Irwin and Baker go herping for snappers, snakes, skinks

by zach vicars

 Seniors Kyle Irwin and Tony Baker scan the murky swamps surrounding the KATY Trail in Weldon Springs Conservation Area. As they pedal on May 5, they’re looking for any strange movement, any ripples in the water, any sliding rocks.

 Then they see it. Fifty yards away, Irwin spots a large shell tracking across the mud.

 “You see that, Tony?” Irwin asks his partner.

 “Yeah. I see it,” Baker replies.

 “Alright,” Irwin says. “We got a snapper!”

 Together they throw down their bikes, charge headlong into the weeds and slop through the ankle-deep muck until they reach a mound of upturned mud.

 After ten minutes of probing the goop, Irwin pries a Common Snapping Turtle out of the water and lifts the dinosaur by the tail. Baker shouts and notes the physical traits of the monster.

 This is their idea of a good time. This is what they do on the weekends. This is herping.

 Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians, so just about any search for reptiles—whether by foot, boat or bike—can be called herping. For over two years, Irwin and Baker have invested time, gas money and a significant number of calories in this hobby.

 “It’s about 35 miles from Kyle’s house and back,” Baker said. “Yeah, it’s a good work out; pretty much the only one I’ve been getting lately.”

 As for Irwin, reptiles have been in his blood ever since his brother brought home a 12-foot Burmese Python.

 Over ten years later, Irwin now makes videos under the YouTube name of RepKyle to explain reptile behavior.

 And he’s got an eight-foot Burmese of his own.

 As their interests in reptiles has grown, Irwin and Baker have developed a friendship with the ecology club sponsor, Joe Brocksmith.

 “We go out in the field looking for reptiles at least once every other week,” Brocksmith said. “And I’ve gone on float trips with Kyle before.”

 As reptiles creep into their lives more and more, Irwin and Baker can see herping affecting their futures. But for now, Irwin offers a unique outlook on reptiles.

 “A lot of people are scared of snakes because of the story about Adam and Eve,” Irwin said. “But I don’t really think that applies. I mean, if Satan had used a kitten, then would everyone be scared of kittens now?”