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PODCAST

Snake Talk

Dr. Chris Jenkins

Faced with a world that instinctually persecutes snakes, Dr. Jenkins talks with the foremost experts on snake biology and conservation. The discussions range widely including topics such as snake ecology, snakebites, and captive breeding. All of the conversations have the same goal, to help the listener increase their knowledge and leave behind any irrational fears of snakes.

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All Episodes

01:01:28

Student Perspectives: Tropical Ecology

Snake Talk ·

2026/04/03

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Sam Schenker from North Carolina. Sam is a high school student who has already done an incredible amount of work to advance her career as a herpetologist. Multiple herp focused ecotourism trips led to interests in research and photography. Sam started by taking the Master Herpetologist class and then began working with a conservation organization in Ecuador. She also works with former Snake Talk guest, Dr. Reynolds, at University of North Carolina Asheville. They discuss

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01:12:20

152 | Student Perspectives: Rare Amphibians

Snake Talk ·

2026/03/20

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Jade Samples and Eva Kerr, recent graduate students from the University of Georgia (UGA) who both study rare amphibians that breed in isolated wetlands. During their time at UGA, Jade and Eva collaborated on statewide surveys to better understand where these elusive species occur and what environmental factors shape their distribution.Jade shares insights from her work on Striped Newt reintroductions, exploring the factors that influence whether restored populations

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00:51:36

151 | Student Perspectives: Antivenom

Snake Talk ·

2026/03/06

In this episode, Dr. Jenkins sits down with Cameron Ketchum and Ariana Coles, undergraduate researchers at the University of Northern Colorado, to discuss their undergraduate research on snake venom. The conversation focuses on efforts to characterize rattlesnake venom across the Americas and how this work can help make antivenom more efficient.Connect with Cameron and Ariana at the University of Northern Colorado. Looking to learn more about venom? Check out Snake Talk 117 | Snake Venom with Dr

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00:51:48

150 | Student Perspectives: Snake Fungal Disease and...

Snake Talk ·

2026/02/20

How do weather, habitat, and season influence a snake’s ability to fight disease?In this episode, Chris Jenkins sits down with Catherine Hanks, a graduate student in ecology at the University of Georgia, to talk about her path into graduate school, from studying tropical ecology in Costa Rica to finding the right lab as an undergraduate. They also dive into her thesis research on the immune capacity of Eastern Indigo Snakes and what it may reveal about how these iconic snakes respond to Snake Fungal

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01:01:16

149 | Student Perspectives: Snake Research in South...

Snake Talk ·

2026/02/06

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Shane Ngwenya, an aspiring herpetologist beginning graduate studies in South Africa. Shane reflects on his childhood as a herder, where encounters with snakes were once rooted in fear and conflict, and how a growing fascination with the natural world ultimately reshaped his perspective.That turning point came during a formative field course in Kruger National Park led by faculty including Bryan Maritz, a previous Snake Talk Podcast guest, whose mentorship helped inspire

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01:03:12

148 | Student Perspectives: Venom

Snake Talk ·

2026/01/23

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Samuel Kerwin, a PhD student at the University of Northern Colorado. Samuel shares how his fascination with snakes and venom evolved and led him to graduate school research. They dive into his master’s research on venom production in rattlesnakes, including how acidity plays a critical role in venom storage and safety, before exploring his PhD work on innovative snakebite treatments. This includes the potential development of an oral pill that could dramatically improve

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00:59:32

147 | Student Perspectives: Gartersnake Physiology

Snake Talk ·

2026/01/09

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Stephanie Agnew, a graduate student at the University of Ottawa, to discuss her path into graduate school and the lessons she learned along the way, offering practical advice for others hoping to pursue a career in herpetology and wildlife research. The conversation also explores Stephanie’s research on gartersnake physiology and how animals respond along urban gradients (the gradual shift from natural and rural habitats to increasingly developed, human-dominated

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01:06:04

146 | Snake Community Changes Over 20 Years

Snake Talk ·

2025/12/26

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Kim Sash, Tall Timbers’ Biological Monitoring Coordinator, and Ashlynn Canode, 2024 Orianne Society grant recipient, to explore how Florida’s snake communities have changed over the past two decades. They revisit a large-scale snake inventory first conducted 20 years ago, now being repeated, to compare species presence, abundance, and ecological shifts. The discussion highlights notable trends, including apparent declines in coachwhips and banded watersnakes, alongside

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01:18:35

145 | Weasels Eating Rattlesnakes

Snake Talk ·

2025/12/12

Dr. Jenkins sits down with photographer, filmmaker and field naturalist Mark Lotterhand to explore his astonishing discovery that weasels are dragging Timber Rattlesnakes out of their winter dens—and eating them. The conversation traces Mark’s early fascination with snakes and how it grew into a passion for photography, eventually leading him to experiment with drones and remote cameras to capture elusive behaviors in the wild. They also dive into Mark’s new book, In Search of New England’s Pit

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01:35:03

144 | Timber Rattlesnakes with Dr. Steven Beaupre...

Snake Talk ·

2025/11/28

Originally released in 2020. Revisited for 2025 as one of our most downloaded episodes, and just as fascinating and relevant today as when it first aired. Dr. Steven Beaupre has dedicated his career to studying one of North America’s most iconic species, the Timber Rattlesnake. In this episode, Dr. Beaupre joins Dr. Jenkins to share his journey to becoming a leading expert in rattlesnake physiology and ecology. Together, they explore what makes Timber Rattlesnakes so remarkable, from the function of

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00:56:23

143 | Toad in a Glass Jar by Stan Lake

Snake Talk ·

2025/11/14

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Stan Lake to discuss his new book, Toad in a Glass Jar. Their conversation follows two intertwining paths — Stan’s experiences serving in the Army in Iraq and his life as a naturalist and content creator passionate about reptiles and amphibians. Together, they explore how these threads weave through his journey and culminate in a deeply personal collection of reptile and amphibian poetry. The discussion also touches on Stan’s broader creative work, including Catching

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01:20:52

142 | Bryan Fry, the Venom Doc

Snake Talk ·

2025/10/31

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Bryan Fry for a globe-spanning conversation about his adventures working with some of the world’s most venomous snakes. Bryan dives into his studies on venom, from how it evolved, to why it varies across a species’ range, to the medical challenges posed by these differences. Along the way, he shares unforgettable stories from the field, including surviving 28 venomous snake bites from species across multiple continents. From science to sheer adventure, this episode is

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01:02:38

141 | Everything Mohave Rattlesnakes

Snake Talk ·

2025/10/17

Dr. Jenkins sits down with rattlesnake expert Mike Cardwell for a deep dive into one of North America’s most fascinating and misunderstood species—the Mohave Rattlesnake. Mike’s path is anything but ordinary: a childhood passion for snakes led to a 30-year career in law enforcement, before he returned to science to study rattlesnakes full-time. Together, they explore the natural history of the Mohave Rattlesnake—where they live, what they eat, how they move, and how they reproduce. The conversation

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01:16:07

140 | Inbreeding Impacts in Massasauga Populations

Snake Talk ·

2025/10/03

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Drs. Eric Hileman and Meaghan Clark for an in-depth look at the Eastern Massasauga. They begin with the species’ natural history and conservation status before diving into long-term research from Michigan populations. Their studies reveal concerning levels of inbreeding, which are linked to reduced survival and lower breeding rates. The episode closes with a discussion of recovery strategies and what the future may hold for this imperiled rattlesnake.Connect with Eric at

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01:01:29

139 | How Rattlesnakes Made Natural History

Snake Talk ·

2025/09/19

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Whitney Robles—author, historian, and curator—to explore her book Curious Species: How Animals Made Natural History. Rather than focusing solely on the work of famous natural historians, Robles highlights how animals themselves have shaped our knowledge of the natural world. Among the four species featured in her book are Timber Rattlesnakes, whose feared reputation has deeply influenced both scientific understanding and cultural attitudes. Together, they discuss how

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01:07:25

138 | Reptiles in Rapidly Changing Environments

Snake Talk ·

2025/09/05

What can tiny island lizards teach us about surviving a changing world? Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Christian Cox, Associate Professor at Florida International University, to explore the surprising answers. Christian’s research spans the colorful world of reptile evolution—why some snakes and lizards look and behave the way they do, how size and shape vary between the sexes, and what feeding habits reveal about survival. But at the heart of this conversation is his decades-long study of Anole

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01:05:59

137 | Everything Snakes of Alabama

Snake Talk ·

2025/08/22

Alabama is a hotspot for snake diversity—and Jimmy Stiles knows it better than almost anyone. In this episode, Dr. Jenkins talks with his friend and colleague, a PhD candidate at Auburn University, about the state’s rich ecosystems, legendary herpetologists, and the incredible snakes that call Alabama home. They go deep into Eastern Indigo Snake reintroductions, venomous snake trainings, and how education and outreach are shaping the future of conservation.Connect with Jimmy at the Wetland and

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01:00:50

136 | Venomous Snakes in South Africa

Snake Talk ·

2025/08/08

Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Hiral Naik, Research and Conservation Manager for Save the Snakes, for a fascinating discussion on venomous snakes and human-wildlife conflict in South Africa. Based in South Africa, Hiral recently completed her PhD on the ecology of venomous snakes and the dynamics of human snakebite incidents. The conversation begins with an overview of South Africa’s geography, climate, and the resulting distribution of its diverse venomous snake species. Hiral shares insights into

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01:07:15

135 | Tropical Adventures in Herpetology

Snake Talk ·

2025/07/25

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 stories of months-long expeditions, living in tents in remote places while documenting tropical biodiversity

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01:04:05

134 | Boas, Islands, Evolution, and Conservation

Snake Talk ·

2025/07/11

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 stories from his work on Caribbean boas, including the discovery of new species and insights into their

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154 results

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