Kansas Herpetofaunal Atlas

Biographies of Kansas Herpetologists

Kansas is exceptional in its history of noted herpetologists; many were born here, some lived in Kansas during formative periods of their lives, while others made significant discoveries just while passing through. These biographies acknowledge their individual efforts and provide context to their life and times. They also attempt, as possible, to put faces to the names listed often in the KHA. The cumulative results of their work are simultaneously inspirational and humbling.


Curtis J. Schmidt in 2018.

SCHMIDT, CURTIS J.
Curtis James Schmidt (15 March 1977 — 16 June 2022)

Schmidt was born in Hays, Kansas. Curtis was an active member of the Kansas Herpetological Society since 1993 and served as President (2006, 2019) and Editor (2010-2016), and was the current Membership Chairperson (2021-).
Curtis graduated from TMP-Marian High School (Hays) in 1995 and obtained degrees from Fort Hays State University (BS May 1999; MS December 2004). His Master's thesis research was titled "Natural history and status of the exploited Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) in western Kansas and a herpetofaunal inventory of the Smoky Valley Ranch, Logan County, Kansas. Thesis. Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas".
Following graduation, Curtis was hired to aid in a statewide survey of Kansas amphibians and reptiles funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and the Sternberg Museum of Natural History from October 2003-September 2005. Following a short hiatus, Curtis assisted then Museum Director Jerry R. Choate in a similar state-wide assessment of Kansas mammals (2006-2009). Curtis became the first Zoological Collections Manager at Sternberg Museum of Natural History (Hays) in August of 2011. A position he excelled at until the time of his death.
Curtis authored or co-authored 80 papers on the herpetology of Kansas.
Last Updated: 1/19/2023 8:27:33 AM
Relevant Literature: 78 publications
1998 Choate, Jerry, K. Chapman, C. J. Schmidt, and M. D. VanDoren. Mammal and reptile inventory and monitoring program. Fort Lamed National Historic Site, Ft. Larned, Kansas. 20pp.
1998 Schmidt, Curtis J. Herpetological observations at Cheyenne Bottoms, Barton County, Kansas. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (113):15
2000 Schmidt, Curtis J. Observations on reptilian predation. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (120):18
2000 Van Doren, Mark D. and Curtis J. Schmidt. A herpetological survey of the Fort Larned National Historic Site, Pawnee County, Kansas. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (120):8-11
2001 Schmidt, Curtis J. The amphibians, turtles, and reptiles of the Smoky Valley Ranch, Logan County, Kansas. Kansas Herpetological Society Newsletter (124):9-11
2002 Collins, Joseph T., Travis W. Taggart Curtis J. Schmidt, and Suzanne L. Collins. Geographic distribution: Phrynosoma cornutum. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (2):10-11
2002 Schmidt, Curtis J. A demographic analysis of the Prairie Rattlesnakes collected for the 2000 and 2001 Sharon Springs, Kansas, rattlesnake roundups. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (1):12-18
2002 Schmidt, Curtis J. Organization and background of the 2000 and 2001 Sharon Springs, Kansas, rattlesnake roundups. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (1):9
2002 Schmidt, Curtis J. and Travis W. Taggart. Geographic distribution: Gastrophryne olivacea. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (2):10
2002 Schmidt, Curtis J. and Travis W. Taggart. Geographic distribution: Trachemys scripta. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (2):11
2002 Schmidt, Curtis J. and William J. Stark. An assessment of the harvest of Prairie Rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) during the Sharon Springs rattlesnake roundups in 2000 and 2001 and an investigation of unexploited populations within the Smoky Valley Ranch. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, . 15pp.
2002 Schmidt, Curtis J. and William J. Stark. An assessment of the harvest of Prairie Rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) during the Sharon Springs rattlesnake roundups in 2000 and 2001, and an investigation of unexploited populations within the Smoky Valley Ranch, in Logan County, Kansas. ():46
2002 Taggart, Travis W. and Curtis J. Schmidt. Geographic distribution: Coluber constrictor. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (2):10
2002 Taggart, Travis W. and Curtis J. Schmidt. Geographic distribution: Leptotyphlops dulcis. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (2):10
2002 Taggart, Travis W., Curtis J. Schmidt, and Joseph T. Collins. Range extension of the Texas Longnose Snake in western Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (1):8
2003 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Ambystoma mavortium. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (8):19
2003 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Eumeces septentrionalis. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (8):19
2003 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Nerodia erythrogaster. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (6):8
2003 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Regina grahamii. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (6):8
2004 Davis, Nate, Travis W. Taggart, and Curtis J. Schmidt. Geographic distribution, Pseudacris streckeri. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (10):10
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. Attempted predation on a hatchling Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) by an adult Plains Leopard Frog (Rana blairi). Journal of Kansas Herpetology (10):12
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Apalone spinifera. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (11):13
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Bufo cognatus. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (11):13
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Chelydra serpentina. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (10):10
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Chrysemys picta. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (10):10
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Hyla chrysoscelis/Hyla versicolor. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (11):13
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Ophisaurus attenuatus. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (11):13
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Pituophis catenifer. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (11):14
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Storeria dekayi. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (11):14
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Thamnophis sirtalis. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (11):14
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Trachemys scripta. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (10):10
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. Natural history and status of the exploited Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) in western Kansas and a herpetofaunal inventory of the Smoky Valley Ranch, Logan County, Kansas. Thesis. Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas. pp.
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. and Richard Hayes. Life history. Gastrotrophryne olivacea. New state maximum length. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (11):15
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. and Richard S. Hayes. Gastrophryne olivacea, (Great Plains Narrowmouth Toad), new state maximum size record Journal of Kansas Herpetology (11):15
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. and Travis W. Taggart. Life history. Kinosternon flavescens. Abnormal characteristic. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (9):7
2004 Schmidt, Curtis J. and Travis W. Taggart. Life history. Rana blairi. New state maximum length. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (12):17
2004 Taggart, Travis W. and Curtis J. Schmidt. Life History. Crotalus viridis. New maximum size for entire range. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (12):18
2005 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Chelydra serpentina. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (16):22
2005 Schmidt, Curtis J. and Travis W. Taggart. Geographic distribution: Nerodia erythrogaster. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (14):11
2005 Schmidt, Curtis J. and Travis W. Taggart. Life history: Sceloporus consobrinus. New state maximum length. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (14):10
2005 Schmidt, Curtis J., Daniel Murrow, and Travis W. Taggart. Geographic distribution: Rana areolata. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology ():
2005 Taggart, Travis W. and Curtis J. Schmidt. Geographic distribution: Chelydra serpentina. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (14):11
2005 Taggart, Travis W. and Curtis J. Schmidt. Geographic distribution: Crotalus horridus. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (14):11
2005 Taggart, Travis W. and Curtis J. Schmidt. Geographic distribution: Diadophis punctatus. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (14):11
2005 Taggart, Travis W. and Curtis J. Schmidt. Geographic distribution: Phrynosoma cornutum. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (14):11
2005 Taggart, Travis W. and Curtis J. Schmidt. Geographic distribution: Rana areolata (Chautauqua County, Kansas). Journal of Kansas Herpetology (14):11
2005 Taggart, Travis W. and Curtis J. Schmidt. Geographic distribution: Rana areolata (Montgomery County, Kansas). Journal of Kansas Herpetology (14):11
2005 Taggart, Travis W. and Curtis J. Schmidt. Life history notes: Phrynosoma cornutum. New state maximum length. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (14):10
2005 Taggart, Travis W. and Curtis J. Schmidt. Phrynosoma cornutum (Texas Horned Lizard) new state maximum length Journal of Kansas Herpetology (14):10
2005 Taggart, Travis W., Curtis J. Schmidt, and Richard S. Hayes. Geographic distribution: Apalone spinifera. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (13):10
2005 Taggart, Travis W., Curtis J. Schmidt, and Richard S. Hayes. Geographic distribution: Bufo woodhousii. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (13):10
2005 Taggart, Travis W., Curtis J. Schmidt, and Richard S. Hayes. Geographic distribution: Chrysemys picta. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (13):10
2005 Taggart, Travis W., Curtis J. Schmidt, and Richard S. Hayes. Geographic distribution: Gastrophryne olivacea. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (13):10
2005 Taggart, Travis W., Curtis J. Schmidt, and Richard S. Hayes. Geographic distribution: Masticophis flagellum. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (13):10
2005 Taggart, Travis W., Curtis J. Schmidt, and Richard S. Hayes. Geographic distribution: Rana catesbeiana. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (13):10
2005 Taggart, Travis W., Curtis J. Schmidt, and Richard S. Hayes. Geographic distribution: Sceloporus consobrinus. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (13):10
2005 Taggart, Travis W., Curtis J. Schmidt, and Richard S. Hayes. Geographic distribution: Tropidoclonion lineatum. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (13):10
2006 Schmidt, Curtis J. An addition to the herpetofauna of Cheyenne Bottoms, Barton County, Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (20):9
2006 Taggart, Travis W., Joseph T. Collins, and Curtis J. Schmidt. Herpetological collections and collecting in Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (17):17-20
2006 Welch, Derek and Curtis J. Schmidt. A world record Crawfish Frog Journal of Kansas Herpetology (17):7
2007 Busby, William H., Jennifer M. Delisle, Craig C. Freeman, Kelly Kindscher, H. Loring, D. E. Nimz, and Curtis J. Schmidt. A natural features inventory of the Smoky Hill ANG Range, Kansas. Open-file Report No. 137. Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range, Salina, Kansas. 403pp.
2007 Schmidt, Curtis J. First record of the Bullfrog from Osborne County, Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (22):11
2007 Schmidt, Curtis J. and Kendra Phelps. Geographic distribution: Thamnophis sirtalis. Journal of Kansas Herpetology 24():15
2007 Taggart, Travis W., Joseph T. Collins, and Curtis J. Schmidt. Estimates of amphibian, reptile, and turtle mortality if Phostoxin is applied to 10,000 acres of prairie dog burrows in Logan County, Kansas. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Pratt. 5pp.
2008 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Anaxyrus cognatus. Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (27):7
2008 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Spea bombifrons. Kansas . Journal of Kansas Herpetology (27):7
2009 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Nerodia sipedon. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (30):11
2009 Schmidt, Curtis J. Geographic distribution: Tropidoclonion lineatum. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (30):11
2010 Hubbs, Brian and Curtis J. Schmidt. Geographic distribution: Ambystoma mavortium, Kansas. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (33):6
2011 Taggart, Travis W. and Curtis J. Schmidt. Geographic Distribution: Arizona elegans. Kansas: Logan County. Journal of Kansas Herpetology (40):8
2012 Meshaka, Walter E., Jr., Stanley E. Trauth, Katherine M. Talbott, and Curtis J. Schmidt. Reproductive characteristics and sexual maturation of the Eastern Collared Lizard, Crotaphytus collaris (Say, 1823), at the northern edge of its geographic range. Collinsorum 1(2/3):9-14
2012 Schmidt, Curtis J. Rock Chalk Joehawk. Collinsorum 1(1):6-7
2012 Schmidt, Curtis J. and Travis W. Taggart. A new name, a new beginning, a celebration of our past. Collinsorum 1(1):2
2017 Schmidt, Curtis J. Herp Count: Southeast Ellis County. Collinsorum 6(2-3):9
2021 Schmidt, Curtis J and Avery Schmidt. Herp Count: KHS-2020-4 Collinsorum 9(3):12
2021 Schmidt, Curtis J. Herp Count: Ellis County: KHS-2020-32. Collinsorum 9(3):16
2021 Schmidt, Curtis J. Herp Count: Russell County: KHS-2020-16. Collinsorum 9(3):14
2021 Schmidt, Curtis J. Herp Count: Russell County: KHS-2020-19. Collinsorum 9(3):14


Travis W. Taggart © 1999-2026 — w/ Sternberg Museum of Natural History, Fort Hays State University