This presentation will encompass “a day in the life” of a herpetologist in the Australia: Wild Extremes exhibit at the National Aquarium. Topics covered will include species highlights, basic husbandry practices, specialty enclosure setups, species-specific breeding strategies, and animal training & enrichment necessities for a captive care lifestyle. This talk will take you through the innovations and accommodations keeper staff must incorporate into their care routines that satisfy the needs of guest-facing, authentic exhibits and the recreation of ideal habitats based on the Northern Territory of Australia reimagined in downtown Baltimore.
Matthew Benedict is a Senior Herpetologist in the Australia: Wild Extremes exhibit at the National Aquarium. He has worked professionally with reptiles and amphibians for 10 years and has had a lifelong passion for herpetological husbandry, behavior, and conservation. Matthew is most notably known for breeding endangered species of Australian turtles at the National Aquarium and devising clever training and enrichment strategies for turtles and tortoises at the Fort Worth Zoo and Mystic Aquarium as well. His interests go beyond captive care environments with community driven snake & turtle outreach programs, BioBlitz events, and turtle behavioral research. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Connecticut with a degree in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and his master’s from Towson University in Biology.
In person attendance is preferred but this meeting will be hybrid in person and on zoom. If you wish to participate via Zoom, you need to register to receive the 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: $0
- NHSM Member: $0
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Education for All: $0
Suggested Donation $5