THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY Febrnary 2000 Newsletter
Upcoming Meeting The Vice-president's Report January General Meeting Program: "Diamonds in the Rough: Natural History of the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake." And MHS Annual Meeting and Elections
Guest Speaker: Dr. D. Bruce Means The best thing about being the Minnesota Herpetological Society's V.P. is the ability to not only schedule programs on topics which really interest you but to also, at the same time no less, coax someone you really
like personally into visiting the northland. While certainly accomplishing this feat more often then not I must confess, that when Dr. D. Bruce Means of Florida State University accepted my recent invitation to address the MHS, to having done so yet again. Dr. Means, you see, is easily the
world's foremost authority on the natural history and ecology of the Eastern Diamondback Rattler, Crotalus adamanteus, one of the most spectacular and by far the largest living rattlesnake species. Not surprisingly considering my overaIl fondness for the Pit-vipers, Bruce's presentation at the March 2000 MHS general meeting will focus almost entirely on this species. Entitled lIDiarnonds in the Rough.. II this exceptional program summarizes the results of over 25 years worth of field research into the habits, movements and ecology of the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake in the extreme southeastern comer of the United States. In addition to the unbelievable wealth of information
Volume 20 Number 2 amassed during this long-term study, Dr. Means has also promised to share some of his more harrowing experiences as well, not the least of which is his survival of not one but actually several Eastern Diamondback
MHS General Meetings Date: March 3, 2000 Time: 7:00 PM. Location: Borlaug Hall, Room 335, U of M, St Paul Campus
envenomations.
As one might
expec~
Dr. Means
has written extensively on rattlesnakes as a well as a plethora of other topics and has nearly completed work on a soon to be published massive monograph on Eastern Diamondback natural history. A limited edition version of 8 selected chapters from this important publication will be available for purchase at the meeting, which I'm sure Bruce will gladly provide his autograph to anyone who asks. In addition to this and his teaching duties, Dr Means is working on two additional books and is currently the Executive Director of the Coastal Plains Institute in Tallahassee, Florida and is the editor of that organization's periodical, the North Florida Journal As if this wasn't enough, Dr. Means is also active in the production of natural history documentaries including King Rattler, a 1999 National Geographic Explorer television special. His most recent National Geographic Explorer film work (in Australia no less), Quest for the Rainbow Snake, is scheduled to air sometime in the spring or summer of this year. So pian on joining us at the general meeting in March. as the reasons why Bruce is so liksble will be readily apparent to all in attendance. At the same time, you'll be treated to a fascinating introduction to the habits and life style of the most awe inspiring snake in the United States. Oh yeah, don't forget to vote for your favorite MHS Board of Directors candidates as well. We'll see you then -
JPL
April 7, 2000 - Carroll Henderson's "Costa Rican Odysseys: An Introduction to the Amphibians, Reptiles, and Other Animals and Plants of Costa Rieal!
MHS Board of Directors 2000 Ballot President
Bill Moss
Vice President
Tony Gamble John Levell
Recording Secretary Julie Beauvais Membership Secretary Mark Schmidtke Treasurer
Marilyn BIasus
Newsletter Editor NancyHaig Member-at large (vote for five) JodiAherns Mike Burpee Nancy Hakomaki Michelle Hewitt Gordon Merck Keith Tucker
Nominations will be accepted from the floor the night of the meeting. Tell the new Board what you want in the year 2000 by filling out the membership survey during the March meeting.