Cold-Blooded Curiosities: A Dive into Herpetology

Welcome to Deep Dives and Drafts! If you're new, please check out our group page to learn more about us here.

From ancient serpent gods to modern antivenom, reptiles have slithered through human history as objects of fear, reverence, exploitation, and scientific fascination. This month, we’re diving into herpetology—the study of reptiles and amphibians—through multiple lenses: biology, medicine, mythology, and environmental ethics.

Some topics we might explore:

Herpetology 101

• What defines reptiles and amphibians, shared phenotypic traits, evolutionary context, and major lineages.
• Show & Tell: For anyone interested, pick a reptile or amphibian you find fascinating and give a brief, informal introduction to the group.

Biomedical Sciences

• Venom vs. poison, biomedical applications, and major scientific and medical breakthroughs driven by the study of reptiles and amphibians.

Conservation & Exploitation

• Endangered and invasive species, habitat loss, and the wildlife trade—including pets, fashion, skins, and luxury goods.

Reptiles in Mythology & Culture

• Reptiles as symbols of healing, rebirth, danger, and power. Dragons as the ultimate reptilian myth—villains in the West, wisdom in the East.

Some references (if you want them!):

Books:

• Too many biological/life science references to choose from..

• Slither: How Nature’s Most Maligned Creatures Illuminate Our World — Stephen S. Hall link

• Eye of Newt and Toe of Frog, Adder’s Fork and Lizard’s Leg: The Lore and Mythology of Amphibians and Reptiles — Marty Crump link

Podcasts:

• Ologies — Herpetology (David Steen) link
• Ologies — Bufology (Priya Nanjappa) link
• Stuff You Should Know — How Frogs Work link
• This Podcast Will Kill You — Snake Venom: Collateral Damage link
• Snake Talk Podcast link
  —Episode 14 — Melissa Amarello: Using Social Interactions of Snakes to Achieve Conservation
  —Episode 13 — Dr. Charles Peterson: Snakes of the Intermountain West
  —Episode 12 — Snakes and Their Prey

Websites & Articles

• Medications & Natural Products Derived from Animals: Reptiles & Amphibians link
• Reptiles and Amphibians in Pharmaceutical Research link

YouTube / Documentaries

• The Hidden World of Cold-Blooded Animals | BBC Earth link
• World’s Most Venomous Snakes: Ultimate Faceoff (Full Episode) | When Predators Attack link
• Wildlife – Just Reptiles link
• Snake Salvation (Docuseries) link

How does this group work?

Each month or two we will select a topic to explore. The meetup will be anchored by a set of recommended readings, podcasts, or other media intended to provide theoretical context and a foundation for discourse. Our aim is to foster intellectual engagement, thoughtful dialogue, and collective learning.
Meetups will be in public spaces where folks can order food and beverages if they wish.