Brady Barr

Brady Barr

Brady Barr, PhD, is National Geographic’s reptile expert. Dr. Barr started his teaching career at North Central High School in Indiana, teaching subjects like zoology, biology, and earth and life sciences. With a highly interactive classroom style, Dr. Barr encouraged his students to “touch, see, and feel the animals firsthand.”

Dr. Barr has dedicated his life to informing the public about the wonders of the natural world. His hands-on style and engaging personality, combined with his breadth of scientific knowledge, allow him to bring the planet’s most exciting animals straight into people’s living rooms.

For more than 20 years, Dr. Barr has traveled for National Geographic Television, traversing more than 80 countries and hosting more than 100 wildlife documentaries—more than anyone else in National Geographic’s history. Dr. Barr is also the only person in history to capture and study all 24 species of crocodiles, an accomplishment he uses to raise awareness for the plight of crocodilians everywhere.

On the research front, Dr. Barr has participated in studies with leading scientists throughout the world, including his ongoing research the National Geographic Society supports, into conservation of the American crocodile in Costa Rica and the dietary study of alligators in the Florida Everglades.

In addition to being the author of multiple award-winning children’s books about reptiles, Dr. Barr is also the star of the educational Xbox game Dangerous Encounters, a collaboration with Microsoft.

He is a member of the Endangered Species Coalition of the Council of State Governments and the International Crocodilian Specialist Group. He serves as a scientific expert for the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. His speaking engagements have included keynoting for the National Science Teachers Association, annual conventions of the International Congress of Zoology and Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, plus numerous schools, zoos, aquariums, museums, and fundraising events across the United States.

Dr. Barr earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Indiana University, as well as a master’s degree and doctorate in biology from the University of Miami. In 2018, Dr. Barr received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Indiana University.