​South Australian Herpetology Group Inc.

Meetings & Events

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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Snakes in Yards

Spotted a Snake in Your Yard?

• Don't panic

• Move people and pets to a safe location

• Keep an eye on the snake - it may just be passing through or looking for water

• 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. 

• If you want the snake removed, call a register snake handler. 

• 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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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

Recently Prof Mike Thompson spoke to SAHG about the Turtles of the Murray River. 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 of the Murray River

- Murray River Turtle Info Pack

- How to use TurtleSAT

- Turtle nest Protection

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:

• 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 30 years old and is still going strong)

• 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 

• 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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