Cole worked previously on our snake projects, and in his senior year he conducted his own research on the physiological response of Western Rattlesnakes to different levels of habitat disturbance.  Using techniques piloted by Jared, Cole collected blood serum from rattlesnakes living in different landscapes and compared corticosterone  levels.

Cole’s work was supported through the TRU Undergraduate Research Experience Award Program.  Dr. Mark Rakobowchuk from Biological Sciences was closely involved in supervising the the lab work, along with Dr. Christine Bishop from Environment & Climate Change Canada.