Mission Statement
Lancaster Herpetological Society aims to educate people in conservation and care of reptiles and amphibians, through speakers and special events. We are committed to dispelling myths and untruths about our less fuzzy friends.
The Lancaster Herpetological Society meets on the third Friday of every month at the North Museum in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The museum is located on the corner of Buchanan and College Avenues. The museum's address is 400 College Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603. Entrance to meeting is by the back entrance; ring the doorbell if door isn't manned.
Our site is still under construction. If you have requests on something to be updated sooner rather than later, please send requests to LancHerpSociety@gmail.com. Updates are being made on a weekly basis (normally Saturday or Sunday.)
For curret board members and additional contact information click here.
Speaker for April. 20th - Adam Mattel
Adam Mattel will be talking about the raising and caring of Boa Constrictors. Along with their morphs and geographical differences.
For a list of past talks and speakers you can go to previous speakers.
Speaker for May 8th - Bill Humbert
Bill Humbert will be joing us to talk about American Toads and the Letterkenny Study.
For a list of past talks and speakers you can go to previous speakers.
Speaker for July 6th - Members night
Bring your herps to share with everyone. Tell about some experiences herping or bring in some photos. A great night for cameras and sharing interests with each other.
For a list of past talks and speakers you can go to previous speakers.
Herps in the News
State legislators are working to pass a bill that will cause residence of the state to pay $25.00 fee to get obtain a license to keep reptiles. You can view the bill here.
Newsletters
Catch up on what has happened at LHS, check out our Spring 2012 Newsletter.
Previous issues:
Winter 2008 /
Spring 2008 /
Summer 2008 /
Fall 2008
Winter 2009 /
Spring 2009 /
Summer 2009
Winter 2010 /
Spring 2010 /
Summer 2010
Winter 2011 /
Spring 2011 /
Summer 2011 /
Fall 2011
Winter 2012 /
Spring 2012
Herps of the Month - March
Native Herp - Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
With winter nearing its end many herp enthusiasts are looking to get back out into the field. One of our first chances to do this is with the emergence of the Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). Once we have that first warm rain swarms of these brightly spotted salamanders will come out seeking their vernal pools.
Like the majority of mole salamanders, Spotted Salamanders are only easily found at the extreme end of the herping season. They also rely heavily on vernal pools for breeding and growing from larvae to maturity. Unfortunately mainy of these pools are disappearing whether due to construction, pollution or the harvesting of natural resources. These wetland pools are very important to not just salamanders but many kinds of plants and animals and need all the help they can get. Please watch out for the destruction of these pools and try to help preserve them.
For more native species check out our Amphibians and Reptiles of PA.
Share with us and others your Spotted Salamander finds along with spring herping experiences on facebook, Lancaster Herpetological Society.