About the Author

Micha rarely sleeps. He is a Louisiana Master Naturalist, wildlife rehabilitator, and the President of L.E.A.R.N. He funds his rescue and conservation efforts through his businesses as a contractor and Realtor®, he is transitioning to Conservation Through Education full-time.

The author, Micha Petty

Click the image below to watch an ABC interview with Micha at his rescue center.

Micha has loved reptiles and amphibians since childhood and is glad to have a chance to be helping them now. He has been observing and identifying herps in the wild for thirty-six years and has twenty-five years of experience with reptile husbandry. His favorite herps are whichever ones happen to be in his own backyard.

Micha currently serves as the Outreach and Public Relations Officer for the Louisiana Master Naturalist Association and on the board of directors for the Northwest Chapter of the LMNA. He is also the Public Relations Coordinator for the Society for Amphibian and Reptile Education.

He is a member of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, the Herpetologists’ League, the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Partners in Amphibians and Reptile Conservation, and the Friends of the Red River National Wildlife Refuge.

The International Herpetological Symposium selected Micha as the 2018 recipient of the Laszlo Award for demonstrating “new and exciting views and advances in herpetology” through his outreach and educational efforts, including this Primer. Micha has done over 50 news and television segments about animals and conservation.

He lives in Elm Grove, Louisiana with his wonderful wife as the resident managers of L.E.A.R.N. with a couple hundred critters that no one else wants.

Nag and Nagaina, the two little Rough Earthsnakes that came home with us years ago and started it all...

Micha rarely sleeps. He is a Louisiana Master Naturalist, wildlife rehabilitator, and the President of L.E.A.R.N. He funds his rescue and conservation efforts through his businesses as a contractor and Realtor®, but his goal is to transition to Conservation Through Education full-time.

Some stuff that he does...

Outreach Activities
1. Writing educational, interpretive bulletins
2. Giving talks to members of other nonprofits about herpetology and environmental outreach.
3. Setting up booths at wildlife festivals with animals and handouts
4. Hosting herpetology workshops for the public

5. Giving animal presentations to kids and groups of all ages
6. Free snake rescue (with an educational component)
7. Leading field-herping trips at nature parks and refuges

8. Creating interpretive infographics (memes) about herps

9. Social media moderation and education

Certifications and Licenses

1. Louisiana Master Naturalist

2. Wildlife Rehabilitator

3. Restricted Snake Permittee (Large Constrictors)

Positions Held

1. President, Louisiana Exotic Animal Resource Network

2. Outreach and Public Relations Officer, Louisiana Master Naturalist Association

3. Public Relations Coordinator, Society for Amphibian and Reptile Education

4. Board Member, Louisiana Master Naturalist Association, Northwest Chapter, Inc.

5. Board Member and Digital Presence Coordinator, Friends of the Red River National Wildlife Refuge

Relevant Experience

1. Field Herpetology, 35 yrs.

2. Herpetoculture, 24 yrs.

Other Accomplishments

1. Author, A Primer on Reptiles and Amphibians

2. Recipient, 2018 Laszlo Award, International Herpetological Symposium

3. > 50 News and Television Appearances

Memberships

1. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles

2. International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

3. Herpetologists’ League

4. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists

5. Louisiana Wildlife Federation

6. Partners in Amphibians and Reptile Conservation

7. Louisiana Master Naturalist Association

8. Louisiana Master Naturalist Association, Northwest Chapter

9. Friends of the Red River National Wildlife Refuge

Social Media: Pages

1. Administrator, Louisiana Exotic Animal Resource Network

2. Administrator, Louisiana Master Naturalist Association

3. Administrator, Louisiana Master Naturalists Northwest Chapter

4. Administrator, Friends of the Red River National Wildlife Refuge

Social Media: Groups

1. Administrator, Introduction to Herpetology

2. Administrator, U.S. Snake Identification

3. Administrator, North American Native Reptile Keepers

4. Administrator, Non-native Wildlife in the U.S.

5. Administrator, Master Naturalists Leadership Conversation

7. Administrator, Central Texas Snake Identification

8. Moderator, Wild Turtles: Education and Discussion

9. Moderator, Wild Amphibians: Education and Discussion

10. Moderator, Wild Lizards: Education and Discussion

11. Moderator, Wild Crocodilians, Education and Discussion

Introduction to Herpetology Blog

About the Author

Some stuff that he does...