146 | Snake Community Changes Over 20 Years

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.