Welcome to the ACT Herpetological Association's Website!
Herpetology is the branch of zoology concerned with reptiles and amphibians. Established in 1985, the ACT Herpetological Association aims to promote the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians, and to foster a positive community attitude toward this much maligned group of animals. Our members encompass a broad cross-section of the community.
Amateur and professional herpetologists are joined by interested members of the public in learning more about our local frogs, snakes, lizards and turtles, as well as other herpetofauna from Australia and around the world. The Association organises regular bi-monthly meetings with very interesting guest speakers and holds displays at local community events such as the Tidbinbilla Extravaganza and Hawker Primary Fete.
The Association also arranges irregular excursions and members can get involved in some volunteer herpetological research. ACTHA runs the large and succesful Snakes Alive! event every year in January in collaboration with the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Snakes Alive! is a great place to see and interact with reptiles and amphibians while learning about their natural history.
About the ACTHA Website
On the ACTHA website, these are just a few of the things you can find:
- Photos of some of the local herpetofauna you may see around the ACT and Southern Tablelands region.
- Interesting brochures, posters and carehseets produced by ACTHA.
- All the information you need to join the ACT Herpetological Association.
- Browse the ACTHA Forums where anyone in the ACT and Southern Tablelands region can discuss travel, herp sightings, husbandry and even buy and sell.
- See photos and videos from ACTHA events, Snakes Alive! and members travel galleries.
An Example of Cannibalism in the Eastern Brown SnakeNeil Hurst and his wife Jane were fortunate enough to discover an Eastern Brown Snake, Pseudonaja textilis, cannibalising an unfortunate member of its species on their property in South East Australia. This is not unheard of; there is a preserved Eastern Brown Snake specimen at the CSIRO Australian National Wildlife Collection with a cannibalised snake in its stomach. It is nonetheless a very rare event! Neil had the following to say: “My wife Jane and I plus our Dalmatian dogs live on the western escarpment overlooking the Hoskinstown Plain south of Bungendore. Since we bought the property nearly 30 years ago we have come to accept, perhaps somewhat reluctantly, that we would have to share with the local wildlife; snakes included. Jane even trod on one when getting out of the car in the carport soon after we arrived, although the snake fled as fast as she did. The snakes and us have had our moments, including one evening finding one hiding behind the TV in the corner of the lounge. Wildcare (02 6299 1966) are a not-for-profit service that do injured wildlife rescues, including snake removal, and were able to collect that one while Jane stayed on top of the dining table. Our Dalmatians have had a few encounters – almost always ending badly for the snake. One day our youngest dally by the name of Rose gave us indications of the presence of a pair of snakes by propping and pointing at them while we were walking back from the home paddock gate early one morning. The snakes were about 2.5 metres away on the other side of the rabbit proof fence which surrounds our house. At first I couldn't quite make them out because they were coiled around each other but quite still. Eventually the snakes and I got fed up with watching each other. I called for Jane to bring the camera while the larger of the brown snakes, having decided I didn't want to share his/her breakfast, re-commenced eating. Rose continued to point at the snakes quivering from head to tail. Attached are the photographs I took while I watched the eating process. Eventually the large brown snake moved away to the west quite quickly, glancing back occasionally, possibly to ensure he/she wasn't being followed.” Photos and a short video of the incident are available below:
ACTHA Newsletter February - March 2010ACTHA's industrious Newsletter Editor has prepared the February - March 2010 Newsletter. In this issue
Snakes Alive! 2010 RoundupSnakes Alive! 2010: Another Great Success! The ACTHA President and Treasurer have both written short pieces on the continued success of Snakes Alive! in 2010. Click on 'Read More' below to read their summaries and see articles from the Canberra Times related to the event. Also, be sure to read the February - March 2010 Newsletter for a vast amount of information on Snakes Alive! and other herpetological matters!
Photographs by Mandy Conway
ACTHA Newsletter December 2009 - January 2010ACTHA's industrious Newsletter Editor has prepared the December 2009 to January 2010 Newsletter. In this issue
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