Care and Reproduction of the Black-headed Bushmaster

Speaker: Brett Baldwin

Tuesday, September 15
7:00 PM
Prado Classroom 104 – Balboa Park, San Diego

Join the San Diego Herpetological Society for an evening exploring one of the world's most impressive and least commonly encountered venomous snakes—the Black-headed Bushmaster (Lachesis melanocephala).

We are excited to welcome Brett Baldwin, Curator of Herpetology & Ichthyology at the San Diego Zoo, who will share his firsthand experience working with this remarkable species. Drawing from decades of professional husbandry and breeding experience, Brett will discuss the natural history, captive care, reproduction, and conservation of one of the largest pit vipers in the Americas.

About the Speaker

Brett Baldwin has spent 29 years with the San Diego Zoo's Herpetology & Ichthyology Department and currently serves as Curator of Herpetology & Ichthyology. Before joining the San Diego Zoo, he worked for 9 years at the Abilene Zoological Gardens, caring for reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, and small mammals.

Growing up in central Texas, Brett developed a lifelong passion for reptiles and wildlife through countless hours spent exploring the outdoors. Throughout his career, he has gained extensive experience with venomous snakes, including Latin American bushmasters and pit vipers, Asian pit vipers, and African vipers.

Brett taught Field Biology in Mexico with McMurry University for seven years and earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from McMurry University. His conservation work has taken him throughout Southern California, Texas, Mexico, Cambodia, Vietnam, Madagascar, and Costa Rica.

He has authored and co-authored numerous herpetological publications and presentations, including work on the husbandry and reproduction of Varanus prasinus, Lachesis melanocephala, Bitis parviocula, Rhacodactylus trachyrhynchus, and Protobothrops mangshanensis.

About the Presentation

Bushmasters are among the world's most fascinating venomous snakes, yet they remain rarely seen and even more rarely maintained successfully in captivity. In this presentation, Brett will provide an inside look at the biology, behavior, captive husbandry, and successful reproduction of the Black-headed Bushmaster (Lachesis melanocephala), drawing from years of professional experience working with this extraordinary species.

Whether you're interested in venomous reptiles, conservation, captive husbandry, or simply enjoy learning about remarkable wildlife, this promises to be an engaging and informative evening.

Guests are always welcome!

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, September 15 at 7:00 PM in Prado Classroom 104, Balboa Park.