A preservation library for the work, research, and legacy of
herpetologist Dean Ripa (1956–2024).
Maintained by Lenny Burton,
a longtime friend.
deanripa.com
Why I Started DeanRipa.com
A personal note from Lenny Burton on preserving the legacy of his friend Dean Ripa.
March 2026
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On the Gaboon Viper — Notes from the Field
Dean's personal observations on Bitis gabonica in West Africa — behavior, habitat, and the mythology surrounding one of the world's most misunderstood snakes.
Written c. 2001 · Added March 2026
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The Cape Fear Serpentarium — A History
How a one-room collection in Wilmington, NC became one of the most remarkable private herpetological institutions in the world.
Written c. 2015 · Added March 2026
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Correspondence — On Venom Research Ethics
An exchange of letters regarding the ethics and methodology of field venom extraction.
Written 2008 · Added March 2026
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Bibliography — Published Works 1985–2022
A complete listing of Dean Ripa's published articles, monographs, and contributions to herpetological literature.