About Me

My name is Alexander Greenwood, and I’m a wildlife biologist, herpetologist, and photographer with a lifelong fascination for the animals most people overlook—or misunderstand. I was born and raised in southeastern Pennsylvania, where my summers were spent in the Poconos fishing, wandering forests, and learning the rhythms of wild places. Those early experiences didn’t just spark an interest in nature—they quietly shaped my entire future. I originally set out on a veterinary path, working for years in animal hospitals and immersing myself in animal care, husbandry, and medicine. While studying biology at Temple University, I balanced pre-veterinary coursework with leadership roles, research, and hands-on field experiences. I studied tropical rainforest ecology abroad, worked in biomechanics labs analyzing tarantula locomotion, and cared for desert reptiles in research settings. But somewhere along the way, I realized that my heart didn’t belong in clinics—it belonged in the field.

That realization crystallized the day I encountered my first timber rattlesnake in the wild. That single moment rewrote everything. I traded fishing poles for snake hooks, free time for field surveys, and clinical aspirations for conservation biology. I became obsessed—not just with reptiles and amphibians, but with understanding them deeply, documenting their lives, and changing how people perceive them. I went on to earn my Master’s degree in Biology from East Stroudsburg University, where I specialized in herpetology. My research focused on the eastern hognose snake, an enigmatic, misunderstood species known for its dramatic defenses and striking color variation. I spent countless hours in the field collecting behavioral, morphological, and ecological data, ultimately publishing original natural history findings and completing a thesis on color polymorphism and evolutionary dynamics.

Alongside my research, I worked on projects involving timber rattlesnakes, bog turtles, wood turtles, and invasive species management, gaining experience in radiotelemetry, standardized survey protocols, venomous snake handling, and conservation data collection. I also served as a graduate assistant, museum curator, and lab instructor—roles that taught me how to communicate science just as effectively as I conduct it.

Today, I work as a wildlife biologist conducting surveys, writing technical reports, developing educational materials, and leading community outreach efforts. While my initial enthusiasm for the reptiles of Arizona brought me to the southwest, I have continually worked to increase my proficiency in the identification of birds and other organisms. Birding used to be a retroactive hobby of mine, but I now struggle to find whether my loyalties lie- not a bad problem to have.

My work has taken me from the forests of the Appalachians to the deserts of the Southwest, and I continue to chase opportunities for conserving the wildlife that bring me endless joy. Photography has become one of my most powerful tools. Through my lens, I try to give visibility to animals that are often feared, ignored, or erased. I believe that appreciation precedes protection—and that storytelling is a form of conservation.

At my core, I’m driven by curiosity, independence, and a deep respect for wild systems. I don’t just want to study animals—I want to advocate for them, interpret their lives for others, and help build a future where misunderstood species are no longer disposable.

If you’re here, chances are you’re curious too.