Vol. 7 (1987), No. 11

VOWME VII

NUMBER 11

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER DECEMBER MEErING Friday, December 4, 1987 7 :00 IM Roan 335, Borlaug Hall St. Paul Campus, University of Minnesota The December speaker will be Bob Bader fran Virginia.

His contributions to the herp conmunity range fran being the founder and president of the Missouri Herpetological Society, an accorrplished breeder, and an inIx:>rter of herps and artifacts.

At our Friday meeting, Bob will be explaining the aspects of being an aninal wholesaler; regulations, inIx:>rting, selling, and the functions of the job.

Now is the time to find out how an aninal travels fran its country of origin to a nice cozy cage in your home.

Saturday at the M.H.S. Christmas Banquet, Bob Bader will also be our guest speaker.

He will present a travelog on collecting animals in the Far East; an area that not many of our menbers have done any field work in. This will be a banquet you don' t want to miss, so don I t forget Noveniber 30th is the deadline for sending in reservations.

Asian herps will be the "critter" of the nonth for Decenber. Herps fran the Far East (that I s farther than Chicago or New York) will stay in keeping with the .speakers topic. Let I s go through those collections and show off those herps that are native to India, China, Japan, etc.

IMPORI'ANT M.H. S. RODENT mMMI'ITEE NEWS

Menbers who attended the November meeting were infonned there were no. rat pups for the meeting delivery. We are sorry if this caused any inconvenience to menibers who had placed orders. We are working on this problem. Rat pups are available for the Deceniber meeting.

Please remenber to place your orders by the M)NDAY before the nonthly meeting. You nay call until 7:00 PM that Monday, but NO ORDERS will be filled after that time.

Marbership cooperation is needed and appreciated on this natter.

SNAKEBITE EMERGENCY

Minnesota Poison Control System 221-2113 (outstate) 1-800-222-1222 Hennepin Regional Boison Center (612) 347-3141

BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET S.E.

CD

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55455-0104

We had a great turnout for the Noveniber meeting - 91 rrenibers.

Dr. Dave Hoppe路 -:General Biology teacher at the U of M Morris - presented us with his 'video on Reptile Feeding Behavior ( complete with outtakes after) and his newest Anphibian Feeding Behavior. Both videos were well clone. It I S interesting to see the effort that goes into making this type-of video. .

COMING Ma:\lTHLY MEETINGS

DECEMBER 4 - (Bring I em Back Bob) Bader Bob Bader will be talking on working as an import/e~rt Wholesaler. is also our speaker for the Second Annual M.B.S. Christ.Ires Banquet.

He

JANUARY 8 - No Speaker.

There will be a guided. tour wi tn. behind the scenes at the Bell Museuro on the Mpls U of M campus. Bring freezer collection to donate to the Bell.

FEBRUARY 5 - No Speaker.

Armual vJhi te ,Snake goodies.

Sale.

MARCH 4 - No Speaker. ~.nnual Elect-ion Month. contact Liz Bosman 476-0306.

Keep

collecting

those

vw te

Snake

Sale

I f you are interested in running for a fX)si tion,

2

REFHESHMENTS The November meeting refreshments were supplied by Kate Anderson and Nina. Katayarra.

An assortment of donuts and cookies were enjoyed by all. Thanks again to Kate and Nina! .

RAFFLE

KEEP lliOSE QUARI'ERS ROLLIN t IN! November t s raffle brought the society $59. 25 ! !

Jim Adams won a 1988 Reptiles & Arrphibian of the World Calendar; Scott Cords won a "growing" frog; Jim Gerholdt won a "growing" snake; Dave Hoppe won a Sterling Silver Frog pin and a signed Stebins print; Vinc Jamerson won a 10gal. aquarium; JoAnn Janes won 2 Journals of Herpetology; Barney Oldfield won a notorized Godzilla; Toni Vangen won a rubber frog; and David Wiener won a frog planter and wooden cage. Thanks to all the members who participated!

The December meeting already has some great raffle items lined up.

A sterling silver lizard pin, stuffed dinosaur, frog Christmas ornament, and a Wheaties box wi th the Twins on the front are up for grabs. Bring plenty of quarters to this meeting if you plan to take any 01= these i terns home.

M. H â&#x20AC;˘ S. CCM-1I'ITEES The May Nevvsletter (Vol. VII, No.5) listed M.H.S. Committees and chairpersons that. were current at that time. The following is a list of comrnl. ttees (follovied' by current chairperson name) that are loOking for member support, or are active month after nonth:: ADOPI'ION <DIY1MI'ITEE - Fred Bosnan; LIBRARY <DIY1MITTEE - Nancy <D~ITTEE - Helen Schave; RODENT <DMMITrEE - Bruce Delles; Liz Bosnan; WHITE SNAKE SALE <DMMITTEE - Tan Schmitz.

Haig; REFRESHMENT ELECI'ION <DMMITTEE -

This list will be run every month with the M.H. S. Officers list and will change as ccmni ttees duties are over and other comnittees need support. If you wish to work on any of these comnittees, or want more information on what they do, contact the chairperson.

M.H.S. OFFICERS PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT SECRErARY

TREASURER NEWSLErrER EDITOR MEMBER-AT-lARGE MEMBER-AT-IARGE MEMBER-AT-lARGE MEMBER-AT-IARGE

Arm Porwoll

John Moriarty' Kate Anderson Bruce Haig Tan Schmitz Fred Bosnan Bruce Delles Aaron Hampton John Meltzer

3

(612) (612) (612) (612) (612) (612) (612) (715) (612)

489-7853 647-1334 222-:-3500 789-4637 488-7619 476-0306 374-5422 425-7565 780-8561

"CRITI'ER OF THE IDNTH"

Your best feeder was the "critter" of the month for November. We were shown healthy Blue Tongue Skinks, connon boa, Desert Kingsnake, Florida Kingsnakes, Garter snake, Honduran Milk Snakes, Redfoot. Tortoise, Red Tegu, Rosy Boa, Spiney Softshell turtles, and a Wood Frog.

Thanks to Kate Anderson, Aaron Hanpton, Jo Arm Ja.mes, Dan Keyler, John Meltzer, John Moriarty, Jeff Ronne, Arian Sheets, and Toni Vangen for bringing their "critters" to show.

TURTLE PRINT WINNER!

The original Wood Turtle Print that was offered to Sustaining & Contributing members for 1985-1986 was raffled off at the October meeting. Zac Naynan was the happy lucky winner. Congratulations Zac!! Thanks to everyone who purchased raffle tiCkets at the last three meetings.

NEH M.H.S. LIBRARY BOOKS The following is a list of books available for merrbers to cheCk out of the M.H.S. Library. These 1:xx:iks were purchased with M.H.S. funds or donated were stated.

REMEMBER - book rental is for one (1) rronth only. Late charges will be requested on overdue 'books. See Nancy Haig (Library Chairperson) if you have a problem returning books.

REPrILES & AMPHIBIANS IN cx)LOUR by Han Hvass 1975 pp 1-153 (donation-Kate Anderson) PYTHONS AND BOAS by Peter J. Stafford 1986 TEE Pub. 1-192 (MHS funds) BREEDING TERRARIUM ANIMALS by Elke Zimrennan 1986 TEE Pub. 1-384 (MHS funds) NOOVENCM)US SNAKE by Ludwig Trutnan 1986 Barron I s 1-191 (donation-anon) THE AMPHIBIAN & REPrILES OF MISSOURI by Tan R. Johnson Mo Dept of Conservation pp 369 CHECKLIST OF ENDANGERED & THREATENED ANIMALS March 1984 Mn DNR pp 23

&

PLANT SPECIES OF MN

When visiting the M.H.S. Library, note the new nametags on sections to help metribers find what they are looking for faster. Thanks Nancy!! \tITSCONSIN HERP REPORl'S DUE NOW If you rrade any herp observations in Wisconsin in 1987, please send them into the Wisconsin Herpetological Atlas Project as soon as possible.

Any and all observations are wanted, including oomrron species such as toads, garter snakes and painted turtles. If you have not previously participated in the atlas project and donlt have atlas forms, we will accept copies of your field notes. Please include exact localities, dates and rrention any documentation taken such as photographs or specimens.

Send reports to: G. S. Casper, Section of Vertebrate Zoology, Milwaukee Public Musetml, Milwaukee, WI 53233.

4

HUS~1J)RY

by

OF

~IDBOAS

John c. Mel tzer

Having kept many different snakes and other herps, I decided to specialize in Sandboas. The first thing I discovered was my lack of knowledge. There was lack of definiti ve .work on their captive care and breeding.' Several people with whom I correspond keep and breed sandboas, and some I consider experts. In general, rrost herpetologists don't keep them and I found no books written exclusively an their husbandry and propagation. Some of what I do is learned from others who work Wi th sandboas and some I discovered by trial and error. In this paper, I will discuss my husbandry teChniques and hopes of propagation.

My sandboa collection consists of colonies

of Kenyan Sandboas (Eryx colubrinus loveridgei), Egyptian Sandboas (E. c. colubrinus), and Brown Sandboas (E. johni) totaling fourteen individual snakes., Most were obtained as hatchlings and are being raised up.

They are kept individually in plastic shoe boxes with 1" of silica sand, a heavy water dish, and a rock for shedding. This unit is placed on a metal rack with heat tape along the back. The temperature right on the heat tape is kept at 90 degrees.

The reptile roan is kept. 70-85 degrees.

I allow the snakes to therrroregulate themselves. I have observed that they spend nest of their time buried in the sand, on top of the heat tape. I cool them to 70 degrees at night. I have experimented with other sUbstrates. On newspaper, my snakes won I t eat. On pine shavings, three individuals got slivers in their eyes whiCh resulted in infections.

I tried alfalfa hay, Which nolded when it got c1aIrp. I am please with sand and have had no problems.

I feed my snakes live pirikies and fuzzies since I raise rrdce. The sandboas appear to be nocturnal and prefer to feed at night. I leave rrdce in the cage before going to bed, and check to see if they ate in the norning. I feed once a week, but the snakes sometimes fast. I. dan I t worry because they're always fat and I offer them food until they decide to eat. This method works well, and I haven't lost any snakes.

I plan to breed my snakes when they reaCh the proper size and age. I plan on cooling them down for several rronths and introducing them at the appropriate time.

In conclusion - I enjoy raising sandboas, and find them an attractive, fasinating, and 'prirrdti ve snake.

They I ve been easy to care for and do very well. I 1m Challenged to grow in my knowledge about them as they grow and nature for me.

REPrILES OF MINNESarA

by Jim Gerholdt NORTHERN LINED SNAKE: (Tropidoclonion 1. lineatum) Description - The Northern Lined Snake is a snaIl slender snake.

The adul t size ranges from just shy of 9" to 15". The record size is 21". The young are around 4" at birth. At first glance this snake nay resemble a snaIl garter snake. It has a middorsal stripe that is lighter than the ground color. The stripe nay vary from a. whitish color to orange. The ground color is usually a grayish color. There are lateral stripes on the 2nd and 3rd scale rows. The ventral surface is light colored with a double row of black half ....rrcons. The scales are keeled and the anal plate is single.

Range In Minnesota this snake :i,s known only from Blue Mounds State Park in Rock County. It nay also occur at Pipestone National Monurrent in Pipestone County.

This is only Speculation, but the habitat is simila.r, and these two areas nay be the only remaining habitats in all of southwestern Minnesota.

Habi tat - This snake has路 been prairies.

found' in

Minnesota

in

rocky

areas

of

Habits This is a secretive snake, usually rerraining under rocks. active at night or during the spring breeding season.

Food - This snake is known to feed on earthworms.

rolling It nay be

Sav1:ugs may also be eaten.

Breeding - This is a live bearing (ovoviparous) species.

The number varies fran 2 to 12, and are normally rorn during the nonth of August.

of

young

Status - SPECIAL CONCFRN - As this species is only known from a single locality, it is vulnerable. I t is found in a state park.

If it does occur at Pipestone National Monument, it would also be protected there. It should even so be upgraded to at least a THREATENED status!

References: Collins, Joseph T. 1982. AHPHIBIANS AND REPrILES IN KANSAS. 2nd (revised ) edition Conant, Roger 1975. A FIELD GUIDE TO REPTILES AND AMmIBIANS OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL NOR'IH AMERICA.

~

M1o

o

o

o

0

'0

() G

6

0

WORLD NEWS

The following infonnation is courtesy the AAZPA (American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums).

The Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora is a group of 22 countries currently meeting yearly to discuss problems and adopt resolutions. These resolutions government agencies use as guidelines for issuance of perrnits and certificates for importing, exporting, re-import/export, control procedures for captive breeding operations, regulation of trade in animal products, shipment of live animals, and review, of Appendices I and II species.

This year was the 6th Ccnference of the Parties.

The following is a list of status Changes or additions made concerning Reptiles and Amphibians : SAL'IWATER CR()())DILE (Crocodylus porosus) - Indonesian population only, Appendix II with quota of 4000.

placed

on

HIERRO GIANT LIZARD (Gallotia aff. sinonyi) - Added to Awendix I. LILFORD'S WAIL LIZARD (Podarcis lilfordi) - Added. to Appendix II. IBlZA WALL LIZARD (Podarcis pityusensis) - Added to Awendix II. ARGENTINE BOA (Boa constrictor occidentalis ) .- Changed from Appendix II to I. ORSINI'S VIPER (Vipera except USSR population).

ursinii )

- Added to Appendix I (all European populations

POlSON-I::l1\Rl' FROOS (Dendrobates spp.) - Added to Appendix II. POISON-ARRCW FROGS (Phyllobates spp.) - Added to Appendix II. TOMATO FROG (Dyscophus antongili) - Added to Awendix I. The following list of herps were DELErED from Appendix II based on review, having not been in trade since their listing:

their

10

year

FLAP-FOOI'ED LEGlESS LIZARD (Paradelma orientalis) 'IID-SI'RIPED GARTER SNAKE (Thannophis couchi ham:rondi) LAKE LERM1\ SALAMANDER (Ambystoma lennaense) CITES works with laws dealing with iIIlPOrting and exporting between countries. They are seperate from the Federal laws dealing with trading animals fran state to state.

When an animal is on the Awendix I list, they are alnost impossible to import/export due to their rarity, over' collection, habitate destruction, etc.

Appendix II species are under a close watCh and either nove to Appendix I or are deleted from the watCh list.

7

CLASSIFIEDS EDI'IOR'S NOI'E: Please send all newsletter articles and classified ads to: Tan Schmitz, 850 W. Minnehaha, St. Paul, MN. 55104, Attn: MiS Editor. Do not send articles or ads to the MRS address. The deadline for all Newsletter i terns is the 15th of the nonth!

All Classified ads are run in the MHS Newsletter as a free service to the membership. No paid ads are accepted fran non-nerobers. No ads will be run for venarous species. While MHS will not run ads 'for known sick or illegal animals, we accept no responsibility for the heal th or legality of any animal advertised here.

Please LIMIT SIZE of ad to approx. four ( 4) lines. Business cards make acceptable ads.

ms

DELI

RemeIriber: order frozen rats and rat pups no later than 7:~ the MONDAY before the meeting. Call Bruce or Connie at 593-0298 to place your order.

FROZEN~s9~

FRESH SIZE - $2.00 EArn FRESH FtazkW ~"\U 1 $4.00 PER oozm 5 OOZEWPUPS ,ck.Âť ADULT RATS LIMIT!

FOR SALE: Get ready for winter: starter colonies of winged fruit flies, vinegar flies (Drosophila) $2.50, flour' beetles, mini -nealworms (Tribolium) $2 .25 .

Food available for both, and instructions. These i terns are for feeding small lizards and anphibians. These are starter colonies. Get them early to establish larger colonies for your herps.

Contact Bruce Cutler (612) 633-1428, evenings and weekends.

FOR SALE: Custan made voltage regulators. Turn down your heat pads, tapes, and, cages to the terrperature YOU want. TYPE I (single control, 1 double wall outlet nounted in box with 3 prong plug). TYPE II (2 seperate controls, 2 double wall outlets nounted in box with 3 prong plug) . Both regulators have pc:1vVer surge protectors. Far- prices and ordering these Christmas gifts, contact David at ( 612 ) 444-9775.

FREE ! 1 THE SNAKES OF ICMA by J. L. Christiansen and R. M. Bailey. This 8 1/2" X II" paIrq?hlet is full of color prints.

For your free copy write to: Iowa Conservation Camri.ssion, Wallace State Office Bldg., Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0035.

FOR SALE: One 6' Intergrade Python (P. m. nolurus X bivittatus) received as charity case. Will sell for cost of rehab $30. Contact Terry or Gary ( 414 ) 6457347 or (414) 672-4632.

RETAIL EXOTIC - - - - - - - - - - - C O M M O N

D.J. 'S REPTILES LECTURES FIND OUT WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT REPTILES RODENTS DON L. JOHNSON 922-6294

4109 TOLEDO AVENUE PARK, MN 66416

ST.LOUI~

8

D

CIASSIFIEDS Largest Selection of Reptiles & Amphibians in Minnesota High Quality - Reasonable Prices - Personal Service Cages, Books, Feed & Supplies

~ CITIES Fi~ ~~\ '. "Plt.l

~~e

~~ ~

Owners: Bruce & Connie Delles (612) 593-0298 Open 7 Days a Week

540 Winnetka Ave. No. Golden Valley, Mn 55427 "Lower Level"

FOR SALE: Available for Holiday Season, amber charms and small carvings in amber from the Dominican Republic; frogs and turtles, priced from $2 to $50. other nonherp aniber items also.

Contact Bruce Cutler (612) 633-1428, evenings and weekends.

FOR SALE: lAST CHANCE BEFORE ClffiISTMAS SPECIAL! Beautiful Gila Mooster sweat shirts of 50/50 fleece crews in stock. Small, Medium, Large and XL Black imprint wi th pink puff beads on white or heather grey. Also on rose bud pink in snaIl only. Reg. $18 to $22 - NCW $16 to $20 plus $2.50 shipping. T-shirt of Gila also in stock for $10 - $14 plus $1.50 shipping. Fran Frisch, 850 W. Mirmehaha, St. Paul, MN 55104; (612) 488-7619. Wholesale prices on request.

FOR SALE: 0.1 Arg. Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata) - Approx 6" $35.; 0.1 Green & Black Poison ArrC1W Frog (Dendrobates auratus) - $35.; 1.0 White lip Indo. Giant Green Tree Frog $24. Contact David at (612) 444-9775.

FOR SALE: days.

Stainless steel snake hoOks

for

$12.00.

Contact

Ernie

at

296-1561

FOR SALE: Juvenile snakes, all specimens captive lorn and bred at our facilities.

Surinam and Colurribian Boa Constrictors (Constrictor constrictor ssp) , aberrant pattern/colors $inquire; Baharran Boas (Epicrates striatus strigulatus ) , $85; Burmese Pythons (Python m.. bivittatus), "gold-phase" not intergrades $50; Retic.

Pythons (P. reticulatus), 3-6 1 c.b. rarely available $60-$70; Ask about Rosy Rat, Okatee, and Everglades. Free delivery periodically to Twin Cities. Call Terry or Gary (414) 645-7347 or (414) 672-4632 - P.O.Box 878, MilwaUkee, WI 53201.

CAPTIVE BREEDERS - IMPORTS - WHOLESALE & RETAIL

3221 93RD DR. BLAINE, MN 55434

OWNERS: JOHN & RUTH MELTZER

(612) 780-8561

9

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

BUL MUS.EUM Of NA1llRi\L HJS10ltY 10 CHURCH S1ltUT 5.£ • MlNNEAPOUS, MINNESOTA 55455-101.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND T-SHIRT ORDER FORM MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY ,

~

(

E

M

A

N

BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 C!WRCH STREET S.E. • MINNEAPOUS, MINNESOTA 55455-0104

____________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS~

_________________________________________________

CITy___________________________ STATIL--_ _ ZIP______________ PHONE

INTERESTS,________________________________

DO YOU WISH THE ABOVE INI;ORMATION USTED IN THE MHS DIRECTORY TYPE Of MEMBERSHIP o NEW 0 RENEW SUSTAINING.............................. $50.00

o o CONTRIBUTING ........................... $25.00 o FAMILY ............ '" .................... $12.50 Admits all members of a family to monthly meetings

o INDIVIDUAL .............................. $10.00 7/86

DYES

~

___

DNO

OFFICIAL MHS T-SHIRT SO MO LO XLO $7.00 each includes postage PLEASE ENCLOSE PAYMENT WITH APPLICATION. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY. MEMBERSHIP IS FOR 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF JOINING. YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD BY RETURN MAIL. A RECEIPT WILL BE SENT ONI Y UPON REQUEST.