Erika M. Nowak, PhD

Dr. Nowak is an Assistant Research Professor in the School of Earth and Sustainability and the Department of Biological Sciences, and is the Assistant Curator of Herpetology in the Vertebrate Teaching Collections at NAU. She earned a BS in Wildlife Biology from Cornell University (1991), a MS in Biology (1998) from Northern Arizona University, and a PhD in Biology (2009) from Northern Arizona University. Dr. Nowak has extensive experience in the development and implementation of herpetofauna and small mammal inventories for federal, tribal, state, and non-profit entities. Her current research interests are in ecology, behavior, conservation, and science-based management of herpetofauna, particularly declining gartersnakes and venomous reptiles. Her conservation work with rattlesnakes and gartersnakes was profiled in the 2018 book American Snakes.

Dr. Nowak is also regionally recognized for her expertise with federally threatened narrow-headed and northern Mexican gartersnakes. A member of the Arizona-New Mexico Gartersnake Conservation Working Group, she and her students have conducted surveys and telemetric studies for both species across their range in Arizona and New Mexico, and are actively involved with research-based efforts to improve captive breeding for narrow-headed gartersnakes. Dr. Nowak serves as a technical expert and reviewer for federal listing proposals and state recovery and management plans.

As an internationally-recognized expert on viper ecology and management and member of the IUCN Viper Species Group, Dr. Nowak has conducted over 25 years of research with venomous reptiles, including effects of translocation on “nuisance” reptiles, predatory roles and niche separation, trophic-level impacts of provisioning food and water to rattlesnake prey in human-developed areas, and using ecological data to predict threats from climate change. Her venomous reptile awareness and handling trainings, conducted for federal, state, municipal and private agencies, increase awareness and safety while decreasing ophidiophobia. Dr. Nowak’s previous venomous reptile (and other) research has been featured extensively in local, national, and international media outlets, and on several television programs.

Along with her research, Dr. Nowak focuses on education at all levels, including teaching Herpetology at NAU and teaching and/or guest lecturing across northern Arizona; supervising graduate and undergraduate students; serving as an academic advisor for high school students conducting independent research; and providing public outreach to combat ophidiophobia and encourage appreciation of snakes. Undergraduates working in the Gartersnake Research Program at NAU assist with captive husbandry of narrow-headed gartersnakes and with field surveys, and develop independent research projects that complement ongoing research with captive snakes.

Dr. Nowak’s interests also include involvement in professional societies and community outreach. She is a former steering member of Southwest Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC), a Board Member of Habitat Harmony, Inc. (http://www.habitatharmony.org/), an honorary life member of the Tucson Herpetological Society, and a member of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles and the Wildlife Society. She has volunteered to provide technical expertise and data to inform local community planning decisions, including assistance with development of Flagstaff’s Regional Plans beginning in 2001.

Journal Publications

Nowak, E.M. et al. 2019 in review. Lead author or co-author of 4 species accounts. Snakes of Arizona, EcoUniverse Publishing, Rodeo, New Mexico.

Drost, E.M., and C.A. Drost. 2019 in review. Book review: Rattlesnakes of the Grand Canyon. Herpetological Review.

Nowak, E.M. 2017. Book review: Rattlesnakes of Arizona Volume I. Herpetological Review 48(1): 222–225.

Emmons, I.D., E.M. Nowak, and K. Lauger. 2016. Prey availability and foraging events of the Northern Mexican Gartersnake (Thamnophis eques megalops) in North-central Arizona. Herpetological Review 47(3):485-486.

Nowak, E.M., G.W. Schuett, T.C. Theimer, K. Nishikawa, and T. Sisk. 2015. Effects of food and water provisioning on a predator-prey system. Journal of Wildlife Management 79: 357-372.

Sullivan, B.K., E.M. Nowak, and M.A. Kwiatkowski. 2014. Problems with mitigation translocation of herpetofauna. Conservation Biology 29: 12-18.

Hinck, J.E., G. Linder, A.J. Darrah, C.A. Drost, M.C. Duniway, M.J. Johnson, F. M. Méndez-Harclerode, E.M. Nowak, E.W. Valdez, S. Wolff, and C. van Riper III. 2014. Exposure pathways and biological receptors: baseline data for the Canyon Uranium Mine, Coconino County, Arizona. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 5: 422-440.

Loughran, C.L., E. M. Nowak, J. Schofer, K.O. Sullivan, and B.K. Sullivan. 2013. Lagomorph prey of western diamond-backed rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) in Arizona. The Southwest Naturalist 58: 502-505.

Amarello, M., E.M. Nowak, E.N. Taylor, G.W. Schuett, R.A. Repp, P.C. Rosen, and D.L. Hardy Sr. 2010. Potential environmental influences on variation in body size and sexual size dimorphism among Arizona populations of the western diamond-backed rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox). Journal of Arid Environments 74: 1443-1449.

Hamilton, B.T., and E.M. Nowak. 2009. Relationships between insolation and rattlesnake hibernacula. Western North American Naturalist 69: 319-328.

Nowak, E.M., T. Theimer and G.W. Schuett. 2008. Functional and numerical responses of predators: Where do vipers fit in the traditional paradigms? Biological Reviews 83: 601-620.

Kwiatkowski, M.W., G.W. Schuett, R.A. Repp, E.M. Nowak, and B.K. Sullivan. 2008. Does urbanization influence the spatial ecology of Gila Monsters in the Sonoran Desert? Journal of Zoology 276: 350-357.

Book Chapters

Spencer, C.L., E.M. Nowak, K.R. Beaman, and J.C. Mitchell. Crotalus atrox: Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake. The Snakes of Arizona. Eco Publishing, Rodeo, NM. Under review.

Nowak, E.M., M. Amarello, and J. Smith. Crotalus cerberus: Arizona Black Rattlesnake. The Snakes of Arizona. Eco Publishing, Rodeo, NM. Under review.

Holycross, A.T., R. D. Jennings, B.L. Christman, and E.M. Nowak. Thamnophis rufipunctatus: Mogollon Narrow-headed Gartersnake. The Snakes of Arizona. Eco Publishing, Rodeo, NM. Under review.

Persons, T.B., T.B. Cotten, D.J. Leavitt, S. Ruane, and E.M. Nowak. Lampropeltis gentilis: Western Milksnake. The Snakes of Arizona. Eco Publishing, Rodeo, NM. Under review.

Nowak, E.M. and T.B. Persons. 2010. Milksnakes at Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona: Implications for monitoring rare vertebrates. pp. 133-150 In C. van Riper III, B.F. Wakeling, and T.D. Sisk, editors. The Colorado Plateau IV: Shaping conservation through science and management. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona.

Persons, T.B., E.M. Nowak, and D. Mikesic. 2008. Overview of herpetofauna inventories in Southern Colorado Plateau National Parks. pp. 197-218 In C. van Riper III and M. Sogge, editors. The Colorado Plateau III: Integrating research and resources management for effective conservation. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona.

Nowak, E.M. 2005. Movement patterns and life history of western diamond-backed rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) at Tuzigoot National Monument, Arizona. pp. 253-274 In C. van Riper III and D. Mattson, editors. The Colorado Plateau II: Biophysical, socioeconomic, and cultural research. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona.

Nowak, E.M., T. Hare, and J. McNally. 2002. Management of “nuisance” vipers: Effects of translocation on western diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox). pp. 533-560 In G.W. Schuett, M. Höggren, M.E. Douglas, and H.W. Greene, editors. Biology of the Vipers. Eagle Mountain Publishing, LC, UT (USA).

Drost, C.A., T.B. Persons, and E.M. Nowak. 2001. Herpetofauna survey of Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona. Pages 83-102 In C. van Riper III, K.A. Thomas, and M.A. Stuart, editors. Proceedings of the Fifth Biennial Conference of Research on the Colorado Plateau. U.S. Geological Survey/FRESC Report Series USGSFRESC/COPL/2001/24.

Natural History and Distribution Notes

Bergamini, R.R., K. Christy, M. Morton, and E.M. Nowak. 2017. Thamnophis rufipunctatus (distribution record). Herpetological Review 48(1):132.

Emmons, I.D., E.M. Nowak, and T.C. Theimer. 2016. Thamnophis eques megalops (Northern Mexican Gartersnake): Predation. Herpetological Review 47: 485-486.

Emmons, I.D., E.M. Nowak, and R. Bowker. 2015. Gambelia wislizenii (distribution record). Herpetological Review 46(4): 569.

Nowak, E.M., V.L. Boyarski, S.D. Nichols, and T. Greene. 2014. Thamnophis eques megalops (Northern Mexican Gartersnake). Maternal transmission of endoparasites. Herpetological Review 45(1):148-149.

Bridges, A., and E.M. Nowak. 2012. Thamnophis cyrtopsis (distribution record). Herpetological Review 43(2):309.

Emmons, I.D., and E.M. Nowak. 2012. Thamnophis rufipunctatus (distribution record). Herpetological Review 43(2):310.

Nowak, E.M., and V.L. Boyarski. 2012. Thamnophis eques megalops (Northern Mexican Gartersnake). Reproduction: litter size. Herpetological Review 43(2): 351-352.

Loughran, C.L., E.M. Nowak, and R.W. Parker. 2012. Heloderma suspectum; Crotalus cerberus; Crotalus molossus molossus. Diet. Herpetological Review 43(1): various.

Persons, T.B., and E.M. Nowak. 2005. Hypsiglena torquata (distribution record). Phrynosoma modestum (distribution record). Herpetological Review 36(1): 80, 82.

Monatesti, AJ, T.B. Persons, and E.M. Nowak. 2005. Hyla eximia (distribution record). Herpetological Review 36(1): 74-75.

Schuett, G.W., E.M. Nowak, and R.A. Repp. 2002. Crotalus cerberus (Arizona Black Rattlesnake): Diet and prey size. Herpetological Review 33(3): 210-211.

Technical Reports and Popular Articles, peer-reviewed

Wood, D.A., I.D. Emmons, E.M. Nowak, B.L. Christman, A.T. Holycross, R.D. Jennings, and A.G. Vandergast. 2018. Conservation genomics of the Mogollon Narrow-headed gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus) and Northern Mexican gartersnake (Thamnophis eques megalops). US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2018-1141, 47.

https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr20181141

Bateman, H.L., T.A. Sprague, and E. Nowak. 2017. Microhabitat evaluation for northern Mexican Gartersnake. Unpublished final report to Arizona Game and Fish Heritage Fund, Project I15001. Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, Arizona.

Emmons, I.D., and E.M. Nowak. 2016. Monitoring surveys and radio telemetry of northern Mexican gartersnakes (Thamnophis eques megalops) in the Verde Valley, Arizona. Unpublished final report to Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Fund IIAPM Program in fulfilment of grant # I12028. Colorado Plateau Research Station, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona.

Hatten, J.R., J.T. Giermakowski, J.A. Holmes, E.M. Nowak, M.J. Johnson, K.E. Ironside, C. van Riper III, M. Peters, C. Truettner, and K.L Cole. 2016. Identifying bird and reptile vulnerabilities to climate change in the Southwestern United States: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016-1085, 77 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161085.

Giermakowski, J.T., J.R. Hatten, M.J. Johnson, J. A. Holmes, E.M. Nowak, M. Peters. 2015. Final report: Predicting effects of climate change on riparian obligate species in the Southwestern United States. Submitted to United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative; Agreement Number: R11AC81532. Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico, December 31, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1928/31796.

van Riper, C., III., J.R. Hatten, J.T. Giermakowski, D. Mattson, J.A. Holmes, M.J. Johnson, E.M. Nowak, K. Ironside, M. Peters, P. Heinrich, and C.R. Schwalbe. 2014. Projecting climate effects on birds and reptiles of the Southwestern United States. U. S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014‒1050. http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141050.

Nowak, E.M. 2013. Herpetology. pp. 81-87 in Watson Woods Riparian Preserve Restoration Project. Prescott Creeks Preservation Association (editor). Final report to Arizona Water Protection Fund Commission in fulfillment of Grant # 08-158WPF, Prescott, Arizona. https://prescottcreeks.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/0-WWRiparianPresereRestorationReport_Complete.pdf

Nowak, E.M., and T. Arundel. 2009. Co-occurrence of syntopic venomous reptiles at Tonto National Monument, Arizona, U.S.A. Final report to National Park Service (Tonto National Monument). USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Colorado Plateau Research Station, Flagstaff, AZ.

Persons, T.B., and E.M. Nowak. 2007. Inventory of amphibians and reptiles at Mojave National Preserve. USGS Southwest Biological Science Center Open-File Report # 2007-1109.

Persons, T.B., and E.M. Nowak. 2006. Inventory of amphibians and reptiles in Southern Colorado National Parks. USGS Southwest Biological Science Center Open-File Report 2006-1132.

Persons, T.B., and E.M. Nowak. 2006. Inventory of Amphibians and reptiles at Death Valley National Park. USGS Southwest Biological Science Center Open-File Report 2006-1233.

Persons, T.B., E.M. Nowak, and S. Hillard. 2006. Inventory of amphibians and reptiles at Manzanar National Historic Site, California. USGS Southwest Biological Science Center Open-File Report 2006-1232.

Nowak, E.M. 2005.Why did the Gila Monster cross the road? Results from a study at Tonto National Monument, Arizona. Sonoran Herpetologist 18(9): 98-101.

Nowak, E.M. 2003. Distribution, ecology, and management recommendations for the narrow-headed garter snake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus) in Oak Creek, Arizona. Sonoran Herpetologist 16 (10-11).

Nowak, E.M. and C. van Riper III. 1999. Effects and effectiveness of rattlesnake relocation at Montezuma Castle National Monument. U.S. Geological Survey/FRESC Report Series USGS/FRESC/COPL/1999/17.

Nowak, E.M. 1996. CPRS participates in the Flagstaff Festival of Science. Colorado Plateau Newsletter, Vol. 6, No. 3, Fall 1996.

Nowak, E.M. 1998. Implications of nuisance rattlesnake relocation at Montezuma Castle National Monument. Sonoran Herpetologist 11(1) 1998.

Nowak, E.M. 1996. Rattlesnake relocation at Montezuma Castle National Monument. Colorado Plateau Newsletter, Vol. 6, No. 1, Winte­r 1996.

Nowak, E.M., and C.A. Drost. 1993. Amphibian decline on the Colorado Plateau: CPSU seeks baseline data. Colorado Plateau Newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 3, Summer 1993.

Technical reports, not peer-reviewed:  Contact Dr. Nowak for more information.

Nowak, E.M., C.A. Drost, and Sean M. Mahoney. 2017. Effects of wildfires on threatened narrow-headed gartersnakes. Unpublished final report to U.S. Geological Survey/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service SSP-QRP program. USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, Arizona.

Nowak, E.M., R. Bergamini, I. Emmons, and T. Persons. 2017. 2015-2016 Narrow-headed Gartersnake surveys and monitoring in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Unpublished final report to Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, US Forest Service. Colorado Plateau Research Station, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona.

Nowak, E.M. 2016. Surveys and captive facility for narrow-headed gartersnakes impacted by the Slide Fire. Unpublished final report to US Fish and Wildlife Service. Colorado Plateau Research Station, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona.

Myrand, J. M., E. M. Nowak, R. Bergamini, and I. Emmons. 2016. 2016 Surveys and Telemetry of Northern Mexican Gartersnakes in Lower Tonto Creek. Unpublished interim report to the Salt River Project. Colorado Plateau Research Station, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona.

Nowak, E.M. 2013. Protocol for surveys and monitoring of Narrow-headed Gartersnakes (Thamnophis rufipunctatus) and Northern Mexican Gartersnakes (T. eques megalops). Unpublished protocol prepared for Arizona Game and Fish Department Sport Fish Stocking Conservation and Mitigation Program (CAMP) and the Salt River Project. Colorado Plateau Research Station, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona.

Emmons, I., and E.M. Nowak. 2012. Prescott National Forest riparian herpetofauna surveys, 2010-2012. Final Report to US Forest Service (Prescott National Forest). Colorado Plateau Research Station, Flagstaff, AZ.

E.M. Nowak, M. Liszewski, and I. Emmons. 2011. Surveys for Northern Mexican Gartersnakes in Tavasci Marsh (Tuzigoot National Monument). Final Report to National Park Service (Tuzigoot National Monument). Colorado Plateau Research Station, Flagstaff, AZ.

Emmons, I., and E.M. Nowak. 2011. Petrified Forest Expansion Areas small vertebrate surveys. Interim Report to National Park Service (Petrified Forest National Park). Colorado Plateau Research Station, Flagstaff, AZ.

Nowak, E.M., J.F. Fisher, J.V. Hart, and T.B. Persons. 2007. Vertebrate fauna and terrestrial vegetation of Rainbow Forest Wilderness Area, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona. Final report submitted to National Park Service (Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona).

Nowak, E.M. and J.X. Schofer. 2006. Initial surveys to locate Arizona black rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis cerberus) in Arizona national parks and monuments. Final report to Western National Parks Association (Grant # 04-14). USGS Southwest Biological Science Center Colorado Plateau Research Station, Flagstaff, Arizona.

Nowak, E.M. 2005. Ecology of the Arizona black rattlesnake (Crotalus [viridis] cerberus) at Tonto National Monument, Arizona. Final report to Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. USGS Southwest Biological Science Center Colorado Plateau Research Station, Arizona.

Nowak, E.M.2006.Monitoring surveys and telemetry of narrow-headed gartersnakes (Thamnophis rufipunctatus) in Oak Creek, Arizona. Unpublished final report to Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Fund, IIPAM Program. USGS Southwest Biological Science Center Colorado Plateau Research Station, Flagstaff, Arizona.

Nowak, E.M., and M.A. Santana-Bendix. 2002. Status, distribution, and management recommendations for the narrow-headed gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus) in Oak Creek, Arizona. Final report to Arizona Game and Fish Department in fulfillment of Heritage Grant I99007. USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Colorado Plateau Field Station, Flagstaff, Arizona.

Nowak, E.M., and M.D. Spille. 2001. Watson Woods Preserve herpetological interpretive guide and checklist. Final report prepared in conjunction with Prescott Creeks Preservation Association to the Arizona Department of Water Resources Water Protection Fund Grant No. 99-076.