Vol. 21 (2001), No. 1

Newsletter of

The Minnesota Herpetological • e t y S o c 1 Volume 21 Numbed

January 2001

Upcoming Meeting The Vice-presidents

By Tony Gamble

report

February General Meeting Friday, February 9th Program: "Crocodilians: 21 st Century Dinosaurs" Guest Speaker: Dr. Adam Britton Let me begin by thanking last months speakers: Jake Jacobsen, Jeff LeClere, and Jodi Aherns, for their excellent presentations and hard work. The response was very positive. Please let me know how you liked the format of the January meeting and feel free to get in touch with me if you'd like to contribute to a future "Minnesota Breeders" talk.

This month, we have a very special treat.

Crocodile expert, Dr. Adam Britton will be discussing his work with saltwater crocodiles in the Northern Territory of Australia. He will also touch on several themes, including whether crocodiles make good models for dinosaurs, and how modern crocodilians have been underestimated by biologists. A very nice bio of Dr. Britton and an outline of his past work appeared in last months newsletter so I won't repeat that. Instead, I'm going to briefly go over some of the events in crocodilian biology and conservation from the last year.

Chinese Alligators in Trouble The Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) is the smaller relative of the wellknown American alligator (Alligator

mississippiensis). It lives only in Anhui province in eastern China. A special alligator reserve, consisting of 13 ponds, IS the only remaining protected habitat.

Recent field surveys indicate that fewer than 150 animals are left in the wild.

This alarming news has prompted the formation of the Chinese Alligator Fund, coordinated by the IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group. The fund (see the brochure) will provide much needed money to secure existing habitat, reintroduce captive-hatched alligators to new habitats, examine potential economic incentives like ecotourism, and provide education to the local people.

Dwarf Desert Crocs 10,000 years ago most of the Sahara was fertile savanna. When the desert began to expand it created refuges for small populations of animal and plants.

One of these remnants was found in a large rocky plateau in southern Mauritania. To the surprise of Wolfgang Bohme of the Zoologisches and Museum Forschungsinstitut Alexander Koenig in Bonn, Germany,

he and his team found a population of Nile crocodiles living in the crevices of the plateau! Bohme saw a total of four crocodiles, none larger than 2 meters (about 6 feet), although he suspects more lurk in the caverns. Bohme hopes to return to Mauritania and fit some of the animals with radio transmitters in an effort to learn more about this relic population.

Siamese Crocodiles Discovered in Cambodia's "Lost World" The cardamom mountains in south-west Cambodia are one of the last forest wilderness areas in south-east Asia. Recent surveys conducted by Flora and Fauna International discovered a virtually intact stretch of forest populated by deer, leopard, tiger, and wild dog. In addition, the survey team found the critically endangered Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis). Extinct across much of its former range, the appearance of a seemingly healthy wild population is good news to conservationists. Even thought the area is still riddled with land mines from the Khmer Rouge, the King of Cambodia is very excited about the discovery and eager to protect this near pristine wilderness and its crocodiles.

C*

Remember that the February meeting is on the second Friday! See you there.

Upcoming Meetings: March 2, 2001 - White Snake Sale and Photo Contest April 6, 2001 - Lyle Puente: Care of Chameleons

1

Board of Directors President Bill Moss

651.488.1383 mngatorguy@qwest.net

Vice President Tony Gamble

763.424.2803

tgamble@mediaone.net

The

S

612.321.0958

Membership Secretary Nancy Haig nanchiag@cililink.com

763.434.8684

o

• •

612.554.8446

•

Members at Large 612,588.9329 651.631.1380 952.891.4371

dragonnews@yahoo.com Melissa Nordos 612.812.6146 Crow248@msn.com

Keith Tucker

Email: MinnHerps@aol.com

Volume 21 Numberl

The Purpose of the Minnesota Herpetological Society is to:

gecKoloco@qwest.net

Nancy Hakomaki mngatorgal@qwest.net John Hogston

•

1

January 2001

952.925.4237

Jodi L. Aherns

C

Herpetological e t y

http://m,w.onrampinc.netlmhs/

mblasus@arbitrade.com Newsletter Editor Heather Malson

Minnesota

Voice Mail: 612.624.7065

Recording Secretary Julie Beauvais beav001@tc.umn.edu

Treasurer Marilyn Brasus

Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church Street South East; Minneapolis Minnesota 55455-0104

Further the education of the membership and the general Public in care and captive propagation of reptiles and amphibians; Educate the members and the general public in the ecological role of reptiles and amphibians; Promote the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

The

Minnesota Herpetological Society is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization.

Membership is open to all individuals with an interest in amphibians and reptiles. The Minnesota Herpetological Society Newsletter is published monthly to provide its members .h . f . , Wit In ormation concerning the SOCiety s activities and a media for exchanging information, opinions and resources.

612.321.0958 Tucke022@tc.umn.edu

Committees Adoption Sarah Richard

612.232.4152

General Meetings are held at Borlaug Hall, Room 335 on the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota, on the first Friday of each month (unless there is a holiday conflict). The meeting starts at 7:00pm and lasts about three hours. Please check the MHS Voice mail for changes in schedules or cancellations.

ReaISarah@aol.com Education Jan Larson

507.263.4391 jan.skunkhollow@juno.com

Northern Minnesota Jeff Korbel

218.586.2588

Rodent Sales Tina Cisewski

612.856.2865

Herp Assistance Amphibians Greg Kvanbek John Meltzer John Moriarty

651.388.0305 763.263.7880 651.482.8109

Chameleons Vern & Laurie Grassel

612.428.8109

Crocodilians Jeff Lang Bm Moss

701.772.0227 651.488.1383

Lizards Nancy Haig Heather Matson

763.434.8684 612.554.8446

Large Boas, Pythons Tina Cisewski

612.856.2865

Other Snakes Jeff Leclere John Meltzer

651.488.6388 763.263.7880

Aquatic Turtles Gary Ash John Levell

763.753.0218 507.467.3076

Terrestial Turtles Fred Bosman John Levell

763.476.0306 507.467.3076

Submissions to the Newsletter Ads or Notices must be submitted no later than the night of the General Meeting to be included in the next issue. Longer articles will be printed as time and space allows. All business cards are run for $5/month.

Items may be sent to: The Minnesota Herpetological Society Attn: Newsletter Editor Bell museum of Natural History 10 Church St. SE. Minneapolis, MN 55455.0104

OR email to: geckoloco@qwest.net Subject should read MHS News and date.

Snake Bite Emergency Hennepin Regional Poison Center

800.764.7661

Copyright Minnesota Herpetological Society 2001. Contents may be reproduced for non-profit use provided that all material is reproduced without change and proper credit is given author and the MHS Newsletter dUng: volume, number and dale.

J\Hnnesota Herpetological Society Newsletter

January 2001

Volume 21 Number 1

News, Notes & Announcements Critter Of the Month Everyone enjoys seeing real animals and maybe learning a little bit about the animal and the member that keeps it.

Thanks to the following people we had some great "critters".

Jodi L. Aherns, Sara Knez, Randy Blasus, Tony Gamble, Matt Girard, Jake Jacobson, John Levell, Bill Moss, Joy Nordquist, Chase Dellas, Tina Cisewski, Janell Osborn, Kathy Boron, Jodi Patnoe, Tom & Cheri Sassa, Evan Morris, Keith Tucker, Bill Ness, Dereck Oberreitt, Mike Howard, Donna Calander, Jan & Merle Larsen, Wyatt & Barb, Franke Forstner, Josh Strain, Heather Ingbretson, Lindsey Mayer, Sean Hewitt, Jim Gerholdt, Nathan & Leah Helgesen and Phillip Wontat.

Thanks for caring enough to share.

This Month's Critters: John Moriarty -Box Turtle Terrapene carolina -Wood Turtle Clemmys insculpta

Thanks to Raffle Donors MHS coffers were a little plumper this year thanks to the donations from: Barb Buzicky, Jodi L. Aherns, Marilyn & Randy Blasus, Vern & laurie Grassel, Jan Andreasen, Dave Asleson, Andrea Braucks, Ruth Clark, Becky Helgesen, Heather Inbretson, Bruce Kelly, Virginia Larson, Judy Mcdermott, Meg Martin, Dewey Molton, Jodi Patnoe, Tom Perneche, Julie Rimblas & Martin Teeters.

Thanks also to those who donated items but did not leave their names and of course to everyone who bought a raffle ticket.

This Month's Raffle Donations: Marilyn Blasus Hair stuff Beth Girard R & A Curriculum Vern Grassel T-Shirt

Newsletter Contributions If you Enjoyed the year 2000 MHS newsletter there are a lot of people who deserve special thanks.

Members that contributed articles for

the newsletter were: Heather Ingbretson, Randy Blasus, Tony Gamble, Becky Helgesen, Bill Moss, Mark Schmidtke, All Bat, Dennis Daly, James Grier, Jake Jacobson, Dan Keyler, Gene Krey, John Levell, Jodi Patnoe, Karin Rea, James Rea, George Richard, Ulrico Sacchet and Keith Tucker.

Karen Rea also contributed some artwork as did Todd Daniels, a former MHS member, who sent a year's supply of cartoons, just cus' he thought we might like theml Behind the scenes thanks for: James and Karin Rea for their support in organizing the newsletter folding and mailings for so many years.

Unsung heroes, (they saved my skin and your newsletter many times), the people at Jerry's Impressions have done an outstanding job printing a quality newsletter out of the scanned images and reprints I pasted together.

Always willing to try new things to help keep the cost down and still deliver on time they were our secret weapon for many years. If you have any special printing needs ,consider contacting Jerry's Impressions.

Extra Special Thanks goes to Bruce Haig for helping with proof reading. (also for putting up with the late nights of computer clicking and printing that seemed to get longer towards the end of this year, and then he'd get up extra early the next morning to drop the finished newsletter at the printer's before going to work.) What a guy!

You may have noticed certain names have come up rather frequently in this series of year end wrap-ups.

Yes, there is a core group of members that seem to go beyond the basic level of volunteerism. MHS is fortunate that we have such a dedicated membership.

But please remember anyone can use a break now and then. Whether you volunteer one item or several hours towards a MHS project, the overall impact benefits everyone. Next year when the 2001 wrap-ups are printed I hope I see everyone's name. G Nancy Haig

Help a Hapless Herp 4 animals were adopted at the January Meeting:

1 Turtle 1 Bull Snake 1 Florida King Snake 1 Veiled Chameleon Still Available: 2 Alligators 1 Leopard Tortoise 3 Iguanas 4 Caimens 3 Burmese Pythons If you are interested in adopting animals please contact Sarah Richard at 612.781.9544.

T-Shirt Art Wanted Deadline is the February 9thl 2001 marks the 20 th anniversary of the Minnesota Herpetological Society. We are looking for a new T-shirt design to commemorate this milestone. The Society will be voting on the designs on the night of the the White Snake Sale.

Displayed during the ...

The Great White Snake Sale ... as a reminder, will be held in March this year. The board has made some changes to make the sales operation run smoother. Big ticket items will have a silent bid box. If caging is what your looking for. Caging is what we have lots of for the sale. If you have something to donate you can bring smaller items to the February meeting. If you have larger items please bring to the March meeting. Come one come all to the Great White Snake sale to get great deals, which also helps the society to raised money for the study of the exciting world of Herpetology. This March we will be celebrating the 20 wonder years of the MHS.

3

Minnesota Herpetological Society Mondily Newsletter

SEA TURTLES TO BENEFIT FROM MAJOR MELLON DONATION TO FLORIDA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE http://news.fws.gov/newsreleases/

The Richard King Mellon Foundation has donated one of the world's most important sea turtle nesting beaches and other adjacent wildlife habitat to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge in Florida.

The donation includes one-half-mile of ocean front that is intensely used by nesting sea turtles in the refuge area. A total of 19,000 threatened loggerhead, 2,800 endangered green, and 13 endangered leather back sea turtles nested at Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge this past summer. The donation also includes scrub habitat important for the threatened Florida scrub jay and eastern indigo snake and three structures, including one used as a University of Central Florida research station. The donation, which totals about 35 acres, nearly doubles the amount of land owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge.

"This generous donation by the Richard King Mellon Foundation will assure the protection of this extremely important sea turtle nesting area for the future," said Jamie Rappaport Clark, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "In addition, it will enable the Service to care for the scrub habitat, which must be actively managed to provide good quality habitat for Florida scrub jays and other species."

Seward Prosser Mellon, president of the Richard King Mellon Foundation, said, "The Foundation's American Land Conservation Program, under which this donation has been made, reflects our Foundation's and family's traditional and continuing interest in land conservation. We feel the private sector has an opportunity and an obligation to augment the conservation work of state and federal agencies. We

4

J aumu), 2001

are pleased that our program will help safeguard this critical nesting area for marine turtles and enlarge the resources of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge."

Senator Bob Graham said, "The Mellon Foundation's generous donation is an insurance policy for sea turtles and other wildlife. With this donation they can rest assured that their homes and nesting places will not be sacrificed in favor of condo complexes, shopping centers, or any other development."

Congressman Dave Weldon said, "This generous donation is a wonderful gift to our children and grandchildren and will do much to foster a full recovery of sea turtles."

"With their donation of these nesting sites critical to the survival of marine turtles the Richard King Mellon Foundation continues its leadership and commitment to protecting vital wildlife habitat throughout the United States," said John Turner, president and CEO of The Conservation Fund.

Volume 21 Number 1

as office space or temporary quarters for students or volunteers.

Established in 1947, the Richard King Mellon Foundation, based in Pittsburgh, PA, has a longstanding commitment to conservation. Since 1977 the Foundation has made major grants and gifts for conservation primarily in the areas of land acquisition, wetlands protection, and wildlife preservation.

The Conservation Fund provides technical assistance to the Foundation on identification, purchase, and disposition of conservation land acquired under auspices of the American Land Conservation Program. During a little more than a decade, the Foundation has acquired land worth more than $270 million for conservation and historic preservation.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million acre National Wildlife Refuge System comprised of more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of m a I I wetlands,and other special anagement areas.

It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fish and wildlife management assistance offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. G

"We have beennaIP~:r;li~v:;i:-:<:~~'\.': leged to work in p ship with the Foundation since 1988 on their American Land Conservation Program and applaud them for this wonderful gift to the nation."

The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 to protect sea turtle nesting beaches, ocean-front areas that are extremely valuable for development and thus are hig hly threatened around the world. The 20mile section of coast from Melbourne Beach to Wabasso Beach in Florida is the most important nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles in the western hemisphere and the second most important nesting beach in the world.

"The success of this refuge is attributable to the partnership among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State of Florida, Brevard and Indian River counties, private philanthropy and the nonprofit conservation community," Director Clark said. The donated structures are expected to continue to be Submitted by Tony Gamble. used as a research station and possibly

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Minnesota Herpetological Society Montluy Newsletter

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January 2001

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Volume 21 Number 1

~"c;~ ~ 6'!2C1E '(

The Chinese Alligator: Is Extinction Just Around the Corner?

No, the Chinese Alligator is not extinct... yet. However, after hearing John Thorbjarnarson at the Crocodile Specialist Group meeting in Cuba, and speaking to the Chinese delegates there, we can all confidently say that Alligator sinensis will be extinct in the wild in the very near future (a few years, or less) unless extremely urgent action is taken immediately. How ironic that in the Year of the Dragon, which began yesterday in the Chinese calendar, the real Chinese dragon and the inspiration for the mythical Chinese dragon may shortly no longer exist in its natural habitat.

Here is a brief overview of the problem. Chinese alligators are now found only within 41 hectares of protected habitat which encompasses 13 protected pools (very small bodies of water less than 0.5 hectares in area - you might call them "ponds"). There are also limited numbers in 15 unprotected sites. Alligators are found in only 10 of the protected pools, and only the actual water and any islands within their boundaries are protected. Community habitat extends right up to the edge of each protected pond, so you can fairly accurately say that virtually 100% of all alligator habitat in protected areas has been lost.

Most of the protected pools contain single individuals or no females. The largest pond contains 11 small alligators, the last female of which died in 1996 because it was poisoned.

Therefore, like most of the other populations, it is non-viable in the long term.

In non-protected areas, alligators have moved into higher areas, where it is generally too cold to breed and the soil is too hard for the juveniles to burrow into to escape the freezing winter conditions. Again, these are nonviable populations. Alligators in the lowland protected areas which try and move out to find new habitat simply end up causing a nuisance in the paddy fields, destroying irrigation and eating valuable ducks,

and so they are usually killed. Some farmers rather like their resident alligator populations, but most regard them as much a vermin as the cockroaches and mice they poison.

There were no wild A. sinensis nests in 1998 - probably the first time ever in the species' evolutionary history.

Although there were 4 nests in 1999, they were in the upper, colder areas and so survival rate of the hatchlings was probably nil. Recent surveys revealed 23 adults found in protected areas, from which a population estimate of 75 adults was derived, with possibly no more than 150 adults in the entire wild population. Although more surveys will increase the accuracy of this estimate, there isn't any time to wait around to verify that the species is nearly extinct in the Wild. The most worrying factor is the lack of breeding which is taking place, and the lack of habitat in which to do it.

The only ray of hope is the captive population. The Anhui centre has done an excellent job in learning about the species' biology, and there are around 5000 animals in captivity - an excellent gene pool from which to reintroduce animals back to the Wild. However, you can't introduce anything to anywhere unless there is viable habitat and a proper management program. Much progress has been made in trying to formulate such a program, but still the lack of habitat is a problem. Creating new habitat, or reclaiming unsuitable land and converting it to suitable habitat is a possibility, but this requires a lot of money into the millions of dollars. If this was an elephant or a tiger, we'd have no problem, but this is an alligator, which is much harder to convince the general public both in China and internationally is worth saving.

The actual course of action is open to considerable debate, and working closely with the dedicated people at Anhui is essential. They are currently trying to convince the authorities than the wild population is more important than the captive one, for example.

However, the plight of the real Chinese dragon needs to be carefully highlight-

ed, which is why I raise this issue here.

This problem is much more of a political and social one than it is a biological one. Raising social and pOlitical awareness, therefore, may be the first step something which I encourage you to do if you really, genuinely care about crocodilians. I don't want to see any crocodilian species go extinct in the wild - it's fundamental to why I work on crocs, to raise awareness about them and to prevent them from disappearing. I'm not going to sit around and do nothing while the first species goes extinct in my lifetime, and I hope together we can at least do something beneficial for this species, especially in the Year of the Dragon as I can think of no better time.

I'm going to put a special section together on my website for this, and we're going to try and get it translated into several languages, and provide links to other sites with information on sinensis (I can't think of many). John T is sending me some images for this, especially of the habitat. I will let you know when it's finished, and if anyone wants any more detailed information on this and wants to do something. Q For more information and an extinction alert, visit http://crocodilian.com on the web.

Adam Britton Submitted by Bill Moss with permission from Dr. Adam Britton

5

Jauuary 2001

A Tease Feeding Treatise

technique may not be necessary.

However, it is not as standardized as

By Ian Long the provoking technique. It may require more creativity and more reading of the Note: This originally appealed in the snake's body language. venomous forum at Kingsnake.com and is reprinted with author permission. Most beginners have an inkling of what Although the references are to ven- this is about without realizing it. If they omous snakes, the same principles present a thawed pinky to the snake apply to many other snakes. Bill Moss with forceps and it does not strike, they naturally wiggle it a bit. But when that Tease feeding expertise is shared here does not work they tend to either give all the time. Since it is always in up or start poking the snake's nose with response to a question re a particular it. Of course, poking the snake usually feeding problem, it seems that those results in it cowering or running. posting feel constrained to keep their Instead, it is worth trYing slow movecomments brief, thus I think we are ment of the pinky in front of the snake. missing out on a lot of knowledge that is Up and down, side to side, a little faster, "out there". I find tease feeding to be then slower again, drawing it away from the most fascinating type of problem the snake, dragging it across the bedsolving involved in keeping venomous ding at different angles, maybe giving it snakes, since it is $0 interactive, often little hops, touching the snake's snout involves sUbtlety and finesse, and is ever so lightly, touching the tail and thrilling when it succeeds. other parts of the snake verY lightly, trYing different combinations of all these.

As an avid student of the game, I offer the following in order to express my At some point during these variations of interest, teach a few things, and hope- presentation the snake will almost cerfully to stimulate further discussion, tainly react somehow, even if it is a anecdotes, and perhaps correction.

Gaboon viper. It is your job to interpret the reaction. Running away is the most Tease feeding is usually employed after negative reaction, but even then the simple offerings of live or thawed food game is worth continuing if it will settle fail. Simple offerings may include some back down, and you may have learned tricks such as confining the snake with something by noticing what caused it to the food item for a period of time, e.g. in run. Getting a single tongue flick can be a deli cup overnight. Tease feeding can positive if it was not tongue flicking until be divided into 2 categories: attempts to you did something. The slightest turn of provoke a defensive response that the head toward the pinky is verY posiresults in a sort of accidental feeding, tive. When you get a positive reaction. and attempts to stimulate an actual look for ways to build on it, for example feeding response. It is worth knowing trYing to get multiple tongue flicks or a the difference and knowing which you stronger head turn. Do not expect a are trYing to accomplish. Both types strike. In fact I would say that it comes can succeed with some adult snakes as a happy surprise for many keepers but are more commonly needed with when this approach finally works. You babies that refuse to feed voluntarily. can continue to work with the snake in Both types may require patience, long this manner for as long as you want if it sessions, and repeated attempts after does not appear to be stressed. What suitable waiting periods and under dif- could seem to some as time wasted ferent conditions. might more romantically be seen as bonding with your snake or building First, lets talk about stimulating an actugood karma or something like that. al feeding response. This is basically a gentle approach. It is worth trYing first, This approach involves so much exploas the more aggressive, provoking ration and discoverY with a given snake

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Volume 21 Number 1

that few more generalizations can be offered about technique. Even if it does not succeed, though, it is worth trYing again a few days to a week later, and it is worth trYing during different times of day or night and under different lighting conditions. A final generalization: get settled and comfortable before you start this or the other teasing approach or you will surely give up before you have really given it your best shot.

Here are a couple examples of teasing to get a feeding rather than a defensive response. I refer you first to an excellent recent post by Ms. TT when she was coaching Herpin Jay on feeding a Gaboon viper. She described various manipulations of the mouse that usually will trigger Gaboons, all accomplished without touching or provoking the snake. Another trick for Gaboons (my experience) is to drop the mouse or rat from about 18" so that it lands with a distinct plop right in front of the snake.

But Gaboons are as atypical as a snake can be, so here's another example. I recently got an unstarted baby Malayan pit viper (Calloselasma rhodostoma).

Offering live and thawed tiny pinks, both just left in the cage and confined in a deli cup, did not work. Brief gentle teasing got some tongue flicks but that's all. These are caudal luring snakes, so I tried provoking it, especially with tail taps. No strikes nor even close. All these efforts were repeated a few times without success.

After I'd had the snake for 45 days I decided I had to trY harder. After dark I sat on the floor with a red flashlight (red plastiC wrapped around a regular flashlight) and went to work offering just a pinky head. The snake would tongue flick a bit then move off. I would offer again, holding the food steady or wiggling it slightly when it was tongue flicking. When it stopped flicking I touched the tail and mid-body verY lightly. After a bit the snake would tongue flick again, and I would bring the food back in front of it as soon as it did so, now holding the food as still as possible. After about 15 minutes of this the flicking became

Minnesota Herpetological Society l'vlonthly Newsletter

more frequent and somehow seemed more intent. I lowered the food so it was just under his snout, resting on the piece of bark he happened to be on, and gave it the tiniest wiggles that I possibly could. After about 30 seconds of this he pressed his snout against the food and chewed down on it.

Jubilationll The point here is that some of these crazy little snakes, even if they are hungry for what you're offering them, need mysterious persuasion. I get the feeling from reading some of the posts asking for feeding help that there are plenty of keepers who have yet to discover what they can accomplish on their own with enough trial and error effort. BTW, the Calloselasma has required the same 15-minute routine on its 2nd and 3rd feedings. Can this be accomplished with all snakes? I don't think so. I have a Trim trig that has spurned all my efforts for 7 months. At least she is eating live cricket frogs. But after writing this I am re-inspired to try again.

Volume 21 Number 1

janualY 2001

Anyone know who's breeding Notes from the Editor (insert your species here) For Sale.......... ..

I look forward to being the MHS Wanted ............ .

Newsletter editor. I am looking at new ways of presenting the Society's Any communication that would be of information, news and member general interest to MHS members can written articles. be posted.

I would like to see more Member written articles and less found artiIn addition to posting, we can set up cles. The newsletter is a way for us polls to solicit anonymous opinions to communicate to each other within from the group. the society and to reach out to other outside of the society. The mission The only rules are that the posts stay statement emphasis the education of on topic, there is no obscenity and there members and the public. Lets are no flame wars. The site will be continue that goal. moderated (by me to begin with).

How to get your information to me.

I prefer emails or emails with an I think this will be a tremendous comattatchment. munication tool for MHS and I highly encourage everyone to register. Go to geckoloco@qwest.net the following address and click on the subscribe box.

Thank you in advance, http://www.egroups.com/grouplMnherpsoc Heather Matson

It's Backl

Next month, A Tease Feeding Treatise, Fauna has returned. If you are interested in subscribing send your information Part 2 to the following address: New MHS E-gl'oup Listsel'v Up Fauna PO BOX 476 and Running PLEASANT GROVE UT 84062-9941

By Bill Moss We have just set up a new listserv for MHS members at Egroups.com. What is this? It's a group email delivery system for MHS subscribers. It is free of charge but requires registration.

FAUNA

Yes, please send fAUNA as follows: ___ 1 year

All email posted to the egroup is broadcast to all of the subscribers. Examples of how this can be used would be: 1.From MHS Meeting changes Hands-on announcements General MHS information 2. From individuals General discussion Anyone know where the Midwest is this year?

Putting together a herping trip, anyone want to go?

(6 Issues) .............. $24.95

___ 2 yealS ('2 Issues) •••••••••••• $44.95 For sobscriptlons and othl!:r Information c(llt loll free: 1-886-285-5148

Name _______________________ Address ________________________ City/State/Zlp, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ Country ___________________

o Payment Enclosed

o Bill Me

C.nada add $8.oo/year (postage So GST).

Foreign add $12.00/Y'or (surface) 0' $2o.oo/ye., (al,) delivery

7

January 200 I

Minnesota Herpetological Society Moncluy Newsletter

Volume 21 Number 1

Chinese Alligator Fund HELP PREVENT THE EXTINCTION lI$ have heald about th$ ~harism;liio Arnette-an dgator. with In; &Vef-pt()sqnt $ni~ nnd its toothy toptJlafiQn, But how many hBVell&ard ebout the ·othw" aligatw ~$!j.: the- Chinese aJigalOr1 R~rtcttld to a IIny (&$(lIVe In t~cm China, IMdltTinlltivo AHlgaf¢t $/mm/$iSi 01'1 the brinkotdl5t"t$-t.

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In 1999 by the W!dlfo Con8.l)lVation Sodety of New YOlk pt'Qv!ded

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~

there ~($ om briween 130 and 150 a!~tQt$ left in 1M wild. oearty alll.nelr prol&ct(!d flabitl't has goo" and lIumbet$ ere d1lCfioitlg fa'" If Wlfenllr(!od:$. fltO any frnicallQn. there Is a go.od cnMte lho $~" will b9 extinct In ttw mid wtlhln 1$ ),esr$.

Bot it ($ not too Iat& to act, Th. Cblnew have made ")\Q$~t Pl'CS)(eS9 With 8 eaptlve breedif1U plan, 800 MW they nttd addfIlonal m:<>tJfce!l. to '$~re exi5ling ha«tat.lntrodu¢e (;$~ bred eJ4q.atOt$ Into u&w f!atitat.

Inv(ls.\igale fund-ralsinQ ventures such oftM(~loo.

8$ ~oloorl$m.

and prwtdo vital e.:IUcatio/t to 1.fI& diJldteh and at.Iuh

ThG lUCN Croeodil& SpMaht CtOlJP, wtith ha$ worto:ed tlre~ft (0( years to' hclp $aYe lhi! WOffd's (~ian$. hi ooOftlina!:fng eOOuNsttOf\ efforts Vtith dC<f1eatoo Chfnll'$() re$:$l,rcltsil l'lM alig:alQ( fnlhush'$~ MolHld \hI) world. The ChitlB~ AAgalOf Fund has be(lO (:(f;!ltod t~ make a (fal (IIffersllC$ to. the Mure of thee alliQ.a1.oJ'$.

You tan pfay a part m thee «HxNery ot the ChInes-& IlUlgator lrt donalfog 10 1M Chioose Alttga!M Fund. Evw 5mall nmooob eM make a blQ (j'jfferen~, bUt lal~ amQ!.mti \'afI roaM a huge (Ilf(Wtlflt:e. If you CtI(e about algGlom. ~~ COI)Silder hfll~ng to save 1M et8l!ture that Jru.pl*d ttllt filbled Chln"G dragon. Don't lot the CfiM$& aigator dlsappoat Into IegOnd.

fiNDING OUT MOR§: b!tpJ.lWMY.ffmflh.ufi eduJamMlorfund

loteme! web page (Of the Chlnest Alligator ~und hll:p:I!<IIes.omltl~~n.~mtgma®Mt!a!!lga!%doc

The 1f-AA:Ilife. Q)Mfl"IA\lion Society rtpQrt on tM Chinese alligatQ(4 stah/5.fJ.t.tEllcyclura·oomteodst"IOeredfendaoqerad-tJ.!Ultmi Further infotmation on the Chinese AJliQator Fund at cvClurS.com

MAKING A DONATION Oofla1iOO$ may btl 4Mt tn any fI~ahl$ rotm. Chm ~oukf be in US dol!ats. drawn on a US bank, and rnadil out to 'University of Ftolkla AlI$eafCtl Foundaijon' and lIMotattd ~Chlllt:$O A/igliteT Cofl$liNaIlon

Fund Otmafu)n~, PIe"" al$omit tlw CM woo page fQr donor opUof'lS. n»graph/c (wire) tmMfm can ~"$ffIt II): UnNm.ity of FIo008 A.esearch F~tmdaliol'l. Fll"$t union Naijol1i'1l Baflk, Af;ct no. 13100149681, N!JA 1003000021. 1().4 Mam $1:. Gatrwsvllle, FL 32M2. USA ~ pklaSC annotate all wife troO$.fm vdth Ihe words '"fOt' CHlNESE ALUGATOR FUND' and ceotaet Or J P Roes to -(lflSOle your dQnsllon t-e-udle$ tIN right pill(».

Oontttione and inqllfles $hoold bd sent lo~ Dt J. P. RQ$$. i;:(l:wtivo

Offi~r CSG,

Florida Musoom of Natuttf

Hi$tQfY, QaltwSVi.& F1. 32611 USA. FAX -+1 352 3.92 93&1 Oft'IIl!ll.ms:o.;'$~_b..',IllMl;

THE FV11JRE OF lHe CHlNESEAl.UGATOR RESTS IN ALl OF OUR llANOS

.

(651) 45?-2q21

.F~x (651 )457-~(j~!)

8

Photo Contest!

There are three categories: Herps in a Natural Setting Herps with People Miscellaneous styles These are the Rules: 1.

4x6, 5x7, 8x10 mounted and matted, not exceeding 11x14.

2.

Identified on the back with entrants' name, address and category. Do not place names on the front of the prints.

3.

Members may submit up to five prints.

Bring submissions to the March General Meeting. Winners will be selected by the members during the White Snake Sale.

.,.. (§j HEIl~))

~

.

Minnesota Herpetological Society Monthly Newsletter

Janmuy 2001

Volume 21 Number 1

------~--~----~--~----------~~--------------------~

-

(al

.

.

,$'!X:I

,'6

Hands - on in the Future Saturday Feb. 3rd • Bell Museum Science Fest 2001 lOam ·3pm Saturday Feb. 10· Eden Prairie Nature Center 1pm· 4pm Monday March 19th· Eden Prairie Middle School 6:30pm· 8 pm Sunday April 8 th • Vet School 11 am • 5 pm I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all the people who helped make 2000 a successful year for the Herpetological Society's hands· on program. It truly is a group effort. I am looking forward to another fun filled year! We had 74 members who put in 767 1/4 hours of volunteer time I Jan Larson· Education Coordinator If you'd like to volunteer please contact Jan at: jan.skunkhollow@juno.com

Deadline for The MHS White Pages Corrections February 9th!

Updates and Corrections need to be turned in to Nancy Haig on the night of the February meeting or mailed to:

MHS White Pages C/O Nancy Haig 511 229 Lane NE East Bethel, MN 55005

Treasurer's Report Marilyn's computer is feeling under the weather.

Hope to have December's report in a future newsletter.

9

(j) ~QCE~~

Januar)' 200 I

1Jinncsota Herpetological Society Newsletter

Volume 21 Number 1

Classified Advertisements

----------------------------------------------------------------Classified ads are free to the member ship. Deadline is the night of the general meeting to be Included in the next newsletter.

1.0.0 =male, 0.1.0 =female, 0.0.1 =unsexed, cb =captive bred, abo =or best offer, + =times run( ads are run only 3x unless requested to continue).

For Sale:

Wanted: Items for Great White Snake Sale- [)on't forget to

8-male Leopard Ged<... ct, 2000 $3000 -$250.00. 5-unsel<ed Leopard Geckos cb 2000 $15.00 - $25-00, 12 Adult Male Leopard Gecko. cb '95-'W $35.00 -$100.00. 1 Adult male Frog-eyed Gecko cb '99 $125.00. 1,1 Ball Pythons cb '98 & '99 feeding on frozen, $150.00 for the pair. Call Jodi L Ahems (612) 586-9329 AFTER 6;00 PM Before 10:00 PM M· F, Sat -Sun home, call anytime. ++

start collecting items for The Great White Snake Sale and getting your phoros ready for the Photo contest:. This year the Sale and Show will take place in March so you have an extra month to line up your goodies.

All the shed snake .klns in the world. Needed for giveaways at educational programs contact Bob Duerr 541-

0362

0.0.3 While's Tree Frogs, 1 lacge adult 2 smaller adulls, 1 blue-phase. $60 2.4 Malagasy Ground Geck08·Paredora Pictus. 2 trios 01 adults. 2.2 striped phase. $110 for both trios- or $6S each. These animals are breeding like crazyl 1.3 Leopard Ge<kos- 1.2 vel)' nke looking oormal/ high yellows. 0.1 !eucistic, $100 for group. Most of these ge<kos were purchased at the Daytona Expo but I am looking at moving and need to part with as many of my herps as I can. Will (amider trade on Mexican Rosy Boas or Russian Tortoises. Marc (5Q7) 467-3?f77 wiD deliver to herp meeting. ++

Wanted: pair of Green Tree Pythons, would consider adults or subadults. Also wanted Uroroastyx and select female Amazon Tree boas. For sale: two 36' Neodesha cage., used, $25 each. Mark Hauge, 320-202·9871 or email whitneywee@home.com Recipe wanted: I don't know who to asl<, but there was a terrific appetizer dish at the Herp Banquet and I'm dying to get the recipe. I don't know who made it (we got there just in time to get the last bite of iI). It was an appetizer thing of small chicken pieces with cilantro and hot spices-it was fantastically good. Would the person who made i~ please contact Becky Helgesen. (612) 6~1

Nice Male Albino Cal Kingsnake. Feeds readily on thawed mice. Also fairly tame 3"7, $45 obo. Also looking for a Baby Corn, any color rnorph except normal and albino. Plaese call Thomas at (763) 757 5121 or email : tororeptile@botmalJ.comThank Youl +++ Every year I have a certain Pueblm and Sinaloan milk snake.. Y2K hatchlings Feeding well on frozen mice. $40.00 each. I can arrange to bring snakes to the meetings. contactMarkat651431-0127. +++ 0.1.1 Ball Pythons- female adult@4';subadult@2';$4O. Each obo. Supplies, tanl<, heaters, lights, etc also available $1-$2.0. Call Julie at (763) 767-8304 or email harteOlI@tc,umn.edu +++ FLIGHTLESS FRUITFLIES - Excellent food for dart frogs, mantellas, hatchling geckos, baby chameleons, spiderlings, and other small herps. Two species available· Drosopmln me/anogaster (small) and D. hydei (large). $5.00/culture or $25.00/6 cultures. Each culture contai", 30 to 50 adult flies and h.as the potential to produce up to several hundred young. Also, MEALWORMS - Two sizes available • regular and mini $5.00/1000. Can be deUvered to MHS meetings. Call Tony Gamble (612) 818-6861 or email tgamble@medlaone.net F,o.en Rabbits. all sizes. Prices very reasonable- pinkies tu adults. Jim Daluge (763) 295-2818

10

, . dl ,"...•...: ,.......

"

English Spot

Dutch

Jim's Rabbit Shack .

'IN/1ero Spots Aro Tops' JIM DALUGE 6700 Jaber Ave. NE (612) 295-2618 Monticello, MN 55362 L-_________________________.._

Advertising Policies

MRS Rodent Sales

MHS Ad Polley: The MHS assumes NO RESPONSIBILITY regarding the health or legality 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 occaslonal omission.

Mice Pinkies Fuzzies Hoppers Adults

CI ••• ified Ad.: All active members are allowed a classified

Rats Sm. Pups LgPups Juvn Rats.

ad, run free of charge as space permits. Ads may be run (3) consecutive months, after which time they may be

resubmitted. Corresponding members are allowed a complimentary business card advertisement monthly as space permits. Due to Federal restrictions on Non.profit mailing permits, we are not allowed to run ads for traveL credit or insurance agencies.

Display Ad Rat...: Ad Size l-\ page 1/z page

,

per Month $10.00 $20.00 $40.00

full page Business card advertisements may be purchssed at $5.00 per ad, per month.

Submissions: All advertisements should be submitted to the MHS Editor, Bell Muuum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. DeadUne is the night of the General Meeting for inclusion in the next

newsIeller. Make cheeks Herpetological Society

payable

to:

__ ReneWal

$1200dz. $1S.00dz. $24.00dz. $15.00 six $3O.oodz.

For pick up at monthly meetings only. Orders must be placed at least one week in advance of date of meeting at which the frozen rodents are to be delJvered. PIace orders with Tina (Rat Girl) Cisewski at (612) 856-2865.

AU proceeds go toward the operating (oals of the society. The MHS i8 a completely volunteer run, non-profit organization.

Minnesota

Minnesota He New

Adults

$7.00 dozen $7.00 dozen $8.00 dozen $10.00 dozen

Membershi

Membershl #

T

lication Check #

Name ___________________________________________________________________________ Addrnss ___________________________________________________________________ City_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State Phone ______________--.email He~rn~t~lmerests

Zip _ _ _ _ __ Ust in MHS Directory? _ _Yes_No

__________________________________________________________

Active Memberships: ___ Sustaining ($6O/yr) _ _ Comributlng ($3OIyr) _-JBasle ($I5/yr) Correspondlng Memberships: _ _ Gold Commercial ($1 OOIyr 2 full

pg. ads)

_ _ Bronze Commerclal ($5OIyr 2 1/4pg ads)

_ _ Silver COmmercial ($75/yr 2 112 pg. ads) _ _ Basic Commercial ($25i'yr 2 Bus cards)

Requir~ check Inf. Drivers Uc /I State DOS ______ Please enclose the proper payment wlth your appllcalion. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Membership Is for 12 months from the date of approval, a receipt will be sent only upon request. MAIL TO: Minnesota HerpetOlogical Society, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church SI. SE. Minneapolis, MN 55455. Please allow 6 - 8 weeks for processing.

Next Meeting: Febmary 9, 2001 Room 335 Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus @7pm

MHS Voice mail: 612.624.7065 http://mvlV.onrampinc.net/mhs/

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET SE MINNEAPOUS, MN 55455-0104

Non-Profit Rate U.S. Postage PAID

Mpls, MN Permit No. 2275

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

POSTMASTER: DATED MATERIAL