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So you want to be a herpetologist? I can’t blame you. The dis-
cipline can be both exciting and challenging. Each week

offers a rollercoaster of experiences that range from disappoint-
ing to elating and from near misses to complete success — but
I didn’t start out with this career in mind.

While I’ve always loved spending time outdoors and had
an interest in wildlife, I never dreamed that I would become a
herpetologist. Throughout my undergraduate work at the
University of Arkansas–Conway, my primary goal was to
become a game biologist — amphibians and reptiles weren’t on
my radar screen. During my last semester in college, I took a ver-
tebrate biology course. This course provided my first glimpse of
the rich diversity of species besides those you hunt or fish. My
eyes were opened to a whole new world of species that had
always been there but which I had never really “seen.”

After receiving my B.S. in Biology, I began graduate work
at the University of Arkansas–Fayetteville. I struggled to decide
what type of project I should pursue for my thesis. I looked into
possible research on Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and Red Foxes.
However, due to opportunity and funding, I finally resolved to
study pond-breeding amphibians in the Ouachita National

Forest. Although I had little experience working with amphib-
ians, spending night after night at my field sites studying their
biology and behaviors changed all of that. After completion of
my Master’s thesis, I knew I wanted to spend my life learning

The Life and Times of a 
State Agency Herpetologist

Jeff Briggler

Herpetologist
Missouri Department of Conservation
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101, USA

Photographs courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation unless otherwise indicated.

160 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3  •  SEPTEMBER 2005 BRIGGLER

Speaking to a Master Naturalist class, the author presents information
on the importance of the ephemeral wetlands on which many of
Missouri’s amphibians rely for reproduction.

�

The author and a protection agent release an Ozark Hellbender
(Cryptobranchus alleganiensis). Hellbender populations in Missouri
and throughout the range of the species are declining, with failed
recruitment largely responsible, although specific causes remain
unknown in many instances. Numerous brochures have been pro-
duced in an effort to increase awareness of Hellbenders and their
plight.



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3  •  SEPTEMBER 2005 161HERPETOLOGIST

more about these creatures and helping to protect them and
their habitat. With this goal in mind, I decided to pursue to a
Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas–Fayetteville. I had no idea
where I would end up after getting my doctorate, but I knew
that, wherever it was, I wanted to be working with amphibians
and reptiles.

I was hired as the herpetologist of the state of Missouri in
July 2000. I replaced Tom R. Johnson, who had held the posi-
tion since its inception in 1977. I spent the first few years learn-
ing more about the state’s amphibians and reptiles and their dis-
tributions across Missouri, familiarizing myself with the millions
of acres of publicly owned land, and becoming acquainted with
hundreds of land managers throughout the state.

Being the herpetologist for the state of Missouri, I rarely do
the same thing two days in a row. I may be on the phone or
writing emails to address questions from the public and depart-
ment staff on Monday, searching for Massasauga Rattlesnakes
(Sistrurus catenatus) in northwestern Missouri on Tuesday, help-
ing a land manager inventory all of the ponds in his area on
Wednesday, attending a Regulations Committee meeting on
Thursday, and writing a manuscript detailing my most recent
research on Friday.

A large part of the job deals with providing technical sup-
port to Missouri Department of Conservation staff, other agen-
cies, and the public. I spend considerable time addressing ques-
tions from the public regarding amphibians and reptiles. The
majority of questions pertain to snakes and how to keep them
away from people’s homes — but, on occasion, I receive a call
from an individual on how to attract snakes to their property. In

The author (top) looking at a Flat-headed Snake (Tantilla gracilis,
middle) on an Ozark glade. Glades occur where soluble surface rocks
have dissolved, leaving largely insoluble rocks and little soil. These very
dry, harsh habitats, characterized by drought-tolerant Eastern Red
Cedar trees (Juniperous virginiana), support a large number of
Missouri’s reptiles, many of which are prairie- or desert-dwelling
species that reach the northeastern most extents of their ranges on
Missouri’s glades. For example, populations of Eastern Collared
Lizards (Crotaphytus collaris, bottom) in Missouri are closely tied to
glades and are extremely vulnerable to habitat alterations that result
from fire control and invasions of non-native plants.



162 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3  •  SEPTEMBER 2005 BRIGGLER

Public education may be the most important facet of a state agency
herpetologist’s job. Here, the author shows a group of individuals a
live Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum). This species is
common in many parts of Missouri, but seldom encountered due to
its secretive burrowing lifestyle.

During a workshop training session (top), participants learn how to
use a dipnet and how to identify tadpoles and larval salamanders. The
author dipnets an Ozark pond looking for amphibian larvae during a
herpetofaunal survey of a state-owned conservation area (middle).
General surveys such as this are essential for developing inventories of
wildlife resources and necessary management plans that include con-
siderations for the needs of amphibians and reptiles. Most known
populations of the Ringed Salamander (Ambystoma annulatum; bot-
tom) seem to be doing well, but the species has a very limited range,
most of which is within the state of Missouri.



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3  •  SEPTEMBER 2005 163HERPETOLOGIST

addition, I write and edit many educational materials (articles,
brochures, posters) and give numerous presentations on
amphibian and reptilian life histories. Overall, Missouri’s citi-
zens are eager to learn more about the biodiversity of their state.

Besides dealing with questions from the public, I work with
land managers to address management and conservation needs
as requested. I commonly provide management recommenda-
tions regarding prescribed burning, pond construction and ren-
ovation, mowing and haying, disking, timber harvests, etc. I also
provide technical workshops each year for individuals wanting
to learn more about amphibian and reptilian conservation.
Workshops include amphibian and reptile management, stream-
team training, venomous snake handling, conservation agent
training, Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) ecology, and
rare and endangered species training. I have learned over the
years that the key to increasing awareness and appreciation of

amphibians and reptiles is through educational materials and
especially through hands-on workshops.

As the state herpetologist, I oversee many activities related
to rare and endangered amphibians and reptiles. Of the 108
species native to Missouri, 29 are considered rare or endangered.
These species receive extra attention in an effort to preserve them
as part of Missouri’s wildlife. Information regarding the status
and distribution of each of these species is archived and used to
determine the vulnerability of these animals to extirpation.
Currently, I represent Hellbenders and Massasauga Rattlesnakes
on national recovery teams. These two species are in the most
need of recovery efforts in Missouri. In addition to them, other
species have received considerable attention over the years. The
restoration of Eastern Collared Lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) on
glades has been and continues to be successful. I provide con-
siderable management information regarding these species to
area managers and private landowners, and much of my work
involves surveys of these rare and endangered species and super-
vision of department-sponsored research projects through which
we seek to learn more about their basic biology.

A large part of my job involves surveying amphibians and
reptiles across Missouri. Even though this is the best part of the
job, one person cannot effectively survey the entire state.
Therefore, much time is spent acquiring grants to coordinate
projects with staff, other agencies, and universities to conduct
the work. Currently, the Missouri Department of Conservation
is conducting surveys on Natural Areas and Conservation Areas
around the state to obtain baseline information on all amphib-

The author installing a drift fence during a Massasauga Rattlesnake
(Sistrurus catenatus) survey. This survey was conducted in a State Park
in collaboration with personnel from the Missouri Department of
Natural Resources, federal authorities (especially when dealing with
populations on National Wildlife Refuges), and university researchers.
Numerous surveys have been conducted for Massasaugas during the
author’s five-year tenure at the Missouri Department of Conservation.
The species presumably ranged across much of northern Missouri in
historical times, but is now limited to three known populations on
state or federal refuges and a few scattered individuals that may or may
not represent viable, self-sustaining populations.

The author explaining to a state forester (above) how to tell a male
from a female Prairie Lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus, below). Much of
the work of a state agency herpetologist is working with the person-
nel of other agencies on issues relating to amphibians and reptiles.



ians and reptiles. Over the past five years, I, with the assistance
of staff, have conducted specific surveys on Illinois Chorus Frogs
(Pseudacris streckeri), Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica), Northern
Crawfish Frogs (Rana areolata), Ringed Salamanders

(Ambystoma annulatum), Hellbenders, Illinois Mud Turtles
(Kinosternon flavescens spooneri), Western Chicken Turtles
(Deirochelys reticularia), Massasauga Rattlesnakes, and Timber
Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus), to name only a few. I take a

164 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3  •  SEPTEMBER 2005 BRIGGLER

During an amphibian and reptile workshop, participants learn how to
install drift lines and hoop traps in order to collect and survey for aquatic
turtles. In addition to monitoring effects of such natural events as the
massive floods of 1993, during which all of Missouri’s major rivers
ranged far out of their banks, some aquatic turtles, such as the Chicken
Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia, top left), Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea
blandingii, left), and Illinois Mud Turtle (Kinosternon flavescens spooneri,
top), are of conservation concern in the state. Chicken Turtles are rela-
tively common in the southeastern United States, Blanding’s Turtles have
a disjunct distribution in the upper Midwest, and Illinois Mud Turtle
populations are isolated relicts of what once was a much wider distribu-
tion. All are known from only one or very few localities in Missouri.



IGUANA  •  VOLUME 12, NUMBER 3  •  SEPTEMBER 2005 165HERPETOLOGIST

great deal of pleasure and satisfaction when I capture and pho-
tograph a species that has not been seen in the state in 20+ years,
or capture a species I had not previously encountered.

Although my job is exciting, some activities, especially
those dealing with regulatory issues, may be less than thrilling
— but they can be equally rewarding. Much paper work is
involved in overseeing wildlife collector permits and breeder per-
mits. Over 150 amphibian and reptile collector permits are
processed and reviewed annually in Missouri. In addition, I pro-
vide advice to pet stores, commercial farms, and other interested
parties regarding the rules and policies and appropriate permits
needed to propagate and sell native species in Missouri. One of
the more demanding parts of the job is to provide input on
wildlife code regulations that impact amphibians and reptiles.
Much time and effort are involved with code changes, but the
ultimate goal is better protection for wildlife.

Although the majority of a state agency herpetologist’s job
is to increase awareness through educational materials, manage-
ment recommendations, and regulation changes, some time
remains to work with academic colleagues. I serve as primary
contact person for university faculty and students who conduct
research on amphibians and reptiles. Numerous meetings occur
with professors and graduate students across the state regarding
potential projects. I’ve discovered that guiding a student’s
research interests is exhilarating and gratifying. I also see the
need for state agency biologists to publish data in peer-reviewed
journals. Considerable data is collected by agencies and the need
to get this information to the academic world will further stim-
ulate research and collaboration.

Although I never dreamed that I’d become a herpetologist,
even during those long hours sitting by ponds listening to frogs
as a master’s student, I can’t imagine anything else I’d rather be
doing with my life. Nothing can compare with the sense of joy
when a member of the public who has always been afraid of
snakes holds one for the first time, the elation of finding a clutch
of eggs produced by an animal on the brink of extinction, the
delight of spending a day creating a list of species for an area that
has never been surveyed, the challenge of writing regulations
that will protect a sensitive species, or the accomplishment when
a manuscript is accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed jour-
nal. I am thankful every day that Missouri has the funding and
the public support for a full-time advocate of the state’s her-
petofauna — and that I’m the one that gets to do the job.

Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica) in Missouri are relicts of times when massive glaciers covered much of the state north of where the Missouri River
now flows. These remnant populations are scattered across the state in localized habitats that remain suitable for this cold-tolerant species, which
is distributed for the most part far to the north. In 2005, the Missouri Department of Conservation conducted numerous surveys for Wood
Frogs in southwestern Missouri.

We’re still learning about species that are common in Missouri. A stu-
dent project investigating the distribution of purported subspecies of
the Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is shedding new light
on what has been a “standard” taxonomy for many decades.

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