147 | Student Perspectives: Gartersnake Physiology

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 landscapes) revealing how urbanization can influence snake behavior and physiological responses.Connect with Stephanie at the University of Ottawa. 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.

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 dramatic increases in cottonmouth populations. They conclude by examining ongoing efforts to monitor Snake Fungal Disease and invasive parasites and what these emerging threats mean for future snake conservation.Learn more about the research, land stewardship, and fire ecology work happening at Tall Timbers by visiting their website. 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.

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 Vipers, a collection of thrilling field stories featuring Timber Rattlesnakes and Copperheads and the adventures behind documenting these remarkable species.Watch Mark’s weasel video. 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.

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 their heat-sensing loreal pits to the complex ways physiology shapes their behavior and survival. The conversation highlights how decades of research are helping inform conservation for this misunderstood predator.Connect with Steven at Arkansas State University's Graduate School. 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.

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 Creation, his books, and his music videos — and features a clip from his song “Ain’t No Copperhead.”Connect with Stan at www.stanlakecreates.com. 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.

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 packed with jaw-dropping moments. Listen in to find out what happened!Connect with Bryan on his website. 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.

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 then turns to one of the most intriguing aspects of the species: venom. Mike explains how venom characteristics vary across their range and shares key findings from his own studies on populations with dramatically different venom types. They wrap up by diving into his book on Mohave Rattlesnakes as well as what new discoveries will appear in the upcoming second edition. This episode blends science, storytelling, and personal journey—you won’t want to miss it!Connect with Mike on his website. 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.

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 West Virginia University, and Meaghan at Michigan State 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.

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 fear and fascination intertwine in shaping natural history, and Robles shares how her own field experiences, including encountering a gravid rattlesnake while pregnant, reshaped her perspective on these remarkable animals.Connect with Whitney on her website, and find her book, Curious Species: How Animals Made Natural History. 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.

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.