Nshepard
New member
Well, I guess I'll start by saying I've been into herps since I was a young kid, mostly interested in turtles back then. I graduated from NC State University back in 2006 with a BS in Zoology and went on to work on my Masters at Marshall University. I have worked with preserved collections, worked as a field biologist, and as a keeper for over the last 7 years. I have learned a lot over the years and can't imagine picking a different career path, even though at times it can be tough (little income, waiting for the next temporary gig, etc).
As far as my knowledge of keeping reptiles and amphibians, I'm somewhat versed at pretty much all of it. I've always kept herps personally, since around 94 or so, and I've worked professionally with a number of taxa. Some of the coolest animals include: Cuora mccordi, Protobothrops mangshanensis, Hyde Co. Sistrurus m. miliarius, Corucia zebrata, and plenty more I can't think of right now. I have bred a number of snakes, a few dart frogs, one salamander, and a couple of gecko species. I have worked in close proximity with veterinarian staff and as such I am somewhat loosely versed in basic vet care or reptiles and amphibians.
Some of personal collection over the years:
Circa 2009
One of the hold backs taken this month:
Woma Python female on eggs (n=13) this past May:
50 days later:
2 months later:
One of my favorite venomous (Porthidium lansbergi hutmanni):
Recent success - Gonatodes albogularis fuscus hatchling (hours old):
However, I am far more experienced in reptile and amphibian related field work and research (Lungless Salamanders and Rattlesnakes). I consider myself more a field biologist than a keeper but I love both sides and learn from each immensely.
Worked on a two year project on this species in WV - Cheat Mountain Salamander (Plethodon nettingi), US Threatened Species:
Worked with these guys in WV - helped find the healthiest population (really the only population) in the state of the Stream-side Salamaner (Ambystoma barbouri):
I am one of five people that is currently involved with a project to help understand and protect Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) in a small isolate population within Durham-Granville-Person Counties, NC (http://www.forgottenrattlesnakes.com/):
I will warn you all, I can be a minor dick on forums as I have little patience for posts where the poster can't seem to use google or read a basic book and/or is plenty fine with bearing his own opinions as gospel. There are always more than one way to do things. And, I cannot stand users that rehash forum "facts" as law. Woma Pythons do have a heat-sensing pit! I hate arguing but if your stupid, I will, mercilessly (if time is available). Most of the all, and I will not apologize for this, I am sarcastic. If you see me tell you your an @sshole or bastard, that can be a good thing!
I am by no means an expert with geckos but I enjoy challenges!
Oh, and you will probably find me posting in the "Other Day Geckos | Lygodactylus, Gonatodes, Sphaerodactylus" subforum the most. I much rather make fruit fly cultures then buy crickets.
Few recent field herping finds:
Chamaeleo calyptratus (South Florida):
Sistrurus m. miliarius (North Carolina):
And, Plethodon welleri:
As far as my knowledge of keeping reptiles and amphibians, I'm somewhat versed at pretty much all of it. I've always kept herps personally, since around 94 or so, and I've worked professionally with a number of taxa. Some of the coolest animals include: Cuora mccordi, Protobothrops mangshanensis, Hyde Co. Sistrurus m. miliarius, Corucia zebrata, and plenty more I can't think of right now. I have bred a number of snakes, a few dart frogs, one salamander, and a couple of gecko species. I have worked in close proximity with veterinarian staff and as such I am somewhat loosely versed in basic vet care or reptiles and amphibians.
Some of personal collection over the years:
Circa 2009
One of the hold backs taken this month:
Woma Python female on eggs (n=13) this past May:
50 days later:
2 months later:
One of my favorite venomous (Porthidium lansbergi hutmanni):
Recent success - Gonatodes albogularis fuscus hatchling (hours old):
However, I am far more experienced in reptile and amphibian related field work and research (Lungless Salamanders and Rattlesnakes). I consider myself more a field biologist than a keeper but I love both sides and learn from each immensely.
Worked on a two year project on this species in WV - Cheat Mountain Salamander (Plethodon nettingi), US Threatened Species:
Worked with these guys in WV - helped find the healthiest population (really the only population) in the state of the Stream-side Salamaner (Ambystoma barbouri):
I am one of five people that is currently involved with a project to help understand and protect Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) in a small isolate population within Durham-Granville-Person Counties, NC (http://www.forgottenrattlesnakes.com/):
I will warn you all, I can be a minor dick on forums as I have little patience for posts where the poster can't seem to use google or read a basic book and/or is plenty fine with bearing his own opinions as gospel. There are always more than one way to do things. And, I cannot stand users that rehash forum "facts" as law. Woma Pythons do have a heat-sensing pit! I hate arguing but if your stupid, I will, mercilessly (if time is available). Most of the all, and I will not apologize for this, I am sarcastic. If you see me tell you your an @sshole or bastard, that can be a good thing!
I am by no means an expert with geckos but I enjoy challenges!
Oh, and you will probably find me posting in the "Other Day Geckos | Lygodactylus, Gonatodes, Sphaerodactylus" subforum the most. I much rather make fruit fly cultures then buy crickets.
Few recent field herping finds:
Chamaeleo calyptratus (South Florida):
Sistrurus m. miliarius (North Carolina):
And, Plethodon welleri:
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. I have learned that there is always a positive way to word the negative.