• 2009 Calendar of Events
  • 2009 VHS Events
  • 2009 Regional Events
• Photograph of the Month
• Virginia Maps
• Article & Survey Map
• Amphibians & Reptiles
  • Frogs & Toads
    • List of Frogs & Toads
    • Frog & Toad ID Guide
    • Seasonal Breeding Chart
  • Salamanders
    • List of Salamanders
  • Lizards
    • List of Lizards
    • Lizard ID Guide
  • Snakes
    • List of Snakes
    • Snake ID Guide
    • Snakes Sorted by Length
    • Venomous Snakebite
  • Turtles
    • List of Turtles
    • Turtle ID Guide
• Venomous look-a-likes
  • Copperhead
  • Cottonmouth
• Virginia Herp Atlases
  • 1985 Tobey
  • 1999 Mitchell & Reay
• Amphibian Development Charts
• VHS Publications
  • Catesbeiana TOC
  • Catesbeiana
    • Editorial Policy
    • Catesbeiana
  • Newsletter
    • Past Newsletters
  • Membership Flyer
  • VHS Constitution
  • Archives
• Conservation
  • Conservation Central
  • Conservation Tenets
  • Duck Stamps !?
  • Conservation Resources
• Membership
• Grants In Herpetology
• The VHS Store
• VHS Yahoo Group
• Book Recommendations
• Venomous Snakebite
• 2008 Calendar of Events
  • VHS Events
  • Regional Events
  • Other Events
    • VMNH Reptile Day
    • VLM Reptile Weekend
    • VA-TWS Award
  • Event Summaries
    • 2008 VNHM Reptile Day
    • 2008 Grayson Highland Herpblitz
    • 2008 Resource Ramble
    • 2008 Spring Survey
    • 2008 Danville HerpBlitz
• Links

Organized in 1958, the Virginia Herpetological Society brings together people interested in advancing their knowledge of Virginia's reptiles and amphibians. The VHS encourages scientific study of Virginia herpetofauna and its conservation. Education continues to be an important society function. 

Society meetings are held twice each year, in spring and fall, at different locations throughout the state. The program is open to all members and guests and includes an educational workshop, a business meeting, and a contributed papers session during which members present information on their research and interest with Virginia's reptile and amphibians. 

JD Kleopfer of the VA-DGIF holds all that remains of a Virginia record Eastern Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina). This specimen was caught at Ft. Pickett in August 2008 by a commercial snapping turtle fisherman. The turtle weighing in at 51 lbs.(23.13 kg) with a straight-line carapace length of 18 1/3 in. (46.5 cm). The previous Virginia record was 35 lbs. with a straight-line carapace length of 16.3 in. (415 cm).

The Fall Meeting Workshop trains members and educators on the identification, conservation, and captive care of common reptile and amphibian species, as well as those that are threatened and endangered. A two-day trip during the Spring meeting teaches members field sampling techniques and identification by professional herpetologists.

The VHS publishes a bulletin, CATESBEIANA, twice each year that contains research, field notes, and other information on various aspects of herpetology submitted by its members. The society also produces a semi-annual newsletter to keep you informed on conservation, education, and upcoming events pertaining to the Commonwealth's reptiles and amphibians

Contacts