Animal Week: Animal Planet's Jeff Corwin

Jeff Corwin , host of Animal Planet 's "The Jeff Corwin Experience" and "Corwin's Quest," was online Friday, April 14, at noon ET to answer your questions about his world experiences with exotic animals from around the world.

The transcript follows.

Watch for Corwin's upcoming special, "Corwin's Quest: Realm of the Yeti," , which airs Saturday, April 15, at 8 p.m. ET and examines the legend of the Abominable Snowman, also known as the Yeti, in a remote region of Nepal. Yeti is believed to be an ape-like creature inhabiting high altitudes in the Himalayas, and the continuing legend has led to conservation of virtually untouched pieces of land.

Jeff Corwin is a wildlife biologist and Emmy-winning TV host. "The Jeff Corwin Experience" airs nightly on Animal Planet, and Corwin is also author of "Living on the Edge: Amazing Relationships in the Natural World." He frequently lectures on ecology and conservation.

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Fairfax, Va.: I watch both you and Steve Irwin and notice the Croc Hunter doesn't grab snakes by the back of the head and you do. Is there any difference?

Jeff Corwin: I have my style and my own way of working with animals and my goal when I work with a snake is to only do hands on if I need to and when I do hold a snake, my focus is to keep it safe and secure as well as myself safe and secure so I am comfortable and the snake is comfortable. When I hold the snake's head I am doing so to keep the head immobile. The thing to keep in mind if that when I am doing this it is by no means a lesson on how to handle snakes for people watching the show.

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Alexandria, Va. (UMass Alumn): Jeff,

Besides searching for the Yeti, what's the most interesting and rare animal you've seen that you would consider your best find?

Go UMASS!

Jeff Corwin: Probably with a team of scientists from Conservation International, it was very exciting when we discovered a new species and genus of frog.

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Falls Church, Va.: What is the most dangerous place and most beautiful place you've ever visited?

Jeff Corwin: The most beautiful place to me is where I live in New England on a small island that I love very much. Probably the most dangerous place would be in a war zone.

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Fairfax, Va.: Can you talk a little about your background? Specifically, college, major and the path you took to become the world's most beloved herpitologist? ... if I even spelled that correctly.

Jeff Corwin: My undergraduate degree is in biology and anthropology and my graduate work is in conservation biology and basically that, mixed with life experience, is how I became the person I am.

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Fairfax, Va.: Jeff, Huge fan and I seriously watch your show all the time.

Question: Which animal has come the closest to snatching the life right out of you?

Jeff Corwin: Probably being bitten by a coral snake when I was in graduate school. It was very very serious and I nearly died from the bite.

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Bowie, Md.: Do you think the Tasmanian Tiger is extinct or still exists?

Jeff Corwin: I believe it is extremely unlikely that the Tasmanian Tiger still exists, tragically.

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Arlington, Va.: OK, so maybe my cockatiel isn't THE most exotic bird on the planet, but, man, can she scream and for no apparent reason. Any idea why?

Jeff Corwin: She wants attention.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Jeff,I love Animal Planet! It's great that the Discovery Channel is located so close to here. Do you think they are gearing away from hosted shows such as your own? Where is the format headed? Whatever they do I hope the format isn't changed to feature more celebrities (like CourtTV did). Thanks for the adventures!

Jeff Corwin: I think like anything it evolves, and there's always a challenge to stay fresh and new and offer a new product to your audience. I focus in on that and I am continually tweaking the stuff I do to meet the needs of a constantly changing audience. But the essence of who I am isn't going to change. I am still very active doing cool stuff. And we've got some very exciting surprises coming up over the next year.

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Bangalore, India: Question about King Cobras. How long does it take after it bites a human being of say 160 lbs, before death occurs?

Siva

Jeff Corwin: It really depends on the health of the person, it depends on how big the snake was, and how much venom was injected into the victim. But death can occur on a scale of anywhere from minutes to a couple of hours.

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Reston, Va.: Jeff, your TV show is amazing to watch. I can't believe how you can just jump into the Amazon and chase a boa. Aren't you ever scared that you might land on a croc or something dark and nasty down there? It's the whole 'Jaws' fear of the unknown effect, to me. Your cameramen must be tough as nails too.

Jeff Corwin: There's a risk to anything you do in life but we just try to calculate those risks and be as safe as possible. At any one time we have two to four cameramen with us.

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An avian problem, Washington, D.C.: I have an interesting situation. A pigeon has built a nest in my bicycle where the pedals and gear chains meet (the bike hangs upside down on the balcony rafters). How do I go about getting the bird, nest and presumably egg out of my bike without harming any of the above? I want to get my bike down and go riding, but really don't want to get attacked by a deranged pigeon guarding her nest in the process.

Jeff Corwin: If you can be patient and wait, and wait a few weeks you will get your bike back. But there is no way to intervene without harming the pigeon.

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Rockville, Md.: I am a recent zoology graduate and am having trouble deciding what I want to do. I love working with and learning about all types of animals. I have worked in zoos, aquariums, and vet clinics, but do not see myself doing any of those forever. Do you have any advice for me on where to go from here? By the way I love all of your shows!

Jeff Corwin: Sounds like you might be interested in research and you might want to focus in on a particular creature or study or discipline and think about going to graduate school.

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North Hollywood, Calif.: I have seen you lots of time shown at the Animal Planet film at Universal as well as your TV show. You are great and thank you for being here today. I am wondering if you recall how long ago you filmed the Universal film, what you thought when you were asked to do it and are you aware it continues playing to this day?

Jeff Corwin: We filmed it a few years ago and I'm not aware of what it's status is now.

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Centreville, Va.: First, my family loves your programs!

Are you afraid of any type of animal (including land/air/water creatures)? You appear to fearless in the face of these guys.

Jeff Corwin: I wouldn't say that I'm fearless. I'm not fearless. But I understand my limitations with whatever creature of environment I work with. I base whatever my interactions are on my limitations. I try to find the fine line that allows me to conserve life and limb.

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Gainesville, Fla.: Jeff,

People might consider you crazy for some of the risks you seem to take in approaching and dealing with wild animals. How do you prepare for your encounters? Do you feel as though you have a special rapport with the animals? Any war stories about plans that didn't work out?

Jeff Wade

Jeff Corwin: I do lots of research. We plan out all of our work. I think the reality is that I'm a lot more stable and focused and less risky than people may perceive when they watch a show.

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East Lansing, Mich.: Jeff,I admire your work and your efforts to share your experiences. Your show has always captivated my attention.

Question: I am a 51-year-old person who would like to travel and see some of the wonders you have shown us. Are there travel companies whom you might recommend who are closely attuned to your philosophy on wildlife? I don't need particularly cushy environs but prefer not to "tent" it either. Thanks!

Jeff Corwin: I'm not aware of specific companies out there, but there is a lot going on. What you should do is focus in on what you want to do and where you want to go, and have a destination be the driving force and the focus to find the company that is best suited to your needs.

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Minneapolis, Minn.: Hi Jeff! I could easily say you're my favorite TV host. I'm a longtime softie for animals, especially pachyderms. I always have mixed feelings about zoos -- I know they help educate (and excite) children about animals and species they'd only see in books. But the animals always look so lost and bored. I imagine creating habitats for the guys has come along way, but how can we make children excited about wildlife without it seeming to be at the expense of the wildlife?

Jeff Corwin: Zoos serve a variety of purposes and have a variety of missions. For example, zoos are places of conservation based research, places where injured wildlife can get a second lease on life, are often actively involved in breeding endangered species, and are involved in many field conservation programs that take place outside of the actual zoo environment. And perhaps the biggest thing is that zoos help educate people on the natural world, especially people that don't have access to it. In that way zoos are very important. It is a continuous struggle for zoos to keep things fresh for the animals and stay focused. Then there's a whole part of the zoo industry where they focus on habitat quality and life experience for the creatures living in the zoo.

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Wichita, Kans.: Dear Mr. Corwin -- You are known for being absolutely fearless in your handling of venomous snakes; however, when we saw the episode that shows you unwilling or unable to hand grab that monster King Cobra -- in which you slipped and fell as you were retreating OMG -- that snake was eye-level with you when you were standing! Truly a hair-raising moment caught on film -- so how long was that bad boy? Thanks for being totally crazy!

Jeff Corwin: That Cobra was pushing ten feet in length.

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Washington, D.C.: I'm also a UMass alum like the other poster. How did you end up on Animal Planet? What was your path there like? Thanks so much!

Jeff Corwin: Beside my education I've always been involved with animals since my youth, and I knew what I wanted to do and focused in on it and made it happen. This was my dream to do the job I have. So like anything you work at it. It doesn't happen accidentally.

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New York, N.Y.: Looking forward to the Saturday show. In their harsh habitat, what would be the Yeti's main diet?

Jeff Corwin: The Yeti, given that it lives in a very extreme environment, the secret to success for this creature is to adapt and be a generalist versus a specialist and capitalizing on all available resources.

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Arlington, Va.: What animal always makes you say or think something like "awwwwww how cute"?

Jeff Corwin: Anything small, furry, and cuddly.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Jeff --Love the show!How come around dangerous animals such as venomous snakes, you don't seem afraid, but around primates you are?

Jeff Corwin: I just always try to maintain a healthy respect for primates because they are so smart and adaptable, and because I am one.

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Washington, D.C.: You are obviously really passionate about the conservation of our planet's biodiversity. You talk a lot about it on your show, but couldn't you use your fame to motivate others and make a bigger impact?

Jeff Corwin: Beyond my work in television, I am very active in policy development and community programs. I work with a lot of non-profit organizations that are conservation based and I try to have my interest in conservation and wildlife be a part of every aspect of my life.

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Bangalore, India: For some reason, I am fascinated by snakes (especially King Cobras). Can a KC have enough venom to kill a full-grown elephant? Also, is it true that KC is the only snake that can attack unprovoked? (I promise to now shut up about King Cobras)

Jeff Corwin: It is feasible that a large King Cobra could kill an elephant. And King Cobras do not attack human beings unprovoked. But there is a fine line to provoking a King Cobra that you don't want to cross.

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Arlington, Va.: You said on the Today show that you did find this mythical creature, the Yeti. What was it and what did it look like? How did you know where to look? Did the locals point you in the right direction?

Jeff Corwin: Tune in tomorrow night and you shall find out....

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Burtonsville, Md.: Hi Jeff,I love your program. Although you are a serious biologist, it is your sense of humor that really keeps me watching. How did you become so funny? Also, what other biologists would you list as your major influences/heroes? Thanks!

Jeff Corwin: E.O. Wilson, Aldo Leopold, Charles Darwin, Alfred Wallace and John Muir.

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Philadelphia, Pa.: What are some of the scariest things you've ever had to do?

Jeff Corwin: Surprisingly less to do with animals and more about risky human situations such as political unrest, problems with vehicles, airplanes, hot air balloons, etc. Those I find more unnerving than wildlife.

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Alexandria, Va.: This is a little gross and maybe not that exotic, but why does my male golden retriever search for underwear or socks of mine to chew on while my husband and I are, um, intimate? We leave the door open to our bedroom -- otherwise, he barks at us, which is bad because we live in a condo.

Jeff Corwin: Sounds like he wants attention.

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Oakton, Va.: Hi! I'll parrot everyone else and say that I love watching you on TV. I'm curious what, if any, pets you have at home. Thanks!

Jeff Corwin: Surprisingly all that we have in our house is a cat because I am very leery and have issues with people keeping exotics as pets.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Love your shows! My sons and I often watch together ... we get a big kick out of it.

Question: Do you believe there is any sort of "global warming" effect on animals? Does this have anything to do the impact on amphibians, for example?

Jeff Corwin: Absolutely. Global warming is a very real thing, it is a real thing that is happening and animals are being greatly impacted. Over the next few decades we will see extinction take place as a result of global warming if we do not start changing out behavior.

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Jeff Corwin: It was great to have everyone on. Thanks for participating and I look forward to hearing your responses from tomorrow's special, Realm of the Yeti, Saturday from 8-10 on Animal Planet.

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