Please check out my field herping website & online guide to the reptiles & amphibians of Michigan. The site includes field trip reports, herping videos, and much more. Take a look and sign my guest book!

Now that all of that's out of the way, let me tell you about myself. I currently reside in Michigan and am transferring to Central Michigan this next fall to begin pursuing a degree in Ecology and a minor in Zoology. The head of the CMU biology department and my counselor is Dr. James Gillingham; a state herpetologist who's done work with a melanistic population of Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes here in Michiga. He will be a great resource for me and will help guide me to spending my life working with the creatures I love so much. I've been interested in reptiles and amphibians as long as I can remember, my cousin Robbie and I would always spend our summers together running around and catching snakes. A few years back my parents were really unsure of my love for herps, but as the years have past they've become fond of my love for them and have been extremely supportive of me through some tough times.

Q & A

Q: Favorite herp?
A: There is no doubt that my favorite reptile or amphibian is the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. Ever since I saw my first when I was five, I've been fascinated by them. I'm extremely fortunate to live a few miles from several large populations and I get to observe & photograph these gorgeous little rattlesnakes several times each year. I would like to study them and learn more about them as I enter the latter of my college education.

Q: Favorite herping memory?
A: A few years ago, my cousin Robbie and I were herping at a local area near our Grandparents' house in Florida. We had been out for a few hours and seen lots of racers, but nothing out of the ordinary. We were walking some Flatwoods when Robbie yells, "RATTLESNAKE!" I came running and we had found a nice Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake, it was the first venomous snake we had found in the field together and I will always remember it.

Q: Biggest herp folly?
A: This past spring during a herping trip we came across a few water moccasins. A friend and I were trying to get them to gape for photographs so we decided to blow on the snake to try to make them gape. The first time it worked, the second time I went to blow the snake instead struck right at my face. To say the least, it was the stupidest thing I've ever done and will never attempt it again.

Q: Best herping find?
A: Without a doubt, the single greatest herping find I've ever made IMO was my first Spotted Turtle back in 2005, it was an awesome experience!