Professor of Biology
Laboratory of behavioral ecology and conservation
Behavioral ecology, herpetology, ornithology, conservation
Department of Earth and Biological Sciences
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA 92350 USA
Phone: (909) 558-4300, extension 48911 or (909) 558-4530
Fax: (909) 558-0259
Email: whayes@llu.edu
Biographical index
Research index (each account is accompanied by photographs)
Miscellaneous
This web site is not just about me. Here, my students and I have put together some of the highlights of our various studies. We are linked together because we share a boundless fascination with the natural world. However, the most interesting material showcases not us or our accomplishments, but rather the cherished subjects that we study.
We find it both challenging and rewarding to work with a diversity of projects, but there are several criteria we consider before taking one on. Most important, we choose projects that stimulate our interest (research must be fun) and that promise to provide important new insights (research must be justified). Whether our findings offer useful information to a physician, or simply increase awareness of and appreciation for an organism or threatened environment, we are doing our small part in making this world a better, more interesting place to live in.
We invite you to explore this site and hope that you will enjoy it! Be sure to click on the links to the research accounts, as they offer considerable information about our studies and lots of pictures to browse. Consider visiting the student links as well, where PDFs of theses/dissertations can be downloaded. If you are here to learn about rattlesnakes, you will also want to visit our Biology of the Rattlesnakes Symposium web site. And if you are wanting to learn more about the Bahamas, you may also wish to visit the San Salvador's Living Jewels Foundation web site (which is still under development).
1991 PhD, zoology and physiology, University of Wyoming
1986 MS, biology, Walla Walla College, Washington
1984 BS, biology, Walla Walla College, Washington
Behavioral ecology of venoms and venomous animals:
Behavioral ecology and conservation of non-venomous reptiles:
Behavioral ecology, taxonomy, and conservation of birds:
Dugan, E. A., W. K. Hayes, and A. Figueroa. In press. Home range size, movements, and mating phenology of sympatric Red Diamond (Crotalus ruber) and Southern Pacific (Crotalus oreganus helleri) Rattlesnakes in southern California. In W. K. Hayes, K. R. Beaman, M. D. Cardwell, and S. P. Bush (editors), The Biology of Rattlesnakes. Loma Linda University Press, Loma Linda, California. [Reprint not available yet]
Figueroa, A., E. A. Dugan, and W. K. Hayes. In press. Behavioral ecology of neonate Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus helleri) tracked with externally-attached transmitters. In W. K. Hayes, K. R. Beaman, M. D. Cardwell, and S. P. Bush (editors), The Biology of Rattlesnakes. Loma Linda University Press, Loma Linda, California. [Reprint not available yet]
Hayes, W. K. In press. The snake venom-metering controversy: levels of analysis, assumptions, and evidence. In W. K. Hayes, K. R. Beaman, M. D. Cardwell, and S. P. Bush (editors), The Biology of Rattlesnakes. Loma Linda University Press, Loma Linda, California. [Reprint not available yet]
Hayes, W. K., S. S. Herbert, J. R. Harrison, and K. L. Wiley. In press. Spitting versus biting: differential venom gland contraction regulates venom expenditure in the Black-necked Spitting Cobra, Naja nigricollis nigricollis. Journal of Herpetology. [Reprint not available yet]
Herbert, S. S., and W. K. Hayes. In press. Venom expenditure by rattlesnakes and killing effectiveness in rodent prey: do rattlesnakes expend optimal amounts of venom? In W. K. Hayes, K. R. Beaman, M. D. Cardwell, and S. P. Bush (editors), The Biology of Rattlesnakes. Loma Linda University Press, Loma Linda, California. [Reprint not available yet]
Reynolds, M. B. J., and W. K. Hayes. In press. Conservation taxonomy of the Cuban Parrot (Amazona leucocephala): I. Variation in morphology and plumage. Journal of Caribbean Ornithology. [Reprint not available yet]
Utt, A. C., N. C. Harvey, W. K. Hayes, and R. L. Carter. In press. The effects of rearing methods on social behaviors of mentored captive-reared juvenile California Condors. Zoo Biology. [Reprint not available yet]
Hayes, F. E., and W. K. Hayes. 2007. The great Ivory-billed Woodpecker debate: perceptions of the evidence. Birding 39(2):36-41. PDF reprint (521 K)
Jurado, J. D., E. D. Rael, C. S. Lieb, E. Nakayasu, W. K. Hayes, S. P. Bush, and J. A. Ross. 2007. Complement inactivating proteins and intraspecies venom variation in Crotalus oreganus helleri. Toxicon 49:339-350. PDF reprint (593 K)
Nisani, Z., S. G. Dunbar, and W. K. Hayes. 2007. Cost of venom regeneration in Parabuthus transvaalicus (Arachnida: Buthidae). Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A 147:509-513. [Reprint not available yet]
Hayes, W. K. 2006. The urgent need for conservation taxonomy in the Bahamas: new bird species as an example. Bahamas Nat. J. Sci. 1:12-24. PDF reprint (1480 K)
Carter, R. L., W. K. Hayes, V. Voegeli, and S. Voegeli. 2005. Celebrating Biodiversity 2002 -Conservation education: a responsibility of higher education. Pp. 12-17 in: T. McGrath and S. Buckner (Eds.), Proceedings of the 10th Symposium on the Natural History of the Bahamas. Gerace Research Center, San Salvador Island, Bahamas. PDF reprint (312 K)
Corbett, S. W., B. Anderson, B. Nelson, S. Bush, W. K. Hayes, and M. D. Cardwell. 2005. Most lay people can correctly identify indigenous venomous snakes. Amer. J. Emerg. Med. 23:759-762. PDF reprint (82 K)
Trimm, N. A., Jr., and W. K. Hayes. 2005. Distribution of nesting Audubon's Shearwaters (Puffinus lherminieri) on San Salvador Island, Bahamas. Pp. 137-145 in: T. McGrath and S. Buckner (Eds.), Proceedings of the 10th Symposium on the Natural History of the Bahamas. Gerace Research Center, San Salvador Island, Bahamas. PDF reprint (254 K)
Hayes, W. K., and A. W. White. 2005. A record of Cuban/Caribbean Martin (Progne cryptoleuca/dominicensis) for the Bahamas. North Amer. Birds 59:672-673. PDF reprint (611 K)
Hayes, W. K., R. X. Barry, Z. McKenzie, and P. Barry. 2004. Grand Bahama's Brown-headed Nuthatch: a distinct and endangered species. Bahamas J. Sci. 12(1):21-28. PDF reprint (366 K)
Bush, S. P., S. M. Green, T. A. Laack, W. K. Hayes, M. D. Cardwell, and D. A. Tanen. 2004. Pressure immobilization delays mortality and increases intracompartmental pressure after artificial intramuscular rattlesnake envenomation in a porcine model. Ann. Emerg. Med. 44:599-604. PDF reprint (169 K)
French, W. J., W. K. Hayes, S. P. Bush, M. D. Cardwell, J. O. Bader, and E. Rael. 2004. Mojave toxin in venom of Crotalus helleri (Southern Pacific Rattlesnake): molecular and geographic characterization. Toxicon 44:781-791. PDF reprint (347 K)
Carter, R. L., and W. K. Hayes. 2004. Conservation of an endangered Bahamian iguana. II. morphological variation and conservation recommendations. Pp. 258-273 in: A. C. Alberts, R. L. Carter, W. K. Hayes, and E. P. Martins (Eds.), Iguanas: Biology and Conservation. University of California Press, Berkeley. PDF reprint (450 K)
Hayes, W. K., R. L. Carter, S. Cyril, and B. Thornton. 2004. Conservation of an endangered Bahamian iguana. I. population assessments, habitat restoration, and behavioral ecology. Pp. 232-257 in: A. C. Alberts, R. L. Carter, W. K. Hayes, and E. P. Martins (Eds.), Iguanas: Biology and Conservation. University of California Press, Berkeley. PDF reprint (437 K)
Hayes, W. K., R. L. Carter, M. Wikelski, and J. A. Sonnentag. 2004. Determinants of lek mating success in male Galapagos marine iguanas: behavior, body size, condition, ornamentation, ectoparasite load, and female choice. Pp. 127-147 in: A. C. Alberts, R. L. Carter, W. K. Hayes, and E. P. Martins (Eds.), Iguanas: Biology and Conservation. University of California Press, Berkeley. PDF reprint (402 K)
Hayes, W. K. 2003. Can San Salvador's iguanas and seabirds be saved? Bahamas J. Sci. 11(1):2-8. PDF reprint (420 K)
Bush, S. P., S. M. Green, J. A. Moynihan, W. K. Hayes, and M. D. Cardwell. 2002. Crotalidae polyvalent immune Fab (ovine) antivenom is efficacious for envenomations by southern Pacific rattlesnakes. Ann. Emerg. Med. 40:619-624. PDF reprint (69 K)
Hayes, W. K., S. S. Herbert, G. C. Rehling, and J. F. Gennaro. 2002. Factors that influence venom expenditure by viperid and other snakes during predatory and defensive contexts. Pp. 207-233 in: G. W. Schuett, M. Hoggren, M. E. Douglas, and H. W. Greene (Eds), Biology of the Vipers. Eagle Mountain Publ., Eagle Mountain, Utah. [E-mail to request PDF reprint]
Bush, S. P., K. G. Hegewald, S. M. Green, M. D. Cardwell, and W. K. Hayes. 2000. Effects of a negative pressure venom extraction device (Extractor) on local tissue injury after artificial rattlesnake envenomation in a porcine model. Wild. Envir. Med. 11:180-188. PDF reprint (880 K)
Hayes, W., and R. Carter. 2000. Population monitoring. Pp. 79-85 in: A. Alberts (Ed.), West Indian Iguanas: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN, Gland, UK. PDF reprint (109 K)
Hayes, W., R. Carter, and N. Goodyear. 2000. Marking techniques and radiotelemetry. Pp. 77-79 in: A. Alberts (Ed.), West Indian Iguanas: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN, Gland, UK. PDF reprint (196 K)
Hayes, F. E., W. K. Hayes, and T. O. Garnett. 1998. Rediscovery of the gray-throated leaftosser (Sclerurus albigularis) on Tobago, West Indies. Carib. J. Sci. 34(1-2):166-168. PDF reprint (108 K)
Hayes, W. K. 1997. Research update: decline of the Sandy Cay Iguana. Iguana Times 6:31. PDF reprint (88 K)
Hayes, W. K. 1995. Venom metering by juvenile prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus v. viridis): effects of prey size and experience. Anim. Behav. 50:33-40. PDF reprint (99 K)
Hayes, W. K., D. M. Hayes, D. Brouhard, B. Goodge, and R. L. Carter. 1995. Population status and conservation of the endangered San Salvador rock iguana, Cyclura r. rileyi. J. Intl. Iguana Soc. 4:21-30. PDF reprint (1951 K)
Hayes, W. K., P. A. Lavin-Murcio, and K. V. Kardong. 1995. Northern Pacific rattlesnakes meter venom when feeding on prey of different sizes. Copeia 1995:337-343. PDF reprint (351 K)
Hayes, W. K., E. A. Verde, and F. E. Hayes. 1994. Cardiac responses during courtship, male-male fighting and other activities in rattlesnakes. J. Tenn. Acad. Sci. 69:7-9. PDF reprint (406 K)
Hayes, W. K. 1993. Effects of hunger on striking, prey-handling, and venom expenditure of prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus v. viridis). Herpetologica 49:305-310. PDF reprint (360 K)
Hayes, W. K., and D. M. Hayes. 1993. Stimuli influencing the release and aim of predatory strikes of the northern Pacific rattlesnake, Crotalus v. viridis. Northwest. Nat. 74:1-9. PDF reprint (493 K)
Hayes, W. K., P.A. Lavin-Murcio, and K.V. Kardong. 1993. Delivery of Duvernoy's secretion into prey by the brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis (Serpentes: Colubridae). Toxicon 31:881-887. PDF reprint (402 K)
Schmidt, D. F., W. K. Hayes, and F. E. Hayes. 1993. The influence of prey movement on the aim of predatory strikes in the rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis. Gr. Basin Nat. 53:203-206. PDF reprint (213 K)
Hayes, W. K. 1992. Prey-handling and envenomation strategies of prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus v. viridis) feeding on mice and sparrows. J. Herpetol. 26:496-499. PDF reprint (299 K)
Hayes, W. K. 1992. Factors associated with the mass of venom expended by prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus v. viridis) feeding on mice. Toxicon 30:449-460. PDF reprint (380 K)
Hayes, W. K., D. Duvall, and G. W. Schuett. 1992. A preliminary report on the courtship behavior of free-ranging prairie rattlesnakes, Crotalus v. viridis (Rafinesque), in southcentral Wyoming. Pp. 45-48 in: Strimple, P. D. and J. L. Strimple (eds)., Contributions in Herpetology. Greater Cincinnati Herpetological Society, Cincinnati, Ohio. PDF reprint (381 K)
Hayes, F. E., W. K. Hayes, K. R. Beaman, and L. E. Harris. 1992. Sleep-like behaviour in the Galapagos tortoise (Geochelone elephantopus). Herpetol. J. 2:51-53. PDF reprint (250 K)
Hayes, W. K., I. I. Kaiser, and D. Duvall. 1992. The mass of venom expended by prairie rattlesnakes when feeding on rodent prey. Pp. 383-388 in: Campbell, J. A. and E. D. Brodie, Jr. (Eds.), Biology of the Pitvipers. Selva Publ., Tyler, Texas. [E-mail to request PDF reprint]
Hayes, W. K. 1991. Ontogeny of striking, prey-handling and envenomation behavior of prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus v. viridis). Toxicon 29:867-875. PDF reprint (425 K)
Hayes, W. K., and D. Duvall. 1991. A field study of prairie rattlesnake predatory strikes. Herpetologica 47:78-81. PDF reprint (380 K)
Hayes, W. K. 1991. Envenomation strategies of prairie rattlesnakes. PhD Dissertation, University of Wyoming. xi + 156 pp. PDF copy of dissertation (2760 K)
Duvall, D., D. Chiszar, W. K. Hayes, J. Leonhardt, and M. J. Goode. 1990. Foraging ecology of prairie rattlesnakes: laboratory experiments. J. Chem. Ecol. 16:87-101. PDF reprint (641 K)
Duvall, D., M. J. Goode, W. K. Hayes, J. K. Leonhardt, and D. Brown. 1990. Prairie rattlesnake vernal migration: field experimental analyses and survival value in spring. Nat. Geo. Res. 6:457-469. PDF reprint (1165 K)
Hayes, F. E. and W. K. Hayes. 1989. Hawk migrations in Beltsville, Maryland. Md. Birdlife 45:9-11. PDF reprint (126 K)
Hayes, F. E., K. R. Beaman, W. K. Hayes, and L. E. Harris, Jr. 1988. Defensive behavior in the Galapagos tortoise (Geochelone elephantopus), with comments on the evolution of insular gigantism. Herpetologica 44:11-17. PDF reprint (466 K)
Hayes, W. K. 1986. Observations of courtship in the rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis oreganus. J. Herpetol. 20:246-249. PDF reprint (189 K)
Hayes, W. K., and F. E. Hayes. 1985. Human envenomation from the bite of the eastern garter snake, Thamnophis s. sirtalis (Serpentes: Colubridae). Toxicon 23:719-721. PDF reprint (225 K)
Hayes, W. K. and J. G. Galusha. 1984. Effects of rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis oreganus) envenomation upon mobility of male wild and laboratory mice (Mus musculus). Bull. Md. Herpetol. Soc. 20:135-144. PDF reprint (336 K)
Co-Editor. Iguanas: Biology and Conservation (peer-reviewed volume). Alberts, A. A., R. L. Carter, W. K. Hayes, and E. P. Martins (Eds.). 2004. Univ. Calif. Press, Berkeley. [see UC Press description]
Editor. Journal of the International Iguana Society / Iguana Times (1994-1996)
Co-editor. Bulletin of the Tennessee Valley Herpetological Society (1992-1994)
Conferences and workshops organized or taught
2005 Program co-Chairperson (with Beverly Rathke), Natural History of the Bahamas Symposium (at Gerace Research Center, San Salvador Island, Bahamas)
2005 Instructor, Seabirds Workshop - Institute of Field Ornithology (at Gerace Research Center, San Salvador Island, Bahamas)
2005 Co-organizer, Organizing Committee Chairman, Web Site Creator, Biology of the Rattlesnakes Symposium (at Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California)
1997 Co-organizer (with Ronald L. Carter), Biosystematics, Behavioral Ecology, and Conservation of Iguanas (annual meetings of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists / Herpetologist's League / Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, at University of Washington, Seattle)
1995 Organizer, Third Annual Conference/Research Expedition of the International Iguana Society (at Bahamian Field Station, San Salvador Island, Bahamas)
1990 Organizer, Colorado-Wyoming Rattlesnake Conference (an informal gathering at University of Wyoming)
I really enjoy working with my graduate students, even more so if I can drop them off on a remote island without any way of getting off, until the work is done (just kidding)...
Balduff, Naomi (MS, in progress) - "Reproductive behaviors of the endangered Bahamian rock iguana, Cyclura r. rileyi."
Cyril, Samuel, Jr. (MS, 2001) - "Behavioral ecology of the endangered San Salvador rock iguana (Cyclura rileyi rileyi) in the Bahamas." PDF of thesis (327 K)
Dugan, Eric A. (PhD, in progress) - "Niche partitioning and ecology of two sympatric rattlesnakes in Southern California."
Escobar, Ricky (MS, in progress) - Thesis topic undecided
Figueroa, Alex (MS, 2006) - "Radiotelemetry and behavioral ecology of neonate Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes." PDF of thesis (511 K)
Fry, Shawn K. (MS, 2001) - "Ecology of the endangered Sandy Cay rock iguana, Cyclura rileyi cristata, in the Bahamas." PDF of thesis (1352 K)
Harless, Meagan (MS, in progress) - "Home range size of the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in Mojave Desert of California"
Herbert, Shelton S. ("Scott") (PhD, in progress) - "Factors influencing venom expenditure during defensive bites by viperid and elapid snakes."
Herbert, Shelton S. ("Scott") (MS, 1998) - "Factors influencing venom expenditure during defensive bites by cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) and rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis, Crotalus atrox)." PDF of thesis (321 K)
Nisani, Zia (PhD, in progress) - "Defensive and predatory behaviors of scorpions."
Price, Melissa (MS, in progress) - "Taxonomic and conservation status of the Bahama Oriole (Icterus dominicensis bahamensis)"
Rehling, G. Curtis (MS, 2002) - "Venom expenditure in multiple bites by rattlesnakes and cottonmouths." PDF of thesis (1060 K)
Revell, Timothy (PhD, 2005) - "The behavioral ecology of sleep in the Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)." PDF of dissertation (1880 K)
Reynolds, M. Bryant J. (MS, 2006) - "Conservation taxonomy of the Cuban Parrot: plumage, morphology, and flight call variation." PDF of thesis (843 K)
Thornton, Benjamin J. (MS, 2000) - "Nesting ecology of the endangered Acklins Bight Rock Iguana, Cyclura rileyi nuchalis, in the Bahamas." PDF of thesis (1852 K) [research conducted under my co-supervision but thesis completed at Andrews University]
Trimm, Neville A., Jr. (PhD, 2004) - "Behavioral ecology of Audubon's shearwaters (Puffinus lherminieri) at San Salvador, Bahamas." PDF of dissertation (3938 K)
Trimm, Neville A., Jr. (MS, 2001) - "Ecology of Audubon's shearwaters (Puffinus lherminieri) at San Salvador, Bahamas." PDF of thesis (923 K)
Utt, Amy (PhD, in progress) - "Social behaviors and survival of captive-reared juvenile California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus)"
It seems inexplicable to me that the most beautiful and irresistible place that I work-in the Bahamas-has yet to catch a producer's attention. Instead, they all want to film the snakes in my lab...or stories related to them. Yeah, snakes are fun and interesting, but...
2007 Rattler: Behind the Fangs. Produced by British Broadcasting Corporation, Bristol, United Kingdom, for National Geographic Channel. Premiered March 2007. Provided scientific information, on-camera interviews, handling of rattlesnakes, students for interviews about their own research projects, access to lab facilities, and a sprinkling of humor.
2004 Venom ER. Ten-part series produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation Wildvision, Bristol, United Kingdom, for Animal Planet. Premiered March 2004. Provided scientific information, on-camera interviews, handling of venomous animals (rattlesnakes and arachnids), students for interviews about their own research projects, access to lab facilities, and a segment involving a snakebite to Max, our family dog (who survived the bite).
2002 Venom ER. Original episode produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation Wildvision, Bristol, United Kingdom, for Animal Planet. Premiered August 2002. Provided scientific information, on-camera interviews, handling of rattlesnakes, and access to facilities.
2001 Stings, Fangs, and Spines: Episode IV. Produced by Beyond Productions, Artarmon, NSW, Australia, for Discovery Channel. Premiered Autumn 2001. Provided scientific information, on-camera interviews, and handling of rattlesnakes.
2001 Special Edition: Poison! Produced by National Geographic Television, Washington, DC, for CNBC's National Geographic Explorer. Aired 8 July 2001. Provided a student and snakes for on-camera interviews and access to facilities.
2001 The United Snakes of America. Produced by National Geographic Television, Washington, DC, for CNBC's National Geographic Explorer. Premiered January 2001. Provided scientific information, on-camera interviews, and handling of rattlesnakes.
2000 Deadly Vipers. Produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation Natural History Unit, Bristol, United Kingdom, for the BBC and Discovery Channel. Premiered Autumn 2000. Provided scientific information and two students for on-camera interviews and handling of rattlesnakes.
Snakebite! A very patient BBC crew films the re-enactment of our family dog, Max's, dreadful snakebite for an episode of Animal Planet's Venom ER. Nicholas seems to have Max under control, but I'm sure our "acting" otherwise was pretty dismal
Sean P. Bush, MD. Dr. Bush is the much-respected envenomation specialist at Loma Linda University Medical Center who stars in Animal Planet's Venom ER. The television producers seek his clinical experience and expertise, but they do find their way to our lab on occasion. Here, Sean is holding "Nero," a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus helleri) that inflicted a severe bite on a man who experienced unexpected neurotoxic symptoms more typical of a Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) bite. I feel fortunate to collaborate with Sean on various projects...and it's reassuring to know that he's in a building only several-hundred meters away in case I'm ever personally in need of his experience and expertise... Photograph: unknown.
Why biology? Family secrets revealed..
It's all my dad's fault. At least I think it is. Recent research suggests that the love of nature (or "biophilia" as it has come to be called) has a genetic basis. Considering the facts that my twin brother, Floyd, is a biology professor (just as I am), my older sister, Kathy, is a physician (and was a biology major as an undergraduate), and my younger brother, Rob, is a construction superintendent (um...), the genetic link seems obvious (well, two out of three siblings ain't bad).
My father, Bob, a construction superintendent as well, was a biology major in college who always loved the outdoors. I'm not sure how my mother, Carroll, tolerated it, but when I was young my dad always seemed to have a snake or two in the house. Some of my most cherished memories were of tagging along behind my dad on a "snakehunt," my favorite activity following a weekend picnic. He always seemed to come up with something in the forests and streams of the Maryland piedmont, where my siblings and I grew up. If we were lucky (i.e. begged and cried and carried on long enough), we got to take the snake home. The next morning, I'd show off the snake to my next-door neighbors. And then I'd scream if the darned snake bit me. Of course, it didn't hurt-I faked the reaction just to impress them.
Naturally, things got more serious as my brothers and I got older. There were often up to a dozen snakes in the basement, usually in their cages. As any mother of an ophiodophile can testify, snakes are exceptionally-talented escape artists. Once, my mother ordered us to follow her into our walk-in closet (I don't recall just why), and promptly screamed when she stepped on a large water snake. "Oh, thanks, Mom!" one of my quick-thinking (not) brothers exclaimed. "We've been looking for that snake for two weeks now!" She was very pleased to learn this, of course. Just what all moms want to hear. We were very clever at tormenting our mother. We pretty much had the basement all to ourselves.
My parents, no doubt, dreaded every spring. They could always tell when it arrived, because there would be a cacophony of spring peepers, cricket frogs, and/or chorus frogs emanating from our basement menagerie. We had to invent clever means for convincing them that our pets had educational value. They were particularly amused once when we fed seven fireflies to a green tree frog and then turned out the lights. You could see the bugs blinking alright, all in a line that outlined much of the frog's gut. It was awesome. And then the frog died the next day. We didn't think our parents needed to know this latter fact.
Things got more hush-hush when venomous snakes captivated us during high school. For a month, we hid a couple of Florida Pigmy Rattlesnakes (prizes from a SCUBA trip to the Florida Keys) in the camper in the side yard before we figured out a way to conceal them in our bedroom. A month later, while on a family trip to Mississippi, we snuck a Cottonmouth into a suitcase that our unsuspecting dad secured in the car top carrier. Then, after getting our hands on a Timber Rattlesnake, we knew we had to quietly move the hot snakes elsewhere. Things were getting out of hand, and we were growing increasingly concerned about the next cage breakout. Fortunately, a friend at the local college let us keep our booty there. A year or so later, when my brother, Floyd, had our snakes on exhibit at a local youth fair, my dad was rather amused to read a label on the Cottonmouth that listed Mississippi as its source. "Mississippi...yeah, right...where'd you get your hands on... No! Don't tell me! Did you really...?" I wish I had been there to see his expression. I hope my mother never reads this.
On occasion, my Dad would ask us, "Why don't you guys get into birds or something else other than herps?" The word "herps," by the way, is slang for herptiles, which includes many things cold, wet, and/or slimy--like lizards, frogs, salamanders, snakes, toads, and a few snake collectors I've met. You wanna get herps? I can tell you how. Anyway, our answer to our father's question was always the same: "Borrrrrring! You can't catch birds and hold them in your hands!" (We actually believed this at the time.) Oddly enough, in seventh grade we drew names from a bowl to see which classmate we would have to buy a Christmas gift for. Floyd and I (being in the same class) drew the names of two of our closest friends. While in a bookstore, we happened upon A Field Guide to Eastern Birds by Roger Tory Peterson, and decided to get each of our friends a copy. The perfect gag gift! We thought this was very funny. But fate as it would be, those two guys drew each of US from the bowl, and they, too, got each of us the SAME stupid book! Go figure! We thought this was very bizarre.
So what should four energetic guys do who are stuck with four identical books on birdwatching? We managed to round up a few binoculars, naturally, and...well...to make a long story short, we made our dad regret his occasional question. We whined and fussed until he drove us to every known birding hotspot within a seventeen-hour drive (or so it seemed) from home. Boy, was he glad when we got our driver's licenses! Floyd, by the way, later authored a book on the birds of Paraguay and is writing a new guide to the birds of yet another country. Although I am now doing some bird work, my main interest over the years has been herps--mainly snakes.
So you see...all the elements were right there from the start--in the family genes. What more can I say? It's not my fault! And if my web site lags a few years without updating, you can assume that my mom has probably read about the cottonmouth and other illicit "pets"...
Is animal research acceptable?
There are some who object to research on animals. However, there are two compelling reasons why we disagree with this position.
First, contrary to the inappropriate and irresponsible claims of many animal rights advocates, research on animals really does save human lives. The treatment of snakebite provides a compelling example. Present estimates suggest that, globally, 100,000 or more snakebite victims die annually. Countless others suffer horrendous morbidity, with gross tissue damage and often-crippling aftereffects. Fortunately, these numbers would be far worse were it not for the one highly effective form of treatment available to us: antivenom. Over the decades, antivenoms to various snake venoms have probably saved hundreds of thousands (perhaps even millions) of lives and have reduced the severity of outcomes for many additional survivors.
But where does antivenom come from? To produce it, snakes must be captured to procure venom. The venom (in minute amounts) must then be injected into another animal, usually a horse or sheep, that serves as an antivenom factory. The immune system of the injected animal produces millions of antibody molecules, which, when purified from the blood, constitute the antivenom. Both procedures can be conducted with minimal stress and no harm to the animals. Because many snakes produce venom having a unique composition, many types of antivenom need to be produced to provide protection against the many species of dangerous snakes. To put it bluntly, there is as yet NO viable alternative to the use of animals to save humans from the ravages of snakebite.
Second, basic natural history research contributes to a wealth of knowledge that greatly influences public attitudes and environmental policy. Without research on animals, for example, how would we learn what species are endangered, what factors are causing their decline, and what habitat requirements are essential for their survival? Without research on animals, how would we recognize the serious impacts that human activities have on the delicate balance of our environment? Without an understanding of animals that only research can provide, who would recognize the need to protect wildlife and sensitive environments, or how to prioritize limited resources for conservation? And who would care about the plight of any animal if the absence of research left us wholly ignorant of its biology?
As important as research on animals may be, we are staunch advocates of animal welfare. Whether the research subjects are eels or eagles, mice or manatees, animals always deserve to be treated well. Today, government regulations and strict institutional oversight ensure humane treatment of animals used in research. At times, we find the process to gain approval of our various projects time-consuming and burdensome, but the alternative--unrestricted animal use--is less attractive. No doubt, some animals would suffer inappropriately and the reputation of those doing legitimate, humane studies would be tarnished. Thus, careful oversight of animal research benefits not only the animals but the research community as well.
Would you like to sponsor our research?
My students and I would be delighted if you or someone you know would like to contribute to one or more of our research endeavors. Becoming a sponsor would offer a number of benefits:
Conservation - Contributions support important conservation projects aimed at saving endangered Bahamian species and the sensitive environments they require to survive.
Tax-deduction - Any contribution through the University is fully tax-deductable.
Education - Contributions support aspiring students seeking professional careers. The level of funding for a student's project can make an enormous difference for his or her future.
Leveraged fund-raising - Contributions will encourage others to become sponsors and can be used as matching funds for grants.
Visibility - Sponsors will be acknowledged on this web site and in our publications. We would be pleased to consider naming a student fellowship, a specific project, and even the lab itself after a generous donor.
Please contact me for details on how to make the contribution.
 |
||
|
 |
|
 |
||
Last Revised: Mon, Jun 18, 2007