Kevin Robert Messenger
Marshall University
Dept. of Biological Sciences
Herpetology lab
HerpsRule2@aol.com
About me:
I received my B.S. in zoology from North Carolina State University, studying under Dr. Harold Heatwole. While at NC State (and mostly because of Dr. Heatwole) I acquired the traveling bug. My very first college class took place on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the course was “Coral Reef ecology.” The next summer I took another NC State course on the Galapagos Islands…
While at NC State I conducted a mark-recapture study of snakes at the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, this project ran from 2000 to 2008 and encompassed several different aspects of population biology (behavior, growth, home ranges, densities, environmental influences). This project had a tremendous impact on my professional career and ultimately opened up many doors for me in the future.
When I graduated in May of 2006 I traveled to China for 4 months to conduct a herp survey in some remote mountains in western Hubei Province. The 800,000 acre reserve had never before been surveyed (for herps) and I was the 2nd westerner allowed to visit the reserve.
Upon my return I worked 3rd shift at an emergency veterinary hospital. I will always have a love for medicine, and more specifically veterinary medicine.
In January of 2009 I started my 1st semester at Marshall University. At Marshall, most of my research is focused around the endangered Cheat Mountain Salamander (Plethodon nettingi), specifically looking at the effect of high use hiking trails, medium to low use hiking trails, and gated roads on the relative abundance, survivorship, and movement patterns.
Hobby wise I have many hobbies, herpetology is my obvious number one (I also keep a few animals), photography is probably my 2nd love in life. Ever since 2002 when I bought a 1995 Jeep Wrangler, I have been a major jeep fanatic:
The jeep was completely stock when I got it, I added the 6 extra KC lights (for road cruising at night), added the snorkel to help me forge deep water in Ocala (I have been halfway up to the doors in water), a 1.25" shackle lift, diamond-plating armor, off-set rims, a larger gas tank conversion, and several other internal modifications.
One of the best things to describe me is that I am very much a field oriented person. When I do have free time (and often when I don't...), I am always trying to find various field trips to go on.
Additional Info
My CV
Bio (detailed)
China Research
China videos
Sandhills Research
Nettingi Research
Florida Keys Research
Photography
Field Trips
Links (miscellaneous)
Life Lists