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Whose your herpetological hero?
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by Rob_Carmichael on September 23, 2007
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As I get older I tend to spend more time reflecting on those people who've had a great impact on my road to knowledge in this field. I am truly humbled to be able to have a great career in the field of herpetology and its only because of being very blessed by the good Lord and having some great mentors throughout the years. I'd like to know who incluenced everyone on why they are so interested in herps whether they are a hobbyist or professional - I think its safe to say that those of us who are fortunate enough to do this professionally started as hobbyists and probably still consider ourselves hobbyists.
Fitch, Russell, Conant, Klauber, Tu, and many others were instrumental to my growth, however, if I had to pick three people who shaped my philosophy and a big reason why I am a professional herp person today (in a curatorial position), it would have to be:
- Carl Kauffeld: I memorized "Snakes: The Keeper and the Kept" that book did more for me than anything else in my quest and thirst for knowledge in keeping and learning about herps. He was a visionary of his time and was a genius in my opinion. My successes today stem directly to the influence that he had on me as a young person. My only regret is that I never had a chance to meet him. His books were written quite a long time ago but they are still valid and much of what he wrote back then still holds true today.
- Dr. Michael Corn: Mike is a personal friend but was my biology professor in college and he is a true professional herpetologist. The time I shared with him in the Everglades and the Shawnee National Forest, not to mention the classes I took, were instrumental in showing me that I could pursue a career in herpetology. We now enjoy some join field herp studies which I greatly enjoy.
- Ray Pawley, Curator of herps at the Brookfield Zoo: Ray was an out of the box thinker who was a pioneer in developing zoo protocols to set many longevity records. He was meticulous and had an eye for detail in doing things right. I greatly enjoy the conversations with him as he enjoys retirement in New Mexico. He was a significant influence on my as a professional as he helped shaped my philosophy on herp husbandry and more importantly, out of the box thinking in terms of how herps should be exhibited for public display, education and conservation.
- Jim Gillingham, Central Michigan University: Jim is one of the neatest guys I know and is truly passionate about herpetology. His contributions need no introduction.....he's one of a kind and I greatly appreciate the opportunities he has given me.
Those are four of the primary influences on my herpetological career and I'd love to hear from others who influenced you on why you love herps today.
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
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RE: Whose your herpetological hero?
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by Peter84Jenkins on September 23, 2007
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I really admire the many pioneers of the field such as Ditmars, Klauber, and Pope. Their literature has provided me with countless hours of entertainment especially during my stint in the Navy when I couldn’t keep snakes. Confessions of a Scientist kept my mind off the sea, the jets and the tons of ordnance that I would get up to everyday for months. I also admire the herpetologist of yore because the field was so new and pure and unspoiled by legislation and the odd idiot putting a rattlesnake in his mouth. They worked in far off lands and pitted all their wisdom and curiosity against man and nature and put it on paper often times in beautiful prose. They accomplished so much in a time when there was so little in the way of handling equipment, husbandry equipment and knowledge, colleagues to share knowledge and medical treatment if they had an accident. But the one that I probably would put at the top of my list is C.J.P Ionides. He is a man of Herpetology that I would have enjoyed working with in the field. His character above all is intriguing to me..it is said often times that “Iodine” (a name his friends used for him in jest) could be found walking in the bush with a pair of swimming goggles on, staring at the ground as he walked looking for spitting cobras. He was a hunter, a warrior, a naturalist, and writer.
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RE: Whose your herpetological hero?
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by earthguy on September 24, 2007
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Two people that most of you have never heard of - Rudy Mancky and Ray Semlisch. Rudy had a nature show that all of the schools showed called 'Nature Scene'. He is a general naturalist, but it was pretty obvious on the show that herps were his favorite. Later on in life (after his hair went from red to white) he was a member of my advisory board for my thesis. Ray used to teach with my dad at the local college. He introduced me to hands on herpetology by taking the time to take me out into the field to lay my hands on my first salamanders. He is now one of the major players in amphiban academics.
In both cases it was the relative availability of these herpers that inspired me. I hope one day somebody recalls me with half of the admiration that I have for these two gentlemen.
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by Kingetula on September 24, 2007
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I don't have heroes but the one person that I admire is Dr. John Rossi. I've known of him for 20 years when I first moved to Florida and have several autographed books of his. He also has helped me in the past that I am grateful for to this day.
One person I have come to respect a little more is Bruce Means. I never met the guy or talked to him but he helped me realize some things that changed my way of thinking without ever knowing he had that impact on my life.
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by Crotalusssp on September 24, 2007
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Carl Kauffeld--I read Keeper and Kept also cover to cover numerous times and still open and look through it occasionally. A great book that I would recommend to anyone.
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by tj on September 24, 2007
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Joe Switalski, hands down. Man, can that dude spot snakes road cruisin'. ; )
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RE: Whose your herpetological hero?
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by JSargent on September 24, 2007
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as a kid, maybe 6 or 7, i worked with my mom at the wagon wheel flea market in FL...there was a place there called "snakes alive"... and after going there every weekend for awhile, they would let me come in and help out...during the week they worked at busch gardens doing shows...this couple(i believe the woman's name was carol),i was to young to remember names,but this couple planted the seed...my mom got me a corn snake soon after they left for myrtle beach and helped that tree grow....."snakes alive" may had something to do with my love for albino rattlesnakes, for when i saw theirs i knew i would someday have one....please let this couple know how much i thank them if you know their names and how to contact them....
kaulfield's books were the first snake books i charished
and "snake hunting the devils highway" is my latest favorite read....
i also can't leave out Mr. Keith Taylor, for he took me out on some of my most memorable snake hunts...and his wife for that home made fried chicken...
this is a nice post...thanks
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by hapkidocrochunter on September 25, 2007
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Steve Irwin. He was a brilliant man, and I learned a lot from him. I just wish I would have had the chance to meet, and talk with him.
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