The Japanese Giant Salamander (Andrias japonicus) is a cousin to the Maryland-native Eastern Hellbender. Learn about their biology and hear about a field excursion Matt Neff, Curator of Estuarine Biology at the Calvert Marine Museum, partook in when he was a zookeeper at the National Zoo in 2019.
Brief Bio of yourself – Matt is Curator of Estuarine Biology at the Calvert Marine Museum. He has been at the museum for roughly 3.5 years and during that time has opened several new exhibits, worked on native plant gardens and frog ponds on campus, and is involved in fieldwork across Southern Maryland and Virginia’s Northern Neck. Matt is also beginning his fourteenth season of FrogWatch, a citizen science program that trains individuals to listen to and record their observations of frogs calling during the breeding season. Last year, over 1,200 observations were submitted of 14 different frog species across the region for the Southern Maryland and surrounding DMV chapter. To date, almost 5,900 observations have been submitted! Before coming to the museum, Matt was at the Smithsonian National Zoo for 12 years, working as a zookeeper in the Department of Herpetology. He is also serving another term as president of the Virginia Herpetological Society and is involved with leading herpetological surveys. Matt has always loved working with animals and teaching people about the natural world. He is happy to continue this passion with species native to Southern Maryland.
This presentation will be over Zoom. You will need to register in order to receive the Zoom Link.
Are you fascinated by reptiles and amphibians? The Natural History Society of Maryland’s Herp Club promotes the proper husbandry, conservation, study, and appreciation of reptiles and amphibians. Amateurs, professionals, and kids of all ages are welcome. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month and are open to the public.
Although you don’t need to be a member to attend a meeting, membership gives you access to additional experiences. An annual NHSM membership is $35 for individuals, $50 for families; Herp Club membership is an additional $5 for individuals and $10 for families.
If you are not yet a member of NHSM, click here to join. When you join as a new member, you can add the club membership(s) of your choice to your registration. Current NHSM members who wish to join any clubs should email the Community Coordinator at rbaldwin@marylandnature.org.
Registration
Levels:- NHSM Herp Club Member: $0
- NHSM Member: $0
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Education For All: $0
Suggested Donation $5