Vol. 7 (1987), No. 4

VOLUME VII

NUMBER 4

APRIL EWSLETTE MAY MEETING Friday, May 1, 1987 7:00 PM Room 335, Borlaug Hall St. Paul Campus, University of Minnesota The May meeting will be a night at the movies. The movies to be shown will be "SNAKEBITE" and "RATTLER". The movie "SNAKEBITE" is a film produced in India for use as an educational tool. A number of important facts are presented in this film. "RATTLER" is about the American rattlesnake from a British viewpoint.

Rattlesnake roundup in Texas to rattler population studies in Colorado are some of the topics covered in this film. This film is very rare and this is an exclusive showing. Both of these films deal with venomous snakes, but neither are grotesque or shocking. You will be provided good information, useful in dealing with herps. Make a note on your calendar so you don't miss this meeting!

The "critter" for May meeting will be venomous herps. Anyone planning to bring an animal to the meeting MUST contact Bruce Delles at 593-0298 or call John Moriarty at 647-1334.

The photographitechriique program presented by A.B. Sheldon for April was both excellent and well attended. Blake explained camera equipment and the different uses to compose a herp photo that is more than just a picture. The talk was illustrated with a number of excellent slides. Several MHS members took photos of herps supplied and setup by board members.

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

BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET S.E. • MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55455-0104

EDITOR'S CORNER By now everyone has noticed the change in the MHS Newsletter. I found the cost of producing the newsletter in this format a trifle less then the previous method, using the printers cost information. Talking to the Treasurer at the Board meeting, I wasn't so sure. The MHS Board decided to try this new format to compare actual cost figures and to hear member (your) responses. If the cost is not a problem, and your input is favorable, this will be the new style of the MHS Newsletter.

HELP A HAPLESS HERP Both the male Brown Basilisk and the young Amazon Tree Boa found homes at the April meeting. There are no animals for adoption for the May meeting at'this writing, but there is still time. If you know of a herp in need of a good home, please call Fred Bosman, Bruce Delles, or John Meltzer - adoption committee - for assistance.

ON METRIC TO ENGLISH CONVERSION

BY G. S. Casper When reading Tom Schmitz's article HOW TO CONVERT CELSIUS TO FAHRENHEIT (MHS Newsletter VII(2):15) I noticed one important computation that was omitted.

This is the degrees of accuracy. This ensures that your converted number is no more precise than your original number. For example, converting 22째 C to Fahrenheit with Tom's formula gives an answer of 71.6째 F. However, this implies accuracy to the tenth of a degree on the Fahrenheit scale, when the original temperature was only accurate to the degree Celsius. So - you have to round off the converted number to the same decimal place as the original number.

To round off, any digit of 5 or over, round to the next highest number (71.5 or 71.9 would round off to 72), while digits less than 5 round to the next lower number (71.1 or 71.4 would round off to 71). Therefore, 71.6 rounds off to 72, and the correct conversion is 72째 F. This holds true for any conversions with any measurements.

President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Ne\"sletter Editor t-'Iember-a t-Large Member-at-Large Member-at-Large Nember-at-Large Immediate Past-President

Ann Porwoll John Noriarty Melissa Hyatt Bruce Haig Tom Schmitz Fred Bosman Bruce Delles Aaron Hampton John Neltzer Fran Frisch

(2 )

(612) 489-7853 (612) 647-1334 (612) (612) (612) (612) (715) (612) (612)

789-4637 488-7619 476-0306 374-5422 425-7565 780-8561 488-7619

A special "Thanks" to Bob Gibson and all the other MHS members who helped at the Eastman Nature Center on April 4. The ,following article is re-printed with the permission of the Mpls Star and Tribune, from the April 16 Thursday a.m. paper.

SNAKES NOT ALL HISS AND VENOM, NATURALIST PROVES

by Peggy M. Koop/Staff Writer They crawl, they creep, they are coldblooded. They are limbless and scaly and can be poisonous. Some hiss and some rattle. What are they?

They are snakes, and they have lousy reputations.

The word snake conjures images of insidious enemies, of treacherous friends, of venomous schemes. How about snake-in-the-grass, snake pit, snake oil?

Despite those stories, snakes continue to fascinate most people, said Bob Gibson, a naturalist at Eastman Nature Center in Elm Creek Park Reserve, near Osseo. He attributes their appeal to their reputations - which they don't deserve.

To help dispel age-old superstitions and irrational fears, Gibson invited members of the Minnesota Herpetological Society to bring some of their reptilian friends to the nature center April 4 for a friendly get-together.

Abo~t

150 visitors got a chance to become acquainted with a ball python, an 8 foot boa constrictor, two bull snakes named Hiss and Taurus, a brightly colored milk snake, a common garter snake and a California king snake named B.B. King.

The society is a nonprofit organization for the conservation and preservation of reptiles and amphibians. Gibson, a member, said its primary goal is to educate the public.

"I like to have these programs because people don't have contact with reptiles and amphibians very often," said Gibson, 29, of Maple Grove.

After touching and handling the snakes, most people said they were surprised that the snakes weren't slimy, he said. "They are kind of dry to the touch," he said.

Visitors said they felt like plastic or hard rubber, said Gibson. Some people were hesitant; some jumped right in, and some wanted to buy one for a pet and join the society, he said.

Other creatures that visitors could touch in the three-hour program were a jeweled curly-tailed lizard, three tiger salamanders and a toad.

Gibson, a native of Chicago, has been a naturalist for about five years. He said he came to Minnesota because of its diverse wildlife.

"People here have a different ethic about wildlife. They value it more," he said.

The response to the program was so good, Gibson said, that he plans to conduct more like it.

STATE

Of

[M[§~©Lr~

T BOX

500

E T

LAFAYETTE

R l RES

F ROAD

•

ST.

PAUL,

MINNESOTA

ES •

55146

DNR INFORMATION (612) 296-6157

March 24, 1987

Ann Porwall Minnesota Herp. Society Bell Museum of Natural History Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104 Dear Ms. Porwall: Thank you for your comments on Commissioner's Order No. 2262. It is with great concern and appreciation we take your comments under advisement.

Our intent in the original order was to control the commercial exploitation of the leopard frog, bullfrog and tiger salamander along with controlling the importatj.on of these animals. The order does this.

However, in interpretation, the term "frog" becomes all inclusive. We are in the process of 'correcting this oversight.

You will be pleased to hear that there is presently underway the development of an amendment to define the term "frog" and provide recognition of the pet industry and its related problems with the present order.

Very truly yours,

7,isy.t:' (). /Jc '~-"'<·Y~' Floyd A. Hennagir Commercial Fisheries Supervisor 500 Lafayette Road, Box 12 St. Paul, MN 55155-4012 FAH:eh

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

COMMITTEE FOR HANDS-ON MRS is forming a committee to present public education of reptiles at Como Zoo, Nature Centers, etc. This committee will always be looking for new ideas, herptiles for display, and volunteer help. The next scheduled hands-on display will be .. MAY 23 and 24 AT 11;00 am to 5:00 pm AT COMO ZOO. The weekend display will feature Minnesota Herps. This display will NOT be exclusively Minnesota Herps, but hopefully a good selection of them. That is why we need lVIHS members knowledgeable in Minn. Herps as well as animals and photos of your animals at this display. Please call Fran Frisch - Chairperson for the Committee for hands-on - at 488-7619.

A CALL FOR MINNESOTA HERPS MRS needs Minnesota Herps for the 1987 State Fair display. (Also for the Como Hands-on .. see above). The venomous and the endangered herps will be taken care of by the MHS Board. This time of year is very good for collecting. These herps may be released where they were found after the State Fair. If you find a Minnesota Herp that would make a good display (due to color, size, markings), please contact Fran Frisch at 488-7619.

REQUEST FOR DISTRIBUTION RECORDS Now that the warm weather has brought out the local herps, it is time to keep records of what you saw and where you observed them.

Locality data is wanted for all ~linnesota species. Precise localities down to 1/4 section are preferred. Photos and/or specimens are wanted for new County records.

Your records can be brought to the MHS monthly meetings or mailed to the MHS mail box at the Bell Museum. Check the front page of this newsletter for that address.

UPDATED DISTRIBUTION MAPS NOW AVAILABLE The distribution maps for Minnesota's amphibians and reptiles have been updated with the 1985 and 1986 records. Copies of the '85 and '86 lists are also available. The maps are $2.50 at the MRS meeting or $4.50 by mail. See John Moriarty at the next meeting for more details.

(5)

ADDITIONAL COUNTY RECORDS FOR REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF MINNESOTA MAY 1986 - APRIL 1987 Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) Freeborn - sighting

Wood Turtle (Clemmys insculpta) Ramsey - sighting Washington - sighting

Blandings Turtle (Emydoida blandingi) Hubbard - sighting Washington - specimen

Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) Morrison - specimen

False Map (G. pseudogeographica) Hennepin - specimen

Spiny Softshell (Trionyx spiniferus) Mower - sighting Olmsted - sighting

5 lined Skink (Eume~es fasciatus) Winona - sighting

Red Bellied Snake (Storeria 0.)

Freeborn - sighting

PHABULOUS PHENOLOGICAL PHINDS Bruce Cutler Mar. 7, 1987 - Minn., Ramsey Co., Lauderdale 1 Painted Turtle (Chrys~mys picta belli). 4" shell, leech infested.

Fred Bosman Mar. 22, 1987 - Minn., City of Bloomington 1 Common Snapper at a pond near 84th and Penn.

Kate Anderson Mar. 24, 1987 - Minn., Dakota Co., Minn. Zoological Garden, Tl15N R20W NE t 1 Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum). Outside admissions at the Zoo. JoAnne Wetherell-Moriarty and John Moriarty Apr. 5, 1987 - Minn., Washington Co., W.O'Brien State Park, T32N R19W sec.24&25 Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens) Now with the great weather we've been having, everyone should be finding our Minnesota herps.Remember to jot down the date and where you saw them for the next MHS meeting. If you collect your find, remember to talk to Fran about the State Fair exhibit needs and the Como Park Hands-on of Minnesota herps.

REFRESHMENTS The April meeting refreshments were supplied by Cheryl Keyler. Thanks for helping out with the goodie department again Cheryl! As much as we all enjoy the refreshments, I hope everyone is trying to contribute.

(6)

REPTILES OF MINNESOTA by Jim Gerholdt Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus) Description - The Eastern Massasauga is a medium sized, stout bodied snake. The adult size ranges from 20" to 30", with the record size being 39!". The young average 8" to 9" at birth. This snake has a ground color of gray or light brown with a series of large middorsal darker blotches. These are dark with light edges. There,are also 2,or 3 rows of smaller blotches on the sides. The ventral surface is black with irregular light markings. Melanistic specimens are sometimes encountered. The young are similar to the adults, but with brighter markings. The scales are keeled and the anal plate is single. There is a rattle on the end of the tail.

Range - In Minnesota this snake is known only from the counties of Houston and Wabasha.

Habitat - This is a snake of the swampy bottomlands along the Mississippi River.

Habits - This snake may remain quiet if encountered, relying on its protective coloration. Because of this, they may be almost stepped on before they are noticed. Their rattle is quiet because of its small size, but still distinctive!

This snake is prone to turn and bite, rather than striking. They are sometimes found basking on muskrat houses.

Food - The Massasauga feeds primarily on small mammals. Food items recorded include voles, deer mice, shrews, blackbirds, garter snakes, and frogs.

Breeding - The Massasauga is a live bearer (ovoviparous) and may breed both in the spring and fall. The young are born in late August, usually in mammal burrows or under fallen logs. They number from 5 to 20.

Status - Special Concern - More information is needed on this species in the state of Minnesota. Like the Timber Rattlesnake, this species may be a victim of the barbaric and archaic bounty system. It is interesting to note that in Wisconsin, where it is much more abundant, it is afforded total protection!

Notes - Although this is a venomous species, it is not known to cause fatalities.

While the venom is quite potent, its small size makes it'sublethal.

References: Breckenridge, W.J. 1944. Reptiles and Amphibians of Minnesota.

Conant, Roger 1975. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America.

Minnesota Herpetological Society - The Records Committee 1985. Distribution Maps for Reptiles and Amphibians of Minnesota.

Vogt, Richard C. 1981. Natural History of Amphibians and Reptiles in Wisconsin.

(7)

HURRY - LAST CHANCE! The May meeting will be your last chance to upgrade your membership to a Contributing Membership ($25) or a Sustaining Membership ($50) and receive a limited edition copy of this fine print. Both the Minnesota Herpetological Society and you the member will benefit from this effort.

NEH HHS MEMBERS Assoc for Conservation of Turtles & Tort. Inc Ht Salem Road, Rt #4, Hox 368 Sussex, NJ 07461 Canadian Amph & Reptile Cons. Society 9 Mississauga, Road No. Mississauga, Ontario Canada, L5B 2115 Central Ohio Herp Soc. C/O 436 Canyon Drive No. Columbus, OB 43214 Colorado Herp Society PO Box 15381 Denver, CO 80215 Delaware Herp Society C/O Ashland Nature Center Hrackcnville & Barley Mill Rd. Hockessin, DE 19707 Florida H. Coast Herp Sodety John Lewis 1312 S Evergreen Ave Clearwater, FL 33515

New York Herp Society PO Rox 1245 Grand Central Station New York, NY 10017 St. Louis Herp Society PO Box 9216 St. Louis MO 63117 Utah Herp Society Hogel Zoological Gardens PO Box 8475 Salt Lake City, UT 84108 Hash. Herp Society Frank I"atrous 12605 Old Dorm Place Herdon, VA 22070 l.,restern }Inss. IIcr[> Society Berkshire Sanctuaries 472 H Mountain Road Lenox, MA 0124()

11th INTERNATIONAL HERPETOLOCICAL SYMPOSIUM SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAY 15,1987. Motel reservations due May 25.

Check your March MHS Newsletter for the symposium information and registration forms. The following program correction should be noted: Friday - June 19 8am - 9am is Registration. 9am - 2:30pm is Gen. Sessions/Workshops. 3pm - 8pm is Banquet & Behind Scenes Tour, Brookfield Zoo. 9pm - ? is Slide shows and Other spontaneous presentations. MRS has always been well represented, so if you're interested in attending, please make note of the DEADLINES.

RAFFLE The MHS treasury increased by $30 from the April raffle ticket sales. Craig Kent was the big winner, taking home a Wood Turtle photo by A. B. Sheldon and a wooden loon key organizer. Liza Van Dyke won a tank heater, Jane Kraft won a herp shopping bag, and Jim Schneider won a couple of books. Thanks to the members who donated prizes and to those who bought tickets.

HERP HINTS One of the members asked the question, how do you know the difference between a male and a female Red Belly Newt. Any input from out there? Ann Porwoll said a good book to read from a herp's point of view is Sandeagozu by Jonann Jenner.

It's fun reading if you can find it. If some of those "lost" herps are showing up now that the weather is getting warmer, it was suggested to give them plenty of water, but not to try to feed right away. A hint on breeding King Snakes was to start two males to figh4 take one of them out and introduce a female.

Jim Gerholdt said a fresh shed female always looks more attractive to the male snake, but sheds just don't lay eggs well.

Program Registration Form

JUNE

f)

Blanding's Turtle Spring Migration Saturday,9 a.m.-l p.m.

Members $8, nonmembers $10 Paid registration deadline: May 22 One of the most remarkable sights of a Minnesota spring is the nesting migration of Blanding's turtles in the Weaver-Kellogg area. Join herpetologist John Moriarty in a search for these and other nesting turtles along the Mississippi River and sand dunes south of Wabasha.

Name________________________________ Address______________________________ ______________________-LZip__________ Phone (day) __________________________ ( evenmg) _______________________ MEMBER

0

NONMEMBER

PROGRAM TITLE

1.

2.

Make. checks payable to: University of Minnesota Mail to: Programs Bell Museum of Natural History University of Minnesota 10 Church St. S.E. Minneapolis, MN 55455

0

X

# of Children

x

#ofAdul~

x

# of Children

# of Children

x x x

#ofAdul~

x

# of Children

x

#ofAdul~

3.

4.

TOTAL

COST #ofAdul~

TOTAL ENCLOSED

(9)

CLASSIFIEDS EDITOR'S NOTE: Classified ads are run in the MHS Newsletter as a free service to the membership. No paid ads are accepted from non-members. No ads will be run for venomous species. While MHS will not run ads for known sick or illegal animals, we accept no responsibility for the health or legality of any animals advertised here. Please send ALL ads directly to the Newsletter Editor, and not to the MHS address. The deadline for all Newsletter items is the 15th of the month!

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY DELICATESSEN Remember - During each meeting we have the following items available: FRESH FROZEN RATS - JUMBO SIZE - $2.00 each FRESH FROZEN RAT PUPS - $4.00 per dozen 5 DOZEN PUPS OR 6 ADULTS LIMIT! TO ORDER RATS: Call Bruce or Connie at 593-0298. Order no later than the Thur before the meeting. Don't forget containers to prevent thaw out.

FOR SALE: 1.1 STRIPED Burmese Pythons (Python m. bivittatus) 5' - 6'. These are a patternless blonde-gold snake with a narrow pale brown stripe which is comprised of a series of dots and dashes down the center of the back. Really unique and beautiful. $2000.00 for the pair. Contact Tom Lamont (616) 733-5588.

FOR SALE: 0.1 Common 1.0 Banded since 1983 melanistic the pair.

1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates c. cenchria) 2' $100.00; Boa Constrictor light yellow background color, over 9' $250.00; Albino Cal. King 3' $100.00; 2.2 Elaphe mandarin long term captives $800.00 for the group; 1.1 adult "Chocolate" Cal. Kings-these are a phase, but the entire body is a light chocolate brown-$600.00 for Contact Tom Lamont (616) 733-5588.

FOR SALE: 0.0.2 Amazon Tree Boas, one orange - $25 and one brown - $20. Both nicely patterned and 1986 cap. born. Both feeding. 0.1 Oketee Corn Snake 1986 c.b. $20. One Ornate Horned Frog 1986 c.b. $20. 0.2 adult African Praying Frogs 2" $15 each. Contact David (612) 444-9775 mornings or late evenings.

FOR SALE: One adult Sudan Plated Lizard $50; 0.1 Oketee Corn Snake $25. Call John evenings or leave message on machine (612) 780-8561.

MRS is still looking for a source for mice. If you have any information, please contact one of the Board members at the meeting.

(10)

CLASSIFIEDS

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

~ C1TIES ltf: . j::J'J>1

.<'~\

').

<-b. __~ .::-.s-

,..

...

Apache Plaza Dr. Mark J. Wiesman

3700 Silver Lake Rd. #15F, St. Anthony, MN 55421 For Quality Veterinary Care at a Reasonable Price Call .

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

Owners: Bruce & Connie Delles (612) 593~298 Open 7 Days a Week

FOR SALE: ANIMALS -- A variety of lizards, snakes, amphibians and more.

Call Don Johnson at DJ's Reptiles (612) 922-6294.

FOR SALE: 0.0.2 Baby Day Geckos (P. grandis), beautiful and excellent for terrarium - $40 ea. 0.1 Spiny Tailed Skink from down under - $175. 0.0.2 subadult Cal. Kings - $45ea. Call Fran at (612) 488-7619.

WANTED: Poison Arrow Frogs - all species of Dendrobates (especially reticulates) and Phyllobates. Also Atelopus sp. or Harlequin frogs. Would like books on the above species. Call or Write P. Keane, 1018 E. 226 St., Bronx, N.Y. 10466 (212) 655-0454.

WANTED: I would like to discuss car pooling/room sharing for the International Herp Symposium in Chicago. Contact Dean Bowman (612) 561-7842.

WANTED: Anyone having any information on the artifical insemination of reptiles please send a copy of the article or a citation of the literature to Ken Kundel at the Virginia Zoological Park, 3500 Granby St., Norfolk, Va. 23504. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly needed and appreciated.

MHS T-SHIRTS: Now that the weather has made going outside a must, make sure you have your MRS T-Shirt. Pick one up at the next meeting.

(11)

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

BUL MU5.EUM OF NAn.IRAL HlSlORY JO CHURCH STREET s.£ • MlNNEAPOUS. MINNESOTA

5~S-1014

T-SHIRT ORDER FORM

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION A

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

NAME(S),_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _..................~__.....,;..._ _ _- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ADDRESS,____________

~

_____________________________________

CITY,_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ PHONE

~c__~-

STATE ....._ _--"ZIP_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

INtEREST~S

_ _ _ _ _..,...:__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

DO YOU WISH THE ABOVb L!'J"ORMATION LISTED IN THE MHS DIRECTORY TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP NEW 0 RENEW SUSTAINING .................. " .......... $50.00 CONTRIBUTING ........................... $25.00 FAMILY ................................... $12.50 Admits all members of a family to monthly meetings INDIVIDUAL .................. " .......... $10.00

o o o o o

36

OFFICIAL MHS T-SHIRT SO MO LD XLD $7.00 each includes postage

DYES

DNO

()

PLEASE ENCLOSE PAYMENT WITH APPLICATION. MAKE CHECKS PA YABLE 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 SEN1 ONLY UPON REQUEST.