Herper of the Month
October 2007
Jeff Lemm

     "I’ve been told that for a herp person, I lead a pretty good life. I guess I can agree to some extent. I grew up in San Diego, CA – a place I still love and call home. The herps in San Diego are among my favorites and led to the writing of my book, Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of the San Diego Region. My first official “big game” herp capture was at the age of 6 in the Anza-Borrego Desert where I identified first, then captured a large San Diego gopher snake."

     "About that same time (in the second grade) I authored an autobiography about myself, stating that I would go to school at San Diego State University, then work at the San Diego Zoo with reptiles. I did just that and have been in the zoo’s research department since I was 20 years old."
     "Working as a herpetologist/field biologist, I have been lucky enough to travel all over the world in search of reptiles and amphibians. It has also given me the chance to meet many interesting people and work alongside them, as well as take many side trips in pursuit of herps and other wildlife."
     "Camerawork is a must in my business and is one of the things I enjoy doing most in my spare time. I have been taking pictures professionally for about 15 years and have been involved with numerous film and television productions. When I’m not herping or taking pictures of herps, I’m usually studying them or writing about them. In recent times, all of my herp roles have come into play with the formation of the North American Field Herping Association (NAFHA), which myself and many other dedicated herpers founded in December, 2006."
     "People would think that what I have covered is pretty good for a young herpetologist, but my life changed drastically with the birth of my first son, Matty. Teaching him about wildlife has been nothing short of incredible and I look forward to many more trips with him, my wife Carolyn, and my newest son, Garrett, born just 5 days ago. Thanks to FHF and all of the other fieldherpers I have had the pleasure of knowing throughout the years – it’s been a journey, and it’s not over yet!"

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