Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Animal Watch: Be Aware, Appreciate Natural Ecosystem

Brian Greene holding snake

As you head outdoors during the spring and summer, bask in the beauty of the Ozarks. In the local area we are surrounded by many opportunities to get in touch with nature, by hiking, canoeing, camping and a myriad of other activities.

This is the first in a two part series looking at animals that surround us here in southwest Missouri.

Dr. Brian Greene, herpetologist at Missouri State University, explains his research, and his interest in snakes.

Often times snakes get a bad rap. They’re usually more frightened by you than you are of them, and you’ll most likely overlook them if you’re trekking through the woods, added Greene. He explained that there are four venomous species here in southwest Missouri, including two rattlesnakes.

In order to identify whether a snake is venomous or not, Greene says most of the features would require that you get close enough to touch. But Greene doesn’t think people should be too frightened. He studies the ecology of snakes, which encompasses pretty much any behavior of an animal in their natural environment.

One of his primary research subjects is the western cottonmouth, and recently, he’s made some interesting discoveries about the species.

Though people generally are fearful of snakes, Greene points out there are several thousand people a year bitten by snakes, and fewer than 10 deaths. On top of that, Greene said, snakes are great for research.

Nicki received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration from Missouri State in marketing, in 2002 and 2004 respectively. After gaining experience in writing, marketing, special event planning, fundraising and public relations, she returned to the university to work in the office of strategic communication. There she tells the university’s story by sharing the stories of individuals at Missouri State.
Related Content