Sterrin Smalbrugge

Sterrin Smalbrugge is an ecologist and herpetologist (reptile expert). She studies reptiles around the world and investigates the impact of humans on animals and their habitats.

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Keynote spreker

About Sterrin Smalbrugge

Sterrin Smalbrugge is an ecologist and herpetologist (reptile expert). She graduated Cum Laude with her Master’s degree from Wageningen University and studies reptiles around the world. Currently, Sterrin is a PhD candidate at Wageningen University and is researching the impact of humans on animals and their habitats.

She presented The Great Reptile Show and toured with her own theater show Superheroes of the Animal Kingdom throughout the Netherlands. The sequel, Sterrin’s Reptile Journey, will start in the autumn of 2021. Sterrin has also written two educational children’s books, The Big Reptile Book and Sterrin’s Reptile Journey. She will release her first adult book about reptiles in the autumn of 2021.

In 2018, she co-founded The Conservation Front with renowned wildlife photographer Jason Savage. The Conservation Front is a team of passionate conservationists whose goal is to bring people closer to wildlife. They produce high-quality documentaries about species suffering from habitat destruction, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts.

Sterrin was a regular columnist for National Geographic Junior in 2019 and 2020. In her monthly column, she answered children’s questions about reptiles. She is currently a proud ambassador for National Geographic Junior, writes the foreword for the magazine each month, and creates videos on various interesting nature-related topics.

Every link in the ecosystem is important. Every animal plays an indispensable role.

Sterrin is a popular guest on various talk shows, including RTL Late Night, Beau, and Jinek. She also has her own series on Videoland. In Reptile Crazy, she searches for extraordinary reptiles in the Netherlands and Spain.

As a speaker, Sterrin is versatile due to her experience with many different audiences. From the interested layperson to the academic, Sterrin can tailor her message to her audience. She can explain the workings of the ecosystem and how each species plays an important role within it. Just like in a company, communication among animals is also very important. Sterrin enjoys discussing this with striking examples. Out of the box thinking often leads to good ideas, and animals are masters at this, from whom we can still learn a lot!

As an ecologist, she has a broad knowledge of nature and how it works. The following topics are certainly not the only ones she wishes to limit herself to. In consultation, much is possible, and she can also provide tailored lectures. Key words include: ecology, biology, animals, reptiles, climate(change), biodiversity, the influence of humans, nature, culture.

Specialist Subjects

An ecosystem can be seen as a house of cards. Every link is important, and when one is removed, the entire structure collapses. In this lecture, I explain with examples the importance of different animal species and what would happen if they were no longer there. From worm to crocodile, every animal is important. This lecture can be used as a metaphor in the business world. A healthy company can also only function if all important functions and tasks are fulfilled.

Collaboration is an important part of work for most people. Yet, it can happen that you have to collaborate with someone who thinks differently than you. In the animal world, there is plenty of collaboration. Sometimes these relationships are obvious, but sometimes not at all. We can learn important lessons from animals about good collaboration. Using inspiring and funny examples, I illustrate how animals can be an example for us. Did you know, for instance, that sea snakes lend a helping hand to hunting fish?

“If you are not strong, you must be smart” is a commonly heard remark. However, animals do not rely solely on strength or intelligence for their survival. All over the world, animals have adapted in ingenious ways to cope with the conditions in their habitat. The horned spider-tailed viper from Iran, for example. As a cold-blooded animal, this snake does not have the energy to undertake endless searches for food in the harsh environment where it is found. So, it has an appendage on its tail that looks exactly like a spider and moves like one too. This lures hungry birds right into its mouth. We can learn a lot from animals about finding alternative solutions to problems.