Ep 23. Snake Researcher

In episode 23 of season 2 of Dirty Jobs, host Mike Rowe heads out to the wilds of Florida to work with a snake researcher named Shawn Heflick. Shawn has been working with snakes for years and has even been bitten by venomous snakes dozens of times, so he's the perfect person to teach Mike about these often misunderstood and feared creatures.

Mike starts out by learning how to capture snakes in the wild. Shawn shows him how to use a long pole with a hook on the end to grab the snake behind the head and hold it securely. Mike is a quick learner, but he's understandably nervous as he approaches each snake and tries to snag it with the hook. Shawn is patient with him though, and soon Mike is able to capture snakes on his own.

Once they have some snakes in hand, Shawn and Mike start taking measurements and collecting data. They weigh each snake and measure its length, and also take note of any physical abnormalities or injuries. They even use a special tool to measure the diameter of the snake's eyes - something Shawn uses as an indicator of the snake's health.

One of the most interesting parts of the episode comes when Mike and Shawn head into the lab to examine the snakes up close. They put each snake in a clear plastic tube so they can get a good look at it from all angles, and then they use a microscope to examine the scales and skin. They're looking for tiny mites and ticks that might be living on the snakes - these parasites can cause health problems and even death if left unchecked.

Mike is fascinated by the process and eager to learn as much as he can. He asks questions about the different types of snakes they're studying and how they differ in terms of habitat and behavior. Shawn is happy to share his knowledge and is a patient teacher throughout the episode.

As the episode goes on, Mike becomes more and more comfortable around the snakes. He even helps Shawn with some of the more dangerous tasks, like extracting venom from a diamondback rattlesnake. They show the venom to the camera, and Shawn explains how it's used in medical research to help develop antivenom treatments.

Overall, the Snake Researcher episode of Dirty Jobs is both informative and entertaining. Viewers who are afraid of snakes might find some of the footage a little nerve-wracking, but Mike's humor and enthusiasm make it clear that he's in good hands with Shawn. By the end of the episode, Mike has a newfound respect for these fascinating creatures and a deeper appreciation for the work that snake researchers do.