COOKEVILLE — Herpetophobia is the fear of reptiles or amphibians and it is pretty common, at least to
some degree. Many people would describe themselves as afraid of or uncomfortable with things that
slither and squirm. Especially snakes.
But for Ray Jordan, who spent 46 years as a herpetologist teaching courses on snakes and other critters
at Tennessee Tech University, snakes are anything but scary.
“People are just fascinated by them and don’t know much about them,” Jordan said. “If they did, they
wouldn’t be so afraid of them.”
As a child growing up in the mountains of East Tennessee, Jordan never really feared snakes.
“I used to play in the creeks and streams in the mountains and water snakes were very common,” He
said. “I guess that’s where my interest with snakes began.”
In Tennessee there are really only two kinds of snakes that pose any danger to people, Jordan says.
“Of course there are things you should know about snakes, but you learn to recognize the ones that are
dangerous and keep your distance from those. Most snakes around here, they might bite, like any wild
thing would, but it would be the equivalent of being pricked by a torn bush,” he said.
From those creeks and streams, Jordan went on to work with some of the top herpetologists in the
country and started Tennessee Tech’s “Snake Labs,” where the university now keeps more than 60
snakes, turtles and other reptiles, a lab that has continued to grow since his retirement.
He also shares his knowledge of snakes with the public and has been doing presentations on snakes at
the annual Nature Fest event since its beginning. Again this year, Jordan will share his knowledge and
excitement for the creatures as part of Nature Fest in a presentation scheduled for Friday, April 17 at
6:30 p.m. in Tech’s Pennebaker Hall. Down the hall, participants will also have the opportunity to attend
the popular Touch a Snake event from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Nature Fest is an annual four-day celebration of the great outdoors, exploring and highlighting nature
with hands on activities, presentations and demonstrations. The 2015 event begins on Thursday, April
16, with sessions continuing Friday, April 17; Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19 on Tech’s campus,
at Cane Creek Park, at City Lake Natural Area and other local areas of interest.
Jordan’s presentation will explore some myths about snakes and offer facts about the often-feared
creatures. And, like many of the Nature Fest sessions, it will be kid-friendly. After all, kids are usually
more excited than adults to learn about snakes, he says.
“To be afraid of an elongated animal with no legs that slithers I don’t think is a natural reaction,” Jordan
said. “Children are not automatically afraid of snakes. They are fascinated by them.”
Nature Fest is presented by Cookeville Leisure Services, the Tennessee Tech Biology Department and the
Nature Fest organizing committee. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit
