Snake Talk

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...

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.  F...

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 breedin...

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...

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...

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 in...

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....

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Matt Goode to talk about research on venomous reptiles. They cover everything from the movement of Prairie Rattlesnakes, the impact of development on Tiger Rattlesnakes and Gila Monsters, to Natural History of King Cobras. Dr. Goode finishes with a story of surgery on a King Cobra in unusual circumstances. Connect with Dr. Goode at The University of Arizona . Connect...

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...

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 ha...

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...

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...

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 cog...

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Julie Ray to talk about Chytrid Fungus, its devastating impacts on tropical frogs, and how snake populations declined in response.  A bit of a depressing episode, but it is fascinating to understand the mechanisms behind the disappearance of tropical snake species.  They also talk about Team Snake Panama and Dr. Ray’s most recent endeavor, Project Northwoods. Connect...

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 o...

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...

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 t...

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 an...

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...

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 fo...

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Steve Reichling to talk all about Louisiana Pine Snakes.  They go in-depth into the species’ natural history and what makes it different from other Pituophis species.  They also talk about a diverse partnership of stakeholders that have come together to try to save the snake from a probable extinction.  If you are interested in large colubrid snakes or comprehensive...

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Parker Gibbons to learn about how his interests and adventures in field herping have transitioned into pursuing a career in Herpetology.  A recurring theme in his life is how influential his grandfather has been in getting him to where he is today.  Parker’s grandfather, Dr. Whit Gibbons , is one of the most accomplished herpetologists of recent times.  This story inspir...

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...

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 bit...

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 t...