Calendar
April, 2008 Meeting: Kristen Wiley, Kentucky Reptile Zoo KY Timber Rattlesnake Study
| Date: | April 2, 2008 |
| Time: | 7:00 PM |
| Location: | Cincinnati Nature Center, Rowe Woods directions |
Kristen Wiley displays a bottle of newly aquired venom at the KRZ venom lab in Slade, KY
We are pleased to announce that the April Speaker will Be Kristen Wiley of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo.
Kristen?s presentation at the April meeting will be a overview of her ongoing Timber rattlesnake work in Kentucky. Kristen had radio-transmitters in several adult Timer rattlesnakes in the Red-River Gorge, Kentucky area and has been recording activity and habits of these specimens. Although the Timber rattlesnake is not currently considered endangered in the state of Kentucky, it is a protected species throughout much of its range. Man-made factors almost certainly threaten populations of these magnificent creatures. Consequently, it is very important that science comes to understand how these animals live.
For those of you who have heard Kristen speak in the past, you?ll recall that she has a very clear, conversational, and entertaining manner of speaking. This is sure to be a very interesting presentation that will be enjoyed by all GCHS members.
A Timber Rattlesnake from Kentucky (photo from kentuckysnakes.org)
Here is a video of Kristen and Jim in the process of pit-tagging and probing a timber rattlesnake
MORE ON KRISTEN AND THE KENTUCKY REPTILE ZOO:
Co-directors of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo; Kristen Wiley and her husband, Jim Harrison are long-time members of the GCHS. Both Jim and Kristen were both born and raised in Ohio (Jim in the Dayton area and Kristen in Cleveland). Kristen and Jim have provided countless educational programs, and tours of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo for GCHS members through the years. They have also been seen many times on national television on shows such as National Geographic?s "Snake Wranglers" and "Reptile Rulers" Kristen and Jim always seem to be off to some new herpetological adventure in some exotic land. Their presentations consistently draw some of the largest turnouts for any GCHS meetings.
We are proud to have them as long-term and lifetime members of the GCHS and we hope that they continue to kindly share their experiences with and educate GCHS members.