversation about Rhett’s most recent adventure to Panama.

Connect with Rhett on YouTube.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Field Herping is a rapidly growing form of recreation where people go into wildplaces and look for reptiles and amphibians (especially snakes). You can think of Field Herping as being analogous to birding but with the big difference in that most of time it is possible to catch the snake. Field Herping is exciting and most of us do some form of it but it is important to develop an ethic around your practices. In this podcast Chris talks with Houston Chandler and Kiley Briggs about Field Herping and potential issues that everyone should consider before recreationally looking for snakes.Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Gowri Shankar to talk about one of the world's most iconic snakes, the King Cobra. They start off talking about Gowri’s career and the amazing snake diversity in India. They then do a deep dive into King Cobra natural history including movements, habitat, diet and reproduction. Finally, they discuss Gowri’s PhD research which has split the King Cobras into 4 species. Stay tuned to hear the story about the time Gowri was bitten by a King Cobra.

Connect with Gowri at The King Cobra Conservancy.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Lora Smith to talk about her research program at the Jones Ecological Research Center. They start by discussing her interest in tortoises and her adventures studying one of the most endangered turtles in the world in Madagascar. They then talk about Ichauway and the Jones Center which was created by Mr. Woodruff, former CEO of Coca-Cola. Lora’s research includes long-term monitoring of upland species and many focal animal studies. They discuss research projects on species such as Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes, Florida Pine Snakes, and Timber Rattlesnakes.

Connect with Lora at The Jones Center at Ichauway.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Gordon Burghardt to discuss some of the most asked questions about snakes.  Dr. Burghardt has been conducting research at the intersection of psychology and herpetology since the 1960s.  They start with a discussion on human fear of snakes - more specifically, if we are born with this fear, or if it is learned as we develop.  Chris and Gordon also dive into snake cognition touching on topics such as chemoreception and self-recognition. 

Connect with Gordon at University of Tennessee Knoxville.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Justin Kobylka from Kinova Reptiles to talk all about breeding Ball Pythons. Despite catching wind of Justin's recent feature in the New Yorker Magazine, Dr. Jenkins wanted to have a more in depth conversation with him. In this episode the conversation spans Justin's journey to the top of the Ball Python breeding world, market insights, breeding processes, designer morphs, ethical sourcing, and the significance of captive reptiles in today's world.

Read the New York Magazine article.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Michael Schaer to discuss everything about snakebite in dogs. They talk about what you should do if your dog is bitten and what the treatment will be once the dog arrives at the vet. They also go in depth on the vaccine for dogs and whether it is useful and why or why not. Chris and Michael explore all kinds of additional topics from misconceptions people have about snakebite in dogs to comparing how dogs, cats, and horses respond differently and require different treatment. If you own a dog in snake country you are not going to want to miss this one.

Connect with Michael at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Jenna Palmisano, a Ph.D. Candidate studying parasites in snakes. Focusing on pentastomes, they discuss the species native to North America and how they are different from the exotic invasive pentastome found in Florida. The parasite is thought to have come into North America from exotic snakes that are spreading across Florida, but the parasite has been found much farther north than the snakes that may have brought them in. They discuss how human activities have likely facilitated the move north and ways to potentially deal with the issue. You are not going to miss this one, these parasites have the potential to impact snakes across North America.

Connect with Jenna at the University of Central Florida and read more about her research.

 

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Blake Adams and Caleb Goldsmith. Blake and Caleb work for The Orianne Society where their primary focus is on the restoration and management of snake habitat. The discussion kicks off with an exploration of the Longleaf Pine ecosystem that dominates the southeastern coastal plain. The natural disturbance regimes that historically preserved this ecosystem have been disrupted, necessitating active management to sustain snake habitat. They delve into the restoration of native grasses and forbs, and the crucial roles played by prescribed fire and forestry in maintaining snake habitat in the region.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Neil Cox and Phil Bowles from IUCN to talk about the recently completed Global Reptile Assessment. They talk about the need for the assessment and go in detail on one of the primary tools, the IUCN Red List. They also discuss the assessment process and how they gather and analyze the information to determine each species status. The results show that a significant percentage of reptile species are threatened with extinction but also that there are many species that are data deficient and cannot be assessed. Finally they compared the results of the reptile assessment to those of other wildlife groups such as amphibians, mammals, and birds.

Connect with Neil and Phil on IUCN or at IUCN Red List.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Julia Duin is a journalist and writer who recently published a book on religious snake handlers titles, ‘In the House of the Serpent Handler’. As part of her research for the book Julia has spent extensive time in Appalachia at the churches and with the people in the serpent handling culture. Join Dr. Jenkins and Julia as they talk about religion, snake handling practices, and her book. They also go in depth on the National Geographic show Snake Salvation and the people featured in the show.Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Peterson is an accomplished Snake Ecologist that has dedicated his career to studying the ecology of snakes and applying that knowledge to their conservation. Drs. Jenkins and Peterson discuss the path Chuck took to becoming a herpetologist. They also discuss the diversity of snakes in the Intermountain West and what Chuck has learned from decades of research, including an in depth discussion of one of the biggest long-term datasets ever collected on snakes, specifically a data set on Great Basin Rattlesnakes from Southeast Idaho. The link for the Idaho Amphibian and Reptile iNaturalist Project is: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/idaho-amphibian-and-reptile-inaturalist-project Flickr Photo Albums links: Idaho Reptiles: https://www.flickr.com/photos/petechar/albums/72157625821042969 Snakes: https://www.flickr.com/photos/petechar/albums/72157689924852796 ISU Herpetology Laboratory Publications on Intermountain West Snakes 1989-2019 1. Koch, E.D. and C.R. Peterson. 1989. A preliminary survey of the distribution of amphibians and reptiles of Yellowstone National Park. In: Rare, sensitive and threatened species of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, T.W. Clark, D.H. Harvey, R.D. Dorn, D.C. Genter, and C. Groves (eds.), Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative , Montana Natural Heritage Program, The Nature Conservancy, and Mountain West Environmental Services. 2. Peterson, C.R. and M.E. Dorcas. 1992. The use of automated data acquisition techniques in monitoring amphibian and reptile populations. Pp 369-378 In: Wildlife 2001: Populations. D.R. McCullough and R.H. Barrett, (eds.). Elsevier Applied Science, London. 3. Peterson, C.R., A.R Gibson, and M.E. Dorcas. 1993. Snake thermal ecology: the causes and consequences of body temperature variation. Pp. 241-314 in Snakes: Ecology and Behavior (R.A. Seigel and J.T. Collins, eds.). McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, New York, N.Y. 4. Storm, R.M., W.P. Leonard, H.A. Brown, R.B. Bury, D.M. Darda, L.V. Diller, and C.R. Peterson. 1995. Reptiles of Washington and Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle, Washington. 176 pp. 5. Koch, E.D. and C.R. Peterson. 1995. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, Utah. 188 pp. 6. Beck, J.M. and C.R. Peterson. 1995. Movements and habitat selection of the Longnose Snake (Rheinocheilus lecontei) in southwestern Idaho. Idaho Bureau of Land Management. Technical Bulletin No. 95-18. 7. Corn, P.S. and C.R. Peterson. 1996. Prairie Legacies - Amphibians and Reptiles. Pp. 125-134 In: Prairie Conservation: Preserving North America’s Most Endangered Ecosystem. F.B. Samson and F.L. Knopf (editors). Island Press 8. Dorcas, M.E. and C.R. Peterson. 1997. Head-body temperature differences in free-ranging rubber boas. J. Herp. 31(1): 87-93. 9. Dorcas, M.E., C.R. Peterson, and M.T. Flint. 1997. The thermal biology of digestion in rubber boas (Charina bottae): physiology, behavior, and environmental constraints. Physiological Zoology 70(3):292-300. 10. Dorcas, M.E. and C.R. Peterson. 1998. Daily body temperature variation in free-ranging rubber boas. Herpetologica.54(1):88-103. 11. Cobb, V.A. and C.R. Peterson. 1999. Natural History Notes: Mortality – Great Basin Rattlesnake. Herpetological Review. 30(1): 45-46. 12. Peterson, C.R, S.R Burton, D.S. Pilliod, J.R Lee, J.O. Cossel Jr, and R.L Llewellyn. 2001. Assessing the accuracy of Gap Analysis predicted distributions of Idaho amphibians and reptiles. Gap Analysis Bulletin 10: 42-49. 13. Vander Haegen, W. M., S. M. McCorquodale, C. R. Peterson, G. A. Green, and E. Yensen. 2001. Wildlife communities of eastside shrubland and grassland habitats. In, D. H. Johnson and T. A. O'Neil, Editors. Wildlife habitats and species associations in Oregon and Washington. University of Oregon Press, Corvallis, Oregon. 14. Scott, J.M., C.R. Peterson, J.W. Karl, E. Strand, L.K. Svancara, and N.M. Wright. 2002. A Gap Analysis of Idaho: Final Report. Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Moscow, ID. 15. Dorcas, M. E. and C. R. Peterson. 2008. Testing the coadaptation hypothesis: the thermal physiology and thermoregulatory behavior of rubber boas (Charina bottae). In: R. Henderson, R. Powell, G. Schuett, and M. Douglass (eds.), Biology of the Boas and Pythons. Eagle Mountain Publishing, LC, Eagle Moutain, UT. 16. Jenkins, C.L., C.R. Peterson, and J.O. Cossel, Jr. 2008. Sagebrush Steppe / Desert Shrublands. In: Pilliod, D.S., Wind, E., eds., 2008, Habitat Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Northwestern United States and Western Canada: Technical Publication HMG-4, Birmingham, AL, Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, 139 pp. 17. Jenkins, C.L. and C.R. Peterson. 2009. A Trophic-Based Approach to the Conservation Biology of Rattlesnakes: Linking Landscape Disturbance to Rattlesnake Populations. Pp. 265-274 in W. K. Hayes, K. R. Beaman, M. D. Cardwell, and S. P. Bush (eds.), The Biology of Rattlesnakes. Loma Linda University Press, Loma Linda, California. 18. Cobb, V.A. and C.R. Peterson. 2009. Thermal Ecology of Hibernation in a Population of Great Basin Rattlesnakes, Crotalus oreganus lutosus. Pp. 291-302 in W. K. Hayes, K. R. Beaman, M. D. Cardwell, and S. P. Bush (eds.), The Biology of Rattlesnakes. Loma Linda University Press, Loma Linda, California. 19. Jenkins, C.L., C.R. Peterson, and B.A. Kingsbury. 2009. Modeling Snake Distribution and Habitat. Pp. 123-148 in S.J. Mullin and R.A. Seigel. Snakes: Ecology and Conservation. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca , New York. 20. Bosworth, W. and C.R. Peterson. Idaho. 2009. In: Olson, D.H. (coord. ed.), Herpetological conservation in northwestern North America. Northwestern Naturalist 90: 61–96. 21. Jenkins, C.L., C. R. Peterson, S. C. Doering, and V. A. Cobb. 2009. Microgeographic variation in reproductive characteristics among Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus) populations. Copeia 2009, (4): 774–780. 22. C. R. Peterson and J.R. Lee. 2012. Using Geographical Information Systems to design reptile surveys. Pp. 34-41 In: M. Foster, R. McDiarmid, C. Guyer, J.W. Gibbons, and N. Chernoff. (eds.). Reptile Biodiversity: Standard Methods for Inventory and Monitoring. University of California Press, Los Angeles, CA. 23. Dorcas, M. E. and C. R. Peterson. 2012. Automated data acquisition. Pp. 61-68 In:. M. Foster, R. McDiarmid, C. Guyer, J.W. Gibbons, and N. Chernoff. (eds.). Reptile Biodiversity: Standard Methods for Inventory and Monitoring. University of California Press, Los Angeles, CA. 24. Dorcas, M. E. and C. R. Peterson. 2013. Automated data acquisition. In: G. Graeter and J. Gibbons (eds.), Monitoring Methods for Amphibians and Reptiles. Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation - special publication. 25. Jochimsen, Denim, C.R. Peterson, and L.J. Harmon, 2014. Influence of ecology and landscape on snake road mortality in a sagebrush-steppe ecosystem. Animal Conservation, 17(6): 583-592. 26. Bauder, J.D. H. Akenson, and C.R. Peterson. 2015. Movement Patterns of Prairie Rattlesnakes (Crotalus v. viridis) across a Mountainous Landscape in a Designated Wilderness Area. Journal of Herpetology, 49(3): 377-387. 27. Bauder, J.M., H. Akenson, and C.R. Peterson. 2017. Factors influencing the movement patterns of Prairie Rattlesnakes (Crotalus v. viridis) across a mountainous landscape in a designated Wilderness Area. Pp. 154-167 in Dreslik,M.J., S.J. Beaupre, and S.P. Mackessy (eds.), The Biology of Rattlesnakes II, Herpetological Publishing and Distribution, Rodeo, New Mexico. 28. Jenkins, C.L., J.M. Bauder, and C.R. Peterson. 2017. Population level consequences of microgeographic variation in Great Basin Rattlesnake reproduction. Pp. 143-153 in Dreslik,M.J., S.J. Beaupre, and S.P. Mackessy (eds.), The Biology of Rattlesnakes II, Herpetological Publishing and Distribution, Rodeo, New Mexico. 29. Spear, S.F., J.M. Parker, C.R. Peterson, C.L. Jenkins, and L.P. Waits. 2017. Modeling the effect of roads on habitat area and connectivity of midget faded rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus concolor) across Southwest Wyoming. Pp. 22-33 in Dreslik,M.J., S.J. Beaupre, and S.P. Mackessy (eds.), The Biology of Rattlesnakes II, Herpetological Publishing and Distribution, Rodeo, New Mexico. 30. Parsons, S.B., C.R. Peterson, C.L. Jenkins, and M.D. Matocq. 2019. Gene flow and habitat connectivity in a native rattlesnake population on the Snake River Plain. Western North American Naturalist 79(3):378-393. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. 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Bushmasters are giant – egg laying vipers of Latin American Rainforests. Chris talks with friend Dr. Andy Whitworth about these amazing animals including their reproduction, predators, feeding, habitat, and conservation. But the conversation starts with stories of Pumas in the front yard of Andy’s remote rainforest home. They also discuss conservation of rainforests in Costa Rica and the nonprofit Osa Conservation’s role.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Robert Hill, Curator of Herpetology at Zoo Atlanta. They discuss his path to getting to where he is today and about how people can get into working in the zoo field. They talk about Zoo Atlanta including their reptile facility and the animals you might expect to encounter there. Finally they discuss the wide array of education and conservation projects the Herpetology Program works on, including declining amphibians, Eastern Indigo Snakes, and Guatemalan Beaded Lizards.

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The Walking Dead is an “Apocalyptic Soap Opera” where humans are trying to survive after a virus has turned most people to walkers (i.e., zombies). Kim Mross is a snake wrangler for the Walking Dead where she sweeps sets by temporarily removing snakes before shoots, temporarily removes snakes encountered during shoots, and educates crew and cast. Listen to Chris and Kim discuss stories ranging from the details behind the Snake Eating Scene in the Walking Dead to how her counterpart in Wife Swap reacted to walking into Kim’s home for the first time to find it was filled with snakes. Kim also talks about the set of the Walking Dead and how various actors feel about snakes.Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Howard Inns to discuss the work of the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARCT).  They start by talking about Howard’s interest in reptiles and amphibians and how it led to him becoming one of the early leaders at ARCT.  Chris and Howard talk about the species and natural history of snakes in the United Kingdom.  Then they go in-depth about the ARCT and the work they are doing to conserve species in this often herpetologically overlooked corner of the world.  They talk about projects to create reserves, conduct research, educate citizens and reintroduce species. Tune in to learn about snakes in a place few of you have probably thought about.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Stephen Mullin to discuss his career as a herpetologist. While many academics concentrate on specific questions in science, landscapes, or species, Steve has chosen to be a generalist, exploring various questions in diverse landscapes and species. The conversation delves into the distinctions between being a generalist and a specialist. They also cover stories and research projects involving a broad spectrum of species, including hognose snakes, kingsnakes, and mangrove snakes.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Greg Lipps and Brett Rodstrom to talk about an innovative partnership to conserve a federally listed rattlesnake.  The conversation begins with some of the important aspects of massasauga ecology and natural history relative to their conservation.  Learn about a multiple agency and organization partnership that has developed to find and conserve the remaining massasauga populations in Ohio.  The cornerstone of the partnership is land conservation - land protection, and habitat restoration and management.  The future is bright for these ‘swamp rattlesnakes’ in Ohio thanks to this partnership.

Learn more about the Western Reserve Land Conservancy and the Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership.

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In this episode, Dr. Jenkins sits down with Tony Daly-Crews, the founding Executive Director of The Rattlesnake Conservancy. They explore the origins of the Conservancy and the journey that inspired Tony to establish it. The discussion dives deep into the organization's impactful research and educational programs, including the assisted migration of Ridge-nosed Rattlesnakes as a response to climate change and the development of standardized venomous snake-handling training. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!

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Illegal trade is one of the greatest threats to wild snake populations. Chris discusses the issue with Craig Hoover, Executive Vice President of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. They discuss Craig’s career in combating the wildlife trade in various roles including law enforcement, policy, and administration. Listen and learn more about the factors driving the skin trade, the species and regions it impacts most, and Craig’s thoughts on what needs to be done to conserve wild snake populations. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Bob Ashley of the Chiricahua Desert Museum to discuss his recent book titled A Photographic History of Snakebite Treatments: Bad Medicine, Snake Oils, Potions, Elixirs and Kits. They talk about Bob’s collection of snake bite kits and the experiences that led up to the idea for the book. They then break down how the book is structured discussing each section. Finally, they talk about the content of the book including an overview of the history of snake oils, snakebite kits, and antivenoms. 

Listen to Bob's first episode on Snake Talk: 58 | Bob Ashley, Snake Entrepreneur and Founder of the Chiricahua Desert Museum.

Purchase A Photographic History of Snakebite Treatments here and here.

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Join Dr. Jenkins as he sits down with Michael Ring from the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary. Discover the inspiring journey from their humble beginnings as the Phoenix Herpetological Society to their growth into a renowned sanctuary. Learn about their core mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming reptiles, and explore their extensive animal collection, including one of the world’s most comprehensive crocodilian collections and a large population of Sulcata Tortoises.

This episode delves into their dedication to education, teaching people about suitable reptiles for pets, and the importance of conserving native reptiles. Michael and Dr. Jenkins discuss the Sanctuary’s vital role in conservation, from maintaining assurance populations of rare species to conducting field research with local reptiles. Packed with valuable insights and fascinating information, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

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Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Lynne Isbell from the Anthropology Department at UC Davis to discuss primate vision and the role snakes have played in its evolution. They cover a range of topics, including how primates' eyes work and how venomous and predatory snakes have driven the ability of primates to quickly identify these threats.

Connect with Lynne at UC Davis, and check out her book, The Fruit, the Tree, and the Serpent: Why We See So Well.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Bob Zappalorti to talk about his long career in herpetology. They start with his early days working at the Staten Island Zoo and talk about his adventures in the field with Carl Kauffeld. They discuss his consulting company, Herpetological Associates, and the various snake and turtle projects they have been working on throughout the Northeast. Finally, they go in depth on his decades-long research program on Northern Pine Snakes in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, discussing everything from nesting to the artificial hibernacula they use to monitor them. This episode is full of herpetological history and in-depth knowledge on multiple snake species.

Connect with Bob at Herpetological Associates.

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The Eastern Indigo Snake is listed as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act. Part of the recovery plan specifies restoring populations in part of the range where they have been extirpated. The Orianne Society and Central Florida Zoo pattern to run a dedicated Eastern Indigo Snake Breeding facility to supply snakes for reintroductions. In this podcast Chris is joined by Fred Antonio and Michelle Hoffman to discuss the history of the facility, the indigo snake breeding program, and the role of captive husbandry in conservation.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Jason Tesauro, who runs an independent company doing a great deal of work with rare turtles. They start by talking about four freshwater turtles in the Northeast that are of conservation concern including the interesting aspects of how they typically occupy different habitats within the same landscapes. They get into Bog Turtles, talking about their distribution and status, movements, habitat use, and reproduction. Finally, they talk about the threats Bog Turtles face and the work that partners are doing to try and recover their populations.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down to speak with Nicholas Hess who is a student, field herper, and photographer.  They discuss the ethical considerations of photographing snakes and go into depth on different photography techniques such as macro, snakes in landscape, in situ, and underwater.  If you’re looking for gear tips and advice on how to get into photography with snakes, this episode is for you. 

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Nelson Brooke, the Black Warrior Riverkeeper, to talk about conservation in Alabama.  They discuss the amazing topographic and biological diversity that few people realize characterizes Alabama.  Chris and Nelson dive into the Black Warrior Watershed and its values and threats.  They talk about how two rare endemic species are holding on in the watershed.  Finally, they discuss what the job of a Riverkeeper is, and the approaches they take to watershed conservation.  They finish the podcast with a discussion of the Waterkeepers Alliance and how this type of work is being implemented around the world. 

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Chris talks about Copperheads with Dr. Charles Smith, a professor at Wofford College in South Carolina.  Dr. Smith has been working on the ecology of Copperheads for over 20 years, and shares the information he has learned about this common but understudied snake.  Dr. Smith also spends a great deal of time in the desert Southwest researching rattlesnakes and working on books.  This episode was created at the request of our listeners who wanted to learn more about Copperheads!  Tune in to learn about these amazing animals.

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Dr. Jenkins has a conversation with Dr. Shine to talk about his newest book.  This autobiography goes through his fifty-plus year career studying snakes in Australia from his childhood, to conducting the first studies on Australian snakes in graduate school, to the multiple long-term studies he has worked on over the years.  Dr. Shine is one of the most accomplished Snake Biologists in the history of herpetology.  Join us as we hear him tell his story. 

Connect with Dr. Shine on the Macquarie University website.

Preorder his autobiography “So Many Snakes, So Little Time.”

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Dr. Jenkins moderates a panel on the founding and growth of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) into the organization that it is today.  The panel features some of the founding members of PARC and others who have played critical roles as the organization has grown over the years.  If you are interested in amphibian and reptile conservation, you are not going to want to miss this one.

Connect with our partners at Southeast PARC or PARC.

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Join Dr. Jenkins as he sits down with María Elena Barragán-Paladines from the Quito Vivarium to explore the remarkable work being done in education, outreach, and conservation. Dive into the world of one of the planet's most fascinating creatures, the Chocoan Bushmaster, as María Elena provides an in-depth look at the Choco region and the distribution of these elusive snakes.

Learn about the challenges facing the bushmaster and the broader natural environment in the region, particularly in Ecuador. They discuss the general ecology of bushmasters and a groundbreaking new project aimed at understanding the species' ecology. Discover how you can get involved and support their vital conservation efforts. 

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Joseph Gordon to discuss snakes in the Bible. When most people think of snakes featured in the Bible, the narrative of Adam and Eve and snakes portrayed in a negative light come to mind. But there are actually almost 60 mentions of snakes throughout the Bible and many of them are not as negative as you might think. Joe and Chris go through the story of the snake and the ‘fall of humanity’ in Genesis to the stories of snakes in Revelation and everything in between. 

Dr. Jenkins on Episode 88, “As someone who wasn't raised with a religious background, this was a fascinating episode for me and I am eager to learn about the depiction and interpretation of snakes across various religions.”

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with John Jensen to talk about rattlesnake roundups.  They describe what roundups are and how they are typically structured in the Southeast.  John tells us about many of the projects he worked on during his time as the state herpetologist in Georgia.  Chris and John discuss the history of roundups in the region and about how the snake hunters collect snakes for the event.  Finally, they go in depth about the transition of the Claxton Roundup to a Wildlife Festival including the process, challenges, and how the transition did not greatly affect the attendees experience at the event.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Javan Bauder to talk about the past 20 years.  Chris and Javan have been working together to study snakes in a variety of places for almost 20 years.  Javan also talks about the USGS Coop Units and his current role as a Wildlife Biologist in the Arizona Unit.  Tune in to hear exciting stories of bush planes, running a metal rod into your brain, and indigo snakes in orange groves.

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Did you know that snakes are one of the most persecuted groups of animals in the world? Unfortunately, most snakes that encounter people end up dead, but the Snake Talk Podcast is dedicated to changing that. Join me, Dr. Chris Jenkins, as we bring you the world’s foremost experts on snakes and the issues they face. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. James Wellehan is an Associate Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida. Chris and Jim discuss the evolution and ecology of animal diseases with a focus on snakes. They go in depth into various types of diseases that affect snakes, as well as how diseases are often complex, involving multiple components that can affect the impact on the animals. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Noah Fields is a Field Herper who makes his living by field herping almost every day and posting content on YouTube. Tune in to hear more about field herping, Noah’s YouTube channel, and an interesting discussion around the changes in the field and relevant ethical issues. Chris and Noah also talk about field herping in Georgia and West Texas including snake diversity, regulations, and techniques.Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Matt Buehler, a Ph.D. Candidate studying indigo snake genetics. They begin with how Matt found himself working with indigo snakes and cover some interesting steps in his career including studying Sea Kraits. They start the discussion of indigo snake genetics by talking about what has already been done, including a study using mitochondrial data that showed there are two clades of Eastern Indigo Snakes and a second study showing that there is gene flow between the clades. They talk about Matt’s research, including looking at population structure of indigo snakes and understanding the indigo snake genome. The results from all these studies are important for developing reintroduction strategies.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Matt Patterson from New Hampshire. Matt is an incredible artist that focuses primarily on reptiles, especially turtles. They discuss how Matt’s interests in reptiles and art developed simultaneously. They talk about becoming a wildlife illustrator and aspects of having a career as a freelance artist. Matt also speaks about how he spends time in nature near his home, as well as afar, where he gains the inspiration and materials to develop his illustrations. Finally, they go through multiple books that he has illustrated and how you can purchase them.

Connect with Matt and see more of his work on his website.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Andrew Holycross to discuss one of the rarest rattlesnakes in the United States. They start by talking about the species' distribution, which is primarily in Mexico, and focus on the two subspecies found in the United States: the Arizona and New Mexico Ridge-nosed Rattlesnakes. The beginning of the podcast covers the natural history and ecology of the species, including movement, habitat use, genetics, and diet. They then discuss the various threats that have led to the New Mexican subspecies becoming endangered and declines in the other subspecies. Finally, they talk about the future of these Sky Island Rattlesnakes in the face of climate change, including management techniques such as genetic augmentation and assisted migration.

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Join Dr. Jenkins as he speaks with the owner of both the Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns professional soccer teams, Merritt Paulson.  Chris and Merritt, also an Orianne Society board member, have known each other for many years and share a love of snakes and traveling far and wide to see new species.  Discover how Merritt got to where he is today as the owner of professional sports teams.  Listen to their conversation about “flashy” colubrids and how this mismatched group of snakes captivates so many people, and don’t miss the stories about the time Merritt found his hand in the grips of an Alligator, as well as his adventures in searching for Anacondas.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Daniel Sollenberger, state herpetologist for Georgia, to talk about rattlesnake roundups. They start off going over what Daniel’s role is, as the state herpetologist. They transition into what roundups are and how they are typically structured in the Southeast. Chris and Daniel talk in detail about the Whigham roundup which was the last one in Georgia to transition to a wildlife festival. Finally, they talk about the status and management of venomous snakes in Georgia and potential approaches to improving their management in the state.

Connect with Daniel at Georgia DNR.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Bruce Kingsbury to talk about his career and work with watersnakes. They start by discussing the Environmental Resources Center at Purdue Fort Wayne that Bruce founded. Then they do a deep dive on Copperbelly Watersnakes in a highly fragmented landscape. They discuss their movements, habitat requirements, foraging, reproduction, and overwintering. They finish the episode with an interesting discussion on living a more balanced and full life - they both discuss how they have shifted their lifestyles and identities to include more than just work.

Connect with Bruce on his website.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with James Lewis and Dr. Jeanne Tarrant to talk about the landscapes that support the heart of snake biodiversity.  First, they discuss the importance of rainforests around the world, the crisis we are facing as we lose incredible amounts of these forests every day, and how important these ecosystems are for maintaining snake biodiversity.  Second, they discuss the mission and work of Rainforest Trust and how they are working to conserve rainforests and other ecosystems around the world.  Finally, they talk about Endangered Wildlife Trust in South Africa and specific projects they are working on to conserve a range of reptiles and amphibians.

Connect with James at Rainforest Trust.

Connect with Jeanne at Endangered Wildlife Trust.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Dr. Taylor is an accomplished Reptile Physiological Ecologist that has dedicated her career to studying aspects of snake ecology such as thermal biology and physiological adaptations to desert environments. Chris and Emily discuss the research and students in her lab, and focus on translocation. They also go in depth into Central Coast Snake Services which is Emily’s company that provides communities with tools to help them live safely in snake country without needing to harm the snakes. Finally, they discuss Emily’s manuscript, that is in press, on trends in women in herpetology. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Herpmapper is a tool that allows users to record data on snakes they find in the field using an App on their phone. Herpmapper allows users to catalogue all of the data they collect overtime but more importantly links those data to wildlife management and conservation organizations. Chris talks with Mike and Don about the history, how to, and uses of Herpmapper as well as talking about snakes in the Midwest region they call home.Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Join Dr. Jenkins as he sits down with Dr. Rich Burger to talk about the ecology of Reticulated Pythons. Known for their massive size and their roles in the pet and skin trades, little is known about these pythons and their biology in the wild. Rich shares insights from his work at the Danau Girang Field Centre in Borneo, where he studied these snakes in palm oil plantations and remnant patches of forest. From their diet (including humans!), to their movement, habitat use, and predators, this episode uncovers the mystery of one of nature’s most awe-inspiring reptiles. 

Connect with Rich on LinkedIn.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Kiley Briggs to discuss the ‘Big Four’ of freshwater turtle conservation in North America. The discussion starts with an overview of the four, Bog, Wood, Blanding’s, and Spotted Turtles. They go into particular depth on the ecology and natural history of the Wood Turtle, including many stories from the field. Finally they give an update on Orianne’s work to conserve wood turtles in Northern New England.

Connect with Kiley on Instagram.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dustin Smith from the North Carolina Zoo to discuss a conservation program for Virgin Island Boas. They begin by discussing Dustin’s career trajectory and the dedication required to succeed in the zoo field. Next, they delve into the natural history of Virgin Island Boas, covering aspects such as their distribution, habitat, reproduction, diet, status, and threats. Then, they explore a comprehensive program aimed at conserving the boas, which includes field surveys and monitoring, captive breeding and reintroduction, as well as the control of invasive predator populations.

Connect with Dustin at the North Carolina Zoo.

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Chris talks snakes with Steve Friedman, Director of Real Estate for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Chris and Steve talk about the importance of land conservation for combating habitat loss and fragmentation as one of the greatest threats to snakes. They also talk about the primary land conservation tools and how they work. Finally, as an example, they go through a large effort in Georgia to protect Gopher Tortoises and many snakes, by protecting hundreds of thousands of acres.Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Beaupre from the University of Arkansas. Dr. Beaupre is a physiological ecologist who has spent his career studying Timber Rattlesnakes. We start the episode by talking about his path to becoming one of the world’s leading experts on Timber Rattlesnakes. We discuss all aspects of Timber Rattlesnake biology including topics such as their physiology, the function of the loreal pits, and how our knowledge of Timber Rattlesnake physiology and ecology can inform conservation.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with James Reid, Executive Director of the Global Snakebite Initiative, to discuss his journey from TV producer to global snakebite advocate. James’ documentary, Minutes to Die, was a turning point in his career, leading him to focus on addressing the critical issue of snakebite envenoming worldwide. They explore the Global Snakebite Initiative’s efforts to support countries around the world by educating communities on snakebite prevention and first aid, training rural healthcare providers in effective treatment, and advancing technologies to improve snakebite care.

Connect with James, and watch Minutes to Die, at Global Snakebite Initiative.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Caesar Rahman to talk about Burmese Pythons - not to discuss them in Florida where most people in the United States think of them, but instead to talk about them in their native range. Caesar runs a nonprofit called Creative Conservation Alliance that works to conserve rare and endangered wildlife in Bangladesh. They discuss the ecology of Burmese Pythons including habitats, movements, and reproduction. They also talk about Pangolins which may be the Gopher Tortoises of Asia, and they talk about efforts to conserve critically endangered turtles in Bangladesh. You are not going to want to miss this one.

Connect with Caesar at Creative Conservation Alliance.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

For the 100th episode of Snake Talk, Dr. Jenkins interviews Harry Greene, author of Snakes: Evolution of Mystery in Nature, a book that significantly influenced Dr. Jenkins' choice to work with snakes. In this episode, we trace Harry's career path from his childhood adventures of discovering lizards on his family farm, to his military days studying snakes in European museum collections, and ultimately to his esteemed position as a professor at Cornell University. Don't miss Harry's captivating tale of encountering a truly colossal snake in the wild!

Connect with Harry at Cornell University.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Cody Will, owner of Rattlesnake Ready - a company in the Phoenix area that specializes in training dogs to avoid venomous snakes.  They go in-depth about the dog training process.  Chris and Cody also discuss why this training is important, the kinds of snakes that Cody uses, how effective the training is, as well as the snake vaccine for dogs. 

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Jeff Ettling to talk about the conservation of Armenian Vipers. They start with a discussion of vipers from the region and how there is relatively high diversity and endemism in this part of West Asia. They discuss aspects of Armenian Viper research including spatial ecology, prey availability, genetics, and the impact of human disturbance. Then they focus on conservation programs including the protection of land, captive breeding, and reintroduction. If you are a viper fanatic you are not going to want to miss this one!

Connect with Jeff at the Jacksonville Zoo.

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In celebration of World Snake Day 2023, we’ve put together a collection of our favorite Snake Stories from our podcast guests over the years!  Featuring Dr. Matt Goode (Ep 53), John Jensen (Ep 59), Rulon Clark (Ep 12), Dr. Emily Taylor (Ep 23), Gowri Shankar (Ep 62), Craig Hoover (Ep 9), Dillon Perron (Ep 34), Dr. Bruce Means (Ep 61), Dr. Charles Smith (Ep 29) and Melissa Amarello (Ep 14), as well as a snake story from Dr. Chris Jenkins. 

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Dr. Jenkins sits down with Adeline Robinson to talk about Art and Snakes.  She talks about growing up in a reptile household and how that fueled both of her childhood interests in animals and art.  They go through the process of how she develops a piece, all the way from how she sets up her work space to the final step.  They also discuss her business and how you can contract her to develop art for you or your company and how you can buy her original art pieces.  Finally they talk about the role of art in conservation.

Connect with Adeline on her website.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Dr. Erika Nowak is a Snake Ecologist from Northern Arizona University.  She has spent much of her career exploring the impact of translocations on snake ecology.  Snake translocation has become such a common practice, but most people do not think about the potential consequences of their actions.  Erika and Chris go through translocation approaches and how snakes respond to things such as distance moved, time of year, whether they are gravid, and much more.  Listen in to gain the knowledge you need to think about before you translocate a snake and stay tuned for a bonus section on Gila Monsters in urban landscapes. 

Read more about Erika’s work.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Lauren Fuchs, a Ph.D. candidate and recipient of an Orianne Society research grant, to explore her unique journey into snake research. Lauren transitioned into herpetology after earning a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and working in that field for years. In this episode, they delve into Lauren’s fascinating research on how landscape disturbances impact the skin microbiomes of snakes and their susceptibility to Snake Fungal Disease. The conversation begins with an overview of microbiomes and Snake Fungal Disease, examining their intricate relationship, before transitioning to how changes in the environment may influence this dynamic.

Read more about Lauren’s research.

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In this episode, Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Henry Mushinsky, Professor Emeritus at the University of South Florida, for a deep dive into his career. They explore his early passion for herpetology, shaped by his childhood adventures catching watersnakes in the bayous of Louisiana. However, a move to Florida and the region's development pressures shifted his focus toward conservation biology. Dr. Mushinsky shares compelling stories from his time in Florida, including his efforts to conserve gopher tortoises in rapidly developing landscapes and his collaboration with Disney to protect rare sand skinks.

Connect with Henry at the University of South Florida.

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Join Dr. Jenkins as he sits down with Dr. Michael Caldwell, a professor at the University of Alberta, to discuss their recent media-highlighted discovery of 38-million-year-old snake fossils in Wyoming. Their in-depth conversation starts with the surprising discovery of an early snake fossil in an Israeli museum, challenging our understanding of snake origins. They delve into various taxonomic groups, exploring the relationships between lizards and snakes, possible scenarios for snake evolution, and what the Earth was like when snakes first appeared. Despite the complexity and many Latin names, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in snakes.

Connect with Michael at the University of Alberta.

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Dr. Jenkins has a conversation with Dr. Doody about reptiles in Australia.  They start by discussing reptile communities in general across the continent, including some interesting discussions on the nesting ecology of Pig-nosed Turtles.  They discuss Cane Toads, their natural history and how they found their way to approximately fifty countries around the world.  They talk about how Cane Toads have spread and the research Dr. Doody has been conducting, documenting the impact on native reptiles.  Stay tuned until the end when Dr. Doody tells us about a near death experience with one of the world’s most deadly snakes - you do not want to miss this one.

Connect with Dr. Doody at the University of South Florida.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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In this episode, Dr. Chris Jenkins welcomes Andrea Colton, the newest member of The Orianne Society team. Andrea, an Associate Conservation Scientist specializing in turtle conservation biology, shares her journey into the world of herpetology. From her childhood fascination with zoos to gaining hands-on experience through a variety of field technician roles, Andrea reflects on the experiences that led her to pursue a master’s degree in herpetology. The conversation wraps up with an exploration of her current work at The Orianne Society, including exciting ecology projects focused on Spotted and Box Turtles.

Check out Andrea’s blog, Herp Journal.

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Chris talks snakes with Dr. Rulon Clark, who is a professor at San Diego State University. Rulon has been using videography at study sites around the country to study snake feeding in the wild. Tune in to hear all the interesting things Rulon’s cameras have found from snakes moving grass to make a better strike zone to ninja rats doing acrobatics to avoid snake bites.Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

We are in the midst of a Global Snakebite Crisis, where people living in poverty in regions with high numbers of venomous snakes are dying from snakebites at a high rate. Chris talks with Jordan Benjamin about the Snakebite Crisis and the efforts of the Snakebite Foundation to turn around that trend. They discuss strategies that include developing snakebite clinics, training, and providing antivenom in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa. They also discuss topics such as the various types of venoms and everything you wanted to know about antivenom.Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society. Shop Snake Talk merch. If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Andrews lives in Coastal Georgia and runs a University of Georgia research lab focused on the applied ecology of many species including Gopher Tortoises, crocodilians, and snakes.  Kimberly discusses the challenges of developing a career as a venomous snake ecologist especially during a time when there were few women in the field.  Chris and Kimberly discuss the movement ecology of snakes with a focus on the impacts of roads and other forms of fragmentation.  They also go in depth into her study of Canebrake Rattlesnake movements in a coastal South Carolina Eco-friendly Development. 

Connect with Chris on Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Dr. Jenkins meets with Gary Williamson who had the opportunity to know and snake hunt with Carl Kauffeld.  They go in-depth about Carl including his career, personality, and how he worked in the field and the zoo.  They also talk about Gary’s book The Kauffeld Letters which chronicles years of written correspondence between Gary and Carl right up until Carl’s passing.  This is a unique episode that gives a deep look into one of the biggest names in snakes. 

To get a signed copy of the book, email Gary at critterking44@yahoo.com.

Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Waldron to talk more about one of his favorite snakes, the Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (EDB). Jayme has spent much of her career working in the low country of South Carolina both in the pine savannas and on sea islands. The common thread of this podcast is the research program of one of the leading contemporary ecologists studying EDBs. They discuss a wide range of topics including life history, movements, snake-human interactions, misconceptions on the timing of breeding, and so much more. Stay tuned to the end to hear the story of Hussie, an amazing story of snake longevity and a researcher’s connection to an animal. 

Connect with Jayme on her website.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Ben Stegenga who coordinates rare species inventory and monitoring in the Longleaf Savannas for The Orianne Society.  Dr. Jenkins starts off the episode with an update on some exciting changes to the program structure at The Orianne Society, talks about their new website and a current campaign.  Ben and Chris discuss the results from this season's indigo snake monitoring, including how many sites where indigos were found, how many snakes in total were detected, as well as some information on Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes and Pine Snakes.  Finally, they take some time to discuss some of the other projects Ben is working on including a Spotted Turtle monitoring project and an effort to document snake diversity in one of the best remaining examples of Longleaf Pine habitat. 

Connect with Ben on Instagram.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.

Dr. Jenkins sits down with The Orianne Society’s Director of Science, Houston Chandler, to talk about the link between science and conservation.  They start off by diving into the conservation of flatwoods salamanders in the Gulf Region including ecology, threats, and research.  They transition to talking about the launch of The Orianne Society’s Science Initiative and how it will be structured into the future.  As part of that discussion they talk about grant opportunities.  They then discuss a range-wide population modeling project and its value for conserving indigo snakes. 

Connect with Houston on Twitter.

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Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.

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If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.