Ologies with Alie Ward Herpetology (SNAKES, FROGS, ETC.) with David Steen
Jan 23, 2018
David Steen, a wildlife ecologist and conservation biologist, shares his passion for herpetology with a delightful mix of humor and science. He dives into fascinating tales of childhood exploration in nature and the importance of conservation efforts. Expect to unravel the societal fears surrounding snakes, and discover the fun etymology of 'herpetology.' From Indiana Jones trivia to the phenomenon of animals raining down from the sky, Steen makes a compelling case for understanding and loving our scaly friends.
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What Herpetology Actually Means
- Herpetology studies amphibians and reptiles, technically poikilothermic ectothermic tetrapods.
- The word herpetology comes from Greek 'herpene' meaning 'to creep', not the virus herpes.
Hampton Inn Recording Hijinks
- Alie recounted a chaotic recording setup in a Hampton Inn where she left the guest alone to fetch SD cards.
- The mishap led to fast rapport and one of her favorite interviews.
Snake ID Is Pattern Recognition
- David Steen identifies snakes by overall shape and 'feel' rather than single features.
- He likens it to recognizing faces: familiarity, not checklist features.
