THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY April 1999 Newsletter
Upcoming Meeting Highlights May Program:
"A mazon Tree Boas: Natural History, Captive Husbandry and Complex Color Mutations" Guest Speaker: Steve Bostwick > Despite a well-deserved reputation for being somewhat "evil-tempered beasts," the Neotropical Tree Boas of the genus Corallus have long been of interest to reptile enthusiasts throughout the world. Readily displayed because of arboreal habits relatively large but still easil; manageable size (typically in the 3 to 6 ft. range) and often spectacular coloration, Tree Boas have certainly been exhibited, sometimes in beautifully designed "naturalistic" ~ncl.os~es, at zoological mstitutions for decades. Not surprisingly, and despite some truly formidable teeth, many herpetoculturists find these snakes particularly attractive as well. the featured Fortunately, speaker at the May general meeting of the MHS, Steve Bostwick of Des Moines, Iowa, is one of those relatively rare individuals who has fully succumbed to the Tree Boa ~ystiqu~. Steve's unwavering mterest m these animals dates back
Volume 19 Number 4 to 1986, when he obtained his first captive-born neonate Amazon Tree Boa, Corallus enydris (= C. hortulanus). In the intervening 13 years his collection has subsequently grown to include 4 different Corallus species and he has consistently produced anywhere from 24 to 65 baby Amazon Tree Boas annually in each year since 1989. Naturally, much of Steve's presentation will focus on the husbandry techniques necessary to successfully maintain and reproduce these animals in captivity. At the same time, Steve's program will also feature an extensive photographic review of the myriad of different color and pattern morphs typically exhibited by Corallus enydris, as well as some of the more unusual color "abnormalities" of this and other Tree Boa species. Steve has also promised to prOVide a complete overview of the natural history and relationships of all the species and subspecies in the genus CoraUus, including the stunningly beautilul Emerald Tree Boa, C. caninus. Steve's program promises to be an informative and enjoyable evening, so I'll just plan on seeing you there. "Nuff Said" (Thanks Stan) - JPL Date: May 7, 1999 Time: 7:00 PM. Location: Borlaug Hall, Room 335, U of M SI. Paul Campus
Signs of Spring The herpin' season has started in Minnesota. The small ponds and marshes are filled with the sounds of Spring Peepers (Pseudacris crucifer), Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica), and Western Chorus Frogs (Pseudarcis triseria/a). Turtles have been sighted basking on muskrat nests and a DOR (dead on the road) Painted Turtle (Cllrysemys picta) has been reported. Salamanders are already on the so watch for them on rainy mghts and when cleaning up the winter leaves in the garden. American toads (Bufo americanus) can also be found in garden debris. ~ove
For more information check out the new Leaflet from the Bell Museum on Frogs and Toads of Minnesota.