Dr. Aaron J. Place

Assistant Professor of Biology

Phone:       (580) 327 - 8673
Fax:           (580) 327 - 8556

Email:        ajplace@nwosu.edu

Office:       Carter Hall 201

Office hours:         M & W  10-11, 12-1

                             T   10-12

                             Th  10-1

                             F 10-1111

Dr. Place earned his B.S. in Wildlife Management and Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and his M.S. in Biology from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI.  The title of his thesis was The Rattlesnake Rattle as a Caudal Lure.  He continued his research on rattlesnake behavior at Oklahoma State University-Stillwater where he recently finished his Ph.D.  The title of his dissertation was, The role of Learning in the Expression of Rattling Behavior in the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.

Courses taught (or to be taught!):

          General Zoology             Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

          Limnology                      Natural History of the Vertebrates

Herpetology                    Animal Behavior

Evolution                        Research Design in Animal Behavior

Research interests:

Ecology and evolution of pit vipers, especially rattlesnakes

Comparative animal behavior

Biogeography of snakes

The role of learning in defensive behavior

Feeding behavior of snakes

Hobbies:

          Outdoor recreation (biking, hiking, camping)

Reading books by Stephen Jay Gould

Spending time with family in Oklahoma and Wisconsin