Joshua Castleberry

Central Carolina Technical College

Jul 23, 2009

1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?

Hard to say, really. I have been an 'outdoorsman' all of my life. I was out fishing and shrimping the coast with my dad from a very early age (I don't even remember learning to cast a net, I was so young when it happened). My family also camped out a lot. I have also gone out into the woods by myself to catch snakes, lizards, and frogs for as long as I can remember.

2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood? How about now??

Coastal SC...probably Hunting Island SC. I can hunt snakes, shrimp, crab, and head to the surf for shark all in the same day.

3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?

I can't really have a favorite. I am in general a herpetologist, but my 'favorite' varies by what I have in front of me at the time. If I had to narrow it down to my top 5 (in no particular order): Crotalus adamanteus, Caretta caretta, Malaclemys terrapin, Drymarchon couperi & Dendrobates spp (I know that's a genus, but I couldn't pick just one)

4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?

The greatest threat to the environment right now is human population. More people = more ignorance. Our challenge is to teach the entire populous to tread lightly so that there are enough resources to go around.

5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?

Natural resources are finite, and small actions add up (good and bad). Make a conscious decision to help the environment.