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Kory Roberts (AKA: kaptainkory)

Introduction

Some things...never change.

I thought I would provide a little background about myself and what, eventually, would lead me to create this website.

I grew up in Huntsville, Arkansas, and spent my summers flipping rocks in search of creepy-crawlies. My Dad had done his share of snake-catching when he was a youngster, but my interest and fascination exceeded his.

Even when I was young, I wanted to be a ⚠ herpetologist (and yes, I knew what that word meant!). But at the same time, my "hobby" was much misunderstood by many around me. I always thought to myself, "People who say they like to fish don't always have to justify why they like to fish. But why is it when I say I like looking for snakes, people wonder why? Can't I just like something for the sake of liking it?"

I was a bit of a crusader even then, and took it upon myself to educate others about snakes: their importance, their beauty, why we shouldn't kill every single one we see just because we can, etc.

Other interests took the forefront for a few years, but eventually (after I had earned a Bachelor's degree--not in the sciences), I had the opportunity to live out a childhood dream of actually becoming a ⚠ herpetologist (or at the least a field research technician). For the next five years, while I was also working toward a Masters of Arts in Teaching (General Science / Biology), I got the chance to work with Dr. Steven Beaupre at the University of Arkansas whose focus is on Timber Rattlesnake physiological ecology. During the summer of 2006, I returned to the Beaupre lab to continue my work with Timber Rattlesnakes through the Arkansas STRIVE program.

Although I no longer take an active part in professional snake research, I consider myself a "professional snake educator". Along with numerous other speaking engagements, for the past several summers I have taught ⚠ herpetology to 11 and 12 year olds at the Arkansas Audubon Ecology Camp.

This website started off rather modestly as a place where people could ID snakes (they likely killed), but has since grown into a thorough educational service, a photographic library, a community of herpers, and a partnership with professional ⚠ herpetologists. It served as a platform for re-establishing the Arkansas Herpetological Society in 2004.

As my "day job", I am a public school science teacher. After teaching 7th grade science for several years, in 2008 I transitioned to the high school level. I currently teach physical science, biology, and pre-AP biology at Rogers High School in Rogers, Arkansas.

I hope this has given you a better sense of who I am and why I am here.

Happy herpin'!!!!

~Kory

Email | Facebook | Flickr | YouTube

Scientific Publications and Presentations

• Roberts, K. G. and K. J. Irwin. 2012. Arkansas Herpetological Atlas 2012, Distributions of Amphibians and Reptiles. <http://HerpsOfArkansas.com/Herp/Atlas/arherpatlas2012.pdf>
• Connior, Matthew B. and Kory Roberts. 2010. Geographic distribution: Thamnophis proximus. Herpetological Review. 41 (3): 382-383.
• Connior, Matthew B., Kory Roberts and Idun Guenther. 2010. Geographic distribution: Cemophora coccinea. Herpetological Review. 41 (3): 379.
• Connior, Matthew B., Kory Roberts and Idun Guenther. 2010. Geographic distribution: Plestiodon laticeps. Herpetological Review. 41 (3): 378.
• Manning, Glenn J. and Kory Roberts. 2007. Geographic distribution: Eurycea lucifuga. Herpetological Review. 38 (4): 472.
• Douglas, L, Roberts, K. and Beaupre S. J. 2007. Habitat selection by timber rattlesnakes in Northwest Arkansas. American Society of Ichthyologists and ⚠ Herpetologists, Annual Meeting, July, 2007, St. Louis, MO.
• Roberts, Kory and S. J. Beaupre. 2006. Habitat use in a Northwest Arkansas population of timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). Arkansas STRIVE presentation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. Also presented at Lingle Middle School, Rogers, AR.
• Beaupre, Steven J., Kory Roberts, and Chad E. Montgomery. 2005. Geographic distribution: Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis. Herpetological Review. 36 (1): 84.
• Roberts, Kory, Jason Gunter, Chad E. Montgomery, and Steven J. Beaupre. 2005. Geographic distribution: Opheodrys aestivus. Herpetological Review. 36 (1): 83.
• Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic distribution: Opheodrys aestivus. Herpetological Review. 36 (1): 83.
• Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic distribution: Masticophis flagellum flagellum. Herpetological Review. 36 (1): 83.
• Roberts, Kory, Chad E. Montgomery, and Steven J. Beaupre. 2005. Geographic distribution: Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster. Herpetological Review. 36 (1): 82.
• Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic distribution: Heterodon platirhinos. Herpetological Review. 36 (1): 82.
• Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic distribution: Elaphe emoryi. Herpetological Review. 36 (1): 82.
• Gunter, Jason, Kory Roberts, Chad E. Montgomery and Steven J. Beaupre. 2005. Geographic distribution: Lampropeltis triangulum syspila. Herpetological Review. 36 (1): 82.
• Roberts, Kory and Robert Pulay. 2005. Geographic distribution: Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix. Herpetological Review. 36 (1): 81.
• Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic distribution: Elaphe obsoleta. Herpetological Review. 36 (1): 81.
• Roberts, Kory and Robert Pulay. 2005. Geographic distribution: Crotaphytus collaris. Herpetological Review. 36 (1): 78-79.
• Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic distribution: Hyla versicolor. Herpetological Review. 36 (1): 75.
• Gunter, Jason, Kory Roberts, Chad E. Montgomery and Steven J. Beaupre. 2005. Geographic distribution: Gastrophryne carolinensis. Herpetological Review. 36 (1): 74.
• Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic distribution: Bufo americanus charlesmithi. Herpetological Review. 36 (1): 73.
• Roberts, Kory. 2004. A discussion of resources for the modern amateur field ⚠ herpetologist. 2nd Annual Meeting of Reptile and Amphibian Enthusiasts of Arkansas, Mount Magazine State Park, AR.
• Beaupre, S. J. and K. G. Roberts. 2001. Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix. Chemotaxis, Arboreality and Diet. Herpetological Review, 32(1): 44-45.
• Roberts, K. G. and S. J. Beaupre. 1997. Habitat use in a Northwest Arkansas population of the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), with comments on arboreality. American Society of Ichthyologists and ⚠ Herpetologists, Annual Meeting, June, 1997, Seattle, WA.

Photograph (and Other Media) Publications

• Frogs for 2015 Arkansas Frogs and Toads calendar. 2014. AR.
• Frogs for exhibits, in development, at Logoly State Park. 2015. AR.
• Texas Brown Tarantula mating video for Daily Planet that airs on the Discovery Channel in Canada. 2015. Canada.
• Frogs for Frog Card Deck/Pocket Guide, Arkansas Frogs and Toads. 2015. AR.
• Frog audio recordings for Arkansas FrogWatch USA workshops. 2015. AR.
• Dot distribution maps for amphibians and reptiles for Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan. 2015. AR.
• ⚠ Herps for Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan. 2015. AR.
• ⚠ Herps for ONSC L. I. V. E., Ozark Natural Science Center. 2015. AR.
• ⚠ Herps for Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. 2015. Little Rock, AR.
• ⚠ Herps for Louisiana ⚠ herp field guide, in development. 2015. LA.
• Frogs for KARK channel 4 noon show and talk about wildlife by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. 2015. AR.
• Northern Crawfish Frog for social media outreach by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region. 2015. USA.
• Eastern Tiger Salamander ⚠ larva for nature center exhibit at Pajarito Environmental Education Center. 2015. NM.
• Amphiuma for exhibit graphic at Shedd Aquarium. 2015. Chicago, IL.
• Frogs for 2015 Arkansas Frogs and Toads calendar. 2014. AR.
• Salamanders for wall display at Tulsa Zoo’s Conservation Center. 2014. Tulsa, OK.
• Woodland Vole for Oklahoma Biological Survey's biodiversity poster series and related website. 2014. OK.
• Ozark Zigzag Salamander for Call of the Wild event logo. 2014. Ozark Natural Science Center, AR.
• Ozark Hellbender for Overcoming Roadblocks to Recovery of Declining Amphibian Populations in the United States by Susan Walls, US Geological Survey. 2014. To be submitted to BioScience.
• Turtles for World Turtle Day poster display at the Herpetarium of the Saint Louis Zoo. May, 2014. St. Louis, MO.
• ⚠ Herps for QSR Field Guide (Boy Scouts). 2014. Quivira Scout Ranch, Sedan, KS.
• Salamanders for Hellbenders and Waterdogs, Spring Lizards Preside in a Mysterious World. September-October, 2014. Arkansas Wildlife magazine.
• Frogs for The Sounds of Spring, Frogs, Toads Testify to Environmental Health. May-June, 2014. Arkansas Wildlife magazine.
• Frogs for Alberta Volunteer Amphibian Monitoring Program laminated amphibian identifier sheet. 2014. Alberta Conservation Association, Alberta, Canada.
• Common Snapping Turtle for animal identification graphic at the Fort Worth Zoo. 2013. Fort Worth, TX.
• Various for Annual Report of Arizona Land and Water Trust. 2013. AZ.
• Least Shrew for free online public wildlife guide to Upstate NY. 2013. NY.
• Spotted Salamander for deck display at Hobbs State Park - Conservation Area. 2013. Rogers, AR.
• Broad-headed Skink for digital educational exhibit at First Landing State Park. 2012. Virginia Beach, VA.
• Spotted Salamander egg masses for amphibian & reptile egg identification guide as part of Toronto Zoo’s Adopt-a-Pond program. 2012. Toronto, Canada.
• Variable Groundsnake for species page at Oregon State Fish and Wildlife Department website. 2012. OR.
• Sleeping Red Bat for Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission electronic newsletter. January, 2012. AR.
• Spring Peepers for Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission electronic newsletter. April, 2010. AR.
• Box Turtles for Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission citizen science box turtle survey. 2007-2008. AR.
• Tarantulas for Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission citizen science tarantula survey. 2004. AR.

Outreach

• Webmaster: http://HerpsOfArkansas.com. 2002-current.
• Instructor of Herpetology: Arkansas Audubon Society adult workshops, Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center, Little Rock, AR. 2015.
• Camp Counselor and Instructor of Herpetology: Edith and Henry Halberg Audubon Ecology Camp, Camp Clearfork, AR. 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 (x2), 2002 (x2), 2003 (x2), 2004 (x2), 2005 (x2), 2006, 2007 (x2), 2008 (x2), 2009 (x2), 2010 (x2), 2011 (x2), 2012 (x2), 2013 (x2), 2014 (x2), 2015 (x2).
• Presenter (Live-Animal Program): Lingle Middle School's "Outdoor School", Lake Atlanta City Park, Rogers, AR. 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015.
• Save the Frogs: Rogers High School Science and Art Open House, Rogers, AR. 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.
• Instructor (⚠ Herpetology): Northwest Arkansas Master Naturalists Class, Various Locations, AR. 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.
• Coordinator: Arkansas Herpetological Society Spring/Fall Field Trips, Various Locations, AR. 2004, 2005 (x2), 2006 (x2), 2007 (x2), 2008 (x2), 2009 (x2), 2010 (x2).
• Presenter (Live-Animal Program): Territorial Fair, Historic Arkansas Museum, Little Rock, AR. 2009.
• Presenter (Live-Animal Booth): Arkansas Herpetological Society Educational Booth, Kidz Fair, Arkansas State Fairgrounds, Little Rock, AR. 2005, 2006, 2007.
• Presenter (Live-Animal Booth): Fall Family Festival, Jones Center for Families, Springdale, AR. 2006.
• Research Assistant: working with Dr. Steven Beaupre through the Arkansas STRIVE program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. 2006.
• Coordinating Director: Meeting of Reptile and Amphibian Enthusiasts of Arkansas, Various Locations, AR. 2003, 2004.
• Presenter (Live-Animal Program): University Museum Discovery Room's "Science Saturdays", University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. 1997, 1998, 1999.

Awards and Recognition

• Honorable Mention ("Toad eating an insect"): First Annual Great Arkansas Outdoor Photography Contest, Sponsored by Bedford's Camera and Video and Arkansas Game and Fish, AR. 2004.