Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Michael, I have never been to one of the meeting. Can you give me some info on it. Is there a membership fee, how long are the meetings, what is usually covered in them, how many people usually attend, etc. Thanks. Jason

Hello,

The next meeting is April 17. With a few exceptions, the meetings are the 3rd Sat. in the month. Exceptions occur when the meeting night would fall on or next to a major holiday.

Our meetings are at 7pm at the University of Texas at Arlington, Life Sciences Bldg., room 119. Afterwards we usually go down the street to Nizza Pizza.

There is a fair degree of emphasis on field herping, natural history, and conservation, but everyone's welcome. We do the occasional field trip to west Texas or the Hill Country, and are doing an ongoing herp survey at the Ft. Worth Nature Center (where a group of us spent Saturday afternoon out seeing, photographing, and recording herps).

Visitors are welcome, and I hope you'll come introduce yourself.
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Michael Smith
Conservation Director
DFW Herpetological Society
www.dfwherp.org

Oops - didn't answer all of what you asked. A year's membership is $20, and among the benefits are the monthly newsletter with original photos and articles by members. The meeting generally involves a speaker with slides or some other media presentation. In March the presentation was by Jesse Meik covering a trip to Namibia. The month before that I gave a talk about box turtle conservation issues and the Box Turtle Partnership of Texas. We've had talks on herping trips to tropical America and Africa, Sumatra, etc. Talks have covered husbandry needs (light, diet, etc.) of chameleons, amphibian declines and the volunteer program to monitor amphibian populations, various color phases and species/subspecies of bull, pine, and gopher snakes in the herp trade, etc.
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Michael Smith
Conservation Director
DFW Herpetological Society
www.dfwherp.org

Thanks for the info. I will definately be there. Hey, I have a quick question. My son and I were in the yard doing some work yesterday, when we found an earth snake. I am having trouble determining whether it was a Virginia striatula (Rough earth snake) or Virginia valeriae (Smooth Earth Snake) I have not found any real good info describing the differences in the 2, other than pitures, but they look identical to me. Obviously, one could tell whether or not by its touch whether it was smooth or rough, but without a comparison, how would I know. I know the V. valeriae is a much more rare species, but the snake we found was very smooth to the touch. But, like I said, I had no other comparison. I did snap a couple of pictures of it if it helps. I have not found it to be documented in the city I live in, so what would be your suggestion???? Thanks for your time, and I look forward to meeting you.

Jason

If you look at the snake with a magnifying glass, the rough earth snake would have a raised keel or ridge down the scales of the back, while the smooth would not.

If you'd like to send a photograph, or email me what city you're in, maybe we can narrow it down further. Email me at:
conservation@dfwherp.org

Best,

Michael

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Michael Smith
Conservation Director
DFW Herpetological Society
www.dfwherp.org