Here are some links to information I have written on several topics (just click the link to open the pdf document).

1. Identifying Venomous Snakes – Texas has several kinds of venomous snakes, and I’ve put together a free pdf guide to the ones found in north central Texas.

2. North Texas’ Venomous Snakes – How to prevent unwanted encounters as well as how to safely observe and photograph these snakes. Their venoms and first aid for snake bite are also covered. (This was initially published as a two-part article in The Post Oak, newsletter of Arlington Conservation Council).

2. Reptiles – An introduction to what reptiles are and how they work, with some Texas examples.

3. Amphibians – Introducing amphibians, how they are different from reptiles and some examples from Texas.

4. Hibernation – Some information about the various ways reptiles and amphibians get through Texas winters.

5. Rattlesnake Roundups – This is a pdf copy of a PowerPoint presentation, with information about how old-style roundups are destructive and cruel and promote misinformation about rattlesnakes. (Because it is a pdf copy, the video links do not work.) I will gladly make the presentation, with video, available for conservation groups.

Some reptiles and amphibians you should know:

Western ratsnake (Texas ratsnake) – the large, harmless snake that sometimes shows up in parks, creeks, and even in people’s yards in north Texas.

Great Plains ratsnake – a medium-sized snake of prairies and open woodlands, but not so often found in the city.

Rough earthsnake – a small, plain-looking snake that people often see in their garden or yard.

Woodhouse’s toad – a toad that used to be common in the metroplex and can still be found in surrounding areas.