About Snake Guru - Over 15 years of professional experience working with Arizona snakes, reptiles & amphibians

Snake Guru, LLC is a company devoted to educational outreach, conservation and safety. The owner, Nick Massimo, is an Arizona native, and professionally trained herpetologist with over 15 years of experience working with venomous reptiles. Nick started his professional training while attending the University of Arizona. While there, he volunteered with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, working in the Herpetology, Ichthyology and Invertebrate Departments. Next, he received an internship with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. What was supposed to be a 1-summer position, lasted for over two years. This position offered the opportunity to work with many reptiles who call the Sonoran Desert home. Nick also started working with Saguaro National Park, studying Gila monsters and other Sonoran Desert reptiles and amphibians with Dr. Kevin Bonine around this time.
After receiving a double major in Biology and Nutritional Sciences, Nick started to work with Dr. Betsy Arnold at the University of Arizona studying fungal endophytes. The experience he gained while working in the Arnold Lab was very influential to his decision to pursue graduate school at Arizona State University working with chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease of amphibians. While attending graduate school, Nick received a Masters of Science in Biology and was one of the first to complete the Scientific Teaching in Higher Education certificate program at Arizona State University. While attending ASU, he received immeasurable support and guidance from his mentor, Dr. Jim Collins. Much of Nick’s research focused on emerging infectious diseases in reptiles & amphibians and zoonoses.

Snake Guru, LLC utilizes practices supported by scientific, peer-reviewed research and ethical policies. What does this mean? We put in the extra effort, time and expertise to make sure the wildlife we have the privilege of working with will be here long into the future.

We understand some of the biggest impacts happen at the grassroots level, and believe some of the best conservation impacts can be made from the ground up, when a community is knowledgeable about the wildlife they live beside. That’s why we work closely within the communities we serve to offer specific advise for the wildlife in your area. Let us share our passion about some of world’s most fascinating, misunderstood creatures with you!

Human-wildlife interactions are bound to increase as humans continue to encroach on areas that were once wild spaces. When snakes are involved in these interactions, that’s where Snake Guru, LLC comes in. We want to ensure the safety of our community, the animal(s) someone has contacted us about, as well as the rest of the wildlife in the ecosystem. Our policies support the conservation of all wildlife whenever possible. Snake Guru, LLC will always aim to partner with the scientific community to better serve our local community as well as conservation practices.

Herpetofauna include animals like snakes, lizards, frogs, and salamanders. These creatures, especially snakes, provide a tremendous amount of benefits for people, yet are often misunderstood. Throughout history, many different cultures have found important cultural, medicinal, artistic and even religious ties to snakes. Unfortunately, many myths have also been spread about this group of organisms. We’re here to help dispel any misinformation so our community can better understand these often elusive creatures.