Vol. 7 (1987), No. 7

VOLUf. .lE VII

NUfdBER 7

M

JULY NEWSLETTER AUGUST MEETING Friday, AUGUST 7, 1987 7: 00 PM ROOM 10, PAlMER CLASSROOM :BLIX3 ST. PAUL CAMPUS, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOI'A The August meeting will be presented by Dr. Phil Cochran, and will be entitled liTHE MUDPUPPY: THE FISH-LIKE AMPHIBIAN II • Dr. Cochran is an Assistant Professor of Biology at St. Norbert's College in Wisconsin. Dr. Cochran has studied the natural history and distribution of mudpuppies for several years, and worked on many other species of Minnesota herps. His talk on mudpuppies will provide a great deal of infonnation on this interesting and secretive salamander.

The mudpuppy is the largest salamander in ~ri.nnesota and is the only species that is wholly aquatic.

A IIsliIl1Y1I herp will be August II critter II of the rronth. Nothing from the freezer or the pickling jar - PLEASE! This will take some thought. See what we can find out there. **FROM THE PRESIDENT** I am sad to announce that Melissa Hyatt, do to a very demanding work schedule, is resigning as secretary. We thank her for the time and effort she was able to contribute to the society.

We will be holding a special election at the August meeting to fill the secretary position. Please make an effort to attend. The two people who are running for the position are Kate Anderson and Ruth Meltzer.

Any member that has a question on the status of their membership, a change in mailing infonnation, or has not received any of the recent newsletters, contact Ann Porwoll at 489-7853 or John Moriarty at 647-1334. We will straighten out the situation. I am sorry about any delays or inconvenience you may have had recently.

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

lAST MONTH IS SPEAKERS

by Jo Arule Wetherell-Moriarty

The July meeting featured two MRS members, Barney Oldfield and Jim Gerholdt. The program entitled "Quest for Crotaphytus II (or liOn the Road with Barney and Jim") was a narrative of their April trip to Southern Texas illustrated with rrany of their excellent slides.

Barney has a special interest in he got the "bug" to search out reticulatus) • Jim went along as great time herping, birding, and

Collared lizards (Crotaphytus spp) and last. year and photograph the Reticulated Collared lizard (C. Barney Is II assistant II • Along the way they had a observing the flowering cactus and the scenery.

The Reticulated Collared lizard is a threatened species in Texas. Therefore, a special penni t from the Texas Department of Parks and wildlife was needed just to allow capturing and holding the animals for twenty-four hours for photographic purposes. Release at the site of capture was also required. Texas also requires a small game hunting permit to legally capture all other herps. Even though it was the perfect time of year to find the lizards, the cold, rainy weather and hundreds of miles of barbed wire tell1fX>rarily dimned their hopes. Patience paid off when two of the lizards were found.

The total tally of herps found was forty-one species. Perhaps the biggest reward of the trip was the lesson Barney and Jim learned from the attendant at the Kansas convenience store who, upon learning the purpose of the trip, said "If I can It eat it, I don It need it" - definitely, a motto to live by!

The M.R.S. library has the follO'irVing books available for you to check out if you need nore infonnation on Collared lizards, or Texas herps in general: FIELD GUIDE TO TEXAS SNAKES by Alan Tennant FIELD GUIDE TO REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF EAST Conant AIL ABOUT LIZARDS by Robert Sprackland Jr. LIZARDS IN CAPTIVITY by Richard Wynn

&

CENTRAL

NORTH

AMERICA by

Roger

Barney Oldfield and Jim Gerholdt are usually at the M.H.S. monthly meetings, so check with them for other good reading sources.

M.R.S. OFFICERS PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT SECRErARY TREASURER NEWSLEITER EDITOR MEMBER-AT-IARGE MEMBER-AT-LARGE MEMBER-AT-LARGE IvlEMBER-Jl.l.T-LARGE

John Moriarty

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

Bruce Haig Tom Schmitz Fred Bosman Bruce Delles Aaron Hanpton John Meltzer

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

Ann Porwoll

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

RAFFLE

The July raffle only brought in $29 for some really nice i terns.

Dan Keyler toOk home an 8-10' inflated crocodilian raft. Fred Bosnan won a rattlesnake print; Bruce Cutler won 2 orig~ frogs made from dollar bills; Bruce Delles won a turtle picture; Bob Duerr won twice and took home a turtle clip and a childs t-shirt; Helen and Jim Schave took home a ceramic turtle and a "creepy" spider toy; and Rick Swenson (hope I spelled it right) toOk home a giant snake shed. Rick is already covered for one item on the M.H.S. picnic Scavenger "Hilllt - see article later in this newsletter. Hope noOOdy was missed in the above list.

REFRESHMENTS

A great big "THANKS! II goes to Sally Brevver for feeding all us snackers at the July meeting break. The rice crispy bars went over well. It's a big job, but Sally shCM'ed us it can be done. Remember to check with Helen Schave to see if you can do your part in supplying treats for a nonthly meeting - share a nonth with someone.

HELP A HAPlESS HERP

Our Adoption Committee was able to find gc:x:xl homes for the needy herps we received at the July meeting - a 4-5' male Yellow Ratsnake, a juvenile Green Iguana, and a pair of Northern Sage Brush lizards. We were not able to find a home for three (3) female and one (1) male Reeve's turtles. Please see the "Wanted II section of the classifieds in this newsletter as to what we would like to see done with these turtles.

At this writing, we only have word of a 41 male Green Iguana up for adoption in August. If you have an animal in need of adoption, please contact Fred Bosnan (476-0306) prior to or on the Monday before the nonthly meeting, no later then 9:00 :pm. Please do not bring adoption animals to the meeting without calling Fred.

1987 SI'ATE FAIR The following animals are still needed for the 1987 State Fair Exhibit:: Bullsnake (Pi thuophis melanoleucus) E. Hognose (Heterodon platyrhinos) Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) Spiny softshell (Trionyx spinifera) Leopard frog (Rana pipiens)

Blue racer (Coluber constrictor) Green snake (Opheodrys vernalis) Map turtle (Graptemys geographica) Snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) Prairie skink (Eumeces septentrionalis)

There is still a need for volilllteers to help care for animals' at the fair.

Volilllteers will receive free admission to the fair. Anyon~ interested in working with or supplying animals should contact Aaron Harrpton (715) 425-7565 or John Moriarty (612) 647-1334.

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NorI CE OF SJ::.1A.T<E THEfl'l'i l\.ND PT lEA FOR HELP

During June 30-July I, 1987, the reptiles listed belOlN were stolen from n:w personal research facility. Entry was nonforced, as a nonherper guest inadvertently had left the main door unlocked.

Only living reptiles were stolen - no cages, no husbandry equipment, no non-herping items.

Most of the snakes may be identified by one of two means. First, most of them, and all of the adults, are scale-clipped on the ventral abdominal scales, nunibers 2-15 preceding the anal plate. And many of them are also identifiable by means of excellent 35 nm photographs which I have of them. Only one other breeder in the U. S. has produced the baby Green Phase Burmese pythons this year - if you see any or are offered any, please inquire about the legal source and notify me.

The following snakes and three lizards are missing: 6 Acrantophis dumerili, Dumerills Boas - Young adults 23 Boa constrictor sspp., Boa Constrictors - adults and juveniles mainly with aberrant dorsal patterns, mostly striped; one with only lateral stripes - one adult Argentine, several Surinarns and Peruvians 1 Corallus e. enydris, Amazon Tree Boa, - albino - male, about 21 long 2 Epicrates c. cenchria, Brazilian Rainbow Boas - pair, about 2 5 I long 5 Epicrates c. chrysogaster, Turk IS Island Boas - adults - 1.1 spotted, others striped (one with considerable orange) 2 Epicrates Se striatus, Haitian Boas - adults - lots of red, one with large whitish spots 17 Liasis m.. rrackloti 8 Macklot I s Pythons a large rrale 8 young adults, plus juveniles - mainly pale-colored individuals 63 Python molurus bivittatus, Burmese Pythons - 3 adults (11-121) and 2 groups of hatchlings 8 39 normals and 20 of the new rare "Greenish II Phase with a tan coloration and broken dorsal striping 7 Python spilotus variegatus, Carpet Pythons - adults 5 Tropidophis h. haetianus, Haetian Ground Boas - adults 5 Elaphe g. guttata, Corn Snakes - yearlings, normals and albinos 6 Elaphe g. guttata. x Elaphe o. obsoleta, hybrid ratsnakes - adults 1 Elaphe o. obsoleta, BlaCk Ratsnake - albino, adult 3 Elaphe o. obsoleta x quadrivittatta, Greenish Ratsnakes - yearlings 2 Lampropeltis c. calligaster, Prairie Kingsnakes - albino, yearlings 11 Lampropeltis c. rhorribomaculata, Mole Kingsnakes - reddish phase, 2 adult females and yearlings 2 Pituophis melanoleucus affinis, Sonoran Gopher Snakes - albinos , adults 3 Tiliqua gerrardi, Pink-Tongued Skinks - juveniles G

Several of the anirrals were on breeding loan from other facilities. Eight had been experimentally infected with a disease-causing organism Which could easily infect the whole lot, other collections, or persons handling these anirrals; there is no known treatment for this infection.

I am offering $1000 cash (srrall, unmarked bills etc.) for information leading to the apprehension of the guilty party or parties. NOI'E: this does not necessarily mean indictment and conviction.

I have abundant ideas concerning appropriate punishment. I have retained private personnel to investigate.

If you should encounter, or be offered, any of the above anirnals, please notify me immediately. I would like to get them back as soon as possible.

I hope that nobody I knOlN is involved.

PLEASE CALL COLLECr (615) 546-9240

Richard S. Funk, D.V.M. University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN (4)

37901, USA

RE: NaI'ICE OF SNAKE THEFr

I talked with Dr. Funk on July 20 to see if he had any new word on his stolen herps.

He has had several calls from concerned friends and only a few calls on leads that were nothing. He was very happy to hear that M.H. S. would be helping him in this matter.

Please call Dr. Funk collect only if you have news that would help him in retrieving his herps. If you wish to talk to someone locally on this matter, please call Brint Spencer at 452-6133. Brint gave me this article to put in the newsletter and said' he would be willing to take calls here in the 'IWin City area.

GUIDELINES FOR SELLING HERPS AND DRY GOODS The following guidelines were designed to alleviate same of the current problems that have arisen at the monthly meetings during sales of animals and dry goods: 1.. Any animal or dry stock may be sold at monthly meetings.

2. Selling must take place outside of the monthly meeting roam area.

3. Selling time should not conflict with the official meeting time. People should be in their seats when the meeting starts so as not to create a disturbance.

4. 'Critter of the Month' is the only animal which may be advertised for sale, at the meeting.

5. M.H.S. is not responsible for animals/dry goods sold at the meeting.

These guidelines should provide the membership with animals and products that they are interested in with less distraction during our meeting time. Be aware of your fellow members.

DISTRIBUTION RECORDS vJANTED The Records Canmittee is once again requesting photos or specimens (OOR or deceased captives) of Minnesota herps.

Records are especially wanted for mudpuppies (Necturus maculatus), Eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) , and Softshells (Trionyx spp.).

One region of the state that is in need of study is the area around Mankato, south to the Iowa border. Any records from these counties would be greatly appreciated.

Records should include exact locality, date and collector â&#x20AC;˘s name.

Photos and specimens can be brought to meetings or contact John Moriarty (612) 647-1334, Barney Oldfield (612) 923-4856, Jim Gerholdt (612) 652-2996, Del Jones (612) 9388555, or Paul Spencer (612) 644-7597.

SSAR PUBLICATIONS LAST CALL! In the June Newsletter we ran a list of SSAR Publications with a 25% discount. Jim Gerholdt will take orders for these publications up to and including the Sept. meeting. After that, the offer will end. Here is his address again: Jim Gerholdt, P.CbBox 86, Webster, MN. 55088. If you need a book, check this offer.

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WHEN: WHERE:

M.R.S. PICNIC SATURDAY, AUGUST 22,1987 MINNEsarA ZOOr..a.:;ICAL GARDENS

TIME: Make plans to attend this years M.R.S. grills, condiments, and watermelon. for themselves and a salad or chips to the games: volleyball, lawn jarts, hunt for the IIbig" kids.

11 :00 A.M. picnic. M.R.S. will provide the bar-b-que "Picnicers" need to bring something to grill share. You supply the bodies, we'll supply junior members treasure hunt and a scavenger

For those interested in the scavenger hunt, the items listed Each item will be worth one (1) point unless otherwise noted:

I

below are

needed.

1. Petal from a YEI..J..,O\T rose.

2. Eye cap from any snake.

3. Shed snake skin ••. corrplete shed 5' or longer = 3pts. caqplete shed 11 -5 I = 2pts. incorrplete shed = Ipt. (corrplete shed means eye caps attached) 4. Any reptile related Gary Larson cartoon.

5. Conants field guide.

6. Aninal water bowl.

7. The word snake in newspaper print.

8. Snake hook.

9. Any store receipt from Apple Valley with "Apple Valley" printed on it.

10. Turtle shell (used) caqplete = 3pts.

Carapace only = 2pts.· Plastron only = Ipt. 11. Primate biscuit.

12. Aspen shavings (sandwich bag of).

13. 1986 MRS Occassional Papers.

14. First MRS Newsletter.

15. Rabbit or trout chow (sandwich bag of).

16. A unique or unusual herp item - point value determined by judges.

Bring any or all (if you can) of the items with you to the picnic. have fun finding them!

Most of all,

REMEMBER; ••• We need 25 people in ADVANCE that wish to go into the zoo in

order to receive the 20% ticket discount. We need your name, address, the number of people (wi th ages), and dollar anount by the AUGUST MEErING. The cost for the advance tickets would be: $3.20 for 17 and older; $1.20 ages 16-6; and FREE for ages 5 and under.

OUR FROO NEEDS A NAME 1 !

Calling all M.R. S. menlbers 12 years old and younger.

We are looking for these members to help name our "talking" donation frog. Please have your thinking caps on at the August .meeting and be prepared to jot down your choices of nqmes.

The M.R.S. Board members will choose 5 names from your input, and the Society will vote on one of the five finalists in Septeniber.

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M. H. S. LIBRARY REVIEW NEWSLETTER TITLE: Notes from NOAH SOCIETY: Northern Ohio Association of Herpetologists REVIEWED BY: Jo Anne Wetherell-Moriarty One of the nost underused resources in the M.H.S. Library is the newsletters of the various regional herpetological societies. M.H.S. exChanges newsletters with about 35 other societies. The quality of the newsletters varies greatly, but a few stand out as exceptional. One of these particularly good ones is "Notes from NOAH II , the newsletter of the Northern Ohio Association of Herpetologists.

What makes IINotes from NOAH" worth reading is the wide variety of Subjects covered in the articles. Same of the many topics include husbandry of numerous species, life history notes, treatment of illnesses, adventures in herping, and reviews of bJoks. NOAH has many menibers throughout the United States (including Minnesota) and in foreign countries. From this group corne contributors with a great diversity of interests as well as several regularly featured columrists.

In general the articles are quite well written and inforrnative. The classified ads in "Notes from NOAH" can be entertaining. It IS interesting to see the nunber and variety of anima.ls for sale, trade, and wanted.

If you Ire interested in widening your horizons, "Notes from NOAH" can help you find out about people in other parts of the country with interests similar to yours.

The MeH.S. Library has issues, bound by volume, frc:rn 1981 through the present.

Check it out for yourself.

REMEMBER MINNEsarA FATS? In the M.H.S. 1986 July Newsletter (Vol. VI, No.7), Jim Gerholdt gave us news on a record conmon snapping turtle found in Northern Minnesota. A year later, the Minnesota. VOLUNTEER (a DNR mag.) Vol. 50, No. 293, July-August 1987, has written a six page article entitled IIMeet ~innesota Fats, World Charrpion Snapping Turtle by a VOLUNTEER reporter". There are severa.l good photos of Minnesota Fats even one wi th Jim Gerholdt helping measure the turtles shell at the state fair. The article is really interesting.

This issue of the VOLUNTEER also has photos of Barney Oldfield; an article entitled "New Look at Rattlesnakes by Dave Palnquist" (5 pages); and an article from the DNR IS Nonga:rre vvildlife Program asking for help on reporting of sightings of Blanding I s turtles in the central Minnesota counties. There Is even a free turtle poster offer to aid in identification by contacting Pam Perry, Nongame Wildlife specialist, DNR Region III, 1601 Minnesota Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401. copy of this Minnesota VOLUNTEER will be donated to the M.H.S. Library, and given to Nancy Haig at the August meeting. If you Ire interested in loOking at it, please see Nancy during break. This copy seems to be filled with herp information this issue. Normally it c..'Overs general Minnesota wildlife.

Iv1y

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1987 M.H. S. HERP PHaro CONTEsr

The time has arrived to start thinking about the 1987 M.H.S. Herp Photo Contest.

This year I s judges will be Blake Sheldon and Barney Oldfield. Both judges were previous winners of the M.H. S. Photo Contest.

Prizes for First place in each category and "People I s Choice II will be awarded. Ribbons will be awarded in all categories.

CONTEsr RULES:

1. Prints and slides may be entered by M.H. S. menibers.

M.H.S. Photo Contests are ineligible.

Entries

from

previous

2. A contestant may enter up to 5 slides or prints. ,

3. All entries Noverrber meeting.

must

be

postmarked by Noverriber 6, 1987 or turned in at the

4. Entries will be returned if acconpanied by a self-addressed stanped envelope.

Entries may also be piCked up at the December meeting.

5. Slides need to be in a standard 211 x 211 rrount. No glass rrounted slides.

Prints may be 411 x 6 11 , 5 11 X 7 11 , or 8" x 10 11 â&#x20AC;˘ They should be rrounted on cardboard or natboard that is at least 8 11 x 10 11 , but no larger than 1111 x 14". Frarred prints are discouraged.

6. The entrants name, address, and category needs to be on every slide the back of every print mat. Do not place names on the front of prints.

and

on

CATEX30RIES: 1. Black and white prints.

2. Color Prints: a. Herps in natural setting b. Herps with people 3. Color Slides: a. Herps in natural setting b. Herps with people IIPeople's Choice Award" All entries are eligible for the "PCA II â&#x20AC;˘ membership at the December meeting.

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This category is voted on by the

ANNUAL M.B. S. ILLUSTRATION a::NrEsr M.B.S. is conducting an illustration contest again this year. Prints nade from the winning entry will be used as a "thank-you" to M.B.S. Sustaining and Contributing members for the 1987 - 88 menibership year. A prize of $100.00 will be awarded to the winner.

THE CONTEsr RULES ARE AS FOLLC:WS:

1. Drawing size to be 8.5" X II" to 14" x 17".

2. Drawings to be done in black ink on white paper.

Line drawings only, no washes or pencil shading.

3. Drawings must be of Minnesota herps.

Excluding - Wood Turtle & Timber Rattlesnake (our previous winning prints).

4. Drawings should focus on adult herp with some Minnesota fauna in background.

5. Limit 3 drawings per person.

6. All entries must be postnarked by Noveniber 6, or be turned in at the Noveniber M.B.S. meeting.

7. If you wish entries (or entry) returned, it MUST be accompanied by a self addressed stanped envelope. They nay also be picked up after the contest has been judged.

8. Mail all entries to: MHS Illustration Contest C/O Sally Brewer 1990 Iglehart St. Paul, MN 55104 9. All entries must have contestant's name/address/phone nurrber attached to the back of the drawing. Each drawing must have a protective cover (paper flap, clear plastic wrap, or plastic). No glass unless turned in at the rronthly meeting. DO Nor MAIL GLASS. The entries do not need to be framed.

10. Winner will be announced at the Deceniber meeting.

11. Contest is open to M.B.S. menibers only - locally or out of state, including past winners.

All

entries will be judged on detail, accuracy, composition, and clarity. It must Black line drawings only, no washes or pencil shading as they do not print well. The winning drawing and all rights to it become the property of M.B.S. We will take all possible precautions to ensure the safety of all entries, but M.B.S. will assume no responsibility for lost or damaged drawings.

be a. good, clean drawing that can be easily reproduced.

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UPDATE ON TEDS (Turtle Excluder Devices) carole Allen and the HEARr folks sent the follONing shrimp nets to prevent drowning of Sea Turtles:

infonnation

on

TEDS

the

Starting October I, 1987, regulations designed to save endangered and threatened sea turtles will begin. Federal civil penalties of up to $10,000, or federal criminal penalties of up to $20,000 or imprisonment of 1 year, may be sought for violations of these regUlations. These regulations will affect shrimp t:oats 25 ' and longer fishing offshore in the canaveral, Florida area. Shrimp boats in all Atlantic waters (except Canaveral) must use TEDs from May through August. In 1989 TEDs will be required in all areas.

TEDs are coming, but we have to wait until IY"Jarch I, 1988, for TEDs in the Gulf of Mexico where the most endangered of all the sea turtles, the Kemp's ridley, exists.

This year IS nuniber of nests at Rancho Nuevo, Mexico, the last nesting site of the turtles, is dcwn quite a bit, and we can only hope that more of the precious remalnlng female ridleys have not been drowned in shrimp nets or been killed in some other preventable manner.

TEDs will not be required in bays where shrinp nets are to be drug 90 minutes maximum.

Much of Louisiana IS shrimping is done where TEDs will not be required, and there are many turtles there. In 1986 I alnost 50 headstarted Kerrp IS ridleys were stranded dead in Copano Bay where heavy shrimping was going on illegally. The turtles were examined and no plastics or ingested materials were found that might have killed them. No rig rerrovals were occurring in the bay and the turtles didn't die of old age. Texas residents should write to Dr. Gray MatloCk, Texas Parks and vvildlife, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas, 78744, and ask for immediate enforcement of the Texas laws which protect sea turtles in Texas waters.

WES ThTrER WRrrING MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

You bet it does! National Marine Fisheries Service reports that thousands of letters were received about the TED issue - 60% of them were from folks like you who want sea turtles protected from drcwning.

Forty percent were from anti -TED people. Our most sincere thanks to every person who wrote a letter, signed a petition, or worked in groups to get others involved.

Every letter and every signature was important!

The TED regulations must be enforced. As we wait and watch, why not drop a thankyou note to Secretary of Conrnerce Malcolm Baldrige, U. S. Department of Ccmnerce, Washington, D.C. 20230 to thank him and the administration for giving us TEDs to save sea turtles. from HEART - (Help Endangered Aninals-Ridley Turtles)

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THE THIRD ANNUAL MI~VEsrERN HERPErOLOGlCAL SEMINAR

Sponsored by the IOWA AND NEBRASKA HERPErOLOGlCAL SOCIETIES OCTOBER 16-17, 1987 The Third Annual Midwestern Herp Seminar will be held in Des Moines, Iowa this fall. It will be at the BEI.1I'ON' INN, 11001 UNIVERSITY, DES mINES. Allen Anderson, Coordinator, P.O.Box 166, Norwalk, lava 50211 is accepting registration fees $20.00. There is an additional fee for Banquet cost of $15.00. Please try to get your fees in early so Allen can get a good head count of people attending.

Please see the last page of this newsletter for a registration application.

Here is a list of speakers lined up to date: DAVID BLODY-CUrator of Reptiles, Ft. Worth zoo .. Overview of reptiles/anphibian propagation DR. ROYCE E. BALLINGER-University of Nebraska •••• Midwestern Habitat and its herpetofauna DR. JAMES D.FAWCEIT-University of Nebraska ••••• Herpetofauna of New Zealand JOSEPH T. COLLINS-University of Kansas ••••• The 3rd Edition of the Peterson Field Guides BRINT SPENCER-Minnesota Zoological Gardens •..•• Husbandry of the elongate tortoise RICHARD ~BlaCk Hills Reptile Gardens •• An overview/new direction for Reptile Garden GARY GYAKI-Private breeder •.••• Husbandry and propagation of Boidae ANNOUNCEMENT - ARROW FROG SOCIErY An effort is underway to establish a formal "Society" of those individuals who have

an interest in the study of Arravv Frogs of the genera Dendrobates, Phylobates, Colostethus, and Atelopus. It is hoped that the new Society will be international in its scope. All ~rribers of the herpetological communi ty, roth professional and amateur, who share a COIIlTOn interest in Arravv Frogs are encouraged to respond to this announcement by writing to the steering committee for rrore infornation. Each respondent will receive a paCket of infornation outlining the proposed goals and purpose of the Society, as well as a smmary of current progress and current needs in the process of the fornation of the Society.

Also included will be a questionnaire i all responses will be confidential and the information will be used only by the steering comrrdttee for purposes of planning and for assessing the interests, needs, and desires of the prospective merribers. At this point in time there are no funds to support this work and therefore it is requested that each respondent include with his or her initial letter three 22 cent U.S. postage stamps for the mailing of the infornation paCket (those outside the U. S. are requested to include $1.32 for this same purpose). Responses should be sent to: ARRG'J FRCG SOCIETY ONE VIRGINIA TERRACE

MADISON, WISCONSIN, USA

53705

ATIN: DALE BERl'RAM, M. D.

Chairperson-Steering

Co~ttee

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REPTILES OF MINNESOI'A by: Jim Gerholdt NORTHERN REDBELLY SNAKE (Storeria o. occipitomaculata) Description - The Northern Redbelly Snake is a small slender snake. The adult size ranges from 8" to 10", with the record size being 16". The ground color is reddish brown or steel grey. There is usually a broad middorsal light stripe, and 2 narrow dark stripes on each side. The ventral surface is bright red! There are usually 3 pale yellow or Whitish spots on the back of the head. The young have darker dorsal surfaces and lighter venters.

The scales are keeled and the anal plate is divided.

Range - This snake ranges over nost, possibly all, of Minnesota. The only counties it is Nor recorded from are Benton, Carver, Cook, Cottonwood, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Kittson, Lac Qui Parie, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Mcleod, Martin, Meeker, Nobles, Norman, Pennington, Pipestone, Red Lake, Renville, Sibley, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Watonwan, and Wilkin.

Habi tat - This snake may be found in a variety of habi tats.

Hardwood forests, boreal forests, and sphagnmn bogs are all suitable. It may also be fOlll1d in open fannland.

Habits - Like its close relative, the Brown Snake, this snake is usually found beneath surface Ii tter. They rarely atterrpt to bite and may emit a mild musk from their tail. It may death feign by stiffening itself like a pencil and rerraining rigid. This behavior is apparently quite rare, however.

Food - This snake feeds on slugs, earthworms, snails, and beetle larva.

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

2 to 14. Gravid ferrales may congregate.

The yOlll1g may nurriber from

Status - NONE - This snake is extre:trely ccmron and the gaps in its recorded will likely be filled in with time. Report all sightings to MRS or DNR!

range

References: Breckenridge, W. J. - 1944. Reptiles and Anphibians of MinnesOta. Conant, Roger 1975.

A Field Guide to Reptiles and Anphibians of Eastern and Central North America.

Minnesota Herpetological Society (The Records Camnittee) - 1985. Distribution Maps for Reps and Anphibs of Minn.

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

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PHABULOUS PHENOLCGlCAL PHINDS Jim and Pam Gerholdt 6/12/87 - Rice Lake State Park, Steele Co. ,tJf..n. T107N Rl9W NE1/4 Western Painted Turtle (Chrysenws picta bellii) - 1 D.O.R. at park entrance, also several basking on log in lake. Not previously recorded fran Steele Co. Barney, Casey, Sherilyn Oldfield 6/27/87 - St.Croix Wild River State Park, Chisago Co.,MN. Green Frog (Rana clamitans) - Several observed. One adult ferrale emitted a fright call when captured.

American Toad (Bufo americanus) - Several newly transfonned toadlets.

Painted Turtle (Chrysenws picta) - Several seen.

Map Turtle (Grapten1Ys geographica) - Several seen.

Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens var. burnsi) - One adult spotless leopard frog seen.

Eastern Hognose (Hetrodon platyrhinos) - One 37" swirrming in St. Croix River from Wis. to Minn. (portion of tail missing).

6/28/87 - same location Prairie Skink (Eumeces septentrionalis) - 1 adult & 1 juvenile Craig Allman, Dennis Daly, Pat Thielen 7/4/87 - Big Wood Lake, Grantsburg,WI, T38N RlBW Green Frogs (Rana. clamitans) - 2.1.4 seen.

Western Painted Turtles (C.p.bellii) - Nine sighted in the lake.

Barney & Casey Oldfield 7/7/87 - Various townships along Mississippi River, Houston Co. ,MN ..

Northern Leopard Frog (R.pipiens) - Large number seen.

Green Frog (R. clami. tans) - Large ntmiber seen.

Bullfrog (R. catesbeiana) - Large ntmiber seen.

Painted Turtle (C. picta) - Large ntmiber seen.

Six-lined Racerunner (Cnernidophorus sexlineatus) - Large number seen.

Ccmron Garter Snake (Thannophis sirtalis) - 5 live and 1 road kill.

Fox Snake (Elaphe vulpina) - 1 Road kill.

American Toad (B. americanus) - 1 recently transfonned toadlet.

"CRITIER OF THE IDNTH"

July herp of the month was your largest herp. This one seemed as popular as your most favorite herp. The anirrals that were shown were: Grey Ra.t Snake Bull snake Tiger Salamander Red Tegu Painted Turtle Red Foot Tortoise They were shown by: Dean Bovvrran Nancy Haig Aaron Hanpton Greg Kvanbek Jeff LeClere Dan Lendemeier

Elongated Tortoise Ball Python Bullfrog Brazilian Rainbow Boa Savannah Monitor N. Water snake Barney,Casey,Sherilyn Oldfield Ann Porwoll

Tan Schmitz Larry, Josh, Jeff Yank.

Dan Keyler surprised us with his King brought herps.

Cobra

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skin.

Thanks

to

the

rrenibers

who

CLASSIFIEDS EDI'IOR IS NarE: Please send all new-sletter articles and classified ads to: Tan Schmitz, 850 W. Minnesota, St. Paul, MN. 55104, Attn: MHS F.ditor.

Do not send articles or ads to the MHS address. The deadline for all New-sletter i terns is the 15th of the nonth! All Classified ads are run in the MHS New-sletter as a free service to the merribersbip. No paid ads are accepted fran non-merribers. No ads will be run for venarous species. While MHS will not run ads for knONn sick or illegal animals, we accept no responsibility for the health or legali ty of any animal advertised here. Please LIMIT SIZE of ad to approx. four (4) lines.

Business cards make acce~le ads.

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

~~

II Cl,!IES lie}:l

et

...

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~~ ",..,.

OS

ital

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 Dalles (612) 593-0298 Open 7 Days a Week

789路5855

MHS DELI Remeniber meeting. also.

to order your frozen rats no later than 7: 00pm the Thursday before the Call Bruce or Connie at 593-0298 to place your order & bring containers FRESH FROZEN RATS - JUMBO SIZE - $2.00 EACH FRESH FROZEN RAT PUPS - $4.00 PER roZEN 5 DOZEN PUPS or 6 ADULTS LIMIT!

WANTED: MHS is looking for a good home for three fenele and one male Reeve IS turtles. These animals will become the property of the person taking them. If you are interested in these turtles and live out of state, all we ask is for you to pay shipping charges to get the animals to you. If you would like infonnation on these turtles, or would like to take them in, please call Fred Bosman at (612) 476-0306.

PETS & SUPPLIES Tropical and Marine Aquaria Garden pools and aviaries Design and Installation available Reptiles

4637 Central Avenue N. E. Columbia Heights, MN 55421 Phil Palan

(612) 571-9031

August SPECIAL: 10 gallon aquarium $6.99 with Minnesol Herpetological Society membership card.

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CAPTIVE BREEDERS路 IMPORTS, WHOLESALE & RETAIL

3221 93RD DR. BLAINE, MN 55434

OWNERS: JOHN & RUTH MELTZER

(612) 780-8561

FOR SALE: 1987 hatchling snakes: a.lbinos, tri-colors, Appalachicola Kings (goini, all phases), and light phase Indian Pythons (P.m.nolurus) (NarE:: endangered subspecies require penni t - not hard to obtain). Send a S .A. S. E. for list. Scott J. Michaels, 403 E. Calif., Urbana, IL. 61801 (217) 328-0290.

FOR SALE: Northern Pine Snakes, Corn Snakes, Black King Snake, Pacific Gopher Snake, Brazilian Rainbow Boa, Ball Pythons, others.

Surplus reduction.

CHEAP! Write for prices and specifics. John Muir, P.O.Box 723, So. Pittsburg, Tennessee 37380.

FOR SALE: 2' Water Monitor for $75 or la.rge quantity of adult mice.

One triple conpartment plexiglass cage, front opening doors, nice, $50. Contact Larry Yank (612) 439-4796 am or 436-6774 pm.

FOR SALE or TRADE: Amelanistic corns and cornsnakes heterozygous for Arnelanism (expected hatch in August).

Would like to send as one shipment to MPLS area, preferably in trade for Fox, Bull, W. Hognose (if feeding on pinks) and/or other rat snake species. Jim Weigner, RR. I, Box 270-D, Cleveland, NY 13042. Or call (315) 675-3324.

FOR SALE: OUtstanding Northern Pine Snake hatchlings, $175/pair, nales $50-75.

Photos of 1986 yearlings available. Okattee Corn Snake hatchlings $20.00. .Female Ball Python cap. hatch '86, 2 1/2' $40.00. 1.1 Grey banded Kingsnakes (exceptional light phase Blairs) cap.hatch '83, '85 3 1/2' and 2 1/2', $300/pair. Contact Glen Levvis (612) 933-2118, or write 1009 11th Ave. So. Apt. 3, Hopkins, MN 55343 FREE ADVERTISING in the nations leading herpetological classifieds.

Now FAUNA CLASSIFIFDS subscribers have free advertising with word ads up to 75+/- words.

Each ad is run one time, or send $2 for each additional month. FAUNA is now loaded with more ads of all types of reptiles, amphibians, food items, and supplies.

Subscription rates:: $12/year (12 monthly issues). $22/2 years, and $30/3 years.

Publishing since April 1983..

Write:: FAUNA, 1035 Middlefield Ave., Stockton, Calif. 95204. For info call (209) 943-5212 Bill Gillingham.

FOR SALE::

MRS T-shirts are still only $7.00.

This has been the weather for one.

To: Allen Anderson,Coordinator,P.O.Box 166,Norwalk, Iowa 50211 Yes, I am interested in attending the Third Annual S~nar.

Registration fee - $20. Banquet cost - $15.

~ridwestern

Herpetological

Name

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Address City/st-at~e-7~z~i~p----------------------------------------------------------------

(A program and registration material will be sent as soon as all seminar acti vities have been finalized) (15)

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

BEll MUSEUM OF NA'lURAL HISTORY ]0 CHURCH STREET 50£. • M1NNEAPOUS. MINNESOTA 55455-1014

NA

T-SHIRT ORDER F'OIL-' . . . . . . .

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET S.li • MINNEAPOUS, MINNESOTA 55455·0104

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INTERESTS,________________________________

DO YOU WISH THE ABOVE INFORMATION LISTED IN THE MHS DIRECTORY TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP o NEW 0 RENEW o SUSTAINING.............................. $5p.00 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 MEMBERSIDP CARD BY RETURN MAIL. A RECEIPT WILL BE SEN ONLY UPON REQUEST.