Snake Talk

In this episode, Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Laurie Vitt, Emeritus Curator at the Sam Noble Museum, for a fascinating journey through a career spent exploring some of the most remote and biodiverse regions on Earth. Their conversation traces Laurie’s path from his early days in the mountains of Montana to years of fieldwork in the rainforests of South America. Along the way, they recount storie...

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Graham Reynolds to explore the fascinating trajectory of his career—from a childhood fascination with nature to a professional focus on reptiles, tropical ecosystems, and island biodiversity. They dive into what makes islands such unique and important places for biodiversity, and why island species are among the most threatened in the world. Dr. Reynolds shares stori...

In this episode, Dr. Jenkins sits down with Randy Babb, a lifelong wildlife enthusiast from Arizona with a passion for reptiles and amphibians. Randy spent his career with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, but his adventures have taken him far beyond the American Southwest. Since 2006, he has made annual trips to Vietnam, surveying national parks across the country in search of herpetofauna. H...

In this episode, Dr. Jenkins sits down with herpetologist Samantha Dillon to talk all things Indigo Snakes. A Florida native, Samantha has a deep-rooted passion for these iconic reptiles and a long-standing involvement in habitat restoration efforts. Now a master’s student at Texas A&M University, she’s focused on studying Texas Indigo Snakes and Texas Tortoises. Together, they explore the ecology...

In this episode, Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Neil Ford, Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas at Tyler, about his lifelong passion for snakes and his impactful career in herpetology. The conversation begins with Neil’s childhood discovery of his first snake and follows his journey through decades of research and teaching. They dive into his work on pheromone trailing, the effects of die...

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Liang Luo, Professor at the University of Kentucky and an expert in Chinese folklore, to explore the rich cultural history of snakes in Chinese tradition. The conversation begins with the Legend of the White Snake—one of the four most iconic stories in Chinese folklore—and delves into Dr. Luo’s book on the topic. They also discuss the significance of the snake in the...

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Stephen Barten, a veterinarian with decades of experience working with reptiles. They begin by discussing the unique challenges and rewards of being a reptile veterinarian, before diving into a series of fascinating case stories—ranging from routine treatments to rare and unusual medical situations. The conversation then shifts to Dr. Barten’s work with Veterinary Ex...

Dr. Jenkins sits down for part two of his conversation with Dr. James Emerson of Texas State University. In this episode, they dive into James’ research on Crotalus ornatus , the recently reclassified eastern species of Black-tailed Rattlesnake found in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas. Despite its unique status, C. ornatus remains largely understudied. James shares insights from his fieldwork, inc...

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Ian Breland to explore the world of ecotourism with snakes. Growing up with a passion for reptiles and adventure, Ian channeled these interests into founding Serpentine Expeditions, a company that takes travelers around the world in search of snakes, and other reptiles and amphibians. They discuss the incredible destinations, what travelers can expect, accommodations, lo...

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...

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...

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...

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 F...

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. James Emerson from Texas State University to discuss the fascinating ecology of Gray-banded Kingsnakes ( Lampropeltis alterna ). Their conversation begins with an exploration of the Trans-Pecos region, celebrated for its remarkable snake diversity. They delve into the first telemetry study on Gray-banded Kingsnakes, sharing insights into their movements, habitat pref...

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...

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 challe...

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 mi...

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 tha...

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 li...

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 climat...

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, includ...

In this episode, Dr. Chris Jenkins sits down with Dr. Bryan Hamilton and Colton Irons to explore one of his favorite species—the Great Basin Rattlesnake. Dr. Jenkins spent nearly a decade studying this species in the Upper Snake River Plain of Idaho, while Bryan and Colton focus on the same species in a vastly different environment—high-altitude mountain regions reaching up to 13,000 feet in eleva...

In this episode, Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Rich Seigel of Towson University, a leading figure in reptile ecology. Rich's work, including books that greatly influenced Chris' path as a snake ecologist, is explored along with his journey from New York City to the swamps of the South and Midwest, and finally to Towson. The discussion highlights the critical value of long-term research, focusing...

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 gro...

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...