DESERT SNAKES: MYSTERY AND INTRIGUE w/ Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park
Feared and respected by many for their potential to inflict harm, snakes have long captured humanity’s fascination.

William Hayes will introduce participants to a remarkable variety of venomous and non-venomous snakes that inhabit Southern California’s deserts in this all-day class. Starting in the classroom, Dr. Hayes will discuss the many essential adaptations for snakes to survive in the desert ecosystem, including unique morphological, physiological, behavioral, and ecological traits. Snake venom will also be discussed in detail, answering the following questions: What is venom? How is it made? How is it delivered? Can venoms be beneficial? The class will explore the surrounding desert to identify reptile habitats and hopefully see some snakes!

About the Instructor: William Hayes, Ph.D., Zoology and Physiology, Professor of Biology, Loma Linda University. Hayes specializes in the ecology of venoms and venomous animals, behavioral ecology and conservation of lizards, and behavioral ecology, taxonomy, and conservation of birds. He has published numerous works, taught and organized conferences and workshops, and has given multiple television contributions. Hayes currently teaches classes in behavioral ecology, herpetology, ornithology, and conservation.