40 | SUNRAYS MARCH 2015
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S
caly, wriggly, fork-tongued and
sharp-fanged, snakes have in-
spired anxiety and revulsion for
thousands of years. Roughly one-third
of adults have expressed some degree of
ophidiophobia (fear of snakes), making
it the most commonly reported phobia
in the world. Scientists have long hy-
pothesized that our tendency toward
aversion might be hardwired into our
biology and in 2013, researchers even
discovered a particular set of neurons
in our brains which respond exclusively
to snakes.
So if these undulating reptiles haven’t
exactly been winning any popularity
contests, then what would compel an
individual to head toward a venomous
coral snake – or, for that matter, to rush
to the creature’s defense after it responds
with a life-threatening bite?
For accomplished herpetologist and
inveterate snake wrangler Jim Chris-
tiansen, the answer lies in a lifetime of
curiosity, and a deep understanding for
the animal’s place in our world.
Growing up on the family farm, Jim
spent his childhood surrounded by ani-
mals of every variety. Domesticated or
wild, it made no difference to Jim – he
loved them all, and exhausted countless
hours observing the snakes and frogs in
a nearby pond. His passion for wildlife
continued through his adolescence and
on into college, where he majored in both
chemistry and biology. Just three days
before graduating as valedictorian of
Buena Vista College, Jim received a tele-
gram inviting him to assist on a study
of rare turtles in South America, thus
launching his lifelong career as a hands-
on herpetologist (scientist specializing in
reptiles and amphibians).
When Jim retired from his professorship
at Drake University, he didn’t exactly
trade in his lab equipment for a set of golf
clubs. Instead, almost immediately after
moving to Sun City Texas in January
of 2006, Jim launched himself into an
investigation of reptile and amphibian
populations within the community, map-
ping the location of every species – living
or otherwise – he possibly could. Jim has
also used his post-professional years to
Coral Snakes
Essential, Avoidable, Deadly
By Edna Heard
Sun City snake wrangler Jim Christiansen survived a painful, venomous bite by
a coral snake.
Photo by EDNA HEARD
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
, 1981
