Originally released in 2020. Revisited for 2025 as one of our most downloaded episodes, and just as fascinating and relevant today as when it first aired.
Dr. Steven Beaupre has dedicated his career to studying one of North America’s most iconic species, the Timber Rattlesnake. In this episode, Dr. Beaupre joins Dr. Jenkins to share his journey to becoming a leading expert in rattlesnake physiology and ecology. Together, they explore what makes Timber Rattlesnakes so remarkable, from the function of their heat-sensing loreal pits to the complex ways physiology shapes their behavior and survival. The conversation highlights how decades of research are helping inform conservation for this misunderstood predator.
Connect with Steven at Arkansas State University's Graduate School.