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!" |
|
 |

H.O.T.M. Archives |
| ©
Scott Waters Productions
|