Event Details
WHAT: "Sssnnnnakes: An in-person talk by Prof Kevin Messenger on China's venomous reptiles", moderated by Terry Townshend
WHEN: Monday, May 18 2026, from 7-8 PM (Beijing Time). Drinks and canapรฉs from 6:30 PM
WHERE: La Maison Lyonnaise 2F, 44 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing
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MORE ABOUT THE EVENT: China is home to an extraordinary diversity of reptiles, including a remarkable range of venomous snakes that inhabit landscapes stretching from tropical forests and karst mountains to temperate woodlands and river valleys.
Professor of Zoology Kevin Messenger will explore the diversity, ecology, and behaviour of China's venomous snake species, from the famous pit vipers of the southern mountains to lesser known but equally remarkable species found in remote forests and highland habitats. He will share insights from field surveys conducted in some of China's most biodiverse regions where rare and endemic snakes continue to challenge researchers and inspire new discoveries.
The talk will also examine how scientific knowledge of China's snakes has evolved since the pioneering work of early twentieth-century naturalists, and how modern research methodsโincluding field surveys, distribution modelling, and conservation monitoring are helping scientists better understand species distributions and conservation needs.
Along the way, Professor Messenger will present striking photographs and personal field stories, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of these often misunderstood animals. Beyond their reputation for danger, venomous snakes play critical ecological roles and represent an important component of Asia's biodiversity.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Kevin Messenger is a professor of zoology at Nanjing Forestry University, but is originally from Mint Hill, North Carolina, USA. He received his first PhD in Plant, Animal, and Soil Sciences from Alabama A & M University and a second PhD in Zoology from Nanjing Forestry University, a M.S. in Biology from Marshall University, and a B.S. in Zoology from North Carolina State University.
His research interests include Asian and southeastern US herpetology, ethology, natural history, and conservation. Kevin is a co-coordinator for the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Viper Specialists Group (VSG), East Asia Region, and is a specialist in wildlife monitoring at Shennongjia National Park in western Hubei province. His PhD dissertation involved the conservation of Chinese reptiles and amphibians throughout southeastern China, including the use of species distribution models in locating new species. He is a passionate photographer, with over a hundred published photographs, a scientific writer (close to one hundred journal publications), and now an author of two books. Kevin also participates in running nature camps for kids in central China as well as offering ecotours throughout the country.
ABOUT THE MODERATOR: Terry Townshend is a naturalist with wide-ranging interests and connections at all levels of China's environmental programmes and issues, including the study and conservation of wild cats. He's a longstanding RASBJ speaker, perhaps best known as the charismatic leader of RASBJ's two popular birding excursions each year, timed to coincide with the migrations in spring and autumn.
HOW MUCH: RMB 250 for RASBJ members, RMB 350 for non-members. The price includes one welcome drink and canapรฉs โ as well as a donation to the Shan Shui Conservation Center. You may find payment by Alipay easier than by Wechat; you can also pay by credit card. Kindly note, RASBJ does not issue fapiao. Interested in becoming an RASBJ member? Please sign up at https://rasbj.glueup.cn/org/rasbeijing/memberships
Please note that RASBJ will contribute any surplus from this event to Shan Shui,https://en.shanshui.org, a regular recipient of RASBJ's contributions to worthy causes in categories of arts and society, cultural heritage preservation, and the natural world.
HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT: Please click "Register" or "I Will Attend" at least 48 hours before the event, and follow the instructions. After successful registration you will receive a confirmation email. If you appear not to have received it, please check your spam folder. If payment is not received 48 hours before an event, the correlating registration will be suspended.
REFUND POLICY: RASBJ will refund only if it cancels or postpones the event, and only up to 48 hours before the event .
