Newsletter of
The Minnesota • o c S 1 January 2002
Upcoming Meeting The Vice-president's Report By Tony Gamble February General Meeting Friday, February 1st, 2002 7:00 PM Program: Breeding Lizards Speaker: Bert Langerwerf To list all of Bert Langerwerf's herpetocultural accomplishments would be close to impossible but I'll give you some of the highlights' Bert owns and operates the largest lizard breeding facility in the world, Agama International in Montavallo, Alabama Bert wa~ the first person to breed superworms as a food for herps and
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introduced them to herpetoculturists around the world. Bert was one of the first people to focus on the need for natural sunlight and UV for lizards. Bert has successfully bred and raised dozens of species of lizard, many for the first time in captivity. Bert has authored over 120 articles on herps that have been published around the world. And much, much more ... Keeping lizards started as a hobby as a teenager in Holland but it has brought Bert halfway around the world and become ~ successful career. Agama Internalional currently produces several thousand lizards a year, mostly Australian water dragons, Argentine tegus, bearded dragons, and lacertas. Bert only works with animal~ that can live ou~doors year-round In his Alabama climate. It's this
access to natural light and seasonal cycling that Bert attributes much of his success. Bert's talk will focus on his techniques for breeding Argentine tegus and Australian water dragons. He will also discuss his views on how breeding lizards does not need to be an expensive operation, a point he tries to convey to zoos that are often unsuccessful breeding many species of reptiles despite pouring loads of money into it (ie Komodo dragons). Bert is known for his engaging manner, radical ideas, and eccentric personality so don't miss this talk.
Upcoming Meeting: Friday, March 1st, 2002 White Snake Sale Friday, May 3 rd , 2002 - John Weins Friday, June 7th, 2002 - Bill Duellmann