kingsnake.com staffers Jeff Barringer and Leiren McKenzie (and kingsnake.com's Zombiehunter snake hunting truck) will be in San Antonio for this year's International Herp Symposum down at the city's famous Riverwalk, May 27 through 30.

This year's event is notable for its distinct "Texas" flavor, both in location and topics, with a variety of talks and lectures by Texas herpers and herpetofauna, including Texas Parks and Wildlife's Andy Glusenkamp, discussing citizen science in the Lone Star state with the iNaturalist project as well as others.

The symposium, an annual event now in its 38th year, is hosted in a different city every year, and draws herpetologists and herpetoculturists from around the world to discuss a variety of herpetological topics, from captive care and husbandry, to species management and conservation efforts in the wild. The event includes a field trip to the San Antonio Zoo with a VIP "Behind the Scenes" tour of their noted Reptile House, which includes Komodo Dragons among the many species it works with, as well as an optional banquet followed by a live auction. Many guests also plan to make informal field trips to chase reptiles and amphibians through the desert thornscrub.

Registration for the symposium, held at the Hilton Palacio del Rio San Antonio River Walk Hotel, is still open, however the IHS room block is almost full, so you will need to hurry to take advantage of the special room rates offered for this event. For a full breakdown of this years schedule, speakers, and topics, and to register for the event or reserve a room, make sure to check out the IHS web site at http://internationalherpetologicalsymposium.com .

If you plan on sneaking away to go herping, please remember to follow the laws and regulations, and make sure to have the proper licenses and permits. For Texas residents that means a standard hunting license and a Reptile & Amphibian Stamp. Non-residents can go herping with a Non-resident 5-Day Special Hunting License and Reptile & Amphibian stamp. For questions regarding the Reptile & Amphibian stamp, and it's rules and regulations take a look at TP& W's Amphibian and Reptile FAQ at https://tpwd.texas.gov/faq/huntwild/amphibian_reptile_stamp.phtml