Current Projects

    • Thermal Ecology of the Snakes in Middle Tennessee
      • For the past few years my lab has been examining basic body temperature regulation on a daily and seasonal basis for Eastern Racers, Northern Watersnakes and Timber Rattlesnakes.  I currently have a student (Eric Nordberg) that is studying the hibernation ecology of a local rattlesnake population.  These type of projects I continue to be be interested in, so I am always looking for good grad students interested in the thermal ecology of snakes.
    • Metabolic Rate in Fossorial Snakes
      • I have a current student (Jacob Campbell) looking at metabolic adaptation of fossioral lifestyles in snakes.  With our oxygen and CO2 analyzer many other project could be initiated in the future.
    • Turtle Ecology
      • A few years ago I was conducting a turtle ecology project at Reelfoot Lake, TN.  There are still several turtle projects (locally or at Reelfoot Lake) that that can easily be done if anyone is interested.
    • Ecotox and Stress in Cottonmouths
      • The project began in 2006 and is in collaboration with Frank Bailey and Matt Klukowski (MTSU) and Thomas Rainwater (wildlife toxicologist & deadly reptile wrangler extraordinaire).
      • We initially we examed mercury levels in different populations of cottonmouths along a river drainage leading to Caddo Lake, Texas.
      • This project has expanded and most recently we have been measuring corticosterone levels and differential leukocyte count  in cottonmouths for detecting stress responses.
    • Thermal Ecology of Arthropods on Middle Tennessee Cedar Glades
      • I have been interested in the thermal biology of spiders and scorpions in some local cedar glades.  The cedar glades offer a unique opportunity to examine small scale desert-like environments within a forested landscape.

    Last Update: 12/15/11
    Page Design and Layout: Chris Hebertson and Vincent Cobb