Advance herpetology, herpticulture, and reptile/amphibian conservation in the tri-state area through education, networking, information sharing, and public service.

The keeping and/or studying of reptiles and amphibians carries with it inherent danger. Venomous reptiles have the ability to injure, maim, or kill human beings with only a scratch of a fang. Giant reptiles have the ability to injury, maim, or kill human beings with powerful jaws or constricting ability. Certain disease and bacteria have been linked to smaller, less ominous reptiles, making them also a risk to keep and study. The Tri-State Herpetological Society encourages the study of herpetology for everyone, but does not encourage direct contact with any animals. We serve only those who have independently decided to work with reptiles and amphibians and accept no legal or moral liability for the results of those decisions.

This project is designed for the benefit of animals already in captivity. We take in, as space permits, captive animals from keepers who no longer have the ability or desire to house the animals. We then house the animal temporary while a long term care situation can be found.

This project is designed for the benefit of native reptiles that may otherwise be destroyed. We answer calls/emails from the general public and relocate animals that have made there way into situations that put them at risk of death or injury. Examples are snakes entering private homes or businesses or box turtles crawling on busy streets or parking lots. Great care is taken with this project to assure animals are not needlessly removed from their home range.

This project is designed for the benefit of TSHS members. The concept is for members to pool their books, periodicals, and other writings in a library system that allows other members to borrow, read, and return. All materials are marked with a TSHS stamp and issued a unique numbers. A record is kept of the owner and the member who currently has the writing on loan. We, as a society, wish to encourage students to study herpetology and this project should aide with student research, essays, and projects.

Open a Tri-State herpetological display which would house all reptile and amphibian species known to be indigenous to our coverage area. This project would most likely have to be in association with another organization as financial income would not be high enough to support an independent facility.

A financial scholarship awarded to a college student from the tri-state region (preferably a member of the TSHS) that is activity involved in herpetology and plans to continue in the field after graduation. As a starting point, we are hoping to offer $500 per year ($250 per semester) to a single student. The scholarship can be awarded to any grade level and is automatically renewed to the student each year, assuming the student continues to work and study in the field of herpetology and maintains at least a 2.5 GPA.

Q: Who may join the TSHS.

A: Anyone who has an interest in herpetology and is willing to abide by our policies.

Q: Does one have to be a Christian to join?

A: No, however, the TSHS was founded by Christians and does believe in special creation instead of evolution. As with any group, not all members will be in accord. Non-Christians and evolutionists are allowed and welcomed to join. Everyone is treated with the utmost respect, regardless of opinions and beliefs.

Q: Is there a membership fee?

A: Currently all memberships are free and all financial support is voluntary. One of the future goals is to provide a stratified membership system which will allow a free membership to those unable to finally support the organization and a higher level membership for those who wish to help underwrite the society projects.

Q: How often does the TSHS meet?

A: As of right now, 6 times a year or semi-monthly (every other month.) The meeting are held of the Chattanooga Nature Center. Since the center closes at 6pm, a staff member must remain on site to allow us to meet. The CNC already had a book club in place that meets every other month. We schedule our meetings to coincide with the book club, thus incurring no additional costs to the CNC for our meetings.

Q: How are decisions reached?

A: One member makes a suggestion or proposal and it is acted upon by the entire group, Majority rules.

Q: What is the coverage area of the TSHS?

A: As far as our services, we try to stay within a 50 mile radius of the point where TN, GA, and AL come together. However, we do have members, who live outside of that radius, which we are happy to have. (Map)

Q: What is the opinion of the TSHS on captive husbandry of animals?

A: We promote the keeping of animals in captivity but only by persons who have the knowledge, skill, and means to maintain the animal safely and properly.

Q: What is the opinion of the TSHS concerning collection of animals from the wild?

A: We are not opposed to the legal, responsible, and moral collection of animals from the wild by persons skilled in safe collection. Many herpetological societies hypocritically denounce collecting while they keep animals that directly or indirectly came from the wild at some point. Our opinion is simple, state and local laws are based on biological research. If they determine collection to be legal, we trust their judgment.

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