Snake Talk

Latest Episodes:

50 | Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation: Founding and Growth Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

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.

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.

Shop Snake Talk merch.

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

49 | Watershed Conservation with the Black Warrior Riverkeeper Apr 08, 2022

Show notes

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.

Connect with Nelson on Facebook, Instagram, or at Black Warrior River.

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.

Shop Snake Talk merch.

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

48 | Dr. Burghardt on Human Fear of Snakes and Snake Cognition Mar 25, 2022

Show notes

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.

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.

Shop Snake Talk merch.

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

47 | A Wave of Tropical Snake Declines Following Amphibian Disease Mar 11, 2022

Show notes

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 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.

46 | 20 Years of Snake Adventures with Dr. Javan Bauder Feb 25, 2022

Show notes

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.

Connect with Javan at USGS.

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

Shop Snake Talk merch.

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.

45 | “Swamp Rattlesnakes”: Conserving the Eastern Massasauga in Ohio Feb 11, 2022

Show notes

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.

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

Shop Snake Talk merch.

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.

44 | Snakes of the United Kingdom and the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust Jan 28, 2022

Show notes

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.

Learn more about ARCT.

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

Shop Snake Talk merch.

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.

43 | Conserving Rainforests and Maintaining Reptile and Amphibian Biodiversity Jan 14, 2022

Show notes

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.

Shop Snake Talk merch.

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.

42 | Snakes of China with Dr. Kevin Messenger Dec 31, 2021

Show notes

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.

Shop Snake Talk merch.

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.

41 | Adeline Robinson, Reptile Artist Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

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.

Shop Snake Talk merch.

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.