MINNESOTA SUN (Minneapolis and St. Paul) 20 October 05 Herpetologists to gather in Bloomington (Harvey T. Rockwood)

Bearded dragons, corn snakes and geckos will be topics of discussion - and some will be on display - when the Minnesota Herpetological Society plays host to the Upper Midwest Herpetological Symposium in Bloomington this weekend.

A series of lectures and forums is slated for Saturday, Oct. 22, at the symposium, at the Ramada Airport Inn and Thunderbird Convention Center, 2201 E. American Blvd.

A live display and sale of a variety of exotic reptiles and amphibians is planned for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, said Bill Foss, chairman of the event for the Minnesota Herpetological Society.

He said the society expects several hundred people to attend - coming from as far away as Indiana, Missouri and Nebraska.

Some of the Saturday lectures - 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. - may seem a little arcane for those with a casual interest in herpetology, according to Foss.

For example, "The Amphibians and Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia and Adjacent Islands" may not be a forum of general interest. On the other hand, there will a lecture on taking better photos of "herps" in the wild and captivity, Foss said.

"Primarily, what will be available at the sale will be captive-bred, captive born animals." Foss said. "There will be juvenile snakes so small they fit into deli cups.

"All of the animals will have been bred by the people displaying them. They'll be available to answer questions about natural history and keeping them as pets. They're the experts."

Corn snakes, king snakes, geckoes, small boa constrictors and bearded dragons will be among the creatures exhibited.

"You won't see any adult pythons," Foss said. But there may be some juveniles - for example, young green tree pythons, and others with a variety of coloration.

Foss offered assurances that no dangerous creatures will be displayed. The rules ban venomous snakes, for example, he said.

"This is a symposium that moves from state to state," Foss said. "The last time we had it was in 1997."

Cost for the lecture series is $65. For the show and sale only, admission is $7. Foss said the Herpetological Society, a nonprofit organization, donates several thousand dollars annually to conservation causes.

Loss of natural habitat and the impact of pollution on wildlife is a concern to the society, Foss said. One of the symposium's lectures will be on the deformed frogs found in southern Minnesota and elsewhere in the Midwest.

"We've known about this for a number of years and it seems the public is just becoming aware of the implications," he said.

"Our charter requires us to boost public education and awareness of herps," Foss said. "These animals don't get too much attention, because they're not cute. But they need help."

For more information, go online at www.bellmuseum.org/herpetology/midwest05.htm.
Herpetologists to gather in Bloomington

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• MN Press: Herpetologists to gather in Bloomington (MN Herp Soc) - W von Papineäu, Fri Oct 21 10:13:16 2005