{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"\ud83d\udc0d Snakes, Safety, and a Python Named Norm","description":"This week on The Backyard Naturalists, we\u2019re welcoming a cold-blooded guest \u2014 and we mean that in the best way possible. Reptile educator Jay Bell joins Debbie and Laurie in the studio, bringing along his unforgettable companion: Norm, a Burmese python who stretches over 6 feet long (and still growing!). Together, they unpack a fascinating (and often misunderstood) corner of the natural world: snakes. Whether you're a snake lover or snake skeptic, this episode has something for you: \ud83d\udc0d Snake bite safety 101 \u2013 What to do and what NOT to do if you're ever bitten by a venomous snake \ud83c\udf34 Florida\u2019s reptile invasion \u2013 Jay shares stories from the field about curly-tailed lizards, green iguanas, and how invasive species are reshaping ecosystems \ud83d\udc22 Life with a python \u2013 Hear what it takes to care for a massive snake like Norm, from housing and feeding to enrichment and education \ud83c\udf93 Snake smarts \u2013 Think snakes aren\u2019t intelligent? Think again. Jay shares insights into their surprising capacity for learning and interaction \ud83d\udcac Overcoming fear \u2013 Learn how Jay gently helps people move from panic to curiosity, one scaled step at a time It\u2019s a winding, warm, and often humorous conversation about education, conservation, and connecting people to wildlife \u2014 even the slithery kind. And yes, you\u2019ll hear Norm moving around the mic more than once! \ud83c\udfa7 Tune in now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts. ","author_name":"The Backyard Naturalists","author_url":"http:\/\/www.thebackyardnaturalists.com","html":"