Mendyk, Robert

Affiliate Research Associate - Department of Herpetology, Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park

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Mendyk, Robert

Affiliate Research Associate - Department of Herpetology, Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park

Management of reptile and amphibian collections, research and conservation programs in zoological parks
Evidence-based practices towards advancing reptile and amphibian husbandry and reproductive management
Advancing reptile and amphibian welfare
Reptile and amphibian lighting
Advancing a OnePlan approach towards reptile and amphibian conservation
Behavior, cognition and learning capacities of reptiles
Reptile and amphibian ecology, natural history and invasion biology
Biofluorescence
Staff development
History of zoos, herpetology, and natural history

Positions

Affiliate Research Associate, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute 2014 -
Curator of Herpetology, Audubon Nature Institute, Audubon Zoo 2018 -
Supervisor of Herpetology, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens 2014 - 2018

Background And Education

Education And Training

B.S. in Biology - Ecology & Evolution, Stony Brook University
M.A. in Pedagogy (Biology), Hunter College

Awards And Honors

Joseph Laszlo Memorial Award, conferred by International Herpetological Symposium, 2017
Excellence in Journalism Award, conferred by American Association of Zoo Keepers, 2015

Research And Grants

Keywords

Animal Welfare
Behavior
Biofluorescence
Conservation Biology
Ecology
Herpetoculture
Herpetology
Reproductive Biology
Reptiles and amphibians
Zoo History

Publications

Selected Publications

Article
- Mendyk, Robert W. 2022. "A sure and certain cure for the bite of a rattlesnake: 18th Century folk medicine and an early case of herpetological satire." Bibliotheca Herpetologica, 16, (3) 43–47. 2022
- Mendyk, Robert W., Weisse, Adam, and Fullerton, Will. 2020. "A wake-up call for sleepy lizards: the olfactory-driven response of Tiliqua rugosa (Reptilia: Squamata: Sauria) to smoke and its implications for fire avoidance behavior." Journal of Ethology, 38 161–166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-019-00628-z. 2020
- Murphy, James B., Mendyk, Robert W., and Miller, Kyle L. 2019. "Tales of Monitor LIzard Tails and Other Perspectivies." Herpetological Review, 50, (1) 178–201. 2019
- Mendyk, Robert W. and Rost, Alan F. 2018. "Herpetological History of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens." Herpetological Review, 49, (3) 573–587. 2018
- Mendyk, Robert W., Shuter, Avishai, and Kathriner, Andrew. 2015. "Historical Notes on a Living Specimen of Lanthanotus borneensis (Squamata: Sauria: Lanthanotidae) Maintained at the Bronx Zoo from 1968 to 1976." Biawak, 9, (2) 44–49. 2015
- Mendyk, Robert W. 2015. "Life expectancy and longevity of varanid lizards (Reptilia:Squamata:Varanidae) in North American zoos." Zoo biology, 34, (2) 139–152. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21195. 2015
- Augustine, Lauren and Mendyk, Robert W. 2012. "The Cuora galbinifrons Studbook: A model for understanding studbook challenges." Animal Keepers' Forum, (7) 334–337. 2012
Conference Paper
- Fink, Miriam, Cox, Stephen H., Jr., Garner, Michael M., Schaftenaar, Willem, Reavill, Drury, Mendyk, Robert W., and Zimmerman, Dawn. 2020. "Review of Female Reproductive Disease in Mortality of Varanid Species." from American Association of Zoo Veterinarians - Annual Conference. 101–102. (Virtual) 2020-09-24. Davis, California: American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. 2020