The Calusa Herpetological Society Of Southwest Florida

Thursday, July 2, 2009 - 7:00 pm

SPEAKER & TOPIC :  Mark Witwer is our speaker this month. He will be talking about "How Snakes Eat". Mark grew up in Maryland. He grew  up with a passion for herps (especially snakes). He enjoyed reading about herps, keeping them, and eventually breeding a few species (Corn Snakes and Mexican Rosy Boas). His hobbies led him into teaching science, which he has done for 30 years. He has given herp talks to several thousand people, mostly in Pennsylvania where he lived for 21 years (before moving to Florida in 2006). Mark produced a few herp publications a few years back (Reptile & Amphibian Magazine, Bulletin of the Chicago Herp Society, Herpetological Review). 
    Mark stated that the highlight of his herpetological life was taking a graduate course in herpetology with Aaron Bauer at Villanova University in PA. That course gave him tools to  comprehend  herp journals and to develop a high school herpetology course, that he has taught for several years.
     Mark does not keep herps these days, but enjoys observing and photographing them in the field. Since moving to Florida, he has kept an inventory of the herp species in a 700-acre natural area (Royal Palm Beach Pines Natural Area) near his home. Mark serves as a volunteer in the  natural area.  He documents herp species while picking up litter in the preserve. Mark's most exciting moment at Royal Palm Beach Pines natural Area was coming across his first-ever Eastern Diamondback, a nice-sized one that coiled and allowed a 20-minute photo session. 

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