Jun 7, 2025
This week on The Backyard Naturalists, we’re welcoming a cold-blooded guest — and we mean that in the best way possible.
Reptile educator Jay Bell joins Debbie and Laurie in the studio, bringing along his unforgettable companion: Norm, a Burmese python who stretches over 6 feet long (and still growing!). Together, they unpack a fascinating (and often misunderstood) corner of the natural world: snakes.
Whether you're a snake lover or snake skeptic, this episode has something for you:
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🐍 Snake bite safety 101 – What to do and what NOT to do if you're ever bitten by a venomous snake
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🌴 Florida’s reptile invasion – Jay shares stories from the field about curly-tailed lizards, green iguanas, and how invasive species are reshaping ecosystems
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🐢 Life with a python – Hear what it takes to care for a massive snake like Norm, from housing and feeding to enrichment and education
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🎓 Snake smarts – Think snakes aren’t intelligent? Think again. Jay shares insights into their surprising capacity for learning and interaction
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💬 Overcoming fear – Learn how Jay gently helps people move from panic to curiosity, one scaled step at a time
It’s a winding, warm, and often humorous conversation about education, conservation, and connecting people to wildlife — even the slithery kind. And yes, you’ll hear Norm moving around the mic more than once!
🎧 Tune in now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts.