Herps of Arkansas: Kory Roberts (AKA: kaptainkory) and Penny

About Me

Photo by Brad Birchfield.

I just thought I would provide a little background about myself and what, eventually, would lead me to create this website.

I grew up in Huntsville, Arkansas, and spent my summers flipping rocks in search of creepy-crawlies. My Dad had done his share of snake-catching when he was a youngster, but my interest and fascination exceeded his.

Even when I was young, I wanted to be a herpetologist (and yes, I knew what that word meant!). But at the same time, my "hobby" was much misunderstood by many around me. I always thought to myself, "People who say they like to fish don't always have to justify why they like to fish. But why is it when I say I like looking for snakes, people wonder why? Can't I just like something for the sake of liking it?"

I was a bit of a crusader even then, and took it upon myself to educate others about snakes: their importance, their beauty, why we shouldn't kill every single one we see just because we can, etc.

Other interests took the forefront for a few years, but eventually (after I had earned a Bachelor's degree--not in the sciences), I had the opportunity to live out a childhood dream of actually becoming a herpetologist (or at the least a field research technician). For the next five years, while I was also working toward a Masters in science education, I got the chance to work with Dr. Steven Beaupre at the University of Arkansas whose focus is on Timber Rattlesnake physiological ecology. During the summer of 2006, I returned to the Beaupre lab to continue my work with Timber Rattlesnakes through the Arkansas STRIVE program.

Although I no longer take an active part in professional snake research, I consider myself a "professional snake educator". Along with numerous other speaking engagements, for the past several summers I have taught herpetology to 11 and 12 year olds at the Arkansas Audubon Ecology Camp.

This website started off rather modestly as a place where people could ID snakes (they likely killed), but has since grown into a thorough educational service, a photographic library, a community of herpers, and a partnership with professional herpetologists. It served as a platform for re-establishing the Arkansas Herpetological Society in 2004 and currently serves as their home on the web.

As my "day job", I am a public school science teacher. After teaching 7th grade science for several years, in 2008 I transitioned to the high school level. I currently teach biology and pre-AP biology at Rogers High School in Rogers, Arkansas.

I hope this has given you a better sense of who I am and why I am here.

Happy herpin'!!!!

~Kory

Gallery

Publications and Presentations

Professional and Semi-Professional

Roberts, Kory and S. J. Beaupre. 2006. Habitat use in a Northwest Arkansas population of timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). Arkansas STRIVE presentation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. Also presented at Lingle Middle School, Rogers, AR.
Roberts, Kory. 2004. A discussion of resources for the modern amateur field herpetologist. 2nd Annual Meeting of Reptile and Amphibian Enthusiasts of Arkansas, Mount Magazine State Park, AR.
Beaupre, S. J. and K. G. Roberts. 2001. Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix. Chemotaxis, Arboreality and Diet. Herpetological Review, 32(1): 44-45.
Roberts, K. G. and S. J. Beaupre. 1997. Habitat use in a Northwest Arkansas population of the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), with comments on arboreality. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Annual Meeting, June, 1997 Seattle, WA.

Outreach

Webmaster: http://www.HerpsOfArkansas.com. 2002-current.
Coordinator: Arkansas Herpetological Society Spring/Fall Field Trips, Various Locations, AR. 2004, 2005 (x2), 2006 (x2), 2007 (x2), 2008 (x2), 2009.
Camp Counselor and Instructor of Herpetology: Edith and Henry Halberg Audubon Ecology Camp, Camp Clearfork, AR. 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 (x2), 2002 (x2), 2003 (x2), 2004 (x2), 2005 (x2), 2006, 2007 (x2), 2008 (x2), 2009 (x2).
Presenter (Live-Animal Program): Territorial Fair, Historic Arkansas Museum, Little Rock, AR. 2009.
Presenter (Live-Animal Program): Lingle Middle School's "Outdoor School", Lake Atlanta City Park, Rogers, AR. 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009.
Presenter (Live-Animal Booth): Arkansas Herpetological Society Educational Booth, Kidz Fair, Arkansas State Fairgrounds, Little Rock, AR. 2005, 2006, 2007.
Presenter (Live-Animal Booth): Fall Family Festival, Jones Center for Families, Springdale, AR. 2006.
Research Assistant: working with Dr. Steven Beaupre through the Arkansas STRIVE program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. 2006.
Coordinating Director: Meeting of Reptile and Amphibian Enthusiasts of Arkansas, Various Locations, AR. 2003, 2004.
Presenter (Live-Animal Program): University Museum Discovery Room's "Science Saturdays", University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR. 1997, 1998, 1999.

Awards and Recognition

Honorable Mention ("Toad eating an insect"): First Annual Great Arkansas Outdoor Photography Contest, Sponsored by Bedford's Camera and Video and Arkansas Game and Fish, AR. 2004.

New County Record Submissions

In Process
- Irwin, Kelly and Kory Roberts. 2006. Geographic Distribution: STORERIA OCCIPITOMACULATA OBSCURA (Florida Redbelly Snake). Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Columbia Co.)
- Hummel, David and Kory Roberts. 2005. Geographic Distribution: OPHISAURUS ATTENUATUS ATTENUATUS (Western Slender Glass Lizard). Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Benton Co.)
- Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic Distribution: GRAPTEMYS GEOGRAPHICA (Northern Map Turtle). Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Madison Co.)
- Winford, Shannon and Kory Roberts. 2005. Geographic Distribution: CEMOPHORA COCCINEA (Scarlet Snake). Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Montgomery Co.)
- McDonough, David and Kory Roberts. 2005. Geographic Distribution: TANTILLA GRACILIS (Flat-headed Snake). Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Pope Co.)
- Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic Distribution: RANA PALUSTRIS (Pickerel Frog). Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Boone Co.)
- Manning, Glenn and Kory Roberts. 2005. Geographic Distribution: RANA PALUSTRIS (Pickerel Frog). Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Carroll Co.)
- Eason, Tom and Kory Roberts. 2005. Geographic Distribution: TERRAPENE ORNATA ORNATA (Ornate Box Turtle). Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Lonoke Co.)
- Birchfield, Brad and Kory Roberts. 2005. Geographic Distribution: AMBYSTOMA OPACUM (Marbled Salamander). Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Searcy Co.)
- Birchfield, Brad and Kory Roberts. 2005. Geographic Distribution: AGKISTRODON CONTORTRIX PHAEOGASTER (Osage Copperhead). Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Searcy Co.)
- Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic Distribution: LAMPROPELTIS TRIANGULUM SYSPILA (Red Milksnake). Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Franklin Co.)
- Roberts, Kory, Glen Chapman, and Kelly J. Irwin. 2005. Geographic Distribution: OPHEODRYS AESTIVUS (Rough Green Snake). Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Lee Co.)
- Roberts, Kory and Kelly J. Irwin. 2005. Geographic Distribution: CARPHOPHIS AMOENUS (Eastern Wormsnake) Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Phillips Co.)
- Roberts, Kory, Daniel Stefansson, and Kelly J. Irwin. 2005. Geographic Distribution: COLUBER CONSTRICTOR LATRUNCULUS (Black-masked Racer). Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Phillips Co.)
- Irwin, Kelly J. and Kory Roberts. 2005. Geographic Distribution: AGKISTRODON PISCIVORUS LEUCOSTOMA (Western Cottonmouth). Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Howard Co.)
- Roberts, Kory, Robert Pulay, and Kelly J. Irwin. 2005. Geographic Distribution: BUFO AMERICANUS CHARLESMITHI (Dwarf American Toad). Herpetological Review. In process. (New record for Howard Co.)
In Review
- Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic Distribution: HYLA VERSICOLOR (Gray Treefrog). Herpetological Review. (New record for Boone Co.)
- Beaupre, Steven J., Kory Roberts, and Chad E. Montgomery. 2005. Geographic Distribution: THAMNOPHIS SIRTALIS SIRTALIS (Eastern Garter Snake). Herpetological Review. 36(1):84. (New record for Madison Co.)
- Gunter, Jason, Kory Roberts, Chad E. Montgomery, and Steven J. Beaupre. 2005. Geographic Distribution: GASTROPHRYNE CAROLINENSIS (Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad). Herpetological Review. 36(1):74. (New record for Madison Co.)
- Gunter, Jason, Kory Roberts, Chad E. Montgomery, and Steven J. Beaupre. 2005. Geographic Distribution: LAMPROPELTIS TRIANGULUM TRIANGULUM (Red Milksnake). Herpetological Review. 36(1):82. (New record for Madison Co.)
- Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic Distribution: BUFO AMERICANUS CHARLESMITHI (Dwarf American Toad). Herpetological Review. 36(1):73. (New record for Carroll Co.)
- Roberts, Kory and Robert Pulay. 2005. Geographic Distribution: CROTAPHYTUS COLLARIS (Eastern Collard Lizard). Herpetological Review. 36(1):78-79. (New record for Scott Co.)
- Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic Distribution: ELAPHE OBSOLETA (Texas Ratsnake). Herpetological Review. 36(1):81. (New record for Franklin Co.)
- Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic Distribution: ELAPHE EMORYI (Great Plains Ratsnake). Herpetological Review. 36(1):82. (New record for Yell Co.)
- Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic Distribution: HETERODON PLATIRHINOS (Eastern Hog-nosed Snake). Herpetological Review. 36(1):82. (New record for Carroll Co.)
- Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic Distribution: MASTICOPHIS FLAGELLUM FLAGELLUM (Eastern Coachwhip). Herpetological Review. 36(1):83. (New record for Franklin Co.)
- Roberts, Kory. 2005. Geographic Distribution: OPHEODRYS AESTIVUS (Rough Greensnake). Herpetological Review. 36(1):83. (New record for Franklin Co.)
- Roberts, Kory, Jason Gunter, Chad E. Montgomery, and Steven J. Beaupre. 2005. Geographic Distribution: OPHEODRYS AESTIVUS (Rough Greensnake). Herpetological Review. 36(1):83. (New record for Madison Co.)
- Roberts, Kory, Chad E. Montgomery, and Steven J. Beaupre. 2005. Geographic Distribution: LAMPROPELTIS CALLIGASTER CALLIGASTER (Prairie Kingsnake). Herpetological Review. 36(1):82. (New record for Madison Co.)
- Roberts, Kory and Robert Pulay. 2005. Geographic Distribution: AGKISTRODON CONTORTRIX CONTORTRIX (Southern Copperhead). Herpetological Review. 36(1):81. (New record for Boone Co.)