THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY Volume 19 Number 7
July 1999 Newsletter
Upcoming Meeting Highlights August Program: "From Tree Snakes to Rattlesnakes: The Continuing Herpetological Adventures of a Former Zoo Curator" Guest Speaker: Richard Sajdak Those of you who have aÂŤended any of the Midwest Herpetological Symposiums held in Wisconsin over the past several years will probably remember Rich Sajdak as the head of Zoo's the Milwaukee County department of herpetology. During an IS-year career with that instirution, including 10 as Aquarium/Reptile curator, Rich not only built one of the finest collections of amphibians and reptiles exhibited anywhere in the Midwestern United States but also helped design and complete a $31300,000 renovation of the zools Aquarium/Herpetarium building. Needless-to-say, the results of this renovation project are nothing short of spectacular, as anyone who has ever
had the pleasure of experiencing one of Rich's personal "behind the scenes tourst! can readily attest Whether srudying the movements of Mud puppies or Milksnakes in his former home State of Wisconsin.. or conducting research into the conservation status of Caribbean Racers, Alsophis sp., in Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica and the Lesser Antilles, Sajdak has also remained actively involved in a wide variety of "in the field" herpetology projects throughout his years with the woo
Since his official retirement from active public zoo service 3 or 4 years ago, Richard has retained his interest in field herpetology and is presently involved in a radio-telemetry srudy of the movements of Timber Rattlesnakes, Crotalus horridus, in Wisconsin's Mississippi River Blufflands. Arboreal snakes have likewise long been a passion for Rich and he has srudied their behavior and life-styles wherever and whenever possible. The manuscript of his planned book on the diversity and narural history of tree dwelling snakes of all families and species is currently nearing completion. For his August MHS presentation, Rich has promised to provide an illustrated overview of some of his more recent herpetological endeavors.
An accomplished photographer as welL Sajdak's photos have appeared in a wide variety of publications and include numerous photographic credits in Crother's newly released Caribbean Amphibians and Reptiles (including that title's exceptional cover illustration of an Anolis smallwoodi from Guantanamo Bay, .Cuba). Having known Richard for years, I can safely say that his presentation will be both informative and highly entertaining and it is certainly one that shouldn't be missed. Looking forward to seeing you there. JPL
Date: August 6, 1999 Time: 7:00 PM.
Location: Borlaug Hall, Room 335, U of M St, Paul Campus SeptlO, 1999 - Barney OldfieldHerpetology of the 4 Comers Area of the Southwestern u.s.
Wanted:
Salamander Houses The National Wildlife Federation in conjunction with the U.s. Geological Survey and the Thousand Friends of Frogs (Hamline University, MN) has launched a 2-year contest to develop small strucrure that can be placed in or near streams to attract declining salamander species. The salamanders don't need the houses but the scientists studying the causes of amphibian declines do: to help them find and monitor the salamanders with out disturbing other narural habitat The grand prize winner, chosen after field testing of designs by the Survey scientists, will receive $2,500.00, Second place - $1000.00 and two Honorable Mentions will receive $500.00 each.
For contest details check out the website: www.mp1pwrc.usgs.gov /streamsally or write: Sam Droege, Patuxent Wildlife Rsearch Center 12100 Beech Forest Drive, Laure~ Maryland 207Q8.4038
(From National Wiltllife, AugustjSeptember 1999 issue, p 62.)