Snake Talk

Latest Episodes:

30 | Hunting as a Tool for Rattlesnake Recovery in Pennsylvania Jul 16, 2021

Show notes

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.

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

29 | Everything Copperheads with Dr. Charles Smith Jul 02, 2021

Show notes

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.

Connect with Chris on 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.

28 | Dr. Kimberly Andrews on Studying Snake Movements and Habitat Use Jun 18, 2021

Show notes

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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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.

27 | Snake Fungal Disease with Dr. Matthew Allender Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

Dr. Matthew Allender is a Professor of Veterinary Clinical Medicine and Director of the Wildlife Epidemiology Lab at the University of Illinois. He documented the first case of Snake Fungal Disease in Snakes. Chris and Matt discuss Snake Fungal Disease including its potential origins, specific case studies, variation in disease among snake species, and the most pressing research needs. They also discuss Ranavirus which is best known as a disease in amphibians but has also been shown to impact reptile 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.

26 | Living Alongside Snakes with Dr. Steen May 21, 2021

Show notes

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.

25 | Snake Diseases with Dr. James Wellehan May 07, 2021

Show notes

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.

24 | Land Conservation for Snakes with Steve Friedman Apr 23, 2021

Show notes

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.

23 | Dr. Emily Taylor on Research, Service, and Women in Herpetology Apr 09, 2021

Show notes

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.

22 | Indigo Snake and Diamondback Monitoring Season Update with Ben Stegenga Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

Ben Stegenga is a herpetologist that works for the Orianne Society on a variety of species projects in the Longleaf Savannas. Ben is the field ecologist who runs our indigo snake and eastern diamondback monitoring programs in Georgia. He joins Chris to talk about the natural history of these amazing animals and give us an update on how the monitoring season is going so far. 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.

21 | Hunting Pythons in Florida with Donna Kalil Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

Donna Kalil is a Python Elimination Specialist that spends her days searching for Burmese Pythons in South Florida. Chris and Donna discuss the biology of invasive pythons, how these snakes are spreading, their ecological impacts, the efforts to eliminate them, and how the public is responding. Donna also talks about how they catch the snake including an exciting story. Finally, Donna discusses the Everglades Avenger Team of volunteers who work with her to catch these invasive 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.

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