Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anacondas surely were(still are) a puzzle of nature with much to be found about them. Your field work on them is an important step to learn more on those beautiful creatures.
I compare Eunectes murinus to python sebae and think they both stand in the same position only in diferent continents. Both are the biggest snake in they're habitat, both have very few predators and are very defensive. Both use rivers and nest in holes near water. It's just curious how alike these species evolved though separated by sea. It would be very interesting to do the same kind of work on Python sebae and compare both biologies and ways, and maybe understand how diferent (or alike) these twin snakes have evolved. I could be way out of reality as i don't know if such work is in your plans or is consistent with the goals you might have. But i can't help to wask: Could we ever see you on a similar project with python sebae?

Ah, so many animals, so little time. Yes, this would be a great project, and some day I would love to get some funding to study the rock pythons. I also would love just to get to Africa. I don't consider myself a herpetologist although I've worked with a variety of herps; my specialties are communication, behavior, and conservation, so I study whatever I can get my hands on that is interesting - and most everything is intersting to me. I have been wanting to do some acoustic research with African elephants for eons (my graduate research was dolphin bioacoustics), and if this gets me more familiar with southcentral Africa, then I believe I'd have a better logistic foothold into the world of python research.

then again, I also would love to visit Shine's lab and study Liasis fuscus, as well. Though not nearly as large, there are some interesting similarities - and plenty of unknowns - there, too.

So it's possible, but not in the near future. However, I know there are a thousand and one grad students out there who would kill for the chance. Unfortunately, the funding is what is lacking in herp research - there is some out there, just not like ther is for other subjects.

Why not research grants yourself? It's not an impossibility, if your lifestyle allows...

Renee