​South Australian Herpetology Group Inc.
Field Naturalists Society of South Australia Reptile and Frog Group
Curl snake photographed at Withcelina SA by Aaron Fenner
Christmas picnic and walk 2017 at Sturt Gorge CP
Red-barred Dragon from the Whitchelina 2011. Photo taken Christopher Seidel
Curl snake photographed at Withcelina SA by Aaron Fenner
MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT - In July 2022 SAHG joined the Field Naturalists Society of South Australia (FNSSA) and formed the Reptile and Frog Group (RAF Group). SAHG will now be known as FNSSA RAF Group
To become a Member of FNSSA please complete a Membership Form or visit the FNSSA Website
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2023 MEETINGS & EVENTS
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September
Wednesday 13th September @ 7.30pm - FNSSA General Meeting
Location: SA Royal Society’s Lecture Room (adjacent SA Museum Building, behind the State Library, entry via Kintor Avenue, Adelaide)
Guest Speaker/Topic: TBA
Thursday 21st September @ 7.30pm - Reptile & Frog Group General Meeting
Location: The Box Factory Community Center, 59 Regent Street (South), Adelaide (entry off Halifax Street)
Guest Speaker/Topic: Max Tibby - Impacts of fire and climate change on mallee reptile communities - Flyer
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October
Friday 29th September to Monday 2nd October - Field Survey
Location: Brookfield Conservation Park. See Flyer for information. If you would like to attend, please complete and submit a Registration Form.
Trip Leader: Peter Matejcic
Wednesday 11th October @ 7.30pm - FNSSA General Meeting
Location: SA Royal Society’s Lecture Room (adjacent SA Museum Building, behind the State Library, entry via Kintor Avenue, Adelaide)
Guest Speaker/Topic: AGM
November
Wednesday 8th November @ 7.30pm - FNSSA General Meeting
Location: SA Royal Society’s Lecture Room (adjacent SA Museum Building, behind the State Library, entry via Kintor Avenue, Adelaide)
Guest Speaker/Topic: TBA
December
Sunday 3rd December from 12m - RAF Group Christmas Picnic
Location: Lochiel Park, Campeltown - more details soon.
Wednesday 13th December @ 7.30pm - FNSSA General Meeting
Location: SA Royal Society’s Lecture Room (adjacent SA Museum Building, behind the State Library, entry via Kintor Avenue, Adelaide)
Guest Speaker/Topic: TBA
Note: RAF Group general meeting schedule TBA (meetings will be held between May and September in the upstairs meeting room of The Box Factory Community Center at 59 Regent Street (South), Adelaide CBD. Free street parking is available in adjacent streets, including Halifax St. )
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Snakes in Yards
Found a Snake in Your Yard?
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Don't panic
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Move people and pets to a safe location
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Keep an eye on the snake - it may just be passing through or looking for water
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Don't attempt to scare, catch or kill the snake. Most people are bitten when doing these things. Also there are a number harmless Legless Lizards that occur in SA that have been killed as a result of mistaken identity.
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If you want the snake removed, call a register snake handler.
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Further information on dealing with snakes can be found on the DEWNR Website
Please note: Whilst several SAHG members are qualified snake handlers, SAHG does not offer snake retrieval services.
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Report a Reptile Sighting
Have you seen a reptile and need it identified or would like to see it added to the SA fauna records database?
Incidental reports of animal sightings are a valuable source of information when looking at the occurrence, distribution and conservation status of native animals and tracking pest species. If you would like to get a photograph identified or report a reptile (or any other animal) sighting, please send us an email with the following details:
- photograph
- date of sighting
- location (enable the GPS function on your smart phone or digital camera)
- any questions you may have.
Emails can be sent to:
- Peter Matejcic - pmatejci@bigpond.net.au.
- Adrian Uren - adrianuren1@gmail.com or
SAHG can verify the sighting details and add them, on your behalf, to the state fauna records.
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Citizen Science
If you are thinking about being a Citizen Scientist there are a wide range of citizen science projects you can become involved with. There are a huge variety of projects on offer ranging from your local neighborhood to the galaxy and beyond, many of which require the simple download of a free App to your smart phone.
Current Australian Apps include:
Atlas of Living Australia
FrogSpotter (SA)
ClimateWatch
Find out more at https://www.discoverycircle.org.au/resources/
https://citizenscience.org.au/
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Frogs
Frogs, Frogs, Frogs
Seen or heard any frogs recently and want to identify them, Want to know where they live? Enjoy being a Citizen Scientist?
Check out the FrogWatch website, register, download the App and start learning about our local frogs today. www.frogwatchsa.com.au
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Turtles
Murray River Turtles in Decline
Unfortunately our Turtles are losing the battle against egg predation, declining water flows and development. The biggest threat to Turtles is egg predation. It is estimated that there is currently a 98% mortality rate of eggs and that foxes account for 92% of egg loss.
If you live or play on the Murray River and are keen to help our native turtles, check out TurtleSat.org.au and see how you can help contribute to monitoring and protecting turtles.
The following information may also be of interest:
Turtles as Pets
Thinking about getting a pet Tortoise/Turtle?
Turtles make great pets - they are quite, allergy free and like to hibernate through winter. But before you purchase that cute little hatch-ling please consider the following:
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they are a pet for life - literally - they live a lot longer than your average dog or cat and often may need to be cared for by 2 or 3 generations of your family (our family turtle is 35 years old and is still going strong)
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they are not fish and should not be kept in a water tank unless they have access to a basking rock out of the water
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as they grow their enclosure needs to grow in size with them. Outdoor enclosures with a pond, vegetation and natural sunlight are best.
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