Vol. 16 (1996), No. 10

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER October 1996

VOL. 16 NO. 10

Green Iguana Iguana iguana Illustration from "Iguana Iguana: Guide for Successful Captive Care"

by Dr. Fredric Frye 1995 Courtesy KrIeger PublicatIons

For more on Green Iguanas see the article by J.P. Levell on page 6 and Gloria Anton's "President's Corner" on page 3

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY Newsletter Volume 16 Number 10 October 1996

Contents News, Notes & Announcements.................................................................................

General Meeting Review by Michelle Stephan.................... ............................ ...........

Ecoviews: Africa Really Does Have Some Dangerous Snakes by Whit Gibbons......

The Most Popular Reptile in America by John P. Level!............................................

Book Review: Geog. Dist. of the Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin Reviewed by Randy Blasus.................................................................

Field Notes:Non-native Species by Randy Blasus......................................................

Special Announcement..... ....... .......... ........... ............. ... ........ ....... ................. ... ...... .......

MHS Business...... ........... ....... ...... .................... ........... .... ... .... ........... ...... ....... ...... ... ....

Calendar of Events................ ..... ............... ...... ................ ........ ................ ........ ............

Classified Advertisements. ........ ............. ......... ........... .... ....... ...... ........... ........... .........

The Minnesota Herpetological Society is a nonprofit

organization associated with the: Jarres Ford Bell

Museum of Natural History University of Minnesota

1 4 5 6 9 10 10 11 11 12

MHS VOICE MAIL:(612) 624-7065 E-mail: nmherpsoc@aoJ.com

President: Gloria Anton (612) 420-6158

Vice President: Michael Gaunt (612) 754-8241

MHS Statement of Purpose: to furtiler the education of tile

~ernbershipSecretary:

membership and the general public in care and captive propagation of reptiles and amphibians; to educate the membership and the general

George Richard (612) 623-7620

public in the ecological role of reptiles and amphibians; and to

MHS SPECIAL CO~~ITTEES

promote the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

Education Chair:

MHS Board of Directors President Vice President Membership Secretary Recording Secretary Treasurer Editor Immediate Past President Member at Large Member at Large Member at Large Member at Large

Gloria Anton Michael Gaunt George Richard Michelle Stephan Marilyn Blasus John Levell Bill Moss Donna Gaunt Nancy Haig Mark Schmidtke Barbara Radanke

SNAKEBITE EMERGENCY Hennepin Co. Regional Poison Center

(612) 347-3141 Minnesota Poison Control System Local: (612) 221-2113 Out of State: (800) 222-1222

Sean Hewitt (612) 935-5845 Adoption Chair: Glen Jacobsen (612) 757-8268

Editor: John P. Levell (612) 374-5422 Minnesota Herpetological Society Newsletter is published monthly by the Minnesota Herpetological Society. Manuscripts and advertisements may be submitted in any fannat.

3 112 inch IBM or Macintosh compatible disks preferred.

The publication deadline far ads is always the weekend of the MHS general meeting. Submissions ShOllld be sent to: MHS

Editor, cio The Dell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455路0104. 漏 Copyright Minnesota Herpetological Society 1996. Contents may be reproduced provided that all material is reproduced without change and proper credit is given authors and the MHS Newsletter citing; volume, number, and date.

MRS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 10

News, Notes & Announcements Upcoming Meeting Highlights

Young Visitors to the Rescue

The Vice路 President's Report

Crossing Hennepin and Lyndale Avs. at the Guthrie TheateriWalker Art Center intersection is no easy maneuver for any of us. For a Painted Turtle it would seem to be a sure death sentence. Fortunately for one such turtle last weekend, Chris and Denise, a young couple from Rochester, Minn., celebrating their first anniversary with a visit to the Twin Cities, took matters - and the threatened turtle - into their own hands.

As Denise held the turtle in her lap on the steps outside the Guthrie, Chris and I thumped through "Pets" in the Yellow Pages at the Guthrie Gift Shop, where I was working.

Within minutes, Chris, Denise and the turtle were whisked away in a taxi to the Humane Society. An hour and several dollars in cab fare later, they reported back to me. The society would try to find the turtle's owner ("Katie 95" was etched in its shell) or a good home.

I wonder what else Chris and Denise did for their special weekend.

By Michael D. Gaunt November Program: Turtles, Tanks and Telemetry Guest Speaker: Todd Sajwaj Thanks are in order to Dav Kaufman for a wonderful presentation at the last meeting. I know it took a while Dav, but it was definitely worth it! Hope to see more slides in the future from other road trips around the United States.

Coming back a little closer to the Twin Cities for the next meeting, we welCome Todd Sajwaj (pronouncedsay(way) for a presentation on Blanding's Turtles, Emydoidea blandingi at Camp Ripley Military Reservation. Todd is currently working on his Master's degree in Biology at the University of North Dakota. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Minnesota in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior.

As many of you will recall, M.H.S. has been loosely involved with Blanding's Turtle surveys at Camp Ripley (located about 100 miles Northwest of Minneapolis). When it was discovered that these turtles were nesting in and around the reservation, an effort was put forth to protect their nesting sites from the tanks and armored transports used by the military in training exercises.

For a more detailed study, the Minnesota D.N.R. contracted with the University of North Dakota to look at abundance and distribution of Blanding's turtles and develop a management plan for the site. Todd's field studies have mostly involved attaching telemetry tracking units to the Blanding's turtles. This data will then be put into a Geographic Imaging System (G.I.S.) Database. This database will allow them to develop a management plan for the turtles based on their spatial distribution around Fort Ripley. What does this mean when all is said and done? It means we should have a lot fewer Blanding's that get turncd into "turtle chips" by tanks.

Thanks to those \vho brought critters to last months meeting. Just because it's starting to get chilly outside doesn't mean you can start slacking off though ... that's why styrofoam was invented. Mental note for myself - no more handling of Amazon Tree Boas in front of a group of people. Those of you down front noticed just how close the little bugger crune to burying several very long teeth in my knuckle.

MDG

Editor's Note: The preceding article, written by Rosemary Dineen, originally appeared in the weekly Diary column of the Metro/State section of the Mpls Star Tribune for Sunday October 6, 1996. As chance would have it "Katie 95" just happened to be one of three aquatic turtles presented for adoption at the Oct. 4, 1996 MHS meeting and she (yes, "Katie 95" actually is a female) managed to find a home (along with the other two) with none other than the turtle 10Ying editor of this newsletter. Hopefully, Katie's new found celebrity won't go to her head. JPL

October's "Critter of the Month" Michael Gaunt

Amazon Tree Boa

Jeff LeClere

Blue Spiny Lizard

Jake Jacobsen

Burmese Mountain Tortoise

Coraillts h0l1u/atltS Sce/apoYlls serrifer cyanogenys ManDuria emys phayeri John Levell

"Katie 95"

Chrysemys pieta Red-ear Slider

Tracizemys scripta eiegans Sue Schaubschlager

Leopard Gecko

Eub/epizaris maeularis

Adoption Animals The following animals remain unadopted and are in need of good homes: Green Iguanas and Burmese Pythons. If you are willing and able to provide homes for any these animals please call (612) 757-8286.

Thanks Glen "Jake" Jacobsen - Adoption Chairperson.

Location: Borlaug Hall, U of M St, Paul Campus Date and Time: 1 November 1996 - 7:00 p.m.

(See map on the insidc back cover)

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MHS Newsletter Volume

16 Number 10

Nile and Saltwater Crocs Rules Changed

A Few Good Men

Rebounding from the effects of habitat loss and past commercial exploitation, Australia's population of Saltwater Crocodiles (Cracodylus porasus) is being reclassified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) from "endangered" to "threatened," a less restrictive designation under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). Successful protective management strategies by the Australian government, coupled with CITES monitoring, are in large part responsible for the crocodile's recovery over the last two decades. A special rule issued by FWS will also allow the importation into the United States of skins from certain populations of Saltwater and Nile Crocodiles (Crocodylus ni/olicus) currently listed as threatened under the ESA, providing certain requirements are met.

The reclassification and the adoption of the special rule allowing commercial trade under certain conditions ensures that trade will still be monitored in these species. The affected Saltwater and Nile Crocodile populations remain listed on Appendix II of CITES, which requires issuance of export permits by the country of origin. Also, U.S. trade in Nile and Saltwater Crocodilian skins will be prohibited from any country that does not comply with the crocodilian skin-tagging and tracking requirements adopted at the Ninth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES in November, 1994.

Actually; it could be men or women, either way. We need people! In March we hold the elections for the MHS Board of Directors. You know: President, Vice-president, or even my job - Recording Secretary. I know it's still a few months away, and it may seem early, but we need to get more people involved with MHS stuff rigbt now. If you bave some spare time and you enjoy the society, give a little time back to it. Run for a board position next year, you do not have to have had reptiles for 100 years to be qualified. All you need is an open Saturday evening every month, Or if you can't do tbat join a committee; the Adoption Committee, Education Committee, our new Publicity Committee, the Midwest Symposium Committee, plus many more,just ask! Help is needed and appreciated everywbere. Thanks, Michelle Hewitt - Recording Secretary.

Editor's Note: The preceding article, author unknown, originally appeared in the June 24, 1996 edition of the Federal Register. JPL

Rare Madagascar Reptiles Seized

October Refreshments For bringing refreshments to the October meeting the MHS says Thank You to Julie Beauvais for the Banana!

Strawberry Bread (yum) and toDonna & Micbael Gaunt for the Brownies, Rice Krispie Treats and Sugar Cookies (yum, yum).

On August 22, 1996, a federal grand jury in Orlando, Florida, cbarged six people with a multi-year conspiracy to smuggle into the United States and Canada hundreds of rare snakes and tortoises from Madagascar including 51 Radiated Tortoises (Geoehelone radiata), CITES Appendix I and classified as endangered under tbeESA; 94 Madagascan Tree Boas (Sanzinia madagascarellsis), CITES Appendix I; and 25 Spi. der Tortoises (Pyxis arac1moides), CITES Appendix II. The indictments stem in part from the seizure of 61 Madagasc<ln Tree Boas and 4 Spider Tortoises on August 13, 1996, at Orlando International Airport, and result directly from a threeyear U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigation.

According to Don Boyer, associate reptile curator at the San Diego Zoo, the value of tbe Tree Boas is estimated at $700 to $1,200 eacb, and U,e Spider Tortoises, which are six inches long and extremely rare in the reptile trade, could potentially sell for thousands of dollars each.

Those charged with conspiracy, smuggling and related violations are Frank H. Lehmeyer, Wolfgang Michael Kloe, OlafStrobmann, and Roland Werner of Germany ,Enrico Joseph Truant of Canada, and Simon David Harris of South Africa. According to a source with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the investigation is continuing and more indictments are expected.

October's Raffle Donors James Rea Vern & Lauri Grassel R&A Magazine Fred & Liz Bosman John Levell Twin Cities Reptiles

Postage Stamps Framed Original Drawing Free Subscription Reptiles Magazines R&A Mag, Books Snakebags, Posters, Sulfa Bath, Cage Liners, Spooky World Tickets

A portion of the proceeds from MHS raffle sales are allocated to the MHS Conservation Fund. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who donated items and/or purchased raffle tickets.

U.S. Lifts Ban on Greek Tortoises U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Notice oflnfonnation No. 26 (NO! 26) published by the July 10, 1996 edition of the Federal Register removes the prohibition on the importation of Greek Tortoises (Tesrudo graeea) from Turkey identified in NOI 25, published in the Federal Register on January 23, 1996. JPL

Editor's Note: The preceding article, author unknown, has been reprinted from the August 1996 edition of Traffic USA. JPL.

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MHS Newslmer Volume 16 Number 10

The President's Corner

Official Notification Proposed Changes to the BylJlwS and Membership Cafegories ofthe Minnesota Herpetological Society Ratification Vote.

**PETSMART LETTER - As many of you know. PetSmart is a national discount pet store chain that primarily sells supplies. They also sell a few animals, Iguanas being one of them. Several of our members have visited the stores that have opened in our area over the past few months and have found that: (1) Iguanas are not set up correctly in the store; (2) some of the sales people are providing incorrect information about set-up, end size ("they'U stay small if you keep them in a small cage"), temperament ("they make great pets"), etc., and (3) they offer Iguanas at "impulse buy" prices. PetSmart has a corporate policy of not selling dogs and cats because so many of these animals are homeless, so they instead work with local shelters to help adopt out their animals (cheers). Several of us have spoken to managers at PetSmart regarding their sale of Iguanas and their comment has been that they have to follow "corporate" orders. So a letter has been written to the Ramsey County Humane society asking that they reconsider their affiliation with PetSmart if they won't consider taking the that same "no sale" attitude with Iguanas. A copy of this letter is enclosed elsewhere in this newsletter and I hope you will read i~ sign your name and send it to the Ramsey County Humane Society. Maybe pressure from them will help get PetSmart to stop selling Iguanas. **KUDOS TOPETFOODWAREHOUSE-Called toletme know they appreciate the positive feedback from some of our members with regard to information they are providing about Iguanas, but they are NO LONGER GOING TO SELL IGUANAS as they feel the animals are being purchased as "impulse" buys - and Pet Food Warehouse wants to change their image to that of a responsible pet store chain. The person in charge of training employees is a herper - can you tell? **RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL - IS OVER!! We had a spectacular turnout again this year by MHS volunteers. Thanks to all of you who participated. Festival had record numbers of attendees this year so we made contact with "thousands." **MEMBERSHIP - Please check your membership status.

If you have "expired," you cannot (I) purchase rodents, books or other MHS merchandise,: (2) check out library books; (3) adopt animals; participate in Hands-on events; (4) attend meetings, etc. **PHOTO CONTEST - The Annual MHS Photo Contest is closer than you think - so dig up those dusty slides and have them made into prints. More on the photo contest will be forthcoming. **HOLIDA Y PARTY - The Holiday Banquet is also coming quickly. Contact Marilyn Blasus if you want to help. **REFRESHMENTS NEEDED - Refreshments are provided at meetings by MEMBERS. if we don't have any, it's because no one has signed up, Contact Nannette Jimerson at (612) 869-8547 if you want to bring something. Gloria Anton.

Where: Room 335, Borlaug Hall, U ofM SI. Paul Campus.

When: Decmember 6, 1996 - 7:00 PM. Who: All Active MHS Members in Attendance.

It is the position of the MHS Board of Directors that membership categories for the Society need to be revised and that new Commercial Membership levels and annual dues be established. These proposed revisions and additions will help clarify the types of memberships available and establish the number of annual complimentary advertisements available to commercial members, but will not change the status or current annual dues for the Basic, Contributing or Sustaining membership classifications. Commercial Memberships will be included in a revised definition of "Corresponding Members" which will require a slight modification to Article II, Section 2.02 ofthe MHS Constitution. In the proposed amendment to theMHS Constitution listed below deletions are designated by strike through type, and additions are designated by bold underline. The final decision regarding the proposed revision to the MHS Constitution and the establishment of New Commercial Memberships and Dues resides with the membership oftheMHS present at the December 1996 general meeting and all active members are encouraged to attend and participate.

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP Section 2.02 Active and Corresponding Members Current Constitution: Active and corresponding members shall be individuals who subscribe to the objectives and policies of this organization.

Proposed Amendment: Active and e"",espollding members shall be individuals who subscribe to the objectives and adhere to the policies of this organization. Corresponding members shall be corporations or organizations tbat subscribe to the objectives and adhere to tbe policies of this organization.

Revised Constitution: Active members shall be individuals who subscribe to the objectives and adhere to the policies of this organization. Corresponding members shall be corporations or organizations tbat subscribe to the objectives and adhere to the policies of this organization.

New Corresponding Membersbip Categories Annual Dues Membership Type Non-Commercial $0.00 (Exchange, Museums, etc.)

Basic Commercial $25.00 (Standard Business Card Ad) Bronze COnunercial $50.00 (Business Card + two 114 page ads or equivalent) Silver Commercial $75.00 (Business Card + two 1/2 page ads or equivalent) $100.00 Gold Commercial (Business Card + two Full page ads or equivalent)

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MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 10

General Meeting Review

By Michelle Stephan, Recording Secretary This month's speaker was Dav Kaufman, a member of the MHS for many years, His talk covered his own experiences while "Herping" in the deserts of the southwestern United States.

For a few of you, who may be new to the reptile world andlor the society, you may not know what "Herping" entails. Herping is generalJy going out into some area, maybe even your own back yard, and basically looking for reptiles and amphibians. It means turning over rocks to see what is underneath, and then maybe grabbing a snake as it dashes away from you to set up for a photograph. For me, it means ahnost getting bit by an unruly little rat snake that I was told "Not to let go!" If you have never done it, you must try it at least once. !tis a great chance to be out in thecountry or a day.

One note: it may be a little cold here in Minnesota to do it October.

Also, a few of you may remember that this talk had been scheduled for earlier this year and that it had to be canceled. Well, Dav did have a fairly good excuse for the cancellation. His earlier trip this year landedDav in a hospital with a bruised ego and a cast on his arm. How did this happen? !t seems that he had been chasing a Chuckwalla up a large cliff, and when the annnal finally stopped, Dav reached up to grab it and loosened a large boulder which rolled down the incline and over his hand. Maybe someone should have told Dav that his chances of grabbing the ChuckwalJa, even if the boulder wasn't there, were very slim. When those little guys get heated up they are extremely fast! You also might want to ask him about the boat he was supposed to retrieve for a friend in California, or the condition in which he returned his friend's car.

Dav's next trip to the southwest proved to be a little less dangerous, but just as strenuous. In spite of a few fiascoes, he visited four states on this trip: Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. The first location he visited on his hunt was in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. In that beautiful desert he photographed or tried to photograph: the Greater Earless Lizard, Cophosaurus texan us; Lesser Earless Lizard, Holbrookia maculata; Crevice Spiny Lizard, Seeloporus poinsetti; Great Basin Chuckwalla, Sauroma/us obesus; Tucson Banded Gecko, Coleonyx rariegatus bogeni; the extremely common Side-blotched Lizard, Uta stansburiana; Sonoran Lyre Snake, Trimol]JllOdon biscUlatus lambda; and the California Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula californiae.

In the Sonoran Desert, he also photographed the Regal Horned Lizard, Phl)'nosoma solare. These animals are

fascinating because their whole body is designed to eat only harvester ants, the only item in their diet. Approximately 13% of their entire 6 inch body is stomach because they need a large stomach to digest the thick chitin which makes up the exoskeleton of this ant. No other animal really eats these ants because of the chitin, as well as the ant's other defense mechanisms. If anything disturbs this ant's nest an alarm is sounded, and hundreds of these insects swarm onto the attacker and bite it repeatedly. If the Horned Lizard does get bit nothing really happens, but they avoid drawing attention to themselves while hunting by slow movements and extremely good camouflage. I could go on and on about these guys because they are so fascinating and I am partial to desert lizards, but I will continue on.

Dav's next stop was in California. There he saw the Mojave Desert which is wet and cool compared to most other deserts, and the Colorado Desert which is really quite hot, very dry, and less rocky than other deserts. Once there he saw Desert Tortoises, Gopherus agassizi; Desert Iguanas, Dipsosaurus dorsalis; Desert Night Lizards, Xantusia vigilis; Zebra-tailed Lizards, Callisaurus draconoides; a Spotted Leafnose Snake, Phyllorhynchus decuratus; Sidewinder, Crotalus cerastes; the fastest of all lizards - the Whiptail, Cnemidophorus sp.; Western Chuckwalla, Sauromalus abe sus; Western Banded Gecko, Coleonyx variegatlls; Mojave Shovelnose Snake, Chionactis occipitalis occipitalis; Desert Glossy Snake, Arizona e/egans ebllrnata; and the Southwest Speckled Rattlesnake, Crotalus mitchelli pyrrhus. Tbere are a lot of places in tbesedeserts that are transition zones, zones that divide one kind of habitat from another. Itwasin these transition zones that most of the reptiles could be found.

Next on to Nevada. There was little actual herping done here. Instead, Dav did whatmostpeopledo when they visit that state -lose money.

Dav's final stop was in Utah at the Great Basin National Park. One suggestionDav made at this time was to ask park rangers for advice on where to find specific animals in the area. In general, they are more than willing to help out and, basically, it is their job to know the area. Very few herpers take advantage of this resource. In the national park Dav saw the GreatBasin SpadefootToad, Spea (=Scaphiapus) imermomana; Sagebrush Lizard, Sceloporus graciosus; Great Basin Skink, Eumeces skittonianus utahensis; Northern Plateau Lizard, Sceloporlls ulldulatus; Desert Whiptail, Cnemidoplwrus sp.; and the Great Basin Gopher Snake, Pitllophis catellifer deserticola. And with that his trip wasO\'er for this time. Great talk Dav. I hope you get to do it again.

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MHS Newslelter Volume 16 Number-. 10

ECOVIEWS By Whit Gibbons AFRICA REALLY DOES HAVE SOME DANGEROUS SNAKES All of us know that Africa has some impressive snakes-<:abras, pythons, black mambas. But with snake lore, one always has cause to wonder, What's myth? What's truth?

Many of the answers can be found in a recent book by Stephen Sprawls and Bill Branch titled "The Dangerous Snakes of Africa: Natural History, Species Directory, Venoms and Snakebite." And the answer to whether any of them are really dangerous is pretty straightforward. Yes. Of the approximately 400 species of snakes known from Africa, 93 are potentially hannful to humans. And one of these isn't even venomous!

Only 20 species of snakes are venomous in the United States.

The African rock python may not have fangs, but it is big. Very big. The largest ones are more than 25 feet long.

Being constrictors, they wrap their coils around their prey and squeeze it to death. And being enonnous, they have been known to eat antelope and other mammals, including, unfortunately, humans. Fortunately, such events are extremely rare.

The largest African viper is the Gaboon adder. They only reach a length of about six feet, smaller than our biggest rattlesnakes, but have thick bodies, and fangs that are real attention getters-more than two inches long! Imagine a hypodermic needle penetrating two inches before the syringe injects a full shot glass of snake venom. Interestingly, bites to humans are rare because Gaboon adders are usually docile, even when stepped on. But when they bite, they can kill.

Among the strangest groups of African snakes, with a trait sounding more like fantasy than fact, are the spitting cobras. At least four species qualify, with the black-necked spitting cobra winning the prize for distance-more than nine feet. These cobras spit in self-defense, and they aim for the eyes. They can also bite like any other venomous snake.

The book has a short account about what to expect and what to do if you have cobra venom spit into your eyes. Among fIrst aid measures, this is defInitely one I hope I never need to know. Butin case you are curious, "the symptoms of venom in the eye are immediate and intense pain." Opening the eyes becomes diffIcult; tears begin to flow; and the eyes become swollen and inflamed. And guess what? "The eyeball looks quite red." Blindness can result, especially without treatment.

And what might the treatment be for snake venom in the eye? Washing the eyes out thoroughly "for a good few minutes," preferably with water or milk, is critical. The authors, indicating the seriousness of the situation, suggest that "in an emergency beer or urine are possibilities." Recommendations for further first aid and hospital treatment are given, but after the last two suggestions, who cares?

To a herpetologist who studies snakes, one of the most fascinating groups of African snakes are the burrowing asps. TheirtaxonomiccJassification is confusing because all of the species look similar, are hard to find (they stay underground most of the time), and are not quite likc vipcrs or cobras.

5

But they do produce venom and have a bizarre. way of deliver-路. ing it.

They do not strike forward, are "totally non-aggressive," and will not even try to bite if you are alongside one. In fact, they do not even open their mouths to bite. But, try to pick one up by holding it behind the head the way herpetologists pick up rattlesnakes, copperheads, and even cobras. The burrowing asp retracts its lower jaw, rotates a long fang out of the mouth, and "twists its head sideways, down and back, driving the fang into the victim." Understandably, snake handlers are the most <:ammon victims of the burrowing asp.

A final group that many people have heard of and that are the most feared by many in Africa are the mambas, members ofthe cobra family. The black mambas, at lengths of more than 10 feet, are the largest poisonous snakes on the continent. They also move fast, will stand their ground, and their bite is often fatal. However, as is true with all American snakes, no documented record exists of a mamba making an unprovoked attack on a person.

"The Dangerous Snakes of Africa," with superb color photographs of most of the species, can be obtained for $39.95 from Ralph Curtis Publishing Company, P.O. Box 183, Sanibel Island, FL 33957.

Editor's Note: Dr. J. Whitfield Gibbons is professor of ecology at the University of Georgia and is the division head at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory in Aiken, South Carolina. In addition to his numerous articles in scientific journals, Whit is probably best known for his many books including; Their Blood Runs Cold: Adventures ,,1th Reptiles and Amphibians and The Life History and Ecology of the Slider Turtle among others. Dr. Gibbons also writes a weekly ecology column for various newspapers(including the New York Times) and he bas kindly provided the preceding article for publication in the MHS Newsletter. Other short stories on ecology by Whit Gibbons may be found in another of his books, Keeping all the Pieces, a title which is amustread for everyone interested in natural history. JPL

STALE ERIC THISS (612) 470-5008 FAX (612) 470-5013 464 Second

Street. Excelsior, MN 55331 ~

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 10

The Most Popular Reptile in America

By John P. Levell Central or South America. As a species included on Appendix II of the Treaty of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), all Green Iguauas entering the country are required to have a permit by the U.S. Fish aud Wildlife Service (USFWS), aud this permit requirement in conjunction with U.S. Customs documentation and record keeping procedures has proven to be one of the few sources of fairly reliable estimates on the number of any animal entering the pet trade. This governmental data reveals thaI in 1993 alone (the first year tbat Iguauas ranked number one in imported reptile species) almost 600,000 Green Iguanas entered the United States. By 1994 this number had risen to a minimum of at least 700,000 specimens, with conservative estimates of the number ofimported Green Iguanas entering the country during 1995 approaching or exceeding 1 million individual animals.

Many authorities such as Richard Bartlet~ the well known author or co-author of numerous herpetological articles and books including the extremely successful Barron's Green Iguaua Pet Care Manual, expect the number of imported Iguauas to "reach or exceed 2 million auimals" during 1996.

Most of these Green Iguanas are so called "ranched" animals imported into the United States from several Latin American countries including; Columbia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua and Suriname. Whatever the source, this incredible influx of Iguana iguana into the United States has caused the retail price of Green Iguanas toplurnmet, so much so that the current retail sale pricing of these animals is often so low, particularly in mauy of the pet industry "superstore" chains, that they approach the nonnal wholesale cost paid for Green Iguauas only 8 to 10 years ago. With retail prices as low as $10 each (in at least one case au Iguana was actually given away free with the purchase of an "Iguaua Starter Kit"), there can be little wonder as to why this animal is so popular among Americau reptile and amphibian keepers.

As astounding as the Iguana importation figures reported above appear there is a very real possibility that Iguana iguana is not the most popular or even the best selling reptile in the United States, only the most conspicuous aud easily tracked. Among the several deficiencies of the data supplied by U.S. Customs and the USFWS, is the fact that it only reflects the approximate number of animals imported into the U.S. and then mainly those included on one of the three CITES Treaty Appendices. For example, according to federal government records the second highest ranking category of imported reptiles reported during 1993 and 1994 (number one in the years prior to 1993) was Non-CITES Reptiles. This appears to be a "catch-all" category into which every reptile

There can be little doubt that the popularity of keeping amphibians and reptiles as pets in the United States has grown at a tremendous rate over the last decade or so, particularly when one considers the fact that only 7 or 8 years ago not a single nationally distributed hobbyist periodical devoted exclusively to these animals even existed in this country.

Today, at least 4 different full color monthly or bimonthly amphibian and reptile magazines are vying for the attention of American herptile enthusiasts with the industry leader, Reptiles magazine, currently experiencing sales of about 70,000 copies per issue. Even more impressive are the results of a relatively recent (1994) American Pet Product Manufactures' survey which indicated that well over 7 million amphibians and reptiles are kept as pets by somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 million U.S. households.

With such a significant number of amphibians and reptiles being maintained in captivity in the United States, and considering the American public's special fascination with the biggest, brightest and best of everything (whether it be cars, planes, pets or pop stars), it is only natural that there should be a fair amount of curiosity regarding which species is currently the most popular amphibian or reptile pet. Unfortunately, aud for reasons which should become readily apparent as this article progresses, determining just which species are kept in the greatest numbers has proven to be a good deal more difficult than originally anticipated when this project began.

When considering what species is the most popular amphibiau or reptile pet in the United States, among the first animals to come to mind is the Common or Green Iguana, Iguana iguana, and for very good reason. This impressive aud potentially extremely large lizard is the topic of several "best selling" captive care type publications and is featured in numerous and almost continually appearing articles in popular reptile hobbyist periodicals. At the same time, hatchling aud juvenile Green Iguanas, as well as occasional larger specimens, are conspicuously and readily available at swap meets and in pet shop reptile departments across the country. When these facts are considered, it soon becomes readily apparent that Iguana iguana is kept by a tremendous number of U.S. reptile fanciers. But just how many Green Iguanas are sold on an annual basis?

Fortunately, Iguana iguana is one of only a handful of amphibian and reptile species for which fairly accurate commercial trade figures can be detennined. For starters, only a very few individuals have ever successfully reproduced this species under truly captive conditions and virtually every Green Iguana in U.S. collections has been imported from

6

The HERPERS'1996 HOLIDAY BANQUET Hosted by : MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7,1996 TERRACE CAFE, ST. PAUL STUDENT CENTER ST. PAUL CAMPUS UNNERSITY OF MINNESOTA 6:30 PM TO 10:30 PM

SOCIAL HOUR: 6:~O - 7:~O POILUGK DINNER: 7:~O SPEAKER: FOLLOWING DINNER

$5.00 PER PERSON (except children who can sit on parent's lap) MRS will be providing coffee, wine, beer, pop and water.

Tableware will be provided. People attending are asked to bring a food item and its necessary serving utensils.

PLEASE MAKE RESERVATIONS BY NOVEMBER 22,1996, DETACH FORM AND SEND WITH A CHECK PAYABLE TO MINNESOTA rI\ ,1-1,1. SOCIETY AT: Minnesota Herpetological Society Bell Museum of Natural History 10 Church Street South East Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104

CONTACT lvfARiLYN BROOKS BlASUS IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT 925 - 4237.

- - - CUT HERE - - -

*

* * * * * * *

NAME (S)

*

PHONE NUMBER NUMBER OF ADULTS NUMBER OF CHILDREN NUMBER OF FREE CHILDREN '

(those who can sit on parent's lap)

TOTAL NUMBER ATTENDING TOTAL AMOUNT ENClDSED $ FOOD YOU ARE BRINGING: (CIRCLE ONE PER FAMILY) APPETIZER

SAlAD VEGETABLE BREAD MAIN DISH

DESSERT LEf ME KNOW WHAT IS NEEDtU

~~ "'-Z'l

You and 90ur fami19 are hertb9 invited to attend the Minnesota Htrpetol09lcal Societ9's 1996 Hollda9 Sanquet on Saturda9, becember 7th from 6:30 pm to 10:50. pm. .

,

,.

special quest speaker has get be reveled. Sut promises to be en119httn1n9 and ver9 enj09able aU who atttnd. presence 1S requested at Terrace at the St. Paul Student Center .on the St. Paul Campus of the Minnesota.

"~'I

RSVP b9 November 22, 1996 to Minnesota Herpetolo9lcal Societ9 at Museum of Natural Histor9, 10 路路Church Street South East, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455-0104.

<,

Humane Society of Ramsey County 1115 Beulah Lane St. Paul, MN 55108 To Whom It May Concem, I am a member of the Minnesota Herpetological Society (MHS). The MHS is a non-profit organization concemed with the health and well being of amphibians and reptiles, and provides proper public with regard to their care, maintenance, and their appropriateness as pets. I am writing to request that you reconsider your affiliation with the retail chain store PetS malt for contradicting their own policies by selling baby Green Iguanas at "throwaway" prices, while at the same time providing little, or worst yet, inc011'ect information regarding the proper set up and care, temperament, personality, or average adult size attained by these animals. It is obvious that their only real goal is to sell merchandise.

Last year over 778,000 baby Iguanas were imported into the United States to be sold as pets. This year, conservative estimates put that number at TWO MILLION. When high numbers of animals are impolted, prices drop to unreasonably low levels and many animals are purchased as "impulse buys" with little consideration as to longevity of the animals or the responsibility of their ownership.

As you are probably aware, the MHS offers an adoption service for unwanted reptiles and we have worked with both the Humane Societies of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties to u'y and find homes for older, unwanted Iguanas. Over the past year we have had so many Iguanas that we have had to refuse many, and we have recently established a policy that requires a $25.00 placement fee for Iguanas from private individuals which may be used to euthanise the animal if a suitable home cannot be found in a reasonable amount of time. Pet stores do not have room for large Iguanas, your organization does not have facilities to care for them properly, and zoos do not want and will not take them.

PetSmart's policy for dogs and路cats - "We refrain from selling dogs or cats. There are too many homeless. So many waiting for adoption." - needs to be extended to Green Iguanas as well. PetSmatt's double-standard policy is conU'ibuting to the problem of too many unwanted Iguanas, patiicularly when the animals in the store at'e not set up properly (resulting in sick animals), have inc011'ect products recommended for their proper cat'e and maintenance, have inconect infOlmation provided to the customer ("they make great pets"), and at'e offered for the incredibly low price of only $19.95. .

Thank you velY much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

MHS Newslerrer Volume 16 Number 10 that is either not actually included on a CITES Treaty Appendix data is completely useless, as it records no information on or is not readily identifiable is assigned. The actual estimated species which originated within the confines of the United number ofimportedanimals classified as Non-CITES Reptiles States. Unfortunately, no easily accessed, adequately docuranges from a low of 260,000 specimens in 1994 to well over mentedsourceofinformation as of yet exists which records the a million animals during 1991! actual number of either wild caught or domestically produced .Also included among the U.S. government's imported amphibians and reptiles traded on an annual basis, and any reptile statistics are other "conglomerate" categories such as; reported statistics (either in this report or elsewhere) regarding Hemidacrylus sp. Geckos (58,000 imported in 1994), Agama these types of animals can only be viewed as "best guess" sp. Lizards (31,000 imported in 1994), and Mabuya sp. Skinks estimates. Existing data is particularly insufficient when (30,000 imported during 1994). Once again, these probably species such as the Corn Snake, Elaphe gurrara and the represent multiple species classifications and it is extremely Burmese Python, Pyrlwn molurlls bivirrarus, are considered, difficult if not impossible to determine exactly which and how as both species are easily among the most popular reptile pets many different animals are actually included in each of these in the country. Willie both Corn Snakes and "Bunns" are categories. Here it should also be pointed out that the U.S. traded in numbers possibly approaching or even exceeded Government report from which this article's statistics have those of the Green Iguana, virtually every one ofthese animals been compiled, a document only available through the Freehas been captive produced in the United States and it is dom of Information Act, consists of a computer print-out impossible to estimate the number of specimens of either several hundred pages in length just for living reptile imports species changing hands in any given year. Easily overlooked alone! In this report species such as Afeach and every shiprican Clawed Table 1.

Frogs,Xelwplis sp., mentoflivingreptiles and Horned Frogs, clearing U.S. CusTop Ten Reptiles hnported into the U.S. During 1994 Ceratoplzrys sp., toms is recorded indiare likewise traded vidually, requiring an Species Appoximate # in fairly sizable entry by entry analyquantities, but are sis for each species to Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) 700,000 determine the apagain animals __ proximatenumbeLoL__ _Non~CIIES.Reptiles 26.0,000_. _ __ __which.are_UlosH)' __ _ Ball Pythons (Python regius) 99,000 specimens entering produced in captivGeckos (Hemidactylus sp.)

58,000 the country. ity. At the same Savannah Monitors (Faranus exanthematicus) 36,000 time a significant Relatively Agamas (Agama sp.)

31,000 easily recognizable percentage of the Skinks (Mabuya sp.)

30,000 animals do appear on species in the U.S. Tokay Geckos (Gekko gecko) 29,000 marketplace are the federal list of top Nile Monitors (Varanus niloticus) 25,000 wild caught native ten reptile species imBoas (Boa cOllstrictor) 21,000 species, many of ported alive into the which are small inUnited States as well, conspicuous aniand these include: mals such as tadBall Pythons, Pyrlwn poles, treefrogs, various small lizards, etc., and all without regius,atabout99,OOOspecimens;SavannahMonitors, Varanus thorough documentation. exanthemaricus; at over 36,000 animals; Tokay Geckos, Gekko gecko, 29,000 animals; Nile Monitors, Varanus ni/oriclls, So which species is, in reality, the best selling amphibian or reptile in the United States? Believe it or not, it is 25,000 animals; and Boa consrrictor at about 21,000 speciprobably a lizard at the opposite end of the size spectrum as the mens (all figures based on 1994 statistics). While none of these species begin to approach the Green Iguana in terms of popuGreen Iguana, the tiny, yet still interesting Common American Anole or Chameleon, Arwlis carolinensis. A recent combinalarity, each has demonstrated a definite and continual upswing tion walk inltelephone survey of Twin Cities area pet dealers in numbers imported and all these animals figure prominently reveals that between 75-80% of all the shops in Minneapolis! in the U.S. pet trade.

SI. Paul normally sell this animal, including those stores which It must be remembered, however, that these statistics do not consider reptiles as part of their livestock inventory! only record the numbers ofthose amphibian and reptile species Probably the most inexpensive of all reptiles, the Anole is a entering the pet trade from outside the political boundaries of long-time perennial best seller and has become a true "cross the United States and its possessions. In tenns of accurately estimating the number of any native or domestically produced over" species with specimens being one of the few non-aquatic amphibian orreptile entering the marketplace, the government's animals readily available through virtually ever tropical fish

7

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 10 wholesale distribution center in the country. While it is once again impossible to determine just how many individual American Anoles are traded in a single year, well over I million animals would be the "best guess" estimate ofthc author of this report. In fact, one reliable Florida collector/distributor alone claims to sell and ship over 500,000 specimens of American Anole annually.

While admittedly difficult, the process of compiling this report has proven to be a most enlightening and, hopefully, worthwhile examination of popular amphibians and reptiles in the U.S. pet trade. Although impossible to consider as anything other than preliminary, this report at least sheds some light on a fascinating topic which is undoubtedly worthy of further research. Detennining a realistic estimate of the number of domestically acquired amphibians and reptiles is an achievable goal, but one which will require the gathedng of . data from "those who would know best," the owners and managers of shops which carry these animals, as well as the people who maintain these species in captivity. With this thought in mind, a short questionnaire has been developed which will be distributed to pet stores selling amphibians and reptiles via the pages of the monthly pet industry periodical, Pet Product News. Hopefully the owners, managers andlor employees of shops selling these animals will take a few minutes to "fill in the blanks" of this questionnaire so that statistical data regarding the number of native and domestically produced amphibians and reptiles traded on an annual basis can begin to be compiled. In the future, similar questionaires geared toward commercial breeders, herpetoculturists, and hobbyists should also be developed and distributed, possibly through the pages of this and other re-

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Acknowledgments:The author wishes to express his gratitude to the following individuals, whose conunents, suggestions and assistance contributed greatly to the completion of this project: Dick Bartlett; Mike Berardi of Aren't They Cute Pets in San Antonio, TX; TyroneDillon, California Zoological Supply; Mike Hoffer owner of Hoffer's Tropic Life Pets in Milwaukee, WI; Lennie Jones, USFWS; Bill Love, Blue Chameleon Ventures, Alva, FL; Tom Montrose, Rephibia, Holly Hill, FL; Allen Salzberg, New York Turtle and Tortoise Society; Frank Slavens of the Seattle Zoo; Don Soderberg owner of Exotic Pets in Wichita, KS; and Eric Thiss, Serpent's Tale Natural History Books, Excelsior, MN.

~

English Spot

Dutch

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'

~

. ' .... \:

:_,

."

Polish

Publications Mentioned in Text:

~

.' " (;':: ..'i

Jim's Rabbit Shack Where Spots Are Tops JtM DALUGE 8700 Jaber Ave. N.E. Monticello. MN 55362 (612) 295·2818

SECORD'S EXOTIC ANIMAL HOUSE BILLY SECORD - (612)920-1987

Green Iguanas: A Complete Pet Owner's Manual. By Richard and Patricia Bartlett. 1996. Barrons' Educational Series, Inc. Hauppauge, NY.

LARGEST PRODlJCER OR SMALL EXOTIC MAMMALS IN MINNESOTA'

Reptiles. MomMy magazine, Phillip Samuelson - Editor.

Fancy Publications, Inc. Irvine, CA.

HEDGEHOGS. DUPRASIS, ZEBRA MICE, PYGMY MICE, GIANT AFRICAN POUCHED RATS, JlRDS. MOUSE LEMURS, BRUSH-TAILED KANGAROOS, AND MUCH, MUCH MORE! - U.S.D.A LICENSED

Pet Product News. Monthly pel indus/I}'periodica/, Stacy N. Hackett - Editor. Fancy Publications, Inc. Irvine, CA.

8

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 10

Book Review: Geographic Distribu-

tions of the Amphibians and Rep . .

An Interim Report of the tiles of Wisconsin Wisconsin Atlas Project

by Gary S. Casper

Reviewed by Randy B lasus

Milwaukee Public Museum.

Milwaukee, WI. 1996.

87 pp. Softcover. $10.00

This is the first report available to the general public appreciation for the difficulty and scope of such a work. For example, on page numberflfty-eight we learn that the distribuupdating the biogeography of Wisconsin's herps since Vogl's landmark book Natural History of Amphihians and Reption of the Butler's Garter Snake, Thamnophis butleri, is currently undergoing a study that questions the validity of tiles of Wisconsin. While this is an interim report, a good amount of information has been collected since that earlier severaloftherecords. Sifting through the large amount of data publication. necessary to form a reliable record ofherp species has naturally The main purpose as stated by the author .... .is simply generated a plethora of such questions that need to be resolved. to provide a reference for 461 new county records collected by This is compounded by the continued loss of species due to the atlas project ... (1986 through 1995), with some discussion habitat degradation; introductions of artificial populations by on distribution and status." This he has done admira~b~l~y-w-e~l'l.--~m~a~n~;an=d the contlOulOg plastiCity ot taxonomic crassification-:- - - - Mr. Casper runs down the entire list of the state's Overall, this book should help to stimulate more interest in the species, providing a range map and a brief discussion on study of herpetofauna in Wisconsin by noting many of the mysteries that have yet to be unraveled. distribution or status. The notations accompanying each record are very valuable as they are the main source of new After finishing the book, this reviewer felt an appreinfonnation while the distribution maps are more useful as a ciation of the large amount of work that has taken place to bring quick reference to the accompanying list of new museum us to this point and of the pile of work to yet be performed.

Serious enthusiasts, however, may be frustrated by the limited specimens (Appendix I). Records are detailed by shading in the whole county for each citation rather then the dot/locality amount of infonnation that is accessible in this type offormat.

However, anyone who is interested in the herpetology of the specific type originally used by Vogt or the date/type referenced like Oldfield and Moriarty's' publication Amphibians upper Midwest region should find this a useful reference in his and Reptiles Native to Minnesota. The reasoning for this or her collection if only to be familiar with the latest word on style of mapping is based on the fear that exact locality of herp distribution in the state of Wisconsin. county specimens may lead to their exploitation. The only The small a price of only SIO.OO, plus the knowledge fault with the maps is that they are only based on verified that of all proceeds from the sale will go toward funding the records and therefore represent historic distribution, they do Herp AtlasProject, together, make this a worthwhile purchase. not reflect changes in most species' status other then the Literature Cited: addition of new county records. While the lack of specificity in mapping the distributions may reduce the potential uses of Oldfield, Barney and Moriarty, John J. 1994. Amphibians and this publication for the scientific community, those concerned Reptiles Native to Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press.

Minneapolis, MN. will likely utilize the Museum's original records as their main source of infonnation.

Vogl, Richard C. 1981. Natural History of Amphibians and In this book, the reader will find current relevant Reptiles of Wisconsin. Milwaukee Public Museum. Milwauinfonnation on the status of each species and achieve an kee, WI.

9

MHS Newslerrer Volume 16 Number 10

Field Notes:

NON-NATIVE SPECIES

by Randy Blasus

Various subspecies of any given amphibian or reptile occur naturally within a certain range. This range may be defined by tbe tolerance of the animal to its environll1ent or by insunnountable distance or obstacles (ie. mountains). Nature can force animals to move to and reassemble in a different MHSlPapa John's Pizza Annual Fund Raisers locale that would not be possible or practical in the present. An example would be the last glaciation which would have moved many species out of their northern range.

For the second year in a row Papa John's Pizza 速 However, humans have reached beyond all of these has offered Minnesota Herpetological Society members an obstacJesand can now present an awesome force when dealing unique opportunity to raise funds for our society. The pizza with the natural world. Species from all over the world are company operates Concession Sales Stands at various transported by intent or chance to new areas where they may sporting and cultural events in the Twin Cities area in which colonize or perish trying. Infamous examples of this would be they utilize individuals from local non-profit and charitable most evident in the transplantation of the Cane toad, BuJo organizations, church groups, etc., to staff the Papa John's marinus to Australia. booth. For each event at which their pizzas are sold, Papa While not as devastating, this phenomenon occurs locally as well. Relocating animals can be detrimental by John's needs a commitment from six members of the transporting disease or foreign parasites and by pollution of the participating organizations to work one "shift" of approxinative gene pool, and can decimate native populations. One mately five bours in length. In return for each complete invader to Minnesota, apparently comes in the fonn of unused "work crew" provided, Papa John's will donate $150 to the fishing bait. Recently, a visit to the Harriet Alexander Nature CenteLturne<luJl-somdntemsting_salamanders. SUIl"rficially__ organization to which tbe individuals working tbe bootb -Delong. FOr-ilie Iriost partille aduaIpnYSlcaI worKmv6lve<r they looked similar to Tiger Salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum entails little more tban taking orders and ringing up sales in every way except color. Upon closer examination these (tile pizzas are made by the "pros" of Papa John's), alanimals appeared to be the Blotched Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum melanostictllln. This subspecies has been tbougb one or two "pizza runners" are necessary to transreported from North Dakota (Hoberg and Gause 1992). port the pies from the mobile ovens to the concession stand These two salamanders were brought to the nature area (perfect for all you pbysical fitness aficionados). In center from the suburb of Spring Lake Park. Theoretically, addition to raising funds for their society, all participants these animals could very well be released bait species. People get free pizza (both during the event and to take home), a who fish may inadvertently release frogs and other bait species cbance to watcb at least part of the event, and areally, realIy in the mistaken belief that they are natural and can do no harm. coolPapaJ ohn' s baseball hat. As a participant in last year's This type of activity will no doubt continue until common MHS "PizzaMarathon," I must admittbat it was really alot sense or truly responsible legislation prevails over this unnatural fonn of colonization. offun. Anyway, the MHS has again signed up to do some "really big shows" again this year, and so far we're schedLiterature Cited: uled to do four University of Minnesota, Golden Gopbers home hockey games at Mariucd Arena on the Minneapolis Hoberg, Ted and Gause, Cully. 1992. Reptiles and AmphibCampus.

The dates and times for those games are: Saturday ians of North Dakota. North Dakota Outdoors LV(I):7-18, -Nov. 16, 199611:30am-4:00pm,Friday-Dec.27, 1996 July 5:30 -!0:00pm, Friday -Jan. !O, 19975:30 -!0:00pm, and Saturday - Jan. II, 19975:30 - !O:OO pm. In addition, the This column's purpose is to present interesting obsen ations, findings and other repo11S oj amphibians and reptiles from MHS may also sen pizzas at some other events as wen, Jel/ow MHS members. The timing and content oJtllis collllnn including Golden Gopher home basketball games, and the will depend on/he number of contributions received and on State High School Boys Hockey Tournament. For more personal e)']Jeriences. Anyone illlerested in submitting mate~ infonnation on these games or to join our work crew call rial to Field Noles please contact Randy Rlasus at (612) 925Marilyn Blasus at (612) 925-4237.

4237.

Special Announcement

__ m

____

1

10

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 10

M.H. S.Business October Board Meeting Highlights

September 1996 Treasnrer's Report

By Michelle Hewitt, Recording Secretary

Prepared by Marilyn Brooks Bklsus

The MHS Board of Directors meeting was held on Oct. 5th, 1996at Nancy Haig's home. A quorum was present.

The Board took the following action: Amotion was made to allocate S4,OOO towards speaker fees for next year's Midwest Symposium. Motion passed - 8 yes, 0 no.

A new Hands-on policy was presented and accepted.

In the future anyone attending a Hands-on will have to sign stating that they have read this procedure. It will be available at all events. 9 yes, 0 no.

A motion was made to accept an amendment to Section 2.02 in the constitution for a general membership vote in December. Motion Passed 10 yes, 0 no. Look for the proposed amendment elsewhere in this newsletter.

The U of M Vet. School is willing to take any unwanted unhealthy or healthy Iguanas. The board is still discussing this option. ···-------T!leooardTsslilrdiscussiilg taKing-life editor positioil-off of the Board of Directors and adding one or more positions.

If anyone has any input on this please talk to a board member.

Presented and accepted were: Treasurer's report, Membership report and Secretary's report.

2,139.361

Beginning Checkbook Balance: Income: Membership Raffle Sales Donation Fines Other Total Income:

545.00 80.00 114.75

6.90 3.00 9.00

758.65

Expense: Newsletter

Misc. PrintinglPostage Program Library Books Supplies Refreshments Other Total Expense:

258.55 39.08 50.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 289.44

Net fu~ome~;;: Ending Checkbook Balance: Funds Allocated to Unpaid Expenses: Funds Available: Conservation Fund Balance:

652.07 106.58 2,245.94 0.00 2,245.94 196.86

Calendar of Events Nov. 1, 1996 MHS General Meeting. Topic: TURTLES, TANKS AND TELEMETRY. Speaker: TODD SAJWAJ. Borlaug Hall, U ofM St. Paul Campus. 7 pm.

Dec. 6, 1996 MHS General Meeting. Speaker: TO BE ANNOUNCED. Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus. 7 pm.

Dec. 7, 1996 MHS ANNUAL HOLIDAY "POTLUCK" BANQUET. U ofM St. Paul Campus Student Union. Formore info Contact Marilyn Blasus (612) 925-4237.

Jan. 3, 1997 MHS General Meeting. Speaker: TO BE ANNOUNCED. Borlaug Hall, U ofM St. Paul Campus. 7 pm.

Feb. 7, 1997 MHS ANNUAL "WHITE SNAKE SALE" SILENT AUCTION and photo contest. Borlaug Hall, U ofM St. Paul Campus. 7 pm. For more info or to donate items Contact Marilyn Biasus (612) 925-4237.

Mar. 21-23, 1997 2nd Annual Midwest Exotic Pet Seminars. Hyatt Regency Woodfield. Schaumberg, IL. For more info -Contact: MEPS clo J .B. Bruederle, DVM. Burnham Park animal Hospital, Chicago, IL. 60605, (312) 663-9200.

June 25·Jllly 2, 1997 77th Annual Meeting of the American Society ofIcthhyologists and Herpetologists. University of Washington, Seattle, WA. For more info Contact: RobertE. Espinosa, Dept. ofBiol.l314, University ofNeveda, Reno, NV 89557-0015, (702) 784·4565, Fax (702) 784-1369, E-mail espin j@unr.edu.

Aug. 2-10,1997 3rd World Congress on Herpetology. Prague, Zbynek Rocek, Dept. of Paleontology, Acad. of Sciences, Rozvojova 135. 16500 Prague 6 -Suchdol, Czech Republic. Phone 422-2431 1421, Fax 422-24311578, E-mail rocek@gILcascz.

II

MRS Newslmer Volume 16 Number 10

Classified Advertisments 1.0.0 = male, 0.1.0 = female, 0.0.1 = unsexed, c.b. = captive bred, o.b.o. = or best offer

For Sale: 2.1 Adult Leopard Tortoises S650. Also 1.1 Adult Redfoot Tortoises $250. All healthy, long tenn captives. Call Mark (612) 822-7996.

0.1 Varanus albigularis (White-throated Monitor, Approx. 3

ft. $I500.b.o. Will consider trade for python orboa. Alsocage 18" x 18" x 5 ft. S100. Contact Emily or Tyler (612)466-2439 0.1.0, c.b. Adult Green Iguana, approx. 3112 ft. Including many extras: large kennel, heat rock and heat lights, $150 o.b.o. Contact Lisa (612) 545-8669 or (512) 342-5553.

1.1 Malaysian Blood Pythons. Male 4+ ft and Female 5+ ft.

Both good red, female spectacular. $600.00 for the pair.

Contact Sally at (612) 647-0661.

Herp related news clippings, original articles, artwork, cartoons, etc. for publication in theMHS Newsletter. Authors and artists will receive compensation in the form of volunteer hrs, good towards one "priceless" MHS coffee mug. Send submissions to: MN Herp. SocJ Editor, c/o Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104.

Miscellaneous: BREEDING INVENTORY SURVEY:

Everyone keeping live reptiles and amphibians is asked to contribute to this annual report. Please submit the following info currentJan. 1st of each year: (1) Inventory of collection, list numbers and sex, (2) list of all species bred during the previous year, (3) any longevity records, (4) please print clearly; your name, address and telephone number as you want them listed, (5) please do respond. Send info to: Frank Slavens, P.O. Box 30744, Seattle, WA 98103. Fax: (206) 546-2912.

SEA TURTI.E SURVIV ALLEAGUE, announces its' line of eco-promoting sea turtle merchandise, for a free catalog write: Sea Turtle Survival League, P.O. Box 2866, Gainesville, FL ___ Hog_Island~oas,_c.b._5B6_S200c$21~@,_Yearling-"KeejleLr_-"3"-,260,,,,",2c>-2c-c8,,6,,6~0,-rc"a",1l",(.".80",0'L)~67",8"-,-",78",5,,,3,,-.- - - - - - - - - - i Select Holdbacks" $325 @. Brazilian Rainbow Boas c.b.4/96 from Orange Red adults, S225 females only. Columbian Rainbow Boas c.b. 4/96, males $65, females $85. Albino Speckled Kings c.b. 7/96 $40. Albino and Hetero Corns $20.

Hetero for albino Bulls $40. Will deliver to Twin Cities. Cali Rats Mice Mark Wendling (319) 8574787 (Iowa).

Baby Boas, Boa constrictor c.b. 4/30/96, fed & shed $50-$75.

Will deliver to MHS meetings. Call Sarah at (612) 223-0407.

MHS Rodent Sales

1.0 Dwneril's Boa, AcranfOpilis dumerili, c.b. babies 10/95.

Feeding well on small mice. $250 Call Connie or John (612) 374-5422 Rabbits -Fryer size, current listed market price. Discounts for orders of 6 or more. Rat size $1.50 ea. or 6 for $7.50. Adults $2 ea when available. All sizes currently available. Call Jim Daluge (612) 295-2818.

Wanted: ALL THE SHED SNAKE SKINS IN THE WORLD, Always, to usc at hands-on programs to give to kids. Bob Duerr (612) 541-0362.

Wanted: 1.0.0 Nonnal, hetero, or albino Prairie Kingsnake for breeding project. Prefer young adult c.b. specimen. Call Randy at (612) 925-4237.

C.b. Eastern or Western Hognose (ReterotionplaririJinosor R. nasicus), Milk Snake(Lampropeltis triangulum), and native turtles. Prefer 94-95 hatchlings. Call Michelle or Chris at (612) 578-9003

Pinkies $6.00 dozen Fuzzies $6.00 dozen Hoppers $7.50 dozen Adults $9.00 dozen

Pups $10.00 dozen Adults $12.00 six $24.00 dozen

For pickup at monthly meetings only. Orders must be placed at least one week in advance of date of meeting at which frozen rodents are to be delivered. Place orders with Tina Cisewski at (612) 856-2865.

MHS Merchandise: In addition to rodents, the MHS offers an assortment of herp related sales items including; books, magazines, posters, t-shirts, notecards, buttons, stickers, decals, and patches. Look for the merchandise sales area at the far right side of the meeting room. Transactions can be handled before the meeting, during the break, or after the meeting as time permits.

All proceeds from MHS rodent and merchandise sales go toward the operating costs of the society such as: speaker fees, library purchases, charitable donations, etc. The MHS is a completelY volunteer run, non-profit organization.

Advertising Rates and Instructions

Amphibian & Reptile Information

Classified Ads: Are nlll free of charge to paid members. Non-member rates are ten cents per word. per month. Ads may run three (3) consecutive months. after which time they Jllay be fe-submitted.

Business Cards: Institutional members Blay nm one standard sized business card free of charge. Non-member rate for standard sized business cards is $5.00 per month.

Specific questions concerning amphibians and reptiles are best answered by contacting the following individuals at the numbers provided. Please remember to be reasonable about the time of day and how frequently you call.

Display and Expanded Size Ad Rates: Ad Size 1/4 Page 1/2 Page

Month 3+ Months 6+ Months SIO.oo $7.50 $5.00 $10.00 $20.00 $15.00 Page $40.00 S25.oo S15.oo (All prices are per month) Submissions: All advertisements should be submittcd to the; MHS Editor, Bell Muscum of Natural History, 10 Church SL SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO; Minnesota Herpetological Society.

MRS Ad Policy: The MHS assumes NO RESPONSIBILITY regarding the legality or health of any animal, or the quality or legality of any product or service advertised in the.MHS Newsletter. Any admayberejected atthe discretion of the Newsletter Editor. Due to space limitations Unpaid and Complimentary advertisements are subject to occasional omission.

Amphibians & Reptiles in Minnesota Greg Kvanbeck (612) 533-7723 John Moriarty (612) 647-1334 Large Boas & Pythons Karl Hennann (612) 730-6265 Glen Jacobsen (612) 757-8268 Terrestrial Turtles John Moriarty (612) 482-8109 Glen Jacobsen (612) 757-8268 Amphibians Greg Kvanbeek (612)533-7723 John Meltzer (612) 263-7880 CrocodiliallS JeffLang (701) 772-0227

Other Snakes John Meltzer (612) 263-7880 Jeff LeClere (612) 488-6388 Aquatic Turtles Gary Ash (612) 753路0218 John Levell (612) 374-5422 Lizards Nancy Haig (612) 434路868 Bill Moss (612) 488-1383

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Location of MRS Monthly Meetings Bufonl

It.; of M St Paull

MINNESOTA

Non-Profit Rate u. s. Postage

HERPETOLOGICAL

Mpls.MN Penni! No. 2275

PAID

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

ADDRESS CORREGOON REQUESTED

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