Vol. 8 (1988), No. 9

VOLUI\1E VIII

NUMBER 9

s SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

0Cl'0BER MEF!rIID

Friday, 0Cl'0BER 7, 1988 7:00 PM ROC:J.i 335, BORIAUG HAIL St. Paul Canpus, University of Minnesota The October speaker topic will be Breeding and Husbandry of Colubrid Snakes. Aaron Hampton will present a slide illustrated talk on the breeding of colubrid snakes.

Aaron has been keeping snakes for a number of years and has been breeding Pine and Kingsnakes for the last four years. Aaron will talk on proper t.echniques used for inducing breedings, including double clutching.

He will also cover egg care, incubation, and neonate care. The techniques he will cover can be used for any North American colubrid including rat, corn, bull and hognose snakes. This is a good program for those interested in starting a breeding program, or those currently involved in breeding their snakes.

The October critter of the nonth will be NEONATES and HATCill.JINGS OF 1988. This is a chance to show off the frui ts of your breeding programs.

Any herp hatched or rom in 1988 is eligible, even if it was not bred by you.

UPCOMING MoHoS .. PROGRAMS The following is a. list of planned speakers for future M.H.S. meetings: Nov. Dec" Dec.

4 - Bill Allen; The Sea Turtles of Tortuguero 2 - Dr. Richard S. Funk DVM; Herp Medi cine 3 - HOLIDAY BANQUET wit.h Dr. Funk as guest speaker

Please mark your calendar for these meetings. Any changes to the date or speaker will be announced at the rronthly meeting or in future nevvsletters.

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

BELL MUSEUM OF 10 CHURCH STREET S.E.

\I

NAT~RAL

HISTORY

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55455-0104

SEPIR¡1BER SPEAKER OF THE

~IDi

David Wiener spoke to the 89 members that attended the September meet_ing. His talk not_ only covered basic husbandry and care of various frogs and toads, but also gave merritRrs useful infol1nation on cages and their repair.

David has submitted some articles for future newsletters on some cage repair ideas he has used successfully.

The slide presentat.ion of sane of his frogs and toads was colorful and well done.

A few slides even showed the members at t.he meeting how to tell the difference between a rrale and female frog - boxers vs. bikinis. David explained that he only uses well water or di st.illed water on his amphibians. He also said that. sometimes he has better luck feeding flies vs crickets.

Vvhen working with r..oison frogs, disposable rubber gloves are handy. David ended his presentation with a question and answer session.

FJ'hanks David for your infonnation on anphibians. were the herps you brought. for us to view.

The slides were colorful

and

so

NarES FROM THE DISPIJ\.Y ro.1MITrEE

September 10 & 11 wrapped up another year of Hands-on at. Carro Zoo. Special thanks to everyone who participated - THE LIS'll IS '1'00 LONG 'TO MENTION. Also, a very special thanks to Como Zoo and the docents for their continued involvement and support of this program. \'V'e Ire looking forward to an exciting 1989. Our displays at Como help promote the Zco, make M.B.S. known, educate the public, and help raise noney. GEl' INVOLVED! The month of Septeniber also marked t.he end of the Minn. State Fair. As usual, our exhibi t there was very popular. Thanks to those who helped by donat.ing animal s I answering questions, and cleaning cages. Special thonks to Scott. Cords for helping to renovate the display.

Rerr.erriber, before we Ire invited back next year, our display will be reviewed by the D. N • R. If we Ire back next year, there are plans for mejor recunstruction.

M.H. S. OFFICERS Ann Porwell

John Moriarty Kate Anderson Del Jones Torn Schrnitz Bruce Delles Bruce Haig Aaron Hanpton John Meltzer

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

489-7853 647-1334 222-3500 938-8555 488-7619 374-5422 789-4637 425-7565 780-8561

AN M.B.S. THANK YOU

M.R.S. wishes to thank Pat. Brooks for redesigning and typesetting our new poster (see copy).

Sally Brewer finished it up and had it printed in time to shaw t,he members at the September meeting.

The poster is light green with a dark gre.en lettering. The poste.r will be available at t.he October meeting for members to pick up. \'ve would like t,o see t.hem posted in schools, libraries, vet clinics, pet shops and any place else you thlnk t.hey would be appropriate. Help let the public knaw WE' exist!

Pick up a poster at the next meeting.

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY FOR PEOPLE

WHO CARE

t.UNNESOTA IIEllI'ETOlOGICAl SOCIETY BELL J.tUSEUH Of t(ATURAL IIISTOMV JOCIIUHCItST"fET5.E. HIWNEAt'OLlS, HI/iNL!:oOTA nus

REFRESHMENrS

The refreshments for the September meeting were supplied by Nancy and Bruce Haig.

By the time this reporter got to the front of the room, all the refreshments were gone.

They must have been good because I di.dn I t even see crumbs. I guess I III be quicker next nonth. Thanks Bruce and Nancy!

HELP A HAPLESS HERP

The Adoption Conmittee was able to find a good home for one male Western Hognose Snake at t.he Septerriber meeting.

At this wri tting, there is no word as t.O what animals are in need of homes for the Octol'er meeting.

The members at the September meeting purchased $79825 worth of raffle tickets this nonth! !

THANKS to everyone who participated.

The following is a list of the winning ticket holders: Scott. Cords; Dennis Daly; Connie Delles; Jim Ellis i Susan King; Moriarty IS; Dan Papermaster;:Mary Ann Waldorf. Thanks also to the merribers who bring the raffle items each month.

1988 M. H. S. HERP PHaro CONTEST

There is only one rronth left to t.ake those herp photos for the 1988 M.R.S. Herp Photo Contest. ~.aybe some nice autumn shots. Maybe you can set up a phot_o session wi th a friend at. the October rronthly meeting.

This year's judges are being selected by John Moriarty (Photo Contest Chairperson). Prizes for First place in each category and "People s Choice" will be awarded. P-ibbons will be awarded in all categories.

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CON'I'ESI' RULES:

1. Prints and slides may be entered by M.R.S. merrbers.

M.H.S. Photo Contests are ineligible.

Entries

from

previous

2. A contestant rray enter up t.o 5 slides or prints.

3. All entries November meeting.

must

be

postmarked

by

November 4, 1988 or turned in at the

4. Entries will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Entries may also be picked up at the Decenrer meeting.

5. Slides need to be in a standard 2" x 2" mount. No glass rrounted slides.

Print.s Iffiy be 4" x 6", 5" x 7", or 8" x 10". They should be rrounted on cardboard or matJ:oard that is at least. 8" x 10", but no larger than II" x 14". Framed prints are discouraged.

6. The ent.rants 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

CATEGORIES: 1. Black and whi t.e prints.

2. Color Print.s: a. Herps in nat.ural setting b. Herps with people 3. Color Slides: a. Herps in natural setting b. Herps with people "People's Choice Award" All entries are eligible for the "PCA".

ID?nibership at. the December meeting.

4

This category is voted on by the

M.H. S. 3RD ANNUAL HOLIDAY BANCUEI' SA'RJRDAY - DEXÂť1BER 3, 1988 (day after our regular meeting) TIME: 6:30 PM TO 10:30 PM

TIa<E.T COS!' IS $4.00 PER PERS:N

This year, instead of a catered dinner, M.H.S. is planning a pot-luck Holiday Party, hoping rrore menibers can attend.

The party will be held at CoIro Park I s new cat display building (a map for parking, which is ad jacent to the building, will be included in next rronth I s newsletter) . Tickets are $4 per person - little ones who sit on a parenfs lap can attend free.

Our speaker this year will be Richard Funk the Universi ty of Tennessee.

D.V.M.,

from

M.H.S. will be supplying coffee, wine, beer, and soft drinks, along with all tableware. r.-1erribers are asked to bring a food item and a serving utensil if the food item needs one.

Space is limited to approxirrately 80 people, so try and send your reservation in early as we must rent tables and chairs for this event.

1988 M.H. S. HOLIDAY BANCUEI' NAME:

ADDRESS: PHCJ!m-NUMBER:

NUMBER ArrTE1:iJDING _ _ _ AT $4.00 EACH / 'ImAL ENCLOSED $_ _ __

I WILL BE BRINGING:

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APPETIZER DESSERT

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO "Minnesota Herpetological Society", and rrail to: Minnesota Herpetological Society Bell Museum of Natural History 10 Church Street S.E. Minneapolis, MN" 55455-0104.

f

,

Speakers to include: H. Bernard Bechtel, M.D., of Valdosta GA, pioneer in the breeding of albino and aberrant-patterned snakes.

Dale Bertram, M.D., of Madison WI, founder of the International Society for the Study of Dendrobatid Frogs.

Richard S. Funk, D.V.M., of the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee.

Ray Pawley, Curator of Reptiles at the Brookfield Zoo. Registration: The registration fee is $20. This includes admission to a Friday evening ice-breaker and to the Saturday conference. Please use the attached form and mail in your registration as soon as possible. Although we are not charging extra for late registration, we need to know how many are coming and we need the money to cover deposits.

Banquet and Auction: A banquet will be held on Saturday evening, followed by an auction of herp-related items (inanimate items only). If you wish to attend the banquet, the fee is $15, which we must receive no later than October 10.

Last year's auction in Des Moines was both extremely successful and a lot of fun for all who attended.

You can contribute to a similar success this year by donating items to be auctioned.

Location: Chicago Midway Airport Inn, 5400 S. Cicero Avenue, Chicago IL 60638. This motel is adjacent to Midway Airport and convenient to Interstate 55 (exit at Cicero Avenue and proceed south to 54th Street). The motel provides free courtesy car service to and from Midway. Ample free parking is available. Room rates are an incredibly reasonable (for Chicago, at least) $39 for occupancy from 1 to 4 persons. Please make your reservations now for the nights of October 21 and 22. Call the motel toll-free at (800) 621-0127, or from within Illinois at (800) 238-0638. The direct number is (312) 581-0500. You must specify that you are attending the Midwestern Herpetological Conference in order to receive the special $39 room rate.

Times: Registration will begin at 5:00 P.M. on Friday evenin~ and will continue throughout the ice-breaker, which will begin at 6:00 P.M. Registration will also be posslble starting at 8:00 A.M. Saturday. The conference proper will run from 9:00 A.M. through 5:00 P.M. Saturday. You will be on your own for lunch Saturday. iii III

III III

Herp societies are encouraged to bring membership info, newsletters etc. for display.

Table space will be provided to purveyors of herp-related items such as books, shirts and cages. All we ask is that you 1) make a donation to the auction; and 2) reserve space with us in advance.

The state of Illinois prohibits the possession of venomous reptiles. Enough said.

If you have any questions, J?lease call Joan Moore at (312) 528-4631 or Mike Dloogatch at (312) 782-2026, days; (312) 588-0728, evemngs.

REGISTRATION FORM Registration fee: _

@ $20 each _ _ __

Banquet fee: Total enclosed:

@ $15 each

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Name(s): Affiliation: Address: State: Zip: City: ---------------Telephone: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _

----------------------------------------------

Make checks or money orders payable to "CHS" and mail together with completed form to: Chicago Herpetological Society, 2001 North Clark Street, Chicago IL 60614.

5

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lJIJ 5th Street SE

MinrH:ap\)Ii~. ~1l11ne~t)ta 55414-1524 " (61~) 37l}-2134

rYlINNESOTA CHAPTER

August 29, 1988

The Minnesota Herpetological Society 10 Church st.

Minneapolis, MN 55455 Dear Sir: Many thanks for your donation of journals to the Data Repatriation Project of The Nature Conservancy.

We appreciate your contribution of:

JQ~~~~!_Q!_B~~~~iQ!Qgy,

Vol.

20, Nos. 1-4.

Last week we sent our first load of journals to the Peru Conservation Data Center by way of the Peruvian Embassy in Washington D.C. The journals will be terrific Jor those Latin American Programs.

Sincerely yours,

Veo <\)"(\~ Margaret A. Kohring Executive Director MAK:jl CC:

J. Muehlberg

National Office / 1800 North Kent Street / Arlington. Virginia 12209

1

1.~;1:t)AL

T

r.'1. H. S. ILLUSl'RA'I'ION mN'I'FSr

M.H.S. is conducting an illust.ration contest again thi8 year. Prints madp from the winnjng entry will be used as a "thank-you" to M.R.S. Sustaining and Contributing members for the 1988 - 89 rne.mbership year. A prize of $100.00 will be awarded to the winner.

THE CUNTEST 路RULES ARE AS FOLLCW'S:

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, & Five Line Skink - (our previous winning prints).

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

5. Limit. 3 drawings per person.

6. All entries must be postmarked by November 4, 1988, or be t.urned in at the November M.R.S. meeting.

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

8. Mail all entries to: MRS Illustration Contest C/O Sally Brewer 1990 Iglehart St. Paul, MN 55104 9. All entries must have contestant's name/address/phone number 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 nonthly meeting.

DO ~ar MAIL GLASS. The entries do not need to be framed.

10. Winner will be announced at the Decenber meeting.

II. Contest is open to M.R.S. members only - locally or out of state, including past winners.

All entries will be judged on detail, accuracy, coIr![X>sition, and clarity. It must be a good, clean drawing that can be easily reproduced. 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.R.S. We will take all possible precautions to ensure the safety of all entries, but M.R.S. will assume no responsibility for lost or darraged drawings.

Are YOU working on your entry for the MUS Illustration Contest?

85-86

86-87 87-88 7

CRI'ITER OF THE MONTH FRCGS & 1'OADS were "critter of the rronth" for Septewrer. Besides the herps David Wiener brought_ for his talk, t.he follONing list of members and herps were also up for attending mewbers enjoyment: Connie & Bruce Delles Greg Kvanbek John Meltzer

Bill Ness Ann Parwoll

The following is a list of herps shawn: Marine Toad Bufa marinus ~ Cope IS Gray Treefrog Hyla chrysoscelis i Gray Treefrog Hyla versicolor; White IS Treefrog Litoria caerulea i Mexican Giant Treefrog Pachymedusa dacnicolor i Cranwell Is Horned Frog Cerat.ophrys cranwelli i Afri can Bullfrog Pyxicephalus adspersus.

Thanks t.o everyone who brought a

herp this rronth.

WHITE SNAKE SALE SHOPPING There Is still four rronths to collect your \'lli.i te Snake Sale i t.ems before the February meeting is upon us. This is just a reminder t_o watch those fall garage sale items you might be spotting that might bring in some extra money for M.tr.s.

Keep your eyes open for those cracked aquariums, hide boxes I drift wood 8 herp jewelry I pet vi taroin sales I etc. Look over your own discardable herp i teres.. The nore items you Ire able to collect. and bring in February, the nore fun we will have at the sale.

WISCONSIN HERPErOLCX3ICAL WORKING GROUP The Wisconsin Herpetological Working Group, established in 1986, is an association of Wisconsin herpetologistB I biologi st.s, and naturalistB that advises the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on conservation issues, research and rranagement priorities, and proposed regulations. It also seeks t.o educate the general public about current research activity within' the state of Wisconsin. Meetings have been held semi-annually. The current chairperson is David Ross, Wisconsiri River Power Conpany, P.O. Box'50, Hisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin 54494.

The above article was su1:mitt.ed to M.R.S. by Phil Cochran, Assistant Professor of Biology at St. Norbert College, Conmunications Connlittee rneJrber of Wisconsin Herpetological Working Group.

Anyone interested in nore information on this working group should write to David Rnss at the address given in the article.

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CLASSIFIEDS

EDlTOR·S NO.rE::: PLEASE SEND AlL NEWS:LEI"I'ER ARTICLES AND ClASSIF'IED ADS TO: Tan Schmitz, 85fZJ W.. Mirmehaha, St.. Paul, MN .. 55104, Attn: ms Editor.. 00 Nor send! articles or ads to the ~ address. The deadline for all Newslet.ter items is the 15th of the nontll!

All Classified ads are run in the MHS Nevvsletter as a free service to the me.nibership. No paid ads are accepted from non-menibers. No ads will be run for venOIIDUS species. lAlhile MHS will not run ads for known sick or i11e<JClll animals I we accept no responsibility for the heal th or legali ty of any ammal advertised here.

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

KIS DELI

Remerrber: order frozen rats and rat pups no later than 7:00pm the MONDAY before the rreeting. Call Bruce or Connie at 593-0298 to place your order.

FRESH FROZEN RATS - JUMBO SIZE - $2.00 EACE FRESH FROZEN RAT PUPS - $5.00 PER DOZEN 3 OOZEN PUPS or 6 AUJLT RA'J.1S LIMI'I'!

FOR SALE: Large selection of rept.iles & arrphibians. Call or write to get a conplimentary price list - R. J. Reptiles, 3221 93rd Drive NE, Blaine, MNf 554-34.

(612) 780-8561 FOR SALE: Used wooden nouse cages - 6" X 6" X 20 11 with food hopper screen tops $5/ea. 12" X 6" X 20" mouse cages $8/ea with same tops. Contact Bruce at (612) 593-0298.

AVAILABLE: Several rehabili tated animals at cost to good homes: Intergrade Python; Box, Snapping, Mud and African Side-necked Turtles; Sliders - inquire.

Contact_ Gary Casper, The Cullen Vivarium, P.O. Box 878, Milwaukee, WI 53201,. (414) 672-4632.

FOR SALE: Frozen adult mice ($5/dz), adult rats ($2/ea), & med. size shcrt bair quinea pigs ($1.50/ea). Call Vence or Nanette at (612) 825-8035 evenings.

FOR SALE: Tribolium (flour beetles or llmini mealwonns ") about 3-4mn. long, $2.25 per colony. Drosophila melanogaster (winged fruit flies) about 2mn. long. and ~Dr_o_s_o... phi--:-·_la __v_l_'r_l_'1_1_'s_~ about 3mn. long fruit fly $2.50 per colony of either Drosophila. Call Bruce Cutler (612) 633-1428.

FOR SALE: C.B. So. Pinesnakes $40-$65. Growing Fast!! Send for list of msc.. reptiles & cages available. Aaron Barrpton, 1135 So. Fork Drive, River Fa11s .. WI 54022. (715) 425-7565.

FOR SALE: .Arrazon Tree Boa, 3ft. orange yellow intergrade Rat Snake, 2ft. $30.

4796 days.

&

black, & nice cage - $60.

Nice grey & Contact Larry Yank 436-6774 nights or 439-

FOR SALE: 1.0 Chinese Green Treefrog $25. Chinese Dvvarf Hamsters, naturally and Darwin Leaf F~red mice - call for prices. Contact Dave (612) 444-9775.

time

FOR

SALE: C.H. 9/10/88 Bull Snakes, $10 ea. Will deliver to Oct. meeting..

Bjerke (701) 241-9742, or write to P.O.Box 5818, Fargo, N.D. 58105.

CaII

WAID'ED: Buy or breeding loan agreenent - male Connon Boa Constrictor; 5ft_ to So. American type. Call Jim Adams at (612) 796-2816.

7:f1l:.

~0rty

vilAN'I1ED: 1. 0 adult ArrBral ' s Boa J3c)a constrict.or anBrali, 0.1 Mexican Kingsn€l]{e Larrpropeltis nexicana IOC'xicana, 0.1 AnPlanistic Corn Snake E. guttata guttata, l*~ Arrelal)i.st.ic Black Ratsnake E. obsoleta obso] et a . Call Mark-Hendling ( 319) 895-8605 or wrlte J187 Abbe fhl1s Ra.-;---m. Vernon, 11\ 52314.

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MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

IIW.L M'I.lSEl.IN CN HA'fUJW. HlS'lVdlY

JooruacHmaTs.E.•

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.J i rn ,·,·1.? .:'.d 211 Cl'::l.r·~:, ~=;tr'ee t Mankato, MN 560ci1

TMINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY BEll MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET S.E. • MINNEAPOUS, MINNESOTA 55455·0104 NAMrn(~

_________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS~

___________________________________________________________________________

CITY______________________________________ PHONF

~

______

STAT~E

INTERESTS~

_______ ZIP______________________

______

~

DO YOU WISH THE ABOVE INFORMATION USTID IN THE MHS DIRECTORY TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP NEW RENEW SUSTAINING.............................. 55.0.00 CONTRIBUTING ........................... 525.00 o FAMILy ................................... $12.50 Admits all members of a family to monthly meetings INDMDUAl .............................. $10.00

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71186

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____________________________ DYES

DNO

OFFICIAL MRS T-SHIRT SO MO LO XLO S,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 WllL RECEIVE I YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD BY RETURN MAIL A RECEIPT WllL BE SENT ONLY UPON REQUEST.