222 Aesculapian Snake Special
Episode description
We are talking about our own work this week, focusing on our latest research into Europe’s foremost colubrid, the Aesculapian snake. We chat about radio-tracking these beasts and dive into some of the media coverage this study has received. Finally, we touch on some good conservation news from the Zoological Society of London.
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Main Paper Reference:
Major T, Jeffrey L, Limia Russel G, Bracegirdle R, Gandini A, Morgan R, Marshall BM, Mulley JF, Wüster W. 2025. A reliance on human habitats is key to the success of an introduced predatory reptile. PLOS ONE 20:e0310352. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310352.
Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:
Major, T., Bracegirdle, R., Gandini, A., Russell, G. L., Pozzi, A. V., Morgan, R., ... & Wüster, W. (2023). Mate today, gone tomorrow: male on female cannibalism in Zamenis longissimus (Laurenti, 1768) in North Wales. Herpetology Notes, 16, 51-54.
Other Links/Mentions:
BBC Radio 4 inside science (Tom at 20:35): https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0027txb
Conversation article about Aesculapian snakes: https://theconversation.com/britain-has-a-new-snake-species-should-climate-change-mean-it-is-allowed-to-stay-249043
Leap of Hope documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs1SIs0KRlk&ab_channel=ZSL-ZoologicalSocietyofLondon
Sample I. 2025. Endangered frogs born at London zoo after rescue mission in Chile. The Guardian.
Editing and Music:
Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson
Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy
Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com
Intro visuals – Paul Snelling