Podcaster
Episoden
05.09.2025
1 Stunde 7 Minuten
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 lizards
living on hundreds of islands in a massive lake linked to the
Panama Canal. These natural experiments reveal how reptiles
respond to sudden environmental shifts, offering clues to how
wildlife may adapt in the face of climate change.
Connect with Christian at FIU.
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.
Mehr
22.08.2025
1 Stunde 5 Minuten
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 Riparian Ecology Lab at
Auburn University.
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.
Mehr
08.08.2025
1 Minute
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
the natural history and behavior of species like the Puff Adder
and Mozambique Spitting Cobra, before diving into the complex
issue of snakebite and how species ecology affects its prevalence
and severity.
Connect with Hiral at Save the 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.
Mehr
25.07.2025
1 Stunde 7 Minuten
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.
From encounters with Alligator Lizards and Bushmasters to the
striking Emerald Tree Boa, this episode is full of adventure,
discovery, and herpetological insight.
Connect with Laurie at the Sam Noble Museum.
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.
Mehr
11.07.2025
1 Stunde 4 Minuten
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
ecology and conservation. The episode concludes with a discussion
on the role of the International Union for the Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) and its efforts to protect snake species globally.
Connect with Dr. Reynolds at the University of North Carolina at
Asheville, and be sure to check out his books, Boas of the West
Indies, and Boas of the World.
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.
Mehr
Über diesen Podcast
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.
Kommentare (0)