Snake Conservation and Applied Research Facility - SCARF

08/27/2026

08/01/2026

Conservation of rare and endangered snakes in Massachusetts is a critical issue that needs strong support. Unfortunately, only a small minority of people seem to understand this. There’s a huge majority out there who still genuinely believe that "a good snake is a dead snake." That isn't reasonable caution—it's just blind hate.

Under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, harassing, collecting, or killing any state-listed snake is just as illegal as assault, kidnapping, or homicide. Even running over a rattlesnake with your car can technically land you in criminal court.

And that’s not because the government is trying to take away our freedoms. It’s because generations before us realized that biodiversity is a critical resource running out fast, and we have a human responsibility to protect what’s left.

I 100% stand behind that.

When it comes to snakes, this hatred is still alive and well—even after our culture has already wiped out over 90% of their population in this state. People don't respond to their fear with caution; they respond with hate because it's easier. With snakes, it’s almost fashionable.

The law carries serious civil and criminal penalties for a reason. Yet, we keep appealing to public opinion to vote on whether or not we should actually enforce the law. That is ridiculous.

Appealing to public opinion isn't the right tool for saving endangered species. In fact, it's a direct path to sabotage, driven by a hidden motive to undermine protections so people can finish off what's left of these animals. How is that any different from targeted eradication?

My personal story is completely tangled up with snakes. I am deeply grateful that I had the chance to see and interact with them in the wild growing up. I had fear early on from movies and books, but my father helped me overcome it by giving me real literature that didn't portray them as monsters.

Snakes became my biggest motivation. Driven by my fascination with them, I ended up learning advanced math and coding—things that otherwise felt way too abstract and boring to me. My parents are proud of who I became, but I didn't do it just to make anyone proud. I keep learning because I have a fire inside me that turns on whenever I think about these animals.

I know I’m in the minority. Most people don’t care. But considering how deep public bias goes, broad public opinion has ZERO qualification to decide whether conservation actions are necessary. Relying on public sentiment to make ecological decisions is like asking a pack of wolves to vote on the fate of a herd of sheep. It’s completely wrong.

To everyone who actually cares about this cause: please take a minute to voice your support for the proposed road closures directly to DCR (https://www.mass.gov/forms/dcr-public-comments). Don't let the noise drown out the science.

02/16/2026

Discover Snakes.
Ask a questions.

02/15/2026

I am preparing to present another talk on Snake Fungal Disease and Concurrent infections at the Student Chapter of the Association of Amphibian and Reptile Veterinarians at Tufts Univesity, on March 2nd.

02/15/2026

Another question from a lady, the name of whom I am having a difficulty to spell or paste:), from Kolkata (India). “How do I handle checkered keelbacks while swimming in a pond- I mean how do I ensure their safety and see they don't get agitated if I'm in the water, but safe enough to swim near me and coexist?”

The answer:

Well, this question is quite complex. It’s almost like asking, how can one ride a bike cross-country with obstacles. I could probably write a lengthy essay on this.

Handling snakes is a skill-set backed by an art and science, and know-how’s. In short, one first has to know what to expect from a snake and be comfortable having a snake around themselves, at a range of distances. Then one needs to understand the situation, and the factors which may be in play. One needs to understand what is a snake is trying to do. Then one has to have some experience handling their own emotions and safely handling snakes, and knowing whether the handling is warranted or unnecessary. And in addition to this all one has to know how to use tools, to minimize stress, and struggle, direct handling may cause.

It will take time to go over all the details. Much will depend on your current level of skill. You could reach out via vm for us to discuss your current level of skill, and plan necessary enhancements.

Although I have no direct experience with Checkered Keelback, I am confident that, besides some fine details, it will have much in common with other aquatic snakes such as Dice Snakes (Natrix tessellata), other Keelback (Rhabdophis), North-American Watersnakes (Nerodia) and Cottonmouth, which I have direct experience with.

02/15/2026

“A question from Young: Why are reptile education program instructors hesitant to answer the “what’s that?” question about pelvic spurs?” 🙂.

The answer:

While I can’t answer for other reptile educators, I assume some may don’t know how to apeak about ge****ls and reproduction appropriately 🙂.

So, the pelvic spurs are vestigial rare girdle elements (rudimentary rare legs) preserved in some legless lizards and Henophidian (prime) snakes, which include such famous groups as boas and pythons, and their less famous relatives, as well as pipe snakes (Aniliidae), blind snakes (Scolecophidians). Prime snakes are evolutionary very ancient lineage, and they retained this rudimentary rare girdle from some now extinct ancestral forms which had rare extremities.

While vestigial rare girdle bones surrounded by soft tissue are preserved in both male and female boas and pythons, the actual spurs are usually more obvious in males, and looks like a pair of shot claws on both sides of the vent. At least in sone boas and pythons, males use pelvic spurs during courtship and mating to stimulate the female by nudging or scratching, and perhaps also to align genitalia while mating.

02/15/2026

Discover snakes.
Ask questions.