Vol. 16 (1996), No. 3

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER MARCH 1996

VOL. 16 No. 3

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 March 1996

CONTENTS

News, Notes, and Announcements.. ..... ...................................................

Speaker Review by Randy Blasus........................................... ................

Ecoviews: Mr. Toad's Wild Ride Turns Out to be True by Whit Gibbons.......

Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Legislation by John Levell.......................

Letters to the Editor - Moriarty, LeClere, Cal Zoo.....................................

Cal Zoo's Tips on Avoiding Reptile Associated Salmonella........................

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

MHS Business ..................................... ,..............................................

Classified Ads.....................................................................................

The Minnesota Herpetological Society is a nonprofit organization associated with the: .Jalll~:-;

Ford Bell MUSl'ltl1l of N;lIl1ral Ilislory Uni\'cr~ily

of Minnc~ota

1 4 6 7 10 12 14 15 16

MHS VOICE MAIL: (612) 624·7065 E-mail:

mnherpsoc@aol.com

President: Gloria Anton (612) 420-6158

Vice President: MHS Statement of Purpose: to further the education of the membership and the general public ill care and captive propagation of reptiles and amphibians; to educate the membership and the general pUblic in the ecological role of reptiles and amphibians; and to promote the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

MHS Board of Directors President Vice President Membership Secretary

Recording Secretary

Gloria Anton Michael Gaunt

George Richard Michelle Stephan

Treasurer

Marilyn Blasus

Editor

John Levell Bill Moss

Immediate Past President Member at Large Member at Large Member at Large

Member at Large

Dan Bergquist Donna Gaunt Nancy Haig

Mark Schmidtke

Michael Gaunt (612) 754-8241

Membersbip Secretary: George Richard (612) 623-7620

MHS SPECIAL COMMITTEES Education Chair: 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 fonnat, 3 112 inch IBM or Macintosh compatible disks

preferred. The publication deadline for ads is always the

SNAKEBITE EMERGENCY Hennepin County Regional Poison Center

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

weekend of the MRS general meeting. Submissions should he sent to: MHS Editor, do The Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104. © 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 MRS Newsletter citing; volume, number, and date.

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 1

News, Notes & Announcements Upcoming Meeting Highlights

Rare Russian Tortoise

April Program: Road Trippin' With Dav Guest Speaker Dav Kaufman

A little over 100 square miles is all the babitat remaining for a rare Spur-thighed Tortoise, Testudo graeca nikolskii. The site, on the slopes of the Caucasus Mountains by the Black Sea, is losing its pistacbio, juniper, and oak forests. Fonnerly protected by inaccessibility and government mandates regarding international border areas, tbe region is now open for development of resorts, homes, and agriculture. An oil pipeline bisecting the site and an offsbore loading station have been proposed. With WCS funding, Olga Leontyeva of Moscow State University and Soloman Peresbkolnik of tbe Moscow Zoo are identifying the tortoises' habitat and resource needs and trying to secure protection for the site.

Society fteld veterinary staff are evaluating the animals' health to ensure that disease and other problems are not contributing to a decline in tortoise numbers.

If you read the "Calendar of Events" in the last newsletter, you'll notice tbat due to a scheduling conflict there bas been a change in speakers for tbe April meeting.

Our actual speaker will be none other than our own Dav Kaufman. As I write these words, Dav' is preparing for bis ftrst road trip of tbe season. He is leaving for the deserts of southern California at the end of March, and will be showing slides of bis exploits just days afterarriving borne!

Dav called me a few weeks ago to present me with a great opportunity - a free berping trip. It seems that a friend of bis has a boat in Los Angeles that needs to be transported to Minnesota. The friend offered Dav the use of bis vebicle on an all expenses paid berping trip to California witb only one catcb; bring the boat back home.

Dav invited me along, but unfortunately, due to work commitments, I bad to decline. So Dav got some other guy to go.

Since the trip hasn't actually taken place yet, I really can't tell you what sorts of herps Dav will encounter. Typically, one encounters quite a few species tbat one may not even be thinking about (such as Prairie Lizards) and not much in the way of what one is sure tbat one is going to find (such as Gray-banded Kingsnakes).

That was certainly the case in Dav's and my trip to tbe Big Bend area of Texas last spring. If you recall, Dav wrote an article in the newsletter awhile back describing that trip.

Dav's talk is expected to cover not just his adventures on this upcoming trip, but also will cover some of tbe things tbat you need to consider before undertaking a herpin' trip. I'm sure tbat Dav will keep us all entertained with his own unique (strange) brand of humor.

Since this is my last speaker preview as V.P., I'd like to thank a few people wbo belped me witb this job.

Tbanks to John Meltzer, John Levell, and Jobn Moriarty for helping me line up some of our guest speakers. And a great big thanks to Ruth and John Meltzer for feeding, transporting and entertaining some of the speakers while they were in town. This saved tbe MHS a lot of money.

Our upcoming V.P. already bas some good programs lined up, including the much requested venomous snake busbandry program. As always, if you have program ideas contact tbe V.P. Greg Kvanbeck Location: Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus Date & Time: April 12, 1996 - 7:00 p.m.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT APRIL'S MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THE SECOND FRIDAY OF THE MONTH NOT THE FIRST.

Editor's Note: Tbe previous article; written by Wliliam B. Karesh, has been reprinted from the _ Jan/Feb 1996 issue of Wildlife Conservation.

ADOPT·A.HIGHWA Y The MHS will pick up litter on Hwy 35E near Hugo three times during 1996. Here is a chance to earn hours toward an MHS mug, and to do something kind for Mother Earth. Cbildren must be age 7 or older and accompanied by an adult. There will be maps and sign-up sheets at the general meetings prior to the cleanups. A schedule of cleanup dates (all Saturdays) with group leader's names and pbone numbers follows: Apr. 20 • Karin & James Rae (612) 457.8107 July 13 • Kathy & Dave Boron (612) 753·4509 Oct. 12 • Jody & Roger Statz (612) 424·8816 Thanks James Rea

Iguana is Suspected of Causing Death.

Pet Apparently Carried Salmonella that Poisoned Baby in South Bend, Indiana.

A 3-week-old boy died of salmonella poisoning that was probably contracted from the family's pet iguana, and health offtcials warned Thursday that olber reptile owners could be at risk.

"I do not know wby (pet stores) sell tbese things," said Diane Jones, Fulton County health nurse.

"The least they could do is infonn people about tbis."

Health offtcials are not sure how Gaige Becker got salmonella, but Jones said it could bave been from someone handling the iguana and then toucbing the boy.

Health offtcials bave reported an increase in unusual strains of salmonella as the popularity of pet reptiles -- especially iguanas -- grows. The number of

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 2

imported iguanas grew from 27,806 in 1986 to 798,405 in 1993, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service.

At least 90 percent of reptiles carry some strain of the inteslinal bacteria, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These include snakes, turtles and other types of lizards.

In 1994 and 1995, health departments in 13 states reported unusual strains of salmonella that were traced back to reptiles.

Gaige died in October in Rochester, about 40 miles south of South Bend, but the cause of death was not disclosed until a Fulton County Board of Health meeting last month. Gaige died of the Poona strain of salmonella, the same bacteria carried by the family iguana, which has since been destroyed.

The boy's parents, Jamie and Teresa Becker, didn't realize the danger their iguana posed to their son, health officials said.

Salmonella causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever, and many people who get it don't realize it. But for people with immature or weakened immune systems -babies, the elderly or those with AIDS -- the bacteria can cause severe sickness and, if not treated right away, death.

The CDC's recommendations on preventing salmonella:

Âť Wash your hands after handling a reptile and make sure children don't put their hands in their mouth after touching one. Âť Keep reptiles away from food preparation areas and don't wash cages, food dishes and aquariums in the kitchen sink. Âť Don't keep reptiles in childcare centers. And anyone with a weakened immune system, including pregnant women, should avoid them.

Editor's Note: The preceding Associated Press article, author unknown, originally appeared in the Feb. 2, 1996 edition of the Mpls Star Tribune. Wbile the merits of the CDC's recommendations concerning proper hygieniC practices are obvious, it is interesting that neither nurse Jones, the CDC, or the Associated Press managed to point out that virtually any type of animal including tropical fish, birds, cats, dogs, and humans are potential carriers of salmonella bacteria, and sensible sanitation procedures should be excerised after contact with any animal or animal byproducts (mea~ feces., etc). JPL

Students Help Scientists Track Amphibians In an effort to learn more about declining amphibians, scientists have enlisted students from 30 middle schools and high schools across the United States to help collect data on local populations. The learning project emphasizes species recognition through sight and sound and covers such topics as field safety, collection techniques and environmental ethics.

Dr. James Platz, regional coordinator for IUCN's Declining Amphibian Task Force, served as primary

consultant on the project, which was designed for the Nebraska Department of Education and funded through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information on the project and how to participate, contact Karen Toepfer, Unit Designer, Amphibians as Bio-indicators, 303 West 39th St., Hays, Kansas 67601.

Editor's Note: The preceding article, author unknown, originally appeared in the Mar/Apr 1996 edition of International Wildlife.

March "Critter of the Month" Glen (Jake) Jacobsen Greg Kvanbeck Mark Schmidke Craig Renier

Uromastyx Uromastyx sp.

Mudpuppy Necturus maculosus Snow Corn Elaphe guttata Fire Salamander Salamandra salamandra

International Sweep Targets Reptile Smugglers.

Suspected smugglers of various reptiles, including the Frilled Dragon, were served search warrants today by special agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The warrants were issued as part of an international investigation involving reptiles illegally imported from Indonesia, Australia, the Netherlands, and other countries.

The investigation into reptile smuggling in the United States was initiated by a request for assistance from the Netherlands Ministry of Justice; Netherlands National Police; and Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Conservation, and Fisheries.

Federal search warrants were executed in New York, Florida, North Carolina, and New Mexico in coordination with other warrants executed at businesses and residences in Indonesia and the Netherlands. Officials from the Netherlands uncovered the elaborate smuggling scheme involving live reptiles, including the Frilled Dragon, Chlamydosaurus kingii, shipped out of Indonesia, into the Netherlands, and then on to other European countries and the United States.

The United States is the world's largest importer of wildlife and in recent years the demand for live reptiles as collectibles and exotic pets has increased rapidly. The various species of reptiles involved in the investigation are highly prized by collectors in Europe, Japan and the United States.

Frilled Dragons, certain Australian and Indonesian skinks, pythons, and some unique turtles, all species of concern in this smuggling investigation, may sell in the United States for $250 to $1,500 each. These animals are protected by law in their countries of origin and their export is tightly controlled. Although some of these animals can be bred in captivity, the high level of

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 3

demand by reptile coUectors often encourages smuggling of wild-caught specimens.

The FriUed Dragon, used as a model for "Jurassic Park's" spitting dinosaur, is a non-venomous, 18-inchlong lizard native to Indonesia and Australia. This lizard is particularly striking when it becomes excited and opens a scaly fold of skin surrounding its head. The lizard is also remarkable for standing upright and running on its hind legs.

The Netherlands Police began their investigation into the illegal trafficking of protected reptiles from Indonesia in September 1994. They gathered information for more than a year before initiating an official request for assistance througb international cbannels to the U.S. Department of Justice. Througb an agreement with tbe Kingdom of the Netherlands, known as the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, the United States and the Netherlands provided a broad range of cooperation witb each other in criminal matters. Special agents of the U.S. Fisb and Wildlife Service were chosen to assist the Department of Justice because of their expertise in wildlife import, export, smuggling, and illegal commercialization offenses.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Netherlands and Indonesian authorities continue to investigate illegal trade in reptiles. Reptile smugglers in the United States face possible Federal conspiracy, smuggling, false statement, and money laundering charges. The investigations in the United States are being coordinated by the United States Attorney's Offices in Miami, Florida; New York, New York; Greensboro, North Carolina; and Albuquerque, New Mexico, with support from attorneys in the Wildlife and Marine Resources Section of the Enviromnent and Natural Resources Division of tbe United States Department of Justice.

Editor's Note: Tbe preceding article is a Feb. 1, 1996 News Release of the U.S.F.W_S. JPL

March Raffle Donors Randy & Marilyn Blasus Craig Renier Keyler Family Twin Cities Reptiles Ann Porwoll

Books and Toys Giant Rubber Salamanders Classic Herp Books Herp Calendars Aquarium, Book, Turtle Cbow

A portion of the proceeds from the MHS Raffle are allocated to the MHS Conservation Fund.

A Note From The Outgoing Recording

Secretary Being a Member of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Herpetological Society is a responsibility that almost anyone can tolerate. As a group, this Society bas one of the bigbest rates of attendance and volunteerism.

Tbis is due to members like yourselves wbo give freely of their time to sbare in tbe responsibility of

running this organization. Remember, the more people wbo contribute their time, the more this group can accomplisb. The quality of the experience you take away from being a member of tbe Minnesota Herpetological Society is directly proportional to what you put in.

By volunteering at a Hands-On, you help the Society promote its goal of educating the public, but you also get to known more of your feUow members.

Contributing written articles to the Newsletter helps to increase the quality of our publication, but you gain experience in writing and recognition among people who read it. The donation of artwork or herp related items helps to raise money to fund tbe programs tbat you enjoy at each meeting. Joining in field activities sponsored by the Society helps make us more visible as an active conservation organization and you gain experience.

Over all, my experience as a Board Member of this group has been a rewarding experience. I have met many new members and bad fun attending many of the various functions and projects that are a part of being a member. By volunteering to be the Recording Secretary, wbicb requires reviews to be written under a sbort deadline, I bave gained confidence in my ability to contribute through writing various articles. Being a Board member bas also been trying at times due to the time constraints placed on me by this position. However, I would not trade my experiences of these past two years for any thing else. My participation has allowed me to foUow the philosophy of "tbinking globally, but acting 10caJIy" and by making a difference in my own neigbborbood.

Thank you.

R. E. Blasus - Recording Secretary.

The Talking Herps The Minnesota Herpetological Society participated in a very unique Hands-on, Saturday, January 27th at the Capital Hill Magnet Scbool. The adults bad an one bour seminar to attend, meanwbiIe we educated their childred on reptiles and ampbibians. In the second hour they were educating their parents (who had just returned) and the time remaining was spent teaching more kids. Even people who were just walking down the ball came in and saw us. I tbank Gary Kwong and Barb Radanke for the opport unity. Next year will be better!

Also, MHS showed at the Hennepin County Animal Humane Society's "What Pet to Get" seminar.

We did this on Saturday, February 24th. If you like tbe calmer, slower paced Hands-on, this was the event for you. This year's was only 2 hours long, very easy to do on a lazy Saturday while waiting for the cursed snow to melt. AU went weU and everybody enjoyed talking to people about berps.

The following volunteers are well on there way to getting next year's "priceless, to-die-for, coUector's edition" MHS mug: Micbael and Donna Gaun~ Michelle Stephan, Randy and Marilyn Blasus, Dav Kaufman, Tina Cisewski and Gordon Merck.

By the way, Todd -- I saw some "Boxelder Boas" on Saturday, too. But tbe ones I saw became anemic as the day passed. Very strange.

Sean P. Hewitt

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 4

March General Meeting Review

By Randy Blasus and Michelle Stephen John McGrath, our March speaker, hails from Columbia, MO. Columbia is a place that is hard to get to and to get away from, according to John anyway. Still it seems to be the best place to breed his specialty, Fire Salamanders, Sa/amandra salamalldra salamalldra. Jobo was a breeder of snakes in the seventies and eighties, but due to his remote location it was hard to obtain and ship the animals. The city in which he lived also tried to pass an ordinance that prohibited keeping more than 2 animals of any kind except fish and amphibians.

One of Jobo' s philosophies is that we need to be able to reproduce animals in captivity as the wild caught market will not exist in the future. Due to the problems of shipping, the local legislative environment, and his ideals, John decided to look into the captive care and reproduction of amphibians, particularly Fire Salamanders.

These are a particularly popular species in Europe. In fact he called them the 'Com snake of Europe,' with whole symposiums and factions devoted to the species.

He began in 1985 with five imported animals, but did not receive any more until they again became available in 1989, when he obtained 20 wild caught adults. His ultimate goal is to breed several generations.

Currently, he is in F-2, t hat is two generations from the wild caught adults. These species have a more direct line of development from other amphibians, they skip the egg phase completely and are instead born as fully formed larvae.

The European Fire Salamander is a colorful, hardy and easily reproducible animal in captivity. The salamander is quite colorful. Bright yellow dorsolateral stripes, spots, and irregular blotches boldly stand out on a ground color of black. One of the subspecies occasionally exhibits red spotting along with yellow blotches and incomplete circles.

The Fire Salamander has a large natura! range with a number of subspecies. The animals occur throughout much of Europe and the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea including such an unlikely spot as Israel. The young are deposited in fishless streams and ponds.

In breeding and keeping large numbers of these animals, John has learned that simple, inorganic cage furnishings promote better health and less fungal or other infections. The cages themselves consist of plastic sweater boxes for adults and shoe boxes for juveniles.

The substrate is aquarium gravel (he hasn't had a problem with abrasion yet) and an easily cleaned plastic cup turned on its side and half buried in the gravel for a hide spot.

The gravel is arranged at one end of the box. The other half is I" deep dechlorinated water. Cleaning is performed once a week by rinsing all material in clean water.

Through experience, John has found that no more than three animals should be placed in a cage at one time. If they are crowded m are than that, some of the occupants will die. He attributes this to either stress or the possible build up of toxins. One setup that he has not tried is a

naturalistic terrarium with potted plants and dirt. One of his friends has such a setup and believes it to be successful. However, John pointed out that the animals are hard to observe and that the larger space and lower number of animals in the terrarium may be the key to the animals survival. Other keys to his success are the use of pH and Ammonia sampling kits to keep an eye on the levels of contaminates similar to what you would need to do for fish.

The main source of food for his collection is earthworms, but crickets are used as well. Worms are easy to obtain from bait stores and can be maintained at home in the refrigerator quite w ell with an occasional soil change for the worms. Animals are fed year round.

Those that refuse food in the hibernation period do not trouble him, however. Adults are fed about one half a nightcrawler every week.

Breeding seems to be a rather simple affair. After hibernating in his garage, which is regulated to be about 35 degrees Fahrenheit, from the months of November to March; the animals are brought inside and observed. With two to a container, he randomly moves some of the animals from cage to cage every two months. The animals breed in spring and fall, and he has observed cour,tship at these times. The whole affair is a lot of nudging and bumping of the female on the part of the male. During courtship the female will be on top of the male and will pick up a spermatophore deposited by the male at the end of the ritual. Male combat has also been noted in which they will chase and head butt one another; however, he has witnessed no biting. The males are distinguished by a noticeable bulge at the cloacal region.

Some females obviously gained weight during the winter, a good indication of pregnancy.

The water in the containers becomes critical during the active breeding season as the female may deposit her larvae at any time. Fifteen to seventy young may be born; the average number he has seen is about twenty. The young begin feeding immediately on cut up earthworms fed off forceps. Each animal is kept individually until transformation because of cannibalism.

John has developed a couple of methods for rearing large numbers of young. One labor intensive method is individual deli cups. The other more practical solution is using a rain gutter and square to round PVC pipe adapters as the larval containers. On one end of the pipe is a drain valve while the adapters are placed square end down in the gutter and have drain holes drilled in then. This allows a much quicker and easier water change, which is performed every four days. During the larval stage, the salamanders are fed daily from forceps and this allows for a two to three month development stage before transformation.

This time period closely mimics what he has read in the scientific literature for wild populations. The crucial time period is the last 24 to 48 hours before metamorphosis.

Just 24 hours before their ascent upon land, John has noticed that the larvae go through a premetamorph

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 5 shed, their first one. In this time period the animals are placed in a covered shoe box so they can climb out of the water onto dry gravel when their gills cease to function. A lid on the box is necessary as the juveniles climb immediately after leaving the water and would leave the box if given a chance. Feeding problems are often encountered after metamorphosis, as they will refuse food offered from tongs. The solution John has arrived at is to cut an end off the earthworm and to leave the wiggling part in an enclosed area for twenty minutes. After two or three successful feedings, they then resume taking items from forceps.

Occasionally, the tendency for a malformation of the jaws has been noticed in which the young acquire an underbite. Some of his acquaintances suggest this is a genetic defec~ but John believes that it is a calcium deficiency and adjusts his feedings to include a dusting of supplement on the food items. The juveniles seem to also have a brand preference for RepticalÂŽ, as when other brands are used they attempt to remove the substance from their mouths.

Aberrant color mutations are seemingly rare.

Only a few have been encountered in his breedings. For example, one is a phase he calls "Halloween." In this phase, the yellow pigment is replaced by orange. Only three have appeared out of the 900 babies he has produced.

An albino form has also been noted. As larvae they are transparent. One these animals did well until the time for transformation came. It was unable to survive because of it retained gills and could not breath on land. Ye~ the eyes had developed for land so it could not see under water.

Two other albinos had a physical deformity in which their eyes were too close together.

These animals have a longevity of up to an unofftcial record of fifty years. Typical records indicate fifteen to twenty years. The time needed to reach maturity and breeding age is a minimum of five years. Some animals have been recorded to give birth to all different size larvae including fully formed juveniles. A couple of possibilities exist for this phenomenon. One is stress induced retention, and the other is subspecies differentiation.

This was one of the most informative and well presented amphibian speeches that has been presented recently. Besides the many slides and the plethora of husbandry information related, John fielded a number of questions from the audience, which have been included in the body of this review. Goodjob and thanks for coming all the way from nowhere.

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• This Advertiser Supports the MHS White Snake Sale

SYMPOSIUM IN HONOR OF DR. SHERMAN A. MINTON, JR. 12-14 April 1996, Indianapolis, Indiana

T

he Indiana Academy of Sciences is sponsoring a Symposium in April of 1996 in honor of Sherman A. Minton, Jr. on the occasion of the publication of his revision of the Amphihians and Reptiles of Indiana. The symposium will be held 12-14 April 1996 in Indianapolis at the Indiana UniversityiPurdue University Conference Center. Dr. Minton is well known for his work on venomous reptiles, the reptiles of Pakistan, the regional herpetology of the midwest, and popular books on herpetology.

The Symposium will include a Friday evening (12 April) dinner featuring Whit Gibbons as the after dinner speaker.

The morning program of the Saturday COIiference (13 April) will focus on the career of Dr. Minton with talks by Carl Gans (Minton's work on the reptiles of Pakistan), David Hardy (pitviper bites), Bernard Bechtel (abnormalities in reptiles), and Harold Voris (venomous sea snakes). The afternoon session will focus on "Hoosier Herpetology" and the publication of Minton's revision of his classic monograph on the herpetofauna of Indiana; biologists working on the amphibians and reptiles ofIndiana will present brief overviews of their research and provide a perspective on herpetological research in Indiana today. On Sunday (14 April) there will be optional field trips.

For registration information, contact: Harriet A. Rodenberg (Minton Conference), University Place, Conference Center and Hotel, 850 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-5198, USA. Tel. 317-274-5053; Fax: 317-274-3878; e-mail: hrodenbe@indycms.iupui.edu.

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 6

ECOVIEWS

MR. TOAD'S WILD RIDE TURNS OUT TO BE TRUE

By Whit Gibbons Can you name an animal in which the female lays her eggs deep in a cave, attends them for a month, and then carries the habies out of the cave on her back?

Neither could anyone else before the mid-1990s.

The answer was not in encyclopedias, textbooks, or nature magazines. The answer was still undiscovered, in a cave in the West Indies. The bizarre behavior is newly described in a recent issue of the scientific journal Copeia.

The animal is the Jamaican Frog. The investigators reporting the phenomenon are from the University of the West Indies in Kingston.

Most people think of scientific publications as being dry and dull, at best. Yet such journals are where the authentic records of the most exciting events in the animal world are first reported and confirmed. Copeia, named after the famous naturalist Edward Drinker Cope, is the oldest professional journal focusing exclusively on fishes, amphibians, and reptiles. Many of the most significant scientific discoveries in the world about coldblooded vertebrates were flfSt reported in Copeia.

Frogs do some weird things reproductively, such as carrying their developing babies in their mouth or on their back. But the Jamaican Frog is the first known instance of frogs breeding in caves or of a frog transporting fully developed young anywhere.

Breeding begins in the traditional way as with most other frogs -- with males giving their mating calls to attract females. Except the male Jamaican Frogs call from a cave. Some call from the entrance, but others were found more than 250 feet deep inside the cave, in total darkness.

After fmding a mate, a female lays about fifty eggs inside the cave and remains with them until they hatch. Amphibians that stay with their eggs are able to protect them from potential small predators. Some of the Jamaican Frog eggs not attended by a female became infected by a fungus. Perhaps a mother frog sitting atop her eggs in a cave somehow prevents fungus invasion.

Adult female Jamaican Frogs are tiny, less than two inches in length. So imagine the size of the babies when they hatch a month later. And then for the fun part.

As many as fifty little frogs crawl up on their mother'S back for the trip out of the cave. The investigators observed females jumping distances of more than three feet per hop, without losing any of the babies! So, from 250 feet deep in a pitch black cave, some babies are assured of at least eighty jumps in the dark. This has got to be one of the wildest rides in the animal kingdom.

In the same issue of Copeia, scientists reported on a phenomenon involving rattlesnakes. The question was, Can rattlesnakes control the amount of venom they inject when they strike prey? The investigators, from Southern College in Tennessee and Washington State University, videotaped northern Pacific Rattlesnakes as they strock mice of different sizes. The snakes struck

mice of any size in the same manner, as far as body location, total number of strikes, and distance from the mouse when the snake strock. The significant fmding came when the mice were assayed to determine the amount of venom injected: more venom was injected into the larger mice.

The significance of the finding biologically is that a rattlesnake can monitor how much venom is injected. That is, when a snake strikes at prey, it gauges whether to inject a lot of venom or a little. The importance to a snake of being able to do this is that venom can be conserved when the prey is small, whereas an amount assured to be lethal can be administered if the prey is large.

The importance of this phenomenon from a human perspective is that venomous snakes that strike in self-defense can probably also control the amount of venom injected. Unfortunately, if we get bitten we have no idea whether the snake thought it could save a little venom. So we have no immediate information on whether we received a large or small dose of venom, or no venom at all. So we had best treat any venomous snake bite as a worst case situation and head for the emergency treatment center.

Nevertheless, a snake's ability to meter the amount of venom injected would explain why more than half the poisonous snake bites in the United States present no hazard. One theory is that some snakes may feel they can successfully repel a threat without wasting venom. If so, no venom or only a little is injected when the snake strikes in self- defense.

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. Probably best known for his books including; Their Blood Runs Cold, The Life History and Ecology of the Slider Turtle and Keeping all the Pieces among others, Dr. Gibbons also writes a weekly syndicated column for the New York Times Regional News. The preceding article is one instalhnent of this column and has been provided for publication in the MUS Newsletter through the kindness of Dr. Gibbons.

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 7

CANADIAN AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE LEGISLATION

By John P. Levell Considering the explosion of interest in keeping amphibians and reptiles as pets experienced around the world over the last couple of decades or so, there can be little doubt as to why these aoirnals have become an increasing important component of the pet industry not only in Europe, Japan and the United States, but in Canada as well. With continuing advances in herpetoculhne (the captive husbandry and propagation of amphibians and reptiles) an ever expanding number of species and color mutations are becoming more readily available and, perhaps most importantly from a commercial standpoint, much more affordable. True to the economic laws of supply and demand, the profusion of relatively inexpensive amphibian and reptile species currently available and the huge popularity of these animals among causal pet keepers and serious herp hobbyists combined, has created a potentially highly profitable market "niche" for pet wholesalers and retailers alike.

Along with the growth in popUlarity of ampbibians and reptiles in the pet trade (and possibly because of it), however, there has come a proportional increase in the number of govemmental rules and regulations involving these animals, including their capture, possession, importation and sale. Obviously, a thorough knowledge of any and all regulations is essential if these animals are to be successfully and, most importantly, legally worked with or marketed.

Unfortunately, in far too many cases, existing restrictions are scattered through a complex maze of regulations from a multitude of agencies, often at all government levels.

This is as true in Canada as anywhere, and it is well beyond the scope of this article to cover all the amphibian and reptile regulations currently enforced in the country.

Canada's federal regulations can be examined in some detail, however, as can some of the more interesting and important aspects of Canadian restrictions at the Provincial level.

FEDERAL REGULATIONS Canadian Wildlife Service: First and foremost of the government entities to be considered is the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS). Roughly equivalent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the CWS assumes jurisdiction over a wide variety of governmental wildlife legislation, including take, possession and importation regulations for plants and animals. Unlike the United States and elsewhere, Canada does not currently have a specific national "Act" for endangered species conservation, although this may change in the very near future. The country is a signatory nation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) treaty agreement, however, and the CWS is primarily responsible for insuring Canada's compliance with it's CITES treaty obligations.

Although CITES Trade Regulations remain

unchanged virtually everyWhere, a brief review of the treaty's major restrictions may prove helpful. In as simple of terms as possible, and as currently enforced by the CWS, this international agreement requires both an export permit from the country of origin and an import permit from the country of destination for any wildlife listed as an CITES Appendix I (the treaty's highest or most protective category) species. In addition, the treaty contains provisions requiring an export permit issued by the country of origin for trade in any wildlife included in the list of CITES Appendix II species. A third and final category, Appendix III, allows individual countries to establish trade quotas or restrictions for designated species and requires an export permit for any specimens of those species originating from within the borders the listing nation. Here it should be noted that CITES permit requirements only apply to international import/export activities involving listed species, and lawfully acquired specimens may be traded within Canada's political boundaries without further CITES restriction. A more detail explanation of the CITES treaty agreement and a complete list of the amphibians and reptiles included in Appendices I, II, and III may be found in A Field Guide to Reptiles and the Law (Levell, 1995).

Unlike the United States and elsewhere, however, obtaining Canadian CITES documentation is a fairly straight forward and simple procedure, with many permit applications being processed in as little as two weeks.

This is undoubtedly due in large part to the fact that CITES permits may be obtained from any of the numerous regional CWS offices scattered across the country, unlike in the United States where all permit applications must be processed through the U.S.F.W.S. Office of Management Authority in Arlington, VA. With pre-notification of the CWS, the necessary Customs inspection and clearance of wildlife shipments can likewise occur at a multitude of locations throughout Canada, again unlike the U.S. where all wildlife import and export activities must occur at one of the relatively few "Designated Ports of Entry." As can be expected, there is an associated fee for both permit applications and inspections, and these are currently running at about $25 and $35 Canadian each respectively. Naturally, any and all permits are issued at the discretion of the CWS, and it is highly unlikely that CITES permits would be granted to private individuals for obviously unsuitable species (Le. Komodo Dragons, etc). Further information on CITES permit application requirements and the locations of the CWS regional branch offices may be obtained from the; Canadian Wildlife Service, Administrator - CITES, Environment Canada, Ottawa, Ont. KIA OH3.

Other Federal Agencies: With the exception of possible take and possession restrictions for specified native species, the CWS has little, if any, further impact on the commercial trade of amphibians and reptiles in Canada. Such is not the case with other Canadian federal

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 8 government agencies, however, in particular Agriculture Canada, This agency's regulations, through the statutory authority of the national" Animal Diseases and Protection Act," require agricultural pennits, inspection and, possibly, quarantine for any wildlife entering the country, including amphibians and reptiles not included in the three CITES Appendices. In general, agricultural permit application and importation procedures and fees are virtually identical to those for CITES listed species discussed previously, with Customs inspection and clearance again available at a multitude of locations throughout the country. In a somewhat strange legislative twist, shipments of amphibians and reptiles originating in the United States are exempt from agricultural permit and inspection requirements providing the animals to be imported have been held in captivity in the U.S. for at least 60 days prior to their importation into Canada. Such shipments may include any species of amphibian or reptile except turties (see Federal Turtie Regulations below) and CITES listed species. A listing of regional office locations and further infonnation on agricultural permit requirements may be obtained from; Agriculture Canada, Animal Pennits, Carling Building, 930 Carling, Ottawa, Ont. KIA OC7.

Federal Turtle Regulations: Due mainly to human health concerns, trade in all species of turties is specifically and strictly regulated at the federal level in Canada. In many aspects even more restrictive than similar legislation in the United States, Canadian law requires importation permits and Customs inspection for all shipments of living turtles or tortoises entering the country (including shipments originating in the U.S.), with each individually pennitted shipment limited to a total of only two specimens. Unlike the United States where viable eggs are subject to the same restrictions as living turties, Canada does not restrict the number of turtie eggs entering the country, although importation pennits and inspection are still required. Hatchling turtles from legally imported turtie eggs may lawfully be sold in Canada (unless prohibited by Provincial law), again unlike the U.S. where specific federal size restrictions are enforced. Turtle and turtle egg permit and inspection fees and procedures are similar to those for other Canadian wildlife importations, and further information may be obtained from Agriculture Canada at the address provided previously.

PROVINCIAL REGULATIONS As is the case with the individual U.S. states, each of Canada's twelve provinces and territories have established their own unique "code" of wildlife regulations. Within provincial boundaries, this legislation may (and in many cases does) regulate a wide variety of activities involving both native and exotic amphibian and reptile species, including their capture, possession, import/export and sale. Unfortunately, the complexity, variety, and number of existing Canadian provincial amphibian and reptile regulations is easily the

subject of a decent sized book in itself, allowing for only the most abbreviated of examinations here. Hopefully, this will provide at least some information beneficial to readers interested in pursuing the subject further.

Among the most prominent and important responsibilities of enviromnental government agencies anywhere, is the conservation and management of local natural resources including the capture and subsequent possession of indigenous species of wildlife. Considering the fact that at least twelve separate governmental entities are involved, it is not surprising that subtle and not so subtle differences exist in the intention, content and sophistication of provincial level amphibian and reptile legislation in Canada. While this is less evident among the regulations restricting activities involving native species, differences never the less still exist among Canada's independent provincial wildlife departments. For example, in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan all amphibians and reptiles, with the exception of a few specified species (including all wild caught turtles), may be capture and possessed without license. On the other hand, most, if not all of the remaining provinces and territories require licenses for at least some designated species, with some requiring permits for all activities involving any species of native or indigenous wildlife.

Obviously, knowing the exact legal status of resident species is essential if native amphibians and reptiles are to be lawfully maintained or marketed, and readers interested in indigenous species should consult the appropriate government agency regarding legal considerations before beginning any proposed activity involving these animals.

Canadian provincial legislation which regulates the importation and possession of not only exotic amphibians and reptiles, but of specimens of native species lawfully obtained outside of provincial or territorial boundaries as well, displays even more variability among the respective government agencies and is, without doub~ an exceedingly complex and lengthy subject. Regulatory differences in this legislation ranges from very few, if any, restrictions (as is the case in the Yukon Territory) at one extreme, right on through highly detailed and sophisticated regulations at the other. For instance, both Newfoundland and New Brunswick require permits to possess any animal not specifically included in a list of designated "exempt" species. While there are differences in the type and number of exempted amphibians and reptiles between the two provinces, both require pennits for species commonly encountered in the pet trade. Interestingly, Newfoundland's list of exempt reptiles specifically includes some crocodilians, aU large constrictors, and two venomous snakes. Other Canadian provinces restrict the possession of specific amphibian and reptile species with venomous snakes, large pythons or boas, and crocodiles frequently being prohibited without permit, as is the case in Alberta and elsewhere. Turtles and tortoises are, likewise often subject to a variety of provincial regulations, sometimes to the extent where either very few or no species may be possessed without permit (as in Alberta and Prince Edward Island). As numerous additional variations exist among the

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 9 regulations of the individual provinces, prior consultation with the appropriate government agency regarding the legality of any activity involving captive amphibians and reptiles is again strongly recommended. Names and addresses of the various provincial wildlife departments may be obtained from the Canadian Almanac and Directory (1995).

CONCLUDING COMMENTS Without doubt, ampbibians and 'reptiles are an extremely interesting group of animals with a tremendous diversity not only in body shape, color and size, but in temperament and habits as well, and there can be little wonder as to why such a large number of people fmd them fascinating. Equally clear is the fact that many, many amphibian and reptile species make perfectly suitable captives for practically anyone. More difficult to keep or even potentially dangerous species may, likewise, be safely and effectively held in captivity by responsible, properly licensed individuals. In order to insure that these animals may continue to be owned by private individuals, however, it is vitally important that everyone keeping, breeding, purchasing, or selling amphibians and reptiles makes every effort to do so legally. To remaln within established legal parameters it is important to remember to pay special attention to not only federal and state or provincial legislation, but to regulations at the county, township and municipal levels as well. While this may require some research, it is something anyone can accomplish with just a little effort and some good old fashion common sense.

~EPTILEr

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LITERATURE CITED

1995 Canadian Almanac and Directory. Canadian Almanac Pub!., Ltd. Toronto, Ontario Canada.

Levell, John P. 1995. A Field Guide to Reptiles and the Law. Serpent's Tale Natural History Books. Excelsior, MN. Editor's Note: A somewhat modified version of this article was published in the Jan. 1996 edition of Pet Product News (50.1), under the title of; Border Law: Canadian Governmental Regulations Restrict Herp Imports.

JPL

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MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 10

Letters to the Editor Some Ideas and Viewpoints on the Keeping and Promotion of Venomous Reptiles.

In the January 1996 MHS Newsletter, Jeff LeClere had an article on Timber Rattlesnakes. In the article he mentioned that the MHS does not promote or encourage the keeping of venomous reptiles and that the keeping of rattlesnakes can be dangerous. I thought that was a positive signal discouraging tbe keeping of rattlesnakes, but I then read the rest of the article in dismay as Jeff explained how to keep and breed rattlesnakes! That would be like the NRA saying it was against automatic weapons and then describing how to file down the trigger and modify springs to create one, or the State Patrol telling you to obey speed limits in an article explaining how to beat speed traps.

Unfortunately, this kind of inconsistency has been showing up in the newsletter over the last several years. Several years ago the MHS developed a venomous reptile policy (reprinted in the Nov. 1995 issue of the MHS Newsletter) which basically discourages tbe keeping and promotion of venomous snakes. Recently, bowever, there have been classified ads announcing that a party will take any unwanted venomous snakes. This appears positive in that it takes venomous snakes out of circulation, but the MHS Board of Directors has been able to do that for several years without any problems. The advertisement also promotes venomous snakes in that persons who might be looking for venomous species will also call the number.

The newsletter has also been running the State Poison Control Center phone numbers on a monthly basis as a reference for snakebite emergencies. First off, if you do get bitten call 911 - its faster! Secondly, if you are keeping venomous species you should have these numbers taped to your phone, and not have to look for them in your newsletter. Lastly, Dr. Dan Keyler admits that medical emergencies resulting from individuals careless or drunk enough to get bitten add unnecessary burden to medical staff.

I agree that venomous snakes are fascinating animals. There are few animals as beautiful as a newly shed Gaboon Viper or a large Central American Coral Snake. While the keeping of these animals is intriguing, it is not appropriate within the framework of the MHS. I know some people will not agree with these ideas, but just remember that if you keep venomous snakes you will eventually get bit and in Minnesota the only antivenin readily available is for Crotalids (rattlesnakes and other New World pit vipers).

John J. Moriarty.

Rattlesnake Article Clarification In response to the letter sent in by John Moriarty, I must say that the only reason I included a care section in my recent Timber Rattlesnake article (LeClere, Minn. Herp. Soc. News. 16[1]1996) was for the sake of consistency, as was pointed out in the article question.

For tbe sake of clarity the following is reprinted directly from that article: "The Minnesota Herpetological Society does not encourage, recommend, nor promote the keeping of any venomous species of reptile by tbe public.

I bave included this section only to be consistent with my past articles."

This care section has been present in all of my past Snakes of Minnesota articles, including that of the venomous Eastern Massasauga, SistruTUs catenatus, of which no objections were brought to my attention.

I feel that I did not promote the keeping of Timber Rattlesnakes in my article. In fact, in the Timber Rattlesnake article the following paragraph directly follows the one quoted above: "Timber Rattlesnakes ARE NOT recommended as captives for many good reasons.

First, this snake is DANGEROUSLY VENOMOUS and extreme caution must always be exercised around them.

Second, most populations of Timber Rattlesnakes need all their members! There is no reliable way to determine that the one you buy is captive bred (not just captive born), and taking them from the wild yourself should be discouraged even if the population seems strong. Timber Rattlesnakes are listed as threatened in the State of Minnesota and permits are required to possess specimens."

Furthermore, the care section that is actually included in the article is intentionally brief and extremely generalized, with no breeding secrets or tips on how to obtain specimens. It was not my wish or objective to encourage nor discourage the keeping of any venomous reptile in the composition of this publication.

Jeff LeClere.

Editor's Comments I would like to take this opportunity to thank John Moriarty for submitting a letter expressing his opinions regarding the keeping of venomous snakes. This newsletter, after all, should be (and hopefully is) a forum for any MHS member to voice their opinions and concerns, and as MHS Editor I will continue to publish both positive and negative comments. While I too have strong opinions about the keeping of venomous reptiles, as Editor of the MHS Newsletter I feel it's best for the integrity of this publication to keep those opinions to myself.

Regarding John's comments concerning tbe publication of Poison Control phone numbers, however, I must admit that I cannot see how tbis encourages the captive maintenance of venomous reptiles. Furtbermore, the potential benefit of these phone numbers far outweighs any negative aspects, and they will still be a part of this newsletter when I step down as editor.

Finally, as an individual who was "careless or drunk" enough to get bitten by a venomous snake in the first place, I really should apologize to Dr. Keyler and the rest of the excellent staff of Hennepin Co. Medical Center for all the unnecessary burden I caused them. Next time I'll try to get hit by a bus! "Nuff Said."

JPL

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 11

Concerning Salmonella and Reptiles The past year has seen an increase of reports concerning salmonella in reptiles. Since reptiles are our livelihood we started an educational campaign to help reduce the number of salmonella cases contracted from reptiles. In January 1995, we wrote a reference sheet on this subject. Both the Orange County and Los Angeles County Health Departments were consulted on the content and correctness of our sheet. Both gave suggestions for changes and eventually approved the sheet. The Los Angeles Health Department, in turn, asked for our help for a study they were conducting on salmonella, to which we gladly agreed. Our reference sheet was also submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Again, our sheet was accepted and approved.

According to the CDC, of the 2,000,000 cases of salmonella reported annually in the United States, 5% might be attributed to reptiles. The key word here is "might." This number may be lower. Consider the following scenario: A family has a pet iguana. One of the family members becomes ill and visits the doctor where it is found this person is infected with salmonella. Being a reportable disease, authorities from the health department arrive at their house to try and determine the source. It is learned that the family has a pet iguana and the proper tests are conducted to see if the iguana is infected. It is found that the iguana is infected with the same strain of salmonella as the infected person. Do we assume the iguana was the initial source, or can we assume the iguana was infected, indirectly from the family, then returned the bacteria? If the fantily has prepared dinner in the same area as the iguana's food, could the salmonella have been on raw chicken or eggs and transferred to the vegetables of the iguana? The iguana picks up the bacteria, then infects the family member. Both the iguana and the infected person test positive for the same strain of salmonella.

There is no test to prove this theory, but it is possible.

One would assume with 2,000,000 cases per year there would be more attention paid to a source with a higher transmission rate than reptiles, such as poultry or eggs. I have been told by the authorities with the Los Angeles County Health Department that more than 50% of the county's cases are poultry and egg related. These case get no publicity. They are so common, it fails to make the news. Reptiles are not as accepted by the general public as cats, dogs and birds. The California Egg Board ran Television commercials asking the public to "Give eggs a break" concerning the level of cholesterol eggs contain. We believe it's the reptile's turn for a break from panic reporting.

California Zoological Supply has been in business since Febrnary 1977, and has seen not one case of salmonella among it's employees. Think of it. 19 years without a single case! Not a bad track record for a company that sells more than 500,000 reptiles a year.

The precautions we take are obviously working. Not only do our employees come in contact with reptiles while at work, but they keep reptiles as pets as well. They are involved with reptiles practically every waking hour. I'm sure you will find similar results from other livestock distributors, whether it's reptiles, dogs, cats or birds.

Our reference sheet is included in every shipment we send; printed in our catalog 3-4 times per year; printed in the Jan/Feb 1996 issue of Reptile and Amphibian Magazine; printed in the February 1996 issue of Pet Age; mailed to major heI]letological societies worldwide for publication in their newsletters; sent with all T-shirt and caps we mail and was discussed on the national radio show "Pet Talk America" where I was a guest. As you can see, we are at the forefront of educating the public on how to avoid salmonella with respect to reptiles.

Legislation is being considered in the State of Oregon, as you read this, to put restrictions or an outright ban on Green Iguanas. This kind of "knee-jerk" reaction is not responsible nor is it a positive solution. One of our clients in Tennessee informs me that turtles and tortoises have been outlawed there. The U.S. already has a federal 4" length limit on turtles, but it seems Tennessee has decided to take what appears to be the easy route.

Shouldn't they have already banned chicken and eggs?

Please become involved in our quest. Educate your membership. Contact your legislators. Post our care sheet at your meetings. Supply membership with a copy (Editor's Note: See page 12). Don't let this panic determine whether you can own reptiles or not. It does affect your right to own reptiles.

Best Regards, Mike Barnes - Assistant Managing Director California Zoological Supply.

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MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 12

California Zoological Supply's

Tips on Avoiding Reptile Associated Salmonella California Zoological Supply was establisbed in 1977 and is one of the largest import/export companies of live/non-poisonous reptiles. We would like to bring to your attention a fact about reptiles. You may have read articles recently in your newspapers or seen on the TV news that tbere is an increase in reports concerning the Salmonella bacteria in reptiles (particularly in Green Iguanas). If carrying the Salmonella bacteria, reptiles bave the potential of transmitting it to your other pets, or you. We would like to help in any way we can to reduce tbe risk of contracting or transmitting tbe Salmonella bacteria. We have prepared tbis text specifically for that purpose, at the same time reassuring you reducing your risk of contracting the Sahnonella bacteria can be simple.

What is Salmonella? Salmonella, named after its discoverer, Daniel Edward Salmon (1850-1914), is a bacterium transmitted from one animal to another orally.

Contamination starts througb transmission of tbe bacteria via fecal matter. Reptiles can live with the Sahnonella bacteria throughout their lives without any ill effects or symptoms. Stress and other immune-weakening factors allow the Sahnonella bacteria to gain control. A healthy human may contrac~ carry and reject the Salmonella bacteria without even knowing it. However, if you are under the care of a physician, particularly if you are taking medication, you should avoid handling reptiles. Others at high risk of contracting the Salmonella bacteria are: Children under the age of 5 years since their immune systems are not fully developed, those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and the elderly. You cannot tell if your reptile is carrying sahnonella bacteria just by looking at it. Most reptiles appear healthy even with the Salmonella bacteria in their systems. It is best to assume all of your reptiles are carrying Sahnonella.

You can continue to enjoy your reptile pets and avoid contracting the Sahnonella bacteria as long as you handle your reptiles responsibly and with common sense. We suggest you follow the guidelines listed below.

The number one precaution you can take is to keep your cages clean. This includes the water (and water bowl), substrate (bedding), cage furniture, and of course, the cage itself. DO NOT clean cages or cage paraphernalia in areas where food is stored or prepared! We recommend you clean your cages thoroughly at least two times per month. (Keeping in mind, these guidelines are for all your reptiles they appear ill or not). Here is an overview covering the proper way to clean your cages.

I. Remove the animals and put them in a secure container with a well-ventilated lid. You may also take this opportunity to soak your pet. For snakes: Put in just enough water to slightly cover the body height. This will allow the snake to rest its head on its coils. For lizards and turtles: Add enough fresh water to leave 112" to 1" of the body dry. This procedure will help prevent accidental drowning. The water temperature should be tepid (75 -80ap). If you can detect any heat to the touch, the water temperature is too hot.

2. Throwaway the substrate. If you are using a "permanent" substrate such as cage carpe~ artificial turf, etc., soak it along with the water bowl and all cage furniture in a separate container with a solution consisting of I part chlorine bleach to 30 parts water. Make sure all items get covered with the solution completely. Keep everything soaking for at least 10 minutes. Bleach is only effective in killing germs after 10 minutes.

3. Rinse off all items with fresh water and let them airdry, preferably in the sunlight. Natural UV rays help kill other germs as well.

4. Rinse the cage with the same strength solution of water & bleach. Again, let the solution remain for at least 10 minutes and follow with a fresh water rinse. Dry the cage, set it up and return the animals. It's a good idea to keep more than one piece of carpet cut to fit each cage.

Having a spare piece of substrate prepared, clean and dry is a great time saving measure. Cleaning the cage in this manner should be a habitual practice regardless of the circumstances.

The Salmonelia bacteria seems to occur more often in iguanas and water turtles than other reptiles.

However, we recommend these procedures be followed for any reptile you may keep. Never let your mouth come in contact with your reptile. The transmission of the Sahnonella bacteria occurs orally. For example, some people like to give their reptiles an occasional affectionate kiss. This is a practice we do not recommend.

Transmission of the Sahnonella bacteria to humans can happen as easily as touching the skin or waste products of the reptile carrying the Salmonella bacteria, any of its soiled cage items or surfaces which tbe animals have come in contact. This, in turn, may be transmitted to other people. Always wash your hands for a minimum of 30 seconds after coming in contact with any animal. Make sure you use a quality anti-bacterial soap. Iodine based soaps or soaps that state on tbe label they kill the Salmonella bacteria are the cleansers of choice. You can purchase these at most pbarmacies and many specialty pet stores. We recommend Betadyne 速 or Prepodyne 速.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that reptiles many account for as many as 5% of the 2,000,000 annual reported cases of the Sahnonella bacteria. Chicken and eggs are a high source.

This means raw cockie dough could be a hazard. DON'T EAT IT. The Salmonella bacteria can also be transmitted to humans by cattle, pigs, dogs, cats, flies, ducks & their eggs, rats and mice. Incubation takes between 7-30 hours.

On the average it takes 10-24 hours. The Sahnonella bacteria can also survive for months in enclosures exposed to Salmonella bacteria regardless of whether it is housing animals or not. Symptoms in humans can include headaches, fever & chills, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps & diarrhea. Contact your local physician for more complete symptoms of Salmonella bacteria infection.

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 13 To illustrate how easy the Salmonella bacteria is transmitted and how long it survives, here are two actual cases. CASE # 1. A man kept a large snake as a pet.

Understandably, he had a large enclosure for it. To make cleaning easier for himself, he would climbed into the enclosure. His snake had the Salmonella bacteria. The man picked up the bacteria on his shoes. When he was done cleaning, he transmitted it to the carpeting where his young daughter often cmwled. Case # 2. A man once owned a monitor lizard, which he eventually sold. The lizard's enclosure remained untouched for a few months.

In time, he cleaned the enclosure. The dried droppings of the monitor still contained viable Salmonella bacteria!

All the Salmonella bacteria needs is slight physical contact to be transmitted. Be careful!

Thank you for taking the time to read our tips on avoiding reptile associated Salmonella. Following tltese guidelines can only increase the enjoyment you have with your pet. Reptile popularity is growing significantly and we believe the responsible keeping of reptiles will help ease the fears some may have towards these fascinating animals. With proper care reptiles will give you and your family years of enjoyment and education. You may al~o want to refer to Reptiles Magazine 5/95 for another POlOt of view on the Salmonella bacteria.

Following these guidelines will greatly decrease your risk of contracting and transmitting the Salmonella bacteria. California Zoological Supply assumes no responsibility in cases of sickness or death in animal(s) and/or person(s) as a result of any procedures or processes mentioned in this text. The preceding tips are not a guarantee that you will not contract the Salmonella bacteria. They were prepared to be used as a guideline only. Should you require further preventive measures regarding the Salmonella bacteria we recommend you contact your family physician or your County Dept. of Public Health (Veterinary Dept.). This textt is a guideline only. No guarantee is expressed or implied.

Literature Cited: Frye, Fredric L. 1995. SALMONELLOSIS IN PET REPTILES AND THEIR OWNERS. Reptiles Magazine 3.1 (May 1995).

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Did You Know . . .

• That the MHS has been recording the Guest SpCaker's presentations at the general meetings for several months now, and that these video tapes are available in the library for MHS members to check out. There are several meeting's progmms on each tape. Check it out - now you don't have to miss a single meeting!

• That the MHS has really moved into the superhighway.

We now have an E-mail address. The new MHS E-mail address is: mnherpsoc@aol.com and this address may also be found on the newsletter's inside front cover.

• That the MHS has an automated Voicemail phone number that lists the upcoming meeting dates and speaker.

This would be the place to check if you suspect that the meeting date would be changed, due to say, a BLIZZARD! The system is set up so you can leave a message at the end. This is a great phone number to give to prospective members as they can't always make the next meeting, but would be able to find out when a future meeting is. The MHS Voicemail phone number is: (612) 624-7065 and it is also printed on the inside front cover of the newsletter.

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 14

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Mar. 26, 1996 MHS "Hands On" Event. Cub Scout Troop 289 at Sonnesyn School in New Hope, MN. For more info Contact: Sean Hewitt (612) 935-5845.

Mar. 30, 1996 Great Lakes Declining Amphibians Conference. Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells St. Milwaukee WI 53233. Pre-registration $5.00. For more info Contact: Gary S. Caspar (414) 278-?:l66, fax (414) 278-6100, Email- gsc@csd.uwm.edu.

Apr. 12, 1996 MHS General Meeting. Guest Speaker: DAV KAUFMAN; Program: ROAD TRIPPIN' WITH DAV. Borlaug Hall, U of M, St. Paul Campus. 7pm.

Apr. 12-14, 1996 Amphibians and Reptiles of Indiana: A Symposium in Honor Of Dr. Sherman A. Minton, Jr. Indianapolis, IN. For more info Contact: Harriet A. Rodenberg, University Place Conference Center and Hotel, 850 Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-5198 (317) 274-5053.

Apr. 13, 1996 Annual All Florida Herpetological Conference. Gainesville, FL. Rietz Union, University Campus, University of Florida. For more info Contact: Dr. David Auth (904) 392-1721.

Apr. 14, 1996 MHS 'Hands On" at the U of M's ANNUAL VET SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE. St. Paul Campus. 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. For more info Contact: Sean Hewitt (612) 935-5845.

Apr. 20, 1996 MHS "Hands On" Event. Alexander Harriett Nature Center, Hwy 36 & Dale, Roseville, MN. For more info Contact: Sean Hewitt (612) 935-5845 Apr. 20, 1996 MHS "Hands On" Event. Science Fest at the Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church NE, Minneapolis, MN. 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. For more info Contact: Sean Hewitt (612) 935-5845.

May 3, 1996 MHS General Meeting. Guest Speaker: TERI SCHWEISS, DVM; Program: VETERINARY ASPECTS OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES. Borlaug Hall, U of M, St. Paul Campus. 7pm.

May 17-19, 1996 MHS ANNUAL MIDWEST PET FAIR "HANDS ON" EVENT. St. Paul Civic Center.

For times and info Contact: Sean Hewitt (612) 935-5845 June 7, 1996 MHS General Meeting. Guest Speaker: JOHN MELTZER; Program: WESTERN HOGNOSE SNAKES. Borlaug Hall, U of M, St. Paul Campus. 7pm.

June 27·29, 1996 20th Annual International Herpetological Symposium. Sheraton Fiesta Hotel, San Antonio, TX. Registration fee: $125.00 (does not include hotel room fees). For more info Contact: David Hulmes, 361 VanWinkle Ave., Hawthorne, NJ 07506, (201) 427-0768. Hotel reservations Call: (800) 535-1980.

July 13·14, 1996 International Reptile Breeder's Convention. San Diego Concourse Plaza Hall, San Diego, CA. For more info Contact: Ray Busby (800) 497-3550.

July 24·29, 1996 39th Annual Meeting of the SSAR. University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS. For more info Contact: Cathy M. Dwigans, Academic & Professional Programs/Continuing Education, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045 (913) 864-3284, fax (913) 864-5074 Aug. 17·18, 1995 National Reptile Breeder's Expo. Radisson Twin Towers Hotel & Convention Center, Orlando, FL. Contact: Wayne Hill, P.O. Box 3277, Winter Haven, Fl 33885 (813) 294-2235.

Aug. 24·27, 1996 3rd Annual Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians Conference. Holiday Inn Bush Gardens, Tampa, FL. For conference registration info Contact: Dr. Wilbur Amand, P.O. Box 605, 1 Smithbridge Rd., Chester Heights, PA 19017. Fax: (610) 892-4813 Sept. 14·15. 1996 Mid-Atlantic Reptile Show. Maryland State Fairgrounds, Baltimore, MD. For more info Contact: Tim Hoen, Maryland Herp. Soc., 2643 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218-4590 (410) 235-6116.

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"ATTENTION" "CATCH MORE SNAKES" PILLSTROM SNAKE TONGS 4617 FREE FERRY ROAD. FORT SMITH, AR 72903' (501) 452-3001 cotLECfMORE SNAKES SAFELY BY USING THE PILLSTROM SNAKE TONGS. The Pillstrom Snake Tong is a "_must" for anyone working with reptiles. Handling poisonous snakes with our tong greatly reduces the risk ofinjury.

Each long is UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED TO GIVE SATISFACI10N or your money will be refunded instantly. Thestandard model at$49.00 is 36~ long; the40~ standard model is$SO.OOand the46" standard model isonly $51.00. A 52" standard model is available at$52.00. The 26" model long is $48.00 Order your PILLSTROM TONG TODAY. SHIPPING COST; $5.00 for the first tong then $1.00 per tong for each additional tong. Wecan ship the tongs UPS-C.O.D.

* This Advertiser Supports the MHS White Snake Sale

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 16

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

For Sale 0.0.1 Alligator Snapping Turtle, approx. 8" carapace length $100. 0.0.1 Spiny Softshell, 4" length $15. Call Craig (612) 934-7239 Adult Long Term Captive Monitors. 1.1.1 Varanus dumerili, 1.0 V. jobiensis, 0.0.1 V. niloticus omalUs. Also 2 adult tegus. Some cages, mice, rats and rabbits.

Please call for more details, all trades considered. Dan (612) 772-9315.

2.1 DumeriI's Boas, Acrantophis dumerili, c.b. babies 10/95. Feeding well on small mice. $250 ea. Desert Kingsnakes c.b. 8/95 $25 ea. Call Connie or John (612) 374-5422 Mice and Rats. Call Little Critters (612) 421-0097 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.

1995 HERPETOLOGICAL DIRECTORY. Valuable info source containing private & commercial breeders, wholesalers, foreign exporters, US/foreign societies, food sources, supplies, publications, more .....$15. MCNisa.

Great Valley Serpentarium, 2379 Maggio Circle, Unit C Lodi, CA 95240, (209) 369-7737, Fax (209) 369-7737.

Male albino Burmese Python for breeding loan. Call: Dan (612) 772-9315.

Looking for current & back issues of herp related magazines, symposia, journals & newsletters from around the world: U.S., England, Europe, Australia, Africa, etc.

Call Joel (814) 724-8351, PA.

Miscellaneous BREEDING INVENTORY SURVEY: Everyone keeping live reptiles and amphibians is asked to contribute to this annual report. Please submit the following info current Jan. 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 TURTLE SURVIVAL LEAGUE, announces its' line of eco-promoting sea turtle merchandise, for a free catalog write: Sea Turtle Survival League, P.O. Box 2866, Gainesville, FL 32602-2866 or call (800) 6787853.

Will find or provide "homes" for any and all unwanted venomous snakes and crocodilians. For more info contact: The Exotic Dead Comer (612) 545-5127.

Wanted

MHS Rodent Sales

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

Mice: pinkies $6.00 dozen fuzzies $6.00 dozen adults $9.00 dozen

Wanted: Any Day Geckos (Phelsuma). Call Dean R. Montour (612) 257-2462.

Rats: pups adults

Herp related news clippings, original articles, artwork, cartoons, etc. for publication in the MHS Newsletter.

Authors and artists will receive compensation in the form of volunteer brs, good towards one "priceless" MHS coffee mug. Send submissions to: MN Herp. Soc.! Editor, c/o Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church SI. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104. Editor's E-mail address: zoobooks@mn.uswest.net My female Rough-scaled Sand Boa is ready to breed this year. Looking for a male as a breeding loan. Call Chase; (612) 374-5422.

$10.00 dozen $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 Terry Scheiber (612) 440-7482.

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.

MHS Newsletter Volume 16 Number 3 Page 15

March Board Meeting Highlights

February 1996 Treasurer's Report

By Michelle Stephan, Recording Secretary

Prepared by Marilyn Brooks BIasus

Tbe monthly meeting of the MHS Board of Directors was conducted on March 2 at the home of John Levell. A quorum was present. The board took the following action: The old board banded over their positions to tbe new board members.

A welcome column will be tried in an upcoming issue of the newsletter for the new members.

Due to the increasing noise during the meetings, the Sergeant-At-Arms position will be reinstated. It will be rotated among the four Members-At-Large to help keep the noise to a minimum.

Home owner's insurance was extensively discussed. Anyone who has been turned down for insurance should get a copy of the rejection letter and bring it to the meeting.

Since attendance has been so high, tbe possibility of a new auditorium in the Classroom-Office Building that can bold up to 230 people was discussed.

The Board voted in favor of renewing the bulk mail permit. , Presented and accepted were: Treasurer's Report, Board Meeting Minutes, and Membersbip Report.

Beginning Check Book Balance

1996 Board Members This is a list of the 1996 MHS elected Board of Directors ready to begin a new year. Congratulations and good luck to them all.

President Vice President Treasurer Recording Secretary Membership Secretary Editor Immediate Past President Members at Large

Gloria Anton Micbael Gaunt Marilyn Brooks Blasus Micbele Stephen George Richard John Levell Bill Moss Dan Bergquist Donna Gaunt NancyHaig Mark Schmidke

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Gih ::~.:'.路r .,' : ..

Dutch

English Spot

dim's Rabbit Shack Where Spots Are Tops

Polish

JIM DALUGE 8700 Jabe, Ave. N.E. Monticello. MN 55362 (612) 295路2818

4,130.61

income: Membership

300.00

Raffle

Sales Donations Fines Other Total Income:

305.50 1.44 1,606.40 2,211.34

Expense: Newsletter Misc. Print!Postage Program Library Books Supplies Refreshments Other Total Expense:

217.97 86.28 111.95 93.39 15.00 2,835.00

Net IncomeILoss: Ending Cbeck Book Balance: Funds Allocated to Unpaid Expenses: Funds Available: Conservation Fund Balance:

882.33 (1,146.25) 2,984.36 60.00 4,130.61 80.78

March Refreshments For bringing refreshments to the previous MHS meeting the society says Thanks for sharing Donna CaIandar's Birthday Cake to: Glen "Jake" Jacobsen As always, we need as many people as possible to donate items in order to keep the refreshments successful. Call (612) 869-8547. Thanks, Nanette Jimerson - Refreshment Cbairperson.

Advertising Rates and Instructions

Amphibian & Reptile Information

Classified Ads: Are run 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 may be fe-submitted, Business Cards: Institutional members may run 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.

Amphibians & Reptiles in Minnesota John Moriarty (612) 482-8109 Greg Kvanbeck (612) 533-7723

Display and Expanded Size Ad Rates: Ad Size Month 3+ Months 6+ Months 1/4 Page $10.00 $7.50 $5.00 $20.00 $15.00 $10.00 1/2 Page Page $40.00 $25.00 $15.00 (All prices are per month) Submissions: All advertisements should be submitted to the; MRS Editor, Ben Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Minnesota Herpetological Society.

MHS 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 ad may be rejected at the discretion of the Newsletter Editor. Due to space limitations Unpaid and Complimentary advertisements are subject to occasional omission.

Large Boas & Pythons

Otber Snakes

Karl Hermann (612) 730-6265 Glen Jacobsen (612) 757-8263

John Meltzer (612) 263-7880 Jeff LeClere (612) 488-6388

Terrestrial Turtles

Aq uatic Turtles

John Moriarty (612) 482-8109 Glen Jacobsen (612) 757-8263

Gary Ash (612) 753-0218 John Levell (612) 374-5422

Lizards

Crocodilians

Nancy Haig (612) 434-8684 Bill Moss (612) 488-1383

Jeff Lang (701) 772-0227

Amphibians Greg Kvanbeck (612) 533-7723 John Meltzer (612) 263-7880

MEMBERSHIP AND T-SHIRT ORDER FORM MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY NAME(S) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ ADDRESS _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____ CITY _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ PHONE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____

STATE _ _ __

ZIP CODE

LIST IN MHS DIRECTORY?

YES

NO ____

DATE OF BIRTH

DRIVERLIC#

HERPRELATED INTERESTS: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP? MEMBERSHIP LEVEL?

NEW _ _ RENEWAL _ _ _ _-"SUSTAINlNG..... $60.00

INSTITUTION .... $25.00

____CONTRIBUTING ..... $30.00

_ _DBASIC .... $15.00

Are you currently (or will be) a University of Minnesota student? _ _(check if yes) HOW DID YOU HEAR OFMHS? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

NewDesign Bull Snake T-Shirts ($14.00 each includes postage) SMALL_

Indicate how many of each size MEDIUM_

LARGE_

X-LARGE__ XX-LARGE_

Please enclose payment. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Minnesota Herpetological Society. Membership is for 12 months from date of joining. A receipt will be sent only on request. Allow 6-8 weeks for processing. MAIL TO: Minnesota Herpetological Society, Bell Museum Of Natural History, 10 Church Street South East, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104

MINNESOTA

Non-Profit Rate U. S. Postage

PAID

HERPETOLOGICAL

Mpls.MN

Permit No. 2275

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

ADDRESS CORREGnON REQUESTED

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