In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with herpetologist Terry Vandeventer, better known to many Mississippians as “the Snake Dude.” Terry shares his lifelong passion for reptiles, from growing up fascinated with snakes in Illinois to moving south in the 1970s and becoming one of the region’s foremost snake educators.
They cover:
• The 56 species of snakes found in Mississippi, including the six venomous species
• Misconceptions about snakes — from myths about chasing people to exaggerated tales of danger
• Snake bite facts: around 125 bites per year in Mississippi, but no fatalities in 75 years
• Conservation concerns for timber rattlesnakes, eastern diamondbacks, and black pine snakes
• The important role snakes play in controlling pests and maintaining balance in the ecosystem
Terry also previews his upcoming book Mississippi Snakes: Their Identification, Natural History, and Cultural Influence (University Press of Mississippi), and even brings live snakes into the studio — including a speckled kingsnake and a corn snake.
Whether you fear them or find them fascinating, this episode will help you better understand Mississippi’s most misunderstood wildlife.
Mississippi Outdoors is produced by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
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