The Calusa Herpetological Society Of Southwest Florida

Thursday, April 7, 2005  - 7:00 pm

TONIGHT’S  SPEAKER  -  Tonight’s speaker is Rob MacInnes of Glades Herp, Inc. in Bushnell, Florida.  His long experience with venomous reptiles will lend itself appropriately to an intense look at the vipers of the genus Atheris from central Africa.  Rob has imported and maintained most of the species during his career.  His slides will introduce us to a colorful and fascinating group that even many hot keepers are still not very familiar with.  Most Atheris vipers are under two feet in length and at least partially arboreal.  Their rugose scalation and spunky natures have made them a favorite of those who ‘like it hot’.  Besides exploring their diverse looks and husbandry peculiarities in captivity, we’ll also have a look at where they live in the remotely exotic mountains of Tanzania during a trip Rob made seeking them in the mid-1990s.

MEETING SITE : In Ft. Myers, Florida at the Calusa Nature Center , near Colonial Blvd. (S. R. 884) and Interstate 75. Get off I-75 at exit #136 (old exit #22) and go west (towards the coast) on 884 (Colonial Blvd.) for one-half mile, then turn right at the first traffic light onto Ortiz Ave., and then left into the Nature Center after only one-quarter mile. The Iona House meeting site is an older dark green house located to the left (as you enter the grounds) at the rear of the complex, back near where the school busses are parked.  The meeting opens at 7:00 pm, and the speaker usually starts no later than 7:15 pm.  Click HERE for a map to the meeting site.  After each meeting, all attendees are invited to join "the core" for an informal nightcap at RJ Gator's Restaurant / Sports Bar on Colonial Blvd. where we usually gather following meetings which end at 8:30 pm.

WHO'S INVITED ? You are! Anyone with an interest in any aspect of herpetology or herpetoculture is welcome to attend, learn, and exchange their experiences with our friendly membership. Come out to meet others who keep, breed or study reptiles and amphibians, and let them share their fascination with you. We average 35 – 70 people attending every meeting.

Cookies and cold soda, a nightly raffle of live herps, herp products, and books follow each speaker's talk, and lots of herp camaraderie, gossip, and fun can be counted upon at all meetings !

For more info , call (239) 728-2390 or (239) 481-3525 or  EMAIL: info@calusaherp.org