Snake Talk

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.