WISCONSIN HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

About WHS

Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians. The Wisconsin Herpetological Society is a nonprofit organization of amateur and professional herpetologists dedicated to the conservation of reptiles and amphibians (collectively referred to as 'herptiles', or 'herps', for short) that was founded in 1973. WHS conducts various activities to achieve this end. WHS works with state agencies such as the DNR and DATCP to formulate regulations to protect declining species and protect habitat.

During the '70s and 80's, WHS worked with these agencies to have herptiles included in Chapter 951 of the state humane statutes so that reptiles and amphibians now have the same legal rights to humane care and treatment and protection from deliberate cruelty as mammals and birds. Since then WHS has also worked with DNR to have protected status granted to a variety of species in decline due to habitat loss and commercial exploitation. As a result, now all species of native Wisconsin reptiles and most native amphibians can no longer be bought or sold in the state of Wisconsin. WHS also provides educational programs at public events.

During the last two decades, there has been an upsurge in the popularity of reptiles as pets. Reptiles are currently the fastest growing segment of the pet trade. With the increased availability of reptiles and other exotics, comes the unfortunate situation that these animals often fall into the hands of irresponsible individuals that create unfortunate public incidents with them, such as the cobra bites in Sheboygan County in 2001, and the recent cobra bite in Waukesha Co. in Dec. 2004. The negative publicity that such incidents cause results in exotic pet bans. Many of the links on this site do not appear to be related to herpetology. They are there to provide information for interested individuals to use to argue against such bans.

All original articles in the right-hand menu column of this website is the sole property of WHS and is not permitted to be reproduced, in whole, or in part, without permission.