About the Course
Feared and respected by many for their potential to inflict harm, snakes have long captured the fascination of humanity. This course introduces participants to a remarkable variety of venomous and non-venomous snakes that inhabit Southern California's deserts and the many adaptations that are essential for them to survive in the desert ecosystem including unique morphological, physiological, behavioral, and ecological traits. Many questions about venoms are addressed: What is venom, how is it made, and how is it delivered? How should a snakebite be avoided and, if necessary, treated? Can venoms provide beneficial cures for disease? Includes exploration to locate and identify reptile habitat and possibly see some snakes. A sampling of local venomous and non-venomous snakes are brought into the classroom.