The Calusa Herpetological Society Of Southwest Florida

Thursday, October 5, 2006  - 7:00 pm

SPEAKER & TOPIC :    Chris Lechowicz, herpetologist at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and vice-president of the Calusa Herpetological Society, will speak about his experiences on the 2005-2006 Madagascar Tortoise Tour. Chris was sent to Madagascar to conduct research on the four native tortoises and to act as a co-leader for this trip. Funded by Blue Chameleon Ventures and Ashton Biodiversity and Preservation Inc., Chris collected tortoise forage data on the four species of Madagascar tortoises which will be compared with gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) forage data. Also, the results of this study will be used by assurance colony facilities to better understand the tortoises' native diet and habitat. Chris will also show a variety of slides of the native animals of Madagascar and describe what it is like to be in the country for nearly a month.

MEETING SITE : In Ft. Myers, Florida at the Calusa Nature Center , near Colonial Blvd. (S. R. 884) and Interstate 75. Get off I-75 at exit #136 (old exit #22) and go west (towards the coast) on 884 (Colonial Blvd.) for one-half mile, then turn right at the first traffic light onto Ortiz Ave., and then left into the Nature Center after only one-quarter mile. The Iona House meeting site is an older dark green house located to the left (as you enter the grounds) at the rear of the complex, back near where the school busses are parked.  The meeting opens at 7:00 pm, and the speaker usually starts no later than 7:15 pm.  Non-members must pay $3.00 at the door to attend the meeting. Click HERE for a map to the meeting site.  After each meeting, all attendees are invited to join "the core" for an informal nightcap at RJ Gator's Restaurant / Sports Bar on Colonial Blvd. where we usually gather following meetings which end at 8:30 pm.

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