Vol. 9 (1989), No. 4

VOLUME IX

NUMBER 4

M AL

APRIL

EWSLETTER

MAY MEETING PlACE: 335 Borlaug Hall St. Paul Campus University of Minnesota

DA'IE: Friday, May 5, 1989 TIME: 7:00 PM

PROGRAM: Timber Rattlesnakes of Southwestern Wisconsin SPElmERS: Dan Keyler and Barney Oldfield This program was rescheduled due to the blizzard which caused the cancellation of the March meeting. Dan and Barney made numerous trips, during 1988, to attempt to re-locate old timber rattlesnake sites on the bluffs along the Mississippi River. This presentation will include inforrration on habitat and population densities as well as insight on public perception of rattlesnakes.

CRITTER OF THE MON'IH: Hot Herps Those members who keep venomous species are asked to bring their animals.

ANYONE WHO PLANS TO BRING AN ANIMAL MUST ClEAR IT IN ADVANCE WITH DAN KEYlER (933-2055) or BRUCE DELIES (593-0298). itrlyone who does not comply with this will not be allowed to display their animal.

RATTlESNAKE BOUNTY BILL UPDATE The Rattlesnake Bounty Bill (HF 930/SF 970) has cleared both the Senate and House Environment Committees. The bills are now on the floor in both chambers.

They should be voted on within the next 3 to 4 weeks. There is still time to call or write your legislators and ask them to support the bill.

The bills have generated a lot of interest in the press. 'Ihere have been articles in the Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, and Winona papers. Several MRS members have spent time at the capitol attending cornmi ttee meetings and lobbying. 'Ihey include Barney Oldfield, Dan Keyler, John Moriarty, Del Jones, Jim Gerholdt, Kate Anderson and Dennis Daly.

BELL MUSET)M OF NATURAL HISTORY ,

,

10 CHURCH STREET S.E.

Ell

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55455-0104

A WORD OF THANKS I would like to thank the M.H.S. members who took time out OI their busy schedules to write articles Ior the M.H.S. Newsletter.

This not only was inIormative to other M.H.S. members, but it was also very helpful to me over the two years as M.H.S. Newsletter Editor.

Thanks to Kate Anderson, Dean Bowman, G. S. Casper, Dennis Desmond, Fran Frisch, Jim Gerholdt, Becky Helgesen, Dr. Dan Keyler, Gene Krey, Glenn Lewis, John Meltzer, John Moriarty, Ernest Plutko, Ann Porwoll, Brint Spencer, Jo Anne Wetherell-Moriarty, David Wiener and everyone else who helped to make the M.H.S. Newsletter worth reading.

A special thanks to Twin Cities Reptiles Ior giving M.H.S. a place to meet and put our newsletter together.

Thanks also to everyone who helped Iold and mail out the Iinished product.

The last two years have been a learning experience Ior me with M.H.S. I thank everyone Ior their input and their support.

THANKS GUYS

The May meeting marks the changing of the guard. Officers elected at the last meeting will assume their responsibilities. It is appropriate at this time to thank the members going off the board. Ann Porwoll served as president for two years. Delvin Jones served as treasurer for one year. Tom Schmitz served as newsletter editor for two years. John Meltzer served as member-at-Iarge for two years. Bruce Delles served as member-at-large for two years. This is the first time since the formation of MHS that Bruce will not be in an officer position. Thahk_You all for you contributions. We know that you will continue to actively support MHS. At the April meeting Ann Porwoll was presented with an engraved gavel as a remembrance of her term as MHS President.

APRIL MEETING Attendence at the meeting on April 8 was 133 people.

ELECTIONS RESULTS: The recent election was probably the most closely contested in the of MRS. The results wer.e .as follows.

Office President

**

Candidate John Moriarty Bruce Delles

Vi.c.e-president

**

Aaron Hampton John Meltzer

Secretary

**

Kate Anderson

Treasurer

**

Gloria Anton

#of Votes

52 51 57

44

Newsletter Editor **

Jo Anne Wetherell-Moriarty

Member at Large

Fred Bosman Scott Cords Bruce Haig Cliff Lindberg

** ** ** **

histo~

** Denotes Winner Write-in Candidates: Secretary: Bruce Cutler Newsletter Editor: Tom Schmitz Connie Delles Bruce Delles

Member at Large: Mark Nelson Mike Schwartz Vence Jimmerson Jeff Ronne Barney Oldfield

STUDENT CRAPIER: Constitutional amendment to form a student chapter of MElli.

Yes - 75 No - 5

NEW COMMITIEE CHAIRPERSONS:

Several people volunteered to serve as committee chairpersons. They are: Kate Anderson - State Fair Committee Brenda Bell - Refreshments JoAnn James & Bruce Haig - Displays Barney Oldfield - Conservation Chairpersons are still needed for the Photography Contest and the Picnic.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHrS: Dr. Jeff L3ng of the Dniversi ty of North Da~,,-uta, Grand Forks, presented "Making Male Muggers in Madras in May". For many years Jeff has been studying the biology and behavior of crocodilians. More recently, his area of focus has been the effect of environmental temperature on sex determination of Mugger Crocodiles in India. The effect of temperature on sex determination has been studied by a number of researchers in various species. Although three types of crocodilians occur in India (Gavial, Salt-water Crocodile, and the Mugger).

The Mugger Crocodylus palustris) was chosen as the subject of the research because it is the only one of the three to p~oduce two clutches of eggs per breeding season. Madras is the location of the Madras Crocodile Bank, a center for the propagation of crocodiles in India. About 4000 animals are at close hand for study. The key to handling the large crocs (about t ton) is the many local people available to work with the animals. One frustration of working in India is the bureaucracy of the government.

Initially, nests were dug up and moved to incubators to be studied at a range of temperatures. It was found that eggs were viable when incubated between 28 - 33 0 C. Each baby croc was weighed and marked. Sex is determined at an early age by internal examination of the sex organs. The following were the findings.

Incubation Ternperature Sex of Hatchling

< '810 B 31 -32.50 C 32. 5째C >32.50 C

100% Female Males and Females 100% Males Males and ;E1emales

Current studies are being conducted by leaving eggs temperature with a thermometer at the end of a rod. the nest in the same way. Shifting of eggs between sex of the offspring. There may be a critical time ment when sex is determined.

in nests and measuring the Eggs can be moved within temperatures can effect the during embryonic develop-

Time of nesting and location of the nest may have additional long-term effects on the hatchlings. Embryos incubated at lower temperatures develop slower than those incubated at higher temperatures. Muggers incubated at higher temperatures later select to live in higher temperature environments. These animals grow to a larger size and dominate the breeding of females.

New studies using electrophoresis or DNA fingerprinting are stuciying" .the' -gene patterns. Each animals gene pattern is unique. Since genes are inherited from the parents, it is possible to determine the parentage of an individual using the gene pattern. Relationship of animals is important to avoid inbreeding in captive breeding programs.

A side effect of this research is that a number of centers have successfully propagated crocs in India. There are more animals than the government knows what to do with. They are currently considering the ramifications of this success.

Working leather could be a profitable business and there is a strong interest in commercial use of crococile hides. Fortunately, the government is acting very slowly and studyiqg~ ,:the issue carefully.

References: Webb, Manolis, and Whitehead.

Crocodiles and Alligators.

1988. Wildlife Management: Surrey Beatty and Sons.

CRITI'ER OF THE MONTH: The annual "favorite herp" night always brings out a fine selection of animals and this year was exceptional. Animals displayed were: western hognose snake, Mexican kingsnake, corrmon boa (3), California kingsnake, southern pine snake , green tree python, snapping turtle, Guyana red-tail boa, emerald tree boa, corrmon boa/anaconda hybrid, monacle cobra (2 - one albino), Marmi wood turtle, green iguana (3), rosy ratsnake, mottled rock rattler, collared lizard.

The members who brought aniamls were: Cliff Lindberg, Kirk Leavesley, Jeff LeClere, Sue Blackburn, Kris Anton, Gloria Anton, Bruce Delles, Josie Rea, Chase Delles, Deborah Carlson, Dan Keyler, Jim Gerholdt, Barney Oldfield, Toni Jesmer, Bruce Haig, Bill Ness, Aaron Hampton, Jeff Ronne, John Meltzer, Greg Kvanbek, Zachary Strand, and Megan Strand.

RAFFLE:

The monthly raffle had a wealth of prizes. Items donated included a Belize Iguana Project T-shirt, 2 ceramic water bowlS路, several Aruba Island Rattlesnake stamps, a brass turtle tape dispenser, a gator getter, a gecko window sticker, 2 metal rodent cages, an aquarium, a turtle print, a rodent water bottle, and a wooden turtle. 'Ihe lucky winners were .Anna Voiles , Jim Adams , Naomi Miller , lisa Van Dyke, John Moriarty, John Jesmer Jr., Bill Sander, Bruce Haig, Carol Dorff, Zachary Strand, Patty Cords, Alama LeClere, 'Ihe total take was $100.25. 'Ihank you, members, for your support.

'Ihe May raffle proceeds, in part, will go to help support the Aruba Island Rattlesnake Research Program.

PROGRAM IDEAS: A request for program; -ideas was included on the election ballot. the ideas suggested were: Dr. Edward Moll - Turtles of Malaysia Dan Keyler - Snakebite Arborial Vipers Moniters Turtle Ancestry Venomous Snakes Rain Forest Destruction If you can suggest someone to give a talk on one of these topics related topic contact Aaron Hampton.

Some of

other herp

MHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT SECRErARY TREASURER

MEMBER-AT-LARGE MEMBER-AT-LARGE MEMBER-AT-LARGE MEMBER-AT-LARGE

John Moriarty Aaron Hampton Kate Anderson Gloria Anton Fred Bosman Scott Cords Bruce Haig Cliff lindberg

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

647-1334 425-7565 222-3500 420-2603 476-0306 757-9759 789-4637 572-8834

APRIL EOARD MEETING Greetings! One decision made at the April board meeting was to print a summary of the board meeting in the newsletter. So, for those of you who always wondered what goes on at these events, this is it!

Attendance: Kate Anderson, Gloria Anton, Fred Bosman, Liz Bosman, Scott Cords, Bruce Delles, Bruce Haig, Nancy Haig, Aaron Hampton, Cliff Lindberg, John Meltzer, Ruth Meltzer, John Moriarty, An.'I1 Porvloll, Tom Schmitz, and Jo Anne Wetherell-Moriarty.

The board meeting was held on Saturday, April 8, 7IM, at the home of John and Ruth Meltzer in Elk River. The first part of the meeting was presided over by outgoing president Ann Porwoll and covered old business. Attendence at the general meeting was discussed. It was thought that this months attendence of 133 might be a record. Regarding the newly formed student chapter, Tom Schmitz will continue to be our contact at the University of Minnesota. John Moriarty read a letter he had written to the Governor about the iguana situation at Moorhead State. The letter was approved and given to Kate to type and send.

Election results were discussed and it was decided that the results would be printed in the newsletter. Program suggestions were read, discussed, and are being considered. Treasurer Del Jones was absent. A total of $587.00 was brought in at the April meeting and the treasury. has a balance of approximately $2000.00. The group decided to buy yet another copy of Systematics of the Milk Snake tOTeplace the two which have disappeared from our library.

The same policy will continue for rodent sales. Name badges must be worn by members at the meetings. Guest badges will be provided for guests. We will discontinue taking bids for the archive materials at the June meeting. Those who want more information should contact Kate Anderson or John Moriarty. Bruce Delles resigned from the Adoption Committee and was replaced by Cliff Lindberg.

The second part of the meeting was presided over by new president John Moriarty.

"Gee, Gosh, Golly Guys .... ". The first item of new business was to have the secretary provide this account for the newsletter. New books (which have not yet been published) were considered for the library and tabled until the next meeting. The 1990 Midwest Symposium already has several potential speakers.

VVh.en they are confirmed, they will be announced. John Moriarty and Kate Anderson will be meeting with hotel and zoo people to begin the planning. A planning calender for the conference was distributed and approved. The State Fair exhibit was discussed and John Moriarty will contact the DNR regarding our 1989 budget so we know how much we can do. Nancy Haig brought up a concern about the local IIumane Society because of certain positions taken by the Humane Society of the United States. A letter will be sent to the local Society offering our help andrequesting their views. We adjourned at 9: 50 p.m. to sloppy joes and l~ts of good snacks.

Kate Anderson, Secretary ANIMALS FDR .A1X)PrION

A few animals are expected to be available for adoption at the May meeting.

They are one male cormnon boa and one female red-tail boa. Both are breeding size. Anyone with an interest in these animals should plan to attend the meeting.

WANTED: BREEDING SUCCESS S'IORIES members are successfully breed and getting offspring from their animals. Other members can benefit from your experience. Now is the time to jot down a few notes about your breeding program; things like whether the male and female are kept together or separately prior to breeding season, what temperature are they kept at, how are they fed, when to you put the male and female together, if eggs are laid how are they incubated, how long are eggs incubated, etc., etc. At the end of the breeding season, send this information to be printed in the newsletter. Remember, others can learn from your mistakes as well as your successes. Don't worry about your style of writing or typing. The editor will help. in these areas.

Many MRS

NEEDED: VOLUNTEER TURTIE RESEARCHERS

Carol Dorff, an MRS member and graduate student at the U of MN, is looking for volunteers to assist in her research on Blanding's turtles. Some of the duties will include help in setting traps, handle turtles, and record data.

This is an excellent chance for people to experience science up close and to help in some very important research. Anyone interested in learning more should contact Carol at (612) 379-7540.

VISIT THE GAlAPAGOS ISLANDS The Nature Conservancy is sponsoring a trip to the Galapagos Islands beginning August 4. Hike the volcanoes and lava tubes, walk amongst sea lions, bluefooted boobies, and giant tortoises. Marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, flamingos, and possibly waved albatross will be just a part of the attractions.

Return each night to the comforts of TNC's 76-foot home. The trip is hosted by a TNC representative and includes visits and lectures by local conservation experts as well as the services of a trined in-country naturalist. The cost for this adventure is $ 3098.00. For additional information call International Expeditions at 1-800-633-4734 and be sure to mention that you are calling about a Nature Conservancy International tour.

CLIP AND SAllE SNAKEBITE EMERGENCY Minnesota Poison Control System 222-2113 (outstate 1-800-222-1222) Hennepin Regional Poison Center

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(612) 347-3141

INTERNATIONAL HERPEI'OlDGICAL SYMPOSIUM This armual herp event is coming up June 20-24 in Phoenix, Arizona. The organization of the IRS has been turned over to a new group and the program looks excellent. Planned are 8 types of workshops and numerous paper presentations.

Side trips include the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, Reid Park Zoo, World Wildlife Zoo, and Boyce Thompson Arboretum. The program could not be reprinted here but copies will be available at the May meeting. This promises to be an informative and entertaining event.

WISCONSIN HERP GROUP TO MEET The semi-annual meeting of the Wisconsin Herpetological Working Group will be held on May 6 at 10:00 AM. The location is 3550 Mormon Coulee Rd.,State Office Buliding, La Crosse, Wisconsin. The goals of the WHWG are to provide the Wisconsin Bureau of Endangered Resources with recommendations on the management, conservation, and research needs of Wisconsin's herpetofauna. WHWG compiles educational materials on Wisconsin herpetology. It has ongoing projects such as compiling a Bibliography of Wisconsin Herpetology and developing a Herpetological Atlas. In conjunction with the meeting there will be a field trip to Van Loon Wildlife Area, Isle de Plume, and Black River Bottoms. Arryone who has interests that are compatible with this group are welcome to attend.

Wisconsin residency is not required. Other MRS members involved with the WHWG are Dan Keyler, John Moriarty, and :B3iney Oldfield.

WISCONSIN HERPETOLOGICAL ATLAS PROJECT:

1989 REPORTING NEEDS FOR WESTERN WISCONSIN The Wisconsin Herpetological Atlas Project (WRAP), is now in its fourth year of data collection with the goal of mapping the distribution of all reptiles and amphibians in the state in a historical perspective. Occurence records are actively sought to fill in gaps in the distributional record. A volunteer reporting system is in place. Outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to report observations made while visiting western Wisconsin. All specific localities will be kept confidential and released only for valid research and conservation needs.

Field trips to gather information are encouraged. Documentaion of species occurence should consist of collected specimens (road kills) or photographs (Kodachrome slid.es preferred). Arry road killed herps found in Wisconsin should be kept. 路(frozen) for deposit at a museum as a distributional record. Standard reporting forms should be used. To submit reports, documentaion, or to request a reporting package with statewide species occurence maps, contact: Gary S. Casper, Vertebrate Zoology Section, Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233, phone (414) 278- 2766 d~s.

Due to the length of the listing,species accounts and other information were not reprinted, however, copies of the complete information will be available at the May meeting.

Note: Gary S. Casper is an MRS member in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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CLASSIFIED ADS MRS DELI: Order frozen rats and rat pups no later than 7:00 PM the Monday before the meeting. Call Bruce at 593-0298 to place an order.

Fresh Frozen Rats - Jumbo Size - $2.00 each Fresh Frozen Rat Pups - $5.00 per dozen LIMIT: 3 dozen pups or 6 adult rats FOR SALE: 36"x18"x18" plexy cage $25.00; 0.1 corn snake 12" $25.00; 0.1 European toad, 0.1 yellow foot toad $20.00 each; 4.2 Darwin mice (look like 4" rabbits or chinchilla) $10.00 each; 1.0 gold marine toad 7" sitting $25.00. Contact David at (612) 444-9775.

FOR SALE: 1.0 rhinoceros iguana. About 12 yrs. old, slightly crooked jaw. $550.00 or negotiable. Contact Fred or Liz at (612) 476-0306 after 4 PM. FOR SAlE: Frozen adult mice ($6/doz.); Adult rats ($2. ea.); Med. sz. short hair guinea pigs ($1.50 ea.). Contact Vence or Nanette at NEW PHONE NUMBER (612) 869-8547.

FOR SALE: Captive bred snakes - pythons, red-tailed boas, tri-colors, kings, corns, gophers, and albinos. Call or write for 89 price list. Joe Pierce HC02 - Box 25012, Altura, CA 96101 (916) 233-2281.

WANTED: Peruvian red-tailed boas (B.C. ortoni). Joe Pierce (see above ad).

WANTED: '0.8 spotted turtles Clemmys Guttata , .0.4 Florida box turtles Terrapene carolina bauri, 1.2 MUhlenberg turtles Clemmys muhlenburgi to be used for captive breeding. Call (718) 837-7231 7-10 PM or write Vincent J. Congro, 2031 73rd st., Brooklyn, NY 11204.

FOR SAlE: Newsletter Collection. MRS is selling the pre-1987 newsletters from its librar,y. The sale is by bid only for the entire collection. A complete listing is available from the secretary. Bids are due by the June meeting. This sale is open to members only.

INSTRUCTIONS: Ads are run as a free service to members. Paids ads from nonmembers are not accepted. Ads for venomous species, illegal species, or sick animals will not be run. MRS does not take responsibility for legality or health of animals advertised here. Size of ads is limited to 4 typed lines or 1 standard size business card:, Deadline for all newsletter items is the 15th of the month. Send all newsletter items to: ATTN:Newsletter Editor, Minnesota Herpetological Society, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church Street,S.E., MPLS, MN 55455-0104.

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MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

EJ. Ml.lSEI.W Of NA1UM1. JmroIY JOCHUlCHsrurt'.U. ~~A~101.

66 02/90 C ,Jim t1ead 2.11 Cla rl-< st feet

Mankato, MN 56001

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION A

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RDER

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

_________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS,_____________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________ PHONE CITY~

~--STAT~E------ZW---------------------

INTERESTS~

___________________________________

DO YOU WISH THE ABOVE INFORMATION USTID IN THE MHS DIRECTORY TYPE Of MEMBERSHIP NEW RENEW o SUSTAINING.............................. 55.0.00 o CONTRIBUTING ........................... 525.00 o FAMILY ................................ " . $12.50

o

o

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 inclydes postage

PLEASE ENCWSE 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 SEN'!

ONLY UPON REQUEST.