Looking for Lizards: Herping With Dr. Earyn McGee - Atlas Obscura Experiences

Looking for Lizards: Herping With Dr. Earyn McGee

4 sessions
$75 per person
See Dates
$75 per person
$75 per person
See Dates
What We’ll Do

This course has already started! However, you can still join if you’d like to (and we hope you will!). Students enrolling after the course start date and time will have access to a recording of the first session (which will be emailed to participants within 72 hours) as well as the option to attend remaining sessions live. Please select the “Join Late” ticket type to enroll after the course has begun.

In this 4-part lecture series, join Dr. Earyn McGee for a herping intensive, learning how to spot, identify, and photograph lizards in your region. 

Course Description

From the spiky Texas horned lizard to the speedy six-lined racerunner, there are all kinds of extraordinary lizards that you might spot across the U.S.—if you know how to look for them. In this course, you’ll dive into the world of lizards with Dr. Earyn McGee, a herpetologist and science communicator best known for her popular social media game #FindThatLizard where she posts photos, almost all of which she takes in the field, of lizards camouflaged in their natural environments for participants to spot. During this course, you’ll learn about lizards across the U.S., key features for identification, go into the field with Dr. McGee, and then go on your own lizard-spotting adventures! By the end of this course, you’ll not only be able to use a field guide and similar tools, identify lizards during walks or hikes, and take identifiable photos of lizards—but also, you’ll be able to transfer these skills to any wildlife species.   

We welcome all students to take this course, regardless of location. However, those living in regions of the U.S. (or outside the U.S.) where lizards are abundant may have a more herp-filled outside-of-class nature walk experience. Though Dr. McGee will focus primarily on lizards endemic to the U.S, she can provide some guidance on other reptiles and amphibians for students living in areas that may be home to fewer lizards.

If you're unsure of which species live in your area, check out this resource to learn more.

Syllabus At A Glance

This course includes four total sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours on four consecutive Tuesdays beginning August 2.

Session 1 (Tuesday, 8/2, 8:30–10:00 PM ET): Introduction: What are lizards and how can you learn about them?

Session 2 (Tuesday, 8/9, 8:30–10:00 PM ET): Identifying & Photographing Lizards

Session 3 (*Rescheduled for Tuesday, 8/23, 8:30–10:00 PM ET): Virtual Field Trip: Look for lizards with Dr. McGee! (Weather permitting)

Session 4 (*Rescheduled for Tuesday, 8/30, 8:30–10:00 PM ET): Sharing Photos, Experiences, and Tips 

Between Sessions

Outside of class, students will be given short assignments focused on preparing for, and going out on, lizard-spotting walks in their area. 

Course Materials

There are no materials required for this course; however, students are encouraged to have or purchase a local field guide. 

Pricing Options

This course is available at three ticket prices. This tiered pricing model is designed to increase access for a wider range of students as well as to support our instructors. In addition to tiered tickets, we offer a limited number of no-pay spots for students who would not otherwise be able to take this course. No-pay spots are selected via a randomized drawing two weeks before each section begins. For more information and to apply for a no-pay spot, please click here. To learn more about our pricing model and randomized selection process for no-pay spots, please visit our FAQ page.

Community Guidelines for Students

Please take a moment to review our community guidelines for students, which aim to share our classroom ethos and help set the stage for the best possible learning experience.

Atlas Obscura Online Courses

Our online courses offer opportunities for participants to emerge with new skills, knowledge, connections, and perspectives through multi-session classes designed and taught by expert instructors. Courses can take one of two forms: Seminars are intimate, interactive classes—capped at nine to 25 students—exploring topics and crafts through discussion, workshops, assignments, and in-class activities. We also offer lecture series that can be attended live, or viewed via a recording that will be shared within 72 hours after each session airs. Class recordings for lecture series will be available with a temporary password for up to two weeks following the final session of the course.

To learn more about our current course offerings, please visit www.atlasobscura.com/online-courses.

For answers to commonly asked questions, check out our FAQ page here.

Where We’ll Be

Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite that will provide access to each class meeting. Please save the confirmation email as you’ll use it to access all sessions of your course via Zoom.

About Your Instructor
Dr. Earyn McGee
Dr. Earyn McGee

Throughout her academic career Dr. Earyn McGee has followed her first passion, learning about cool animals. Dr. McGee received her B.S. from Howard University, her MSc from the University of Arizona, and her PhD in natural resources with an emphasis in wildlife conservation and management at the University of Arizona. She is an expert in herpetology, specifically lizards of the southwestern US. Check out her popular social media game #FindThatLizard. Every week since June 2018 Earyn has challenged her followers to search for a lizard camouflaged in an image she posts. She uses her platform to teach people about lizards, conservation, and social justice issues.. Earyn has been recognized for her work as a Forbes 30 under 30 lister, as an The Grist 50 lister, AAAS If/Then Ambassador, on Emmy nominated CBS’s Mission Unstoppable, GoldieBlox’s Fast Forward Girls Youtube Series, and on the front page of local and national news paper outlets.

You can follow Dr. McGee on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

What Else You Should Know

This lecture series is designed so students can participate live or watch a recording of each session, after it airs, at a time that is convenient for them. Sessions will take place live over Zoom, with dedicated Q&A segments for students to ask questions via video or chat. Within 72 hours after each session meets, students will receive access to a recording of the live session, which they can watch for up to two weeks after the course concludes.

Instructors may use Google Classroom to communicate with students outside of class. While students aren’t required to use Google Classroom, instructors may use this platform to post resources, discussion questions, or assignments. This platform also offers a space for students to connect with one another about course material between sessions.

We provide closed captioning for all of our courses and can share transcripts upon request. Please reach out to us at experiences@atlasobscura.com if you have any questions, requests, or accessibility needs.

Dates and Availability

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