Newsletter
Text Version of Newsletter
Bark Scorpion from Mount Diablo - Photo by Michael Go
BAY AREA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY
March 2022
General Meeting
March 25, 7:30 p.m.
Speaker: Eli Castro on
The Papuan Python
Cubberly Community Center
Room U7, 4000 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto.
President’s Letter
Hello BAHS Members and Supporters!
Hope everyone is doing well so far this year. With the daily televised images and information from Ukraine it is truly an unsettling time. So, even if I am doing well personally, it all casts a pale pallor on my everyday life.
After that depressing opening, on to club business…
I ran into trouble getting a speaker last month, so to fill in, I did a repeat of my “Fear of Snakes” talk. I updated the talk and in preparation, it was fun to re-read the books.
Our March 25th speaker will be local herp legend Eli Castro. He will be speaking about the Papuan Python.
The formal title would be “Herpetoculture’s Unsung Python—Natural History and Captive Care of Apodora papuana”. Unless the snake is in shed, I hope Eli will be able to bring his own Papuan Python. It’s truly an impressive and different looking snake! It’s like they bred a snake with a Boxer or Pitbull a bit in the head.
I find the pronunciation of Papuan Python a slight tongue twister, like: The Papuan Python prodigiously, persistently predated on… [ed: pulpable platypuses] [ed: No actual platypuses were harmed as they do not coexist with Papuan Pythons]
Eli will be filming the talk and it’ll be available on his Youtube Channel “Heretic Nation” (https://www.youtube.com/user/elcastro5000).
Eli Castro has spoken before on bio-active enclosures and the insects and crustaceans needed. He is a bit of a Renaissance Man as Eli is an experienced herper, succulent grower, carnivorous plant grower, bio-active environment expert, insect and arachnid breeder, and does fish tank installations and upkeep for his day job.
As I’ve mentioned before, there seems to be a bit of an overlap in people who keep herps and have certain other interests. Many in our club keep carnivorous plants. Several I know have ponds and fish tanks. Or keep parrots. I myself, just before writing this, received my new Cobra Lily and planted it in a bog outside. Wish it and me luck as they are the tricky ones. They live in bogs where the water flow is from freshly melted snow and they can’t tolerate their roots getting warm.
Also, I’ve lined up speakers for April and into May.
April’s speaker will be local Herpetologist Beth Dawson. She will be returning from a trip to Belize just before the talk, so the title is upcoming.
Then in May, Kyle Hollingsworth will be speaking on Tegus (maybe a “Tegu Night”?).
I’m also in contact with Brian of “Brian’s Boas” and am hopefully going to have him as an upcoming speaker. Go over and check out his YouTube channel as well (https://www.youtube.com/c/BrianBoas).
Hope to see you March 25th, same place and time.
Jeff Whitnack, BAHS President
A Trip to Mount Diablo
By Michael Go
T weeks ago, I went with my Boy Scout troop to a campout at Mount Diablo State Park. The views were nice, but what I was more interested in were the herps I could possibly see there; according to iNaturalist: tarantulas, rattlesnakes, scorpions, kingsnakes, and skinks!
As soon as we arrived and set up our tents, I immediately got to work with my heavy duty fishing/wading boots, walking through the brush. Our campsite was relatively shaded with lots of trees, which is where I felt species like tree frogs would be hiding.
Picture of lichen/mossy trees:
Unfortunately, I didn’t find any tree frogs: perhaps it was too dry, I’m not too sure. However, after kicking over the first big log I saw, I found a bark scorpion!
Pictures of Bark Scorpion
The scorpion was quite lethargic: it did not make any attempt to sting, and it was quite small (about half the size of a pinky finger). I assume it was because the ground is still quite cold during the night.
After taking some pictures and releasing the scorpion back where it belonged, we soon set out to hike up to the summit of the mountain. It was much longer and steeper than we thought: we were exhausted once we reached the top. However, the views were worth it, and I was able to see a change in habitat. The dirt became sandier, with more rocks and dry branches. I saw a few western fence lizards, but was not able to catch them on camera.
Picture of Summit Habitat
I spent another two hours flipping over logs and rocks, but I didn’t find any more herps, which was quite surprising to me. Overall though, I would recommend this place for hikers and herpers alike. They also offer a visitor center that sells ice cream, snacks, and beverages at the summit, so check it out!
CTT Needs Desert Tortoise Homes
Do You Like Desert Tortoises…?
Can you provide a much-needed home for one?
Desert Tortoises are hibernating, but the California Turtle & Tortoise Club, Valley Chapter, will be accepting and processing adoption applications throughout the winter.
Contact the chapter at the e-mail below for an adoption application or information about these amazing animals.
Please include where you live and a phone number for a team member to contact you. valleycttcadoptions@yahoo.com
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Upcoming Events
Please, see https://www.baars.org/calendar/events-shows-meetings for the most up-to-date listings.
March 2022
March 4
7:30 pm
Board Meeting by Zoom
Email behindbaars@gmail.com for details.
Board meetings are open to all members.
March 25, 2022
Friday
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
General Meeting - Cubberley Community Center, Room H-6
See http://www.baars.org for details.
April 2022
April 1
7:30 pm
Board Meeting by Zoom
Email behindbaars@gmail.com for details.
Board meetings are open to all members.
April 22, 2022
Friday
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
General Meeting - Cubberley Community Center, Room H-6
See http://www.baars.org for details.
April 23
Saturday
10:30 - 2 p.m.
Summit for the Planet – VOLUNTEERS WANTED!
Mount Madonna School, 491 Summit Road, Watsonville, CA 95076
16th Annual Summit for the Planet-Earth Day Celebration. Be a part of a community-wide event celebrating Earth Day and giving inspiration to today’s youth and their families on how they can take meaningful action on important environmental issues. (Walk-a-thon precedes the Earth Day festivities at 10 am; BAHS is not participating in that.) This is always a fun event for BAHS; we’re indoors and includes lunch. Must be set up by 10:30 (can start as early as 8:30); can start packing up at 1:30. We’ve done this show for years!
Attendees: Scott & Joanne Petersen, Jeff Whitnack; more volunteers are welcome!
Contact: Joanne Petersen, joanne.hiratsuka@gmail.com if you are able to bring herps.
Mt. Madonna contact: Linda Manzur, linda.manzur@mountmadonna.org
April 23-24
Saturday-Sunday
Sat 10 - 5 p.m.
Sun 10 - 4 p.m.
(times not confirmed)
Tulare Reptile Show - BAHS representation, volunteers needed!
Tulare County Fairgrounds, Building 3, 620 South K Street, Tulare, CA 93274
Thousands of live reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates will be for sale and on display! *Please leave your pets at home* $25 Sunday family pass, adults+teens $12 ($10 online), kids (6-12) $5, 5 & under free; check website. This does NOT include Safari Encounters, which is a separate fee and in Building 2; see website for more info. (If you buy a ticket for a Safari Encounters timed show, you can visit the Tulare Reptile Show for free after your show.)
Contact: Rhonda Velez, (831) 540-8119 if you’re able to bring your herps to show.
Info: https://tularereptileshow.com/
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May 2022
May 6
7:30 pm
Board Meeting by Zoom
Email behindbaars@gmail.com for details.
Board meetings are open to all members.
May 27, 2022
Friday
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
General Meeting - Cubberley Community Center, Room H-6
See http://www.baars.org for details.
June 2022
June 3
7:30 pm
Board Meeting by Zoom
Email behindbaars@gmail.com for details.
Board meetings are open to all members.
June 24, 2022
Friday
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
General Meeting - Cubberley Community Center, Room H-6
See http://www.baars.org for details.
July 2022
July 1
7:30 pm
Board Meeting by Zoom
Email behindbaars@gmail.com for details.
Board meetings are open to all members.
July 9 - 10
Saturday/Sunday
Sat. 10 am-6 pm
Sun. 10 am-5 pm
Reptile Super Show - no BAHS representation, info only
Anaheim Convention Center, 800 West Katella Avenue, Anaheim CA
The Reptile Super Show & Breeder Expo is a ginormous event with over 100,000 sq. ft. of reptiles, amphibians, turtles, supplies, cages, lights, supplements, educational workshops and more, open to the public. Reptile Super Show is a fun and educational environment for reptile enthusiasts. We promote conservation through education and captive breeding, to educate the public about pets and keep the populations of some of the world’s most interesting creatures alive and well. https://reptilesupershow.com/anaheim-ca/ Tickets available online/at door. Adults $14 ($15.59 with online fee), children 12 and under $9 ($10.44 w/fee) ⇒ check website for updated fees!
July 22, 2022
Friday
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
General Meeting - Cubberley Community Center, Room H-6
See http://www.baars.org for details.
August 2022
August 5, 2022
7:30 pm
Board Meeting by Zoom
Email behindbaars@gmail.com for details.
Board meetings are open to all members.
August 27-28
Saturday-Sunday
Sat 10 - 5 p.m.
Sun 10 - 4 p.m.
San Jose Reptile Show - possible BAHS representation
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, Pavilion Hall, 344 Tully Road, San Jose
A menagerie of turtles, snakes, lizards and other creatures that slither, crawl, slink and scurry is coming to the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. The San Jose Reptile Show is family friendly with free kids activities and opportunities to interact with lots of cold-blooded creatures. Buy tickets at the door, or save by buying in advance online (by 8/23). Adults/teens $12 ($10 online), youth 6-12 $5, 5 & under free; check website for changes.
Contact: Joanne Petersen, joanne.hiratsuka@gmail.com if you are interested in participating.
Info: https://sjreptileshow.com/ - Rick Porter, https://www.facebook.com/SanJoseReptileShow/
August 26, 2022
Friday
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
General Meeting - Cubberley Community Center, Room H-6
See http://www.baars.org for details.
September 2022
September 2, 2022 - Friday
7:30 pm
Board Meeting by Zoom
Email behindbaars@gmail.com for details.
Board meetings are open to all members.
September 23, 2022 - Friday
7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
General Meeting - Cubberley Community Center, Room H-6
See http://www.baars.org for details.
October 2022
October 22-23
Saturday-Sunday
Sat 10 - 5 p.m.
Sun 10 - 4 p.m.
Monterey Reptile Expo - no BAHS representation, info only
Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Road, Monterey, Ca 93940
Turtles, snakes, lizards and other creatures are coming to the Monterey County Fairgrounds. The Monterey Reptile Expo has many opportunities to interact with lots of cold-blooded creatures. Adults (18+) $15 ($25 2-day pass), youth 12-17 $10 ($16 2-days), kids 5-11 $5 ($8 for 2 days), under 5 free; check website for changes.
Info: https://montereyreptileexpo.com/ - (times not confirmed; see website)
BAHS is an educational and conservational group of amateur and professional herpetologists who want to share their knowledge, enthusiasm, and friendship with others interested in these fascinating creatures. We promote knowledge and enjoyment of reptiles, amphibians, and other herptiles.
Adoptions: See https://www.baars.org/adoptions for details on how to get your animal listed.
Newsletter created by Aleks Haecky and Michael Go. Contact: behindBAARS@gmail.com
Bay Area Herpetological Society Website Facebook Group
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March 2022 Bay Area Herpetological Society (http://www.baars.org) Page