Vol. 23 (2003), No. 11

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE

s

NOVEMBER 2003

o

I

VOLUME 23

y

T

NUMBER

11

Board of Directors president Randy 81aSU$

Bell Museum of Nahlmi History, 10 Church Street Southeast, Minneapolis Minnesota 55455-0104 952.925.4237

reblas@msn.com

Vice President Tony Gamble

763.424.2803 tgamb!e@attbLcom

The

s

Minnesota

o

Herpetological +

c

e

1

t

y

Recording Secretary

Bam Buzicky

612-916-7575 zzzbuzzi@aol.com

Membership Secretary

Nancy Hakomaki galo rgal@boxfrog.com Treasurer Marilyn Blasus blasus@msn.com

651.341.5707

MHS Webpage: http://www.mnherpsoc.org MHS Group Email: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/mnherpsoc.

Voice Mail: 612624.7065

952.925.4237 ................_ ........_ . ._ ...._ _ _............._ .........................._ _. . . . . . ._ .....

November 20m3

Newsletter Editor Bill Moss

651.488.1383

mngatorguy@msn.com Members at Large

Heather Clayton

612.788.4664

heethuh@aol.com Brian Ingbrelson ingeJlzard@yahoo.com

763.572.0487

Heather fngbrelson 763.572.0487 tUngbrelsoo@yahoo.com Immediate Past President Jodi L. Ahams 612.588.9329 groundgeckofreak@yahoo.com

Committees Adoption Sarah Richard

612.781.9544 RealSarah@aol.com

Education Jan Larson

507.263.4391

Number 11

Volume 23

The Purpose of the Minnesota Herpetological Society is to: • 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 with information concerning the society's activities and a media for exchanging information, opinions and resources.

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.

Jan.skunkhollow@juno.com Northern Minnesota

Jeff Korbel

218.586.2588

l.llllii!y

Belh Girard

763.691.1650 bglrard@worldnet.att.net

Wehmaster Anke Reinders theMHSwebmaster@yahoo.com

Herp Assistance Amphibians Greg Kvanbek John Meltzer John Moriarty

651.388.0305 763.263.7880 651.482.8109

Chameleons Vern & Laurie Grassel

763·428-4625

Crocodilians Jeff Lang Bill Moss

701.772.0227 651.488.1383

lizards Nancy Haig Heather Matson

763.434.8684 612.554.8446

Large Boas Py:lhons l1na CIsewski

612.856.2865

Other Snakes Jeff Leclere John Mettzer

651.488.6388 763.263.7880

Aquatic Turtles Gary Ash John Levell

763.753.0218 507.467.3076

Terrestrial Turtles Fred Bosman John Levell

763.476.0306 507.467.3076

Submissions to the Newsletter Ads or Notices must be submitt~d 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 and should be in electronic file format if possible. See inside back cover for ad rates.

Submissions may be sent to: ~or-

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

Bill Moss 75 Geranium Ave East Saint Paul, MN 55117 -ormngatorguy@msn.com

Copyright 2003, Minnesota Herpetological Society. Except where noled, contents may be reproduced for nonprofit, non-commercial use only. AJI material must be reproduced without change. Proper credit wlll be given including the author/photographer and the MHS Newsletter citing: volume, number and date.

The Newsletter of the !vlinncsota HCI1>etological Socicty

The Vice-presidents report

By Tony Gamble

November 2003

Volume 23

November's speaker, Dr. Tim Watkins, has spent his career studying tad-

November General Meeting Friday, November 7th, 2003 7:00 PM

Program: The Secret Lives of Tadpoles Guest Speaker: Tim Watkins

Tadpoles are often a neglected topic when discussing frogs.

What goes on in the larval stage of frogs and toads, though, is crucial to understanding their biolo-

gy and life history.

Frogs may spend as little as a few days as tadpoles to several years, and some, such as the Solomon Island leaf frog (Ceratobatrachus guentheri), have skipped the free-living tadpole stage all together and give birth to live young. To truly understand frogs, therefore, you have to understand tadpoles.

poles.

Much of his research has looked at how Pacific treefrog (Pseudacris regilla) tadpoles evade predators. Among the topics he has examined are: the effects of developmental temperature on swimming speed; the effects of predator selection on swimming speed in tadpoles; and correlations between the swimming speed of tadpoles and jumping distance of adult frogs. Dr. Watkins is a new Assistant Professor of Biology at Macalester College in St. Paul.

Please come and give him a warm MHS welcome to Minnesota.

Upcoming Meetings:

December, 2003: Paul Freed Venomous Snakes of the World

Holiday Banquet: Paul Freed: 25 years of herps at the Houston zoo cover: Eastern American toad tadpoles (Bufo americanus americanus) Š 2001 John White

§

Number 11

Newletter Article Contest

By Bill Moss. editor

In an effort to increase the participation by the MHS membership in our newletter, I am going to run a contest for the overall best article. The prize will be: A free sitting at Benda Photography including a free 11x14 Heirloom print This is a package valued at

$283!!

The articles can be any herp related subject - care-in-captivity, natural history, biology, personal interest etc. The judging for this contest will be by myself and a group of people to be picked by me. The articles will be rated on interest, composition and impact. You may submit any number of articles. You must be a member.

The contest runs from the Jan. 2004 issue to the Nov. 2004 issue.

Let's get writing!

Page 3

TIle Newsletter of the IvJinncsota HClpctological Society

Odober 2003

Volume 23

Number 10

News, Notes & Announcements MHS Board Elections Elections are coming fast, we will be voting for new officers at the November, 2003, General Meeting.

We have some candidates, but we need to have some more. Please email me at zzzbuzzi@aol.com or call me at 612-916-7575 to let me know you would like to run and for which position.

If you want to get more involved with MHS to learn about its operation, now is the time to step up. The activities are numerous as we participate in RenFest, Minnesota State Fair, Educational Programs, Parades, Grants, Pet Fair, Vet School Open House at the U. of M., and of course, issues involving the propagation and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

October Critter of the Month

Adoption Report

The following people brought animals to the September meeting:

by Sarah Richard, Adoption Chair

Jake Russian tortoise (T.horsefeldii)

Another productive month come and gone. We took in 16 animals and placed 24. Yea!1

October's Raffle Donors

At this time the only animals remaining in foster are a bunch of Iguanas and a male Anole. Contact Liz or Jaime regarding the Iguanas.

Thanks to the following people for generously donating to the monthly raffle: Marilyn Blasus MHS

Here are the following candidates so far: President Randy Blasus (incumbant) Vice-President Tony Gamble (incumbant) Recording Secretary Barb Buzicky (incumbant) Membership Secretary Nancy Hakomaki (incumbant) Treasurer Marilyn Blasus (Incumbant) Newsletter Editor Bill Moss (incumbant) Members-at-Large Jodi Aherns Heather Clayton

Page 4

Committee

2nd Call for Original Artwork for the Holiday Banquet Gordon Merck, the MHS Holiday Banquet Chairperson, is asking the artists among the group for a donation of artwork to be raffled as a major prize at our banquet in December. The work can be in any media and should feature (what else?) herps.

Your time will count as MHS volunteer hours. This may also qualify as a donation to a non-profit organization.

Please contact Gordon 952-471-3582 Email: bass2436@yahoo.com

Annual Photo Contest Chairperson Wanted Nancy Hakomaki is stepping down from her role as the Photo Contest Chair after 3 years of excellent work.

We need someone (or two) to step up and organize the contest which is held during the White Snake Sale in March.

The duties are: Publicize the contest.

Receive, organize and display the entries.

Acquire the ribbons and prizes.

Prepare and count the ballots Your total time commitment will probably be about 10-15 hours.

The NewsleUer of the :Minncsota HC1l1etoiogicai Society

...fi uring the summer of 1999, I

eLJ was

doing some landscaping along the side of my house.

~;;p~~~:he~~

Novembcr 2003

Vohane 23

self carefully into the deep well, I could see that Mr. Toad had positioned himself between two

Number 11

explained why there were times when the toad didn't look quite "as big as my fist". The smaller on I called "The Little Guy", although I suspect it may have been a female.

Mr. Toad was indeed, a Mister.

I created a minihabitat In the tengallon tank with a deep layer of clean potting soil and then a layer of sphagnum moss on top. A flowerpot served as their hideyhole and the saucer was the

THE GREAT TOAD

look down into the deep well of the Egress window, I noticed a toad. It was as big as my fisH I called my friend Clint, who was helping me with this project. "As big as your fist, eh?" He sounded doubtful.

The next time Clint came over I excitedly showed him where the toad was. He held out his fist.

"Okay." I said.

"As big as my fist." All summer long the Great Toad Debate raged In late on.

September Clint asked what was photo and text by MHS member Kathy Claugherty I going to do about the toad.

As much as I didn't want to take it sheets of plastic. His eyes were out of the "natural" environment, I closed and he was sluggish. Was knew it wouldn't survive the harsh he starting to hibernate? I gently Minnesota winter in the window picked him up, when, look!. .. A well. The bottom of it was littered few inches away was another with rocks and plastic.

Clint toad! With my precious cargo in made up my mind for me when he hand, I rushed inside to place presented a ten-gallon tank and them in their new home. Thus screen top that he picked up at a ended the Great Toad Debate. thrift store. It was getting pretty Both toads were never seen cool by then, so I set up the tank together. (I theorized that they for "Mr. Toad." As I lowered my ate in shifts.)

And it also

" p

0

n d J, .

Sometimes one the other or would bury themselves for days at a time, much to my initial conI would cern. feed them crickets from the pet store, (thanks to all the people at Twin City Reptiles for your help) or grasshoppers from the back yard. Occasionally, I would put an apple slice in for the crickets. Mr. Toad would camp by it whenever he wanted a snack.

The Little Guy lived for a year, but Mr. Toad lived for three years. "I didn't think I would ever pick a toad for a pet." I said to Clint. He replied, "Maybe they picked you."

DEBATE

ยง Page 5

The Newsletter of the :i\'linnesota Hell>etoiogicai Society

No\'ember 2003

Volume 2B

Number 11

MHS Helps Fund Rattlesnake Display in Houston, Minnesota

By Karla Kinstler, Director/Naturalist, Houston Nature Center

There was a bounty paid in Minnesota to kill timber rattlesnakes all the way up until 1989.

Then in 1996 the tables turned and it became illegal to kill rattlesnakes in Minnesota.

Laws may change quickly, but attitudes don't. One of the jobs of the Houston Nature Center is to help change those outdated attitudes.

The Houston Nature Center began as an idea in 1996. The City of Houston had spent 10 years fighting to get the Root River Trail extended to Houston, and they had no existing building that would function as a suitable trailhead facility. A Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century (TEA-21) grant was secured, and a group of interested Houstonians decided they would like Houston's trailhead to Page 6

be a nature center.

In July of 2001, after much blood, sweat, and tears, the Houston Nature Center became a reality.

Since Houston is only a community of 1020 people and the Center is owned and operated by the City, it in reality needed to be a multi-purpose building.

It serves as a trailhead with restrooms, showers, and visitor information; a nature center with hands-on displays about local flora and fauna and Alice the Great Horned Owl; and a meeting facility for diverse groups such as the Lions, City Council, Chamber of Commerce, and more.

With such a small tax base to rely on, the Houston Nature Center relies very heavily on donations for its success. HNC receives roughly $20,000 per year in cash donations as well as around $8000 worth of donated items. The Minnesota Herpetological Society has joined the growing ranks of donors by funding the mounting of a bullsnake as part of the timber rattlesnake display.

Folks who have lived their whole

lives in the Houston area don't necessarily see why timber rattlesnakes should be protected.

After all, they see them every now and then, so they must not be rare.

I also get several reports every year of rattlesnakes on the Root River Trail from trail users.

For these reasons, I decided a rattlesnake display was a definite must at the Houston Nature Center. Conservation Officer Dan Book gave us a road-killed rattlesnake in good shape (and proper permits were acquired from the DNR), and I bit the bullet and spent most of one year's display budget on having it mounted.

MHS member Eric Thiss visited HNC and was especially interested in the rattlesnake mount. As he left that day, he found a road-killed

TIIC Newsletter orthe "Minncsota HCllletological Society

bullsnake, often confused with a rattlesnake, just on the edge of Houston as he was leaving town.

He asked if HNC would like it for a comparison to the rattlesnake. I declined due to the cost involved, but Eric didn't leave it at that. He contacted the right people at MHS, and within a week I had confirmation that MHS would pay for mounting the bullsnake!

Eric later found a road-killed fox snake, also commonly confused with rattlesnakes, and advocated for adding it to the rattlesnake displayas a comparison. Wouldn't you know it, when I was at the DNR's annual rattlesnake meeting soon after, DNR Non-game Wildlife Biologist Jaime Edwards volunteered to pay for mounting the fox snake as part of our rattlesnake display with some funding they had received for rattlesnake workl After much waiting for a volunteer to come up with a good design for displaying our three mounted snakes, my co-worker, Sue Kittleson, inherited several very appropriate display cases. Ta-dah!

The snakes were on display within days.

This may sound like a series of small miracles for HNC, because it is. Thankfully, we get LOTS of small miracles. They are what keeps us going and makes us great. Thanks, MHS, for a little miracle.

I'd also like to invite you all to stop by and check out our facility sometime when you're in the neighborhood. ยง

MHS

N ovemhcr 2003

BOARD

Volumc 23

MEETING

REVIEW

by Barb Buzicky, Recording Secretary The Board Meeting was called to order at October 4, 2003 at 6:08 PM CST All Board Members were present except Heather Clayton, NonBoard Members present were Gordon Merck and Jeff LeClere.

Minutes from the April and July, 2003, meeting were available in hardcopy. Minutes from the August, 2003, meeting were approved with changes.

Treasurer's Report for August and September, 2003, were approved.

Membership Report for September, 2003, was approved.

General Meeting attendance for September 5, 2003, was 123.

General Meeting attendance for October 3, 2003, was 121.

President's Report: none Vice-President's Report: confirmed speakers for November, Tim Walkins; December and Holiday Banquet, Paul Freed.

Old Business: There is at least one candidate for each office for the elections, there is a shortage for Member-at-Large positions.

Jeff LeClere will be filling the open Member-at-Large position until January, 2004.

Nametag box, Board Members have laminated tags, there will be paper tags for the election and White Snake Sale.

MN Herp Symposium is established as non-profit with the Federal and State officials for the 2005 Upper Midwest Symposium.

The State Fair Display looks very nice, other minor adjustments need to be addressed. The 2004 MHS Budget has been approved by the board the budget needs to be

Number 11

approved at the November, General Meeting by the membership. Holiday Banquet Chair will be Randy Blasus, he is looking for committee members, there will be a flyer in the November Newsletter announcing the event.

New Business: Request from the Science Museum of MN, a 3-year grant, project is "Community Partnerships Serving Science," website: www.smm.ora/cbso/, Board is reviewing project.

Additional funds were needed for RenFest, $300, moved and approved. RenFest will have a new Chair as Ellen is not renewing, Judy Brumfeld will replace her, there are some issues to be addressed by the Board.

MHS insurance has gone up which is due this month, additional funds $220, moved and needed approved. ARAV and Nebraska Midwest, Board approved donating some auction items, moved and approved. Adoption animals needed by the ARAV lab, one alligator and 2 iguanas were donated for the workshop. MHS letterhead and envelopes requested by Heather Ingebretson for solicitation of donations for the White Snake Sale, Nancy Hakomaki stepping down from the Photo Contest, needs a new chair for next year. Per Jodi, U. of M. Vet School wants MHS back for program with 3rd year vet students, 6 people are needed about the 3rd week in January.

Benda Photography is requesting a copy of our newsletter for one year due to the advertisement they listed.

Meeting adjourned at 7:25 PM CST. ยง Page 7

The Newsletter of the l\路lillnesola HCIlJctologkal Society

November 2003

Volume 23

Numbcr 11

1~ambling6 Year-end wrap-up by Ellen Heck, outgoing Co-chair Weather Of the 7 weekends, 5 were almost unbearably hot and the last 2 were freezing. Ah Minnesota weather loathe it or ignore it. Wait, I forgot the 3rd Saturday - it was almost bearable but was followed by the hottest Sunday of the run. Snake "soup" was very popular on hot days. No, we don't actually cook the snakes.

This is just what I call it when a hot snake curls up in a water bowl to cool off, as in "Waiter, there seems to be something in my soup".

Angus made his usual rounds.

Zelda and Stucky also repeated (very successfully too) in the walking, with an adoption sulcata making his debut as well.

to have trouble grasping the concept of flipping the little handle to lock the door. I've gotten up close and too personal with more than one person because of this. I have learned to stand back a bit when opening the door in case it is a gentleman inside and he turns to see who is coming in

never dared to ask) what exactly it is they have done in the privy that necessitates this sort of cleaning. I realize that it is period to use one's left hand to wipe off, but really people, we've got this little thing called toilet paper. Please use it with our compliments.

One thing that has never ceased to amaze me is patrons and privies. The set of privies down at our end has a wall just inside the entrance, with a picture of a lady silhouette on the right and a gentleman on the left. You are in theory supposed to go around the wall to your own area. It doesn't actually matter which way you go, since there is no division once you get around the wall. It's just that Ellen there is a trench (behind another but forgets to stop first. wall) for those gentlemen who wish to be a little more authentic in their Watching people wash their hands doings and this is to the left of the after using a privy is an experience entrance. It is very amusing to watch as well. Some people just wash couples come to the entrance, study them off with a bit of soap and are the pictures (for up to a full minute), done. The others, though, scrub up separate, then meet up again imme- as if preparing for'surgery. Each findiately once around the wall. ger is individually washed, then the front and backs of the hands and Once inside the privy of their choice, then the arms up to the elbows. I a surprising number of patrons seem have often wondered (but have

Favorite memories of the run Hands-down for me personally is the Twin Cities Pipe and Drum bagpipers jamming with the guys who sell African drums and Australian diggery-doos. It's an unlikely combination but it rocks.

Belly and Scottish dancers alike were getting into this and we got the some of the crowd dancing too.

We've almost convinced these guys to do a CD together.

The usual Angus walking - trying to convince some people that he is in fact a real animal and offering to have him poop on their shoe to prove it (now, if we could just train him to do thaU) We had one small boy follow us from in front of Bad Manor, through the Narrows and back around the end by the Maypole to Cottage - a 1/2 mile and 25 minute trip - occasionally tOSSing dimes into the basket and giggling. His parents said that he'd been crying non-stop for almost 3 hours until he saw Angus. I always say, if they follow me home, I get to keep them. Some parents get a very speculative look on their faces when I say that...

Other things: Hobbit feet (yeah, baby!)and the hobbits who walked in on them... Morris dancers - those jingly boys in white... watching a large puppet blow the last throw in a

Privies

Page 8

T'he Newsletter of the Minnesota HCll)e(ological Society

bocce game, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, then falling on his face and having a tantrum while his teammates took turns kicking him ... coaxing self-professed snake loathers to "just touch with one finger", then watching them move down the whole fence, petting all the snakes and lizards... Wet Heather (,null said!) ... Cabana Boy hilling high-C when returning the shrieks of the crowd during parade. Being able to answer, when asked on humid 95 days if I'm hot, "I like to think so" and also saying, "Of course they're real and so are the reptiles." Where else can you be this much of a smart aleck without people getting mad at you?

0

From others:

Noyembcr 2003

Volume 23

Jen and Tracy beller. Seeing everyone again. Finding out I know more about some of these crillers than I thought I did. Having this be my 15th year as a volunteer at Festival (10 in the beer booths and 5 with Herps).

Rick and Cabana Boy. Hobbits at the hobbit hole.

Jen Manna Remembering the proper response to 'Marco!'. Seeing a large and aggressive tan peasant bocce ball turned by the threat of a 'purple nurpie'. Anna on her bollom letting out a wail of 'I protes!!'. Seeing Salsa and Tracy up there, holding their own with veteran villifiers.

I'm a lillie teapot. (The knees are very important.) Laughing with a damn nifty bunch of ladies until the Chinese place in Chaska was nearly empty. MUh-nah-muh-nah ...

Bill Moss Gelling to "know" Salsa in the morning... (we get REAL cozy at the Connie & JW Curry Cottage) One of my Fav's was seeing Cabana Boy & Mini Me. Another was nightJodi Holmstrom (aka Rat Girl) - time wading in the Gator Pond. The Definitely the pipers and drummers floating candles really had some jamming with Peasant Bocce ball effects (dripping goo) LOL. And of coming in close behind (after all, only course my first parade walk (not far I wimps use the stone balls. Real got pooped on) Most of all gelling to players throw peasants) know you all a little better. We are so looking forward to next yearl Bitlners Steven - Getting to play bocce ball Ananda Wold with the Mayor and with the folks I have always loved the feeling of from Como. Turning 12 and seeing home and family there is at Como people cringe because they remem- Cottage. Each year new people ber playing with the "baby" in 1992. come and they all manage to fit into David - Gelling food (yes, CKC). the family. Like any family there are Gelling Abby-dog to give him kisses. our dysfunctional moments and arguLinda - In no particular order other ments about dishes and chores. We than the one I typed them have our rebellious "teenage" memin ...... Meeting the people at Irish bers and our mothers, and siblings, Cottage (one of the only places I and when push comes to shove we hadn't spent a lot of time at in the are all there to get things done and past) and spending a lot of my time be there for each other. That is why I with them. Getting to know Chad, love Como so much, and why I'm so Christy and Brandi. Getting to know glad to be growing up with and

Number 11

around those people.

Tracie Fullerton my favorite things: -already said vii -having people come to see me dance this year (thanks everyone) -Teaching patrons how to dance at the drurn booth -hobbits!

-last day parade, singing to Eric the Taylor and breaking him (which he said, meant a lot that we took time to do that by the way) -the attempts to wake up Salsa each morning -Muh na muh na

Heather Clayton One of my favorite memories was having the duck decoys and the children's shoe and pacifier in the gator pond for the last weekend. also, girl's night (for a few hours) at cottage on that last Thursday night.

Murph and Scooter became "buddies." Having Jim and Zach there with me made me very happyl ยง ed. note: Ellen Heck and Nancy Hakomaki deserve a lot of credit for the job they did as co-chairs of the cottage at Renfest for the last (3) years. It's not easy organizing something like this where there are as many as 40 volunteers per day coming in, many with expectations that couldn't be met. There were times when their patience would be rllllning dangerollsly thin while trying to accommodate everyone. In the end, they were able to take a deep breath and adapt admirably.

Page 9

November 2003

OCTOBER REVIEW

Charles Innis, DVM

Program: Post-Mortem Examination of Reptiles: How the Herpetoculturist Can Contribute to Our Knowledge of Reptile Diseases Dr. Innis is in town this week for the 10th Annual Conference of the Association for Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) being held in Minneapolis, the week of October 5th _9 th , 2003.

Many well-known and distinguished veterinarians will be at this conference.

Dr. Innis says that most of his veterinarian practice consists of 80% cats and dogs with the rest reptile and amphibian. He has a large turtle collection of his own along with an extensive herp library. His talk tonight was about the importance of having post-mortem information on deceased animals to aide ongoing research of diseases along with reptile anatomy. He gave us some definitions of terms he used in his talk starting with postmortem which means after death, necropsy which is an animal autopsy, gross necropsy is what we see with the naked eye upon visual observation, pathology is the study of disease, and histopathology is the study of microdisease.

There are many important reasons to have post-mortems or necropPage 10

Number II

SPEAKER sies done on your animals: to pro- shape as they are long and narrow

by Barb Buzicky Speaker:

Volume 23

tect your collection especially if you rather then the bean shape in other have a large and valuable group- animals. In the iguana, the heart is ing; to protect your business located much higher than in other whereby a disease could wipe you animals. out; to protect yourself from transmittable diseases as some can be In 1980, Elliot R. Jacobson discovpassed to humans; for personal ered a new anatomical structure curiosity; to learn reptile anatomy; while doing a post-mortem, academic curiosity to find out what esophageal tonsils. New diseases kills animals; and to study natural and syndromes have been discovdiseases such was West Nile ered in animals one of them being Virus. Most vet schools don't have vertebrae fusion in older iguanas. a reptile curriculum so new veteri- He presented many interesting narians learn from clinical practice slides of reptilian gross anatomy and necropsies. There are rea- that illustrated the anatomical posisons people don't want to do post- tion organs in many animals. He is mortems on their animals: emo- hoping that some day funds will be tional attachment as they can't face available to study animal diseases the thought of having their animal as there is a great importance as dissected; expense which it can be some diseases can be transmitted very expensive up to $500 which to humans. He recommends findwould include tissue testing; and ing an interested and motivated uninterested veterinarians that are vet, and also, search the internet for research studies being done by not involved or not motivated. organizations where the Dr. Innis gave us some great case researchers may be interested in a examples of some discoveries that tissue donation for their studies. were made from necropsies. One Just a few sites would be: Turtle of them is about a reticulated Survival Alliance, World Chelonian python in which the owner did not Trust, Herp Digest, and ARAV. have any veterinarian care, thus, the animal died of round worm infestation where the worms bored though the intestinal walls which could have easily been prevented with a fecal exam. The best way to learn about reptile anatomy is through the necropsy process as he learned that the pancreas, gall bladder, and spleen, form a triangle in the abdomen where in other animals the gall bladder is associated with the liver. If a veterinarian is performing surgery on an animal, they need to know the exact location of all the organs. Similarly, the kidneys in snakes have a different

The Ncwslcltcr of the l\ilinnesota Herpetological Society

Empirical Evidence For An Optimal Body Size In Snakes Boback SM, Guyer C.Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 368495414,USA. bobacsm@auburn.edu Evolution Int J Org Evolution 2003 Feb;57(2):345-51 The concept of optimal size has been invoked to explain patterns in body size of terrestrial mammals.

However, the generality of this phenomenon has not been tested with sirnilarly cornplete data from other taxonomic groups. In this study we describe three statistical patterns of body size in snakes, all of which indicate an optimal length of 1.0 m. First, a distribution of largest body lengths of 618 snake species had a single mode at 1.0 rn. Second, we found a positive relationship between the size of the largest mernber of an island snake assemblage and island area and a negative relationship between the size of the smallest member of an island snake assemblage and island area. Best-fit lines through these data cross at a pOint corresponding to 1.0 m in body length, the presumed optimal size for a one-species island. Third, mainland snake species smaller than 1.0 m become larger on islands whereas those larger than 1.0 m become smaller on islands. The observation that all three analyses converge on a common body size is concordant with patterns observed in mammals and partial analyses of four other disparate animal clades. Because snakes differ so strikingly from mammals (ectotherms, gape-limited predators, elongate body shape) the concordant patterns of these two groups provide strong evidence for the evolution of an optimal body size within

November 2003

Volume 23

independent monophyletic groups.

However, snakes differ from other taxonomic groups that have been studied in exhibiting a body size distribution that is not obviously skewed in either direction. We suggest that idiosyncratic features of the natural history of ectotherms allow relatively unconstrained distributions of body size whereas physiological limitations of endotherms constrain distributions of body size to a right skew.

(HerpDigest v4#6)

Amphibian Mortality By Road-Kill In A National Park

By John Serrao Many of the causes of global amphibian declines are so complex in nature that they seem well beyond the ability of the amateur herpetologist or nature lover to become involved. Ozone layer depletion, global warming, agricultural chemicals, chytrid fungi and other phenomena have all been implicated. One other cause, however, is very localized as a possible major problem for amphibians, especially in the heavily-developed eastern United States: automobile traffic. On rainy spring evenings, for example, when the majority of adults of several species of amphibian migrate to their ancestral breeding sites, road-kill can represent a substantial mortality factor.

A high percentage of a given area's frogs and salamanders travel to breeding sites on just a few evenings when the weather is right, and many of these may be crushed beneath the wheels of cars along roads that must be crossed.

In the spring of 2002, such a slaughter occurred near a major breeding wetland in the Delaware

Number 11

Water Gap National Recreation Area in Bushkill, Pennsylvania. The evening of March 9th was the first mild, rainy evening at the end of winter and the first night for the emergence of five species of amphibians: the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum), Jefferson salamander (A. jeffersonianum), red-spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridiscens) spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) and wood frog (Rana sylvatica).

Along a 150 m section of the infrequently-travelled road bordering the large wetland, I counted 650 dead wood frogs and peepers, 30 dead spotted salamanders and at least 25 dead newts. The National Park Service was notified of this mortality and advised to close the road under similar circumstances the following spring. The Park administration responded favourably to this idea, and on the evening of March 21 st, 2003 (the first mild, rainy evening of the year) the road was c! losed with barricades and patrolled by Park Rangers to prevent any cars from travelling through the breeding area.

Park biologists, newspaper reporters, photographers and myself walked the same 150 m stretch of road and watched hundreds of frogs and salamanders cross over safely.

The road was also closed to traffic on three other rainy evenings to ensure the safe crossing of later amphibians. Future plans of the National Park may involve the construction of culverts to allow the passage of amphibians beneath the road.

(HerpDigest v4#5)

Page 11

November 2003

Volume 23

Number 11

Attention Students Spring 2004 The University of Minnesota will once again offer Herpetology

FW 4392: Herpetology The Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles 4 credits http://www.fw. umn.edu/FW4392/index.html

The Newsletter of the 1\1innesota HCI]letolof,,>1cal Socicty

Novcmber 2003

Volume 23

Minnesota Herpetological Society Treasurer's Report Prepared by Marilyn Brooks Blasus, Treasurer For the Month Ending September 30, 2003 Income: Membership Sales (net) Donations Raffle Misc.

Total Income:

."...

mnM Only $5 Per Month ...... $55 Per Year

$ 285.00 $ 356.50 $2,356.29 $ 78.00 $ 1,360.00 $ 4,433.79

Expense: Newsletter Printing & Postage Other Printing and Postage Program Conservation I Donation Supplies and Refreshments Misc.

Total Expense:

$ $ $ $ $

123.00 0.00 472.42 980.00 28.89 $ 348.22 $ 1,952.53

$ 2,481.26

Net Gain I (Loss):

'Re~lle& ·Am~I~ans·lnvertebrales·Small Mammals 'Fisb'

Complete Une 01 Cages, Food, Books &Supplies lor ALL Animals

,

~

II

d " l'

Hours;

1~lN Cl l'lfS

The LARGEST,

Mon•• Fri. 10-8 Sat 10-6 Sun. 12-5

It

"r e

fI,-

BEST Seleclion in the Twin Cities Since 1979

REPTILES

"

l' "1j

Y

2363 University Ave, W. SI. Paul, (112 BIkE, otRaymoild)

Benda Photography Fine Porirarts of Pets People . .. . &

bendaphotography.com 952-435.6188

(851) 847·4479 www.twlncltiesreptlles.com GEl" THE FACTS ...- NOT THE.- . HYPE . ..

-

Page 13

The Newsletter of the

~.fillllesota

Heq}etologlcal Society

Noyemher 2003

Volume 23

Number 11

Classified Advertisements Classified ads are free to the membership.

Deadline Is the night of the general meeting for inclusion 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 3 times unless specifically requested to continue).

For Sale For Sale: 1.1 adult Timor monitors, breeders. One of the smallest monitor species. $300/pair, abo.

Chelsea DeArmond, 651-776-5216 or ++ cdearmon@luthersem.edu

Wanted For Sale: 0.0.5 Black ratsnakes (E.o.obsoleta), $10 ea.

O.K. Compton 612.872.7266 comp001@umn.edu +

Prices Wanted: Creative people to come up Frozen Rabbits - all sizes. very reasonable - pinkies to adults. with fun MHS rodent sales ads.

Jim Daluge 763.295.2818

Wanted: All the shed snake skins in the world. Needed for giveaways to kids at educational programs.

Call Bob Duerr 651-489-5087

Did you know....... .

Classified line ads are run free to MHS members?

Flightless Fruitflies - Excellent food for dart frogs, mantellas, hatchling geckos, baby chameleons, spiderlings, and other small herps. Two species available: Drosophila melanogaster (small) and Drosophila hydei (large). $5/culture or $25/6 cultures. Each culture contains 30 to 50 adult flies and has potential to produce several hundred young.

Also, Mealworms, two sizes available regular and mini. $5/1000. Can be delivered to MHS meetings. Call Tony Gamble 612-747-6682 or email tgamble@attbi.com +++ For Sale: 2003 hatchling snakes, all produced by me.

Corn Snakes: $15.00 - $25.00 depending on color phase. Normals, Anerythristics and Hypomelanistics, ($15.00 ea), Amelanistics and Snows ($20.00 ea) and Ghosts ($25.00 ea). Discounts for quantity purchases. Sinaloan Milk Snakes: $40.00 ea. Ball Pythons: $40.00 ea (only males available) Adult snakes.

1.1 pair of hybrid Northern pine X Bull snake. 3 yr old proven breeders $120.00/ pro 0.1 Bullsnake. 5 yo produced by Randy Blasus. Snappish attitude. $50.00 Fuzzies Fuzzies $7/dz 0.1 Mex Milk snake, 6 yo. Also with a $8/dz SmAdult HORl;>ers snappish attitude. $60.00 $24/dz $10/dz Med Adult Adults 3.8 adult normal Leopard Geckos. $30/dz 19Adult Proven breeders. $10.00 to $25.00 each. Make me an offer on the whole $36/dz Jumbo group.

For pick路up at monthly meetings only. Orders Must be placed at least one week in I can deliver to MHS meetings, Call me advance of date of meeting at which the frozen rodents are to be delivered. at 651 481-0127 ask for Mark Place orders with Jody Holmstrom at 651.224.7212 or jodyalso@yahoo.com Schmidtke + Page 14

•

®I§ll' W@I!JJ~

1NI1§®®~®1§

ll'@

W@I!JJ~

ll'~~®I§ll' ~I!JJ@~I§INJ©I§ \WJ~ll'1KI ~ llU~ [F)~®I§ ~@,

$11 ® ~~Iru 1Ml@1NI1l'1XI $1111 ® ~~Iru WMIru"

p.~ *12th month is free on a one year commitment

• 1i.1Fr::;;;===================~~~.

('"

MHSAD RATES Business card 1/4 Page

1/2 Page Full Page

$5/Month $10/Month $20/Month $40/Month

Advertising Policies MHS Ad Policy: 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 compJlmentary advertisements are sub-

ject to occasional omission.

$55Near* $110Near* $220Near* $440Near*

Classified Ads: All active members are allowed a classified ad, run free of charge as space permits. Ads may be ran three consecutive months, after which time they may be resubmitted. Corresponding members are anowed 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.

Submissions: All advertisements should be submitted to the MHS Editor, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Deadline

* Note: 12th month is free on a one year commitment ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I!I

•

Is the night of the General Meeting for Inclusion In the next newsletter. Make checks payable to: Minnesota Herpetological Society.

r-----------------------------------------------, Minnesota Herpetological Society Membership Application : New

Name

Renewal

Address

Membership#

City, State, Zip,

Type

Phone

Check #

Herp related interests

Email

..

List in MHS Directory?

Yes

No

I I I Corresponding Memberships: Commercial ($25/year 2 Business Card Ads/year) I I Required check info. Drivers lic # State DOB I Please enclose the proper payment with your application. Make Checks Payable To: Minnesota Herpetological Society.

I Membership is for 12 months from the date of approval, a receipt will be sent only upon request. Mail to: Minnesota I Herpetological Society, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church SI. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Please allow 6-8 weeks I for processing.

I L _______________________________________________ I Active Memberships: Sustaining ($60/year)

Contributing ($30/year) BaSIC ($15/year)

~

Non,Profit Rate U.S. Postage PAID Mpls, MN Permit No. 2275 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

POSTMASTER: DATED MATERIAL PLEASE DELIVER BY NOVEMBER 4

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA- ST. PAUL CAMPUS:

~IOimy36 ~I

10

LARPE:NTEUR

~-:

FOLWELL

:::J 80RLAUG

HALL

~

iii '"<3

(1, \ ':/' is,~

),'/

~,

(~""':l"

..... ".. ~.Q!

"'w*"rt

ulOi.., ... ",

0.""

,.~i

1 J[ I i

CZl

MHS Web Page: www.mnherpsoc.org

w

I

C

i i lQd<(I""

"'''''''!:I--:)o-

MHS Voice Mail: 612.624.7065

. J

;510$(;11 CENTER

8UFORD

~~"

~ r~ [';::1 i

r,'"

'/;',~

t cยฃt-lTffij

~I

.

..r:.<.

............

0?~

"ยงJ

~~ P ,//

'<

Sf1Gllif!g~

Next Meeting: Friday, November 7, 2003 7:00PM Room 335 Borlaug Hall, U of M SI. Paul Campus

.4

N

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE

s

DECEMBER 2005

o

I

VOLUME 25

y

T

NUMBBR

12