Crotalology (RATTLESNAKES) with Dr. Emily Taylor
Fangs. Rattles. Misconceptions. Crawl out from under your rock for the angelic rattle of one of the world’s most maligned, misunderstood, gorgeous, mysterious, efficient creatures. Herpetology professor, rattlesnake scientist and thus, Crotalologist Dr. Emily Taylor discusses why rattlesnakes deserve our love, the parenthood strategies of rattlers, how to avoid getting bitten, dog rattlesnake training, rattlers’ relationships with squirrels, antivenom, vaccines, mattress trivia, mood snakes and who gets bitten the most. Hint: it’s not hikers.
Listen via Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Podbay, Podcast Addict, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
July 13-19, 2025 celebrate the Inaugural Snake Week and check out ProjectRattleCam
Visit Dr. Taylor’s website and follow her on Bluesky and Instagram
Buy Dr. Taylor’s book, California Snakes and How to Find Them, on Bookshop.org or Amazon
Her latest book, California Lizards and How to Find Them, is also available on Bookshop.org and Amazon
A donation went to The Rattlesnake Conservancy
Emily’s Rattlesnake Perception Survey: take the pre-survey, listen to the episode, then complete the post-survey.
Links to things we discussed:
The Pituitary Regulation Of Melanophores In The Rattlesnake
A rattlesnake just bit your dog on a California hike. Here’s what to do, experts say
Pygmy Rattlesnakes Do Rattle! Shot with iPhone 11.
Vet Watch: What's going on with the rattlesnake vaccine (Crotalus atrox toxoid) and the USDA?
Rattlesnake vaccine production stops due to ‘lack of testing’
Polyvalent Snake Antivenoms: Production Strategy and Their Therapeutic Benefits
Sprinkler Sounds | 7hrs of Calming Sprinkler Sounds | Sounds for Sleep, Relaxation and Mindfulness
Improving Perceptions of Rattlesnakes with Conservation Message Framing
Effects of relational and instrumental messaging on human perception of rattlesnakes
Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup
🐍 The World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup | Sweetwater, Texas 🏜️
Washington hiker finds boot from 'Wild' movie
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake Crotalus pyrrhus
A Newbie Believer | Snake Salvation
Snake-Handling Pastor Bitten By Deadly Rattlesnake | MY LIFE INSIDE: THE SNAKE CHURCH
A snake killed his father in church. Pastor has also been bitten, new documentary shows
Snake-handling pastor Jamie Coots hailed as 'martyr' after fatal bite
Despite Criticism, the Last of the Rattlesnake Roundups Hang On
List of fatal snake bites in the United States
Rattlesnakes May Like Climate Change, Cal Poly Study Says
Taking a look at the rattlesnake vaccine
Polyvalent Snake Antivenoms: Production Strategy and Their Therapeutic Benefits
Family values: Maternal care in rattlesnakes is more than mere attendance
Social security: can rattlesnakes reduce acute stress through social buffering?
Even rattlesnakes feel better with friends, study shows!
Other episodes you may enjoy:
Acaropathology (TICKS & LYME DISEASE)
Forest Entomology (CREEPY CRAWLIES)
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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee
Managing Director: Susan Hale
Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth
Transcripts by Aveline Malek
Website by Kelly R. Dwyer
Theme song by Nick Thorburn