Vol. 23 (2003), No. 5

Board of Directors President Randy Blasus

Bell Museum ofNahlral History, 10 Church Street Southeast, Minneapolis Minnesota 55455"()104 952.925.4237

rebJas@msn.com Vice President

Tony Gamble

763.424.2803 tgamble@altbf.com

The

s

Minnesota o

Herpetological

• 1

c

e

t

y

Recording Secretary

Barb BuzJcky

612-916-7575 zzzbuzzi@aol.com

Membership Secretary

Nancy Hakomaki gatorgal@boxfrog.com

651.341.5707

MHS We bpage: http,/Iwww.bellmllsellm.org/heroetology/Main.html MHS Group Email: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/mnherosoc.

Voice Mail, 612.624.7065

Treasurer

Marilyn Slasus

bJasus@msn.com

952.925.4237 ....................................................................................._ ......_ _...._""'_ _......

May 2003

Newsletter Editor

Bill Moss

651.488.1383 mngatorguy@msn.com

Members at Large

Heather Clayton

651.291.2546

heethuh@aol.com Brian Ingbrelson IngeHzard@yahoo.com Philip Woutat pmwoutat@yahoo.com Heather fngbretson

763.572.0487 952.924.9128 763,572.0487

h~lngbretson@yahoo.com

Immediate Past president Jodll. Aherns 612.588.9329 groundgeckofreak@yahoo.com

Committees Adoption Sarah Richard

612.781.9544 RealSarah@aol.com

Education Jan Larson

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Number 5

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.

507.263.4391 jan.skunkhollow@juno.com

Northern Minnesota Jeff Korbel

218.586.2588

Libra!), Beth Girard

763.691.1650 bglrard@worldnet.att.net

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 and should be in electronic file format if possible. The business card rate is $5/month.

Submissions may be sent to: -or~

Webmaster 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

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

Crocodilians

Jeff Lang Bill Moss

701.772.0227 651.488.1383

LIzards Nancy Halg Heather Matson

612.554.8446

Large Boas ~hons 11na CIsewski

612.856.2865

Other Snakes Jeff Leclere John Meltzer

651.488.6388 763.263.7880

Aouatic Turtles Gary Ash John Levell

763.753.0218 507.467.3076

Ter[f:l;Slrial Tua!es Fred Bosman John Levell

763.476.0306 507.467.3076

763.434.8684

Copyright 2003, Minnesota Herpetological Society. Except where noted, contents may be reproduced for non· profit, non·commerclal use only. -All material must be reproduced without change. Proper credit wUl be given Including the author/photographer and the MHS Newsletter citing: volume, number and date.

l11e Newsletter of the

~1illllesota

Herpetological Society

The Vice-presidents report

By Tony Gamble

May General Meeting Friday, May 2nd, 2003, 7:00 PM Program: Herpetological Exploration in Arid Southwestern Africa Forgotten History and Recent Discoveries Guest Speaker: Aaron Bauer Aaron Bauer's research has taken him to Southwest Africa several times. The rich herpetofauna of Namibia and South Africa is a rich

subject of study. Over the years Dr. Bauer has described several new species and 5 new genera of geckas from the region. His talk will focus on the history of herpetological exploration of the region from the 1800s to the present and conclude with a discussion of his own research.

Aaron Bauer is currently a professor of biology at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. He is author of the book "Das Tierreich volume 109. Gekkonidae. Part 1, Australia and Oceania". He is coeditor of "The Herpetological

May 2003

Volume 23

Contributions of Wilhelm Peters (1815-1883)", published by the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. He co-authored "The Amphibians and Reptiles of Alberta: A Field Guide and Primer of Boreal Herpetology" (with Anthony Russell), "State and provincial amphibian and reptiles publications for the United States and Canada" (with John Moriarty), and 'The Herpetofauna of New Caledonia" (with Ross Sadlier). He has authored over 100 papers on geckos and other reptiles.

NumberS

ing. Members who have 10 or more volunteer hours (the names were published in the April issue of the newsletter) should see Marilyn Blasus at the next meeting or contact her at 952.925.4237 to make other arrangements.

Help Wanted (Needed) With the MHS Newsletter.

I need your helpl

As always, I need original works for inclusion in the newsletter.

Aaron Bauer is an engaging speakThis month I had virtually zero er and this promises to be a fantassubmissions which means that to tic talk with excellent photos. Don't produce an interesting newsletter, miss iti I have to spend a lot of time searching for content and finding graphics and supplement the text.

Upcoming Meetings: Doing this takes a lot of time, I Friday, June 6th , 2003 - Dave spent about 16 hours on this Kizirian, L.A. County Museum newsletter. I have to have some help with this or I will burn out just like my predecessors.

Friday, July 11 th - Maureen Keamey, Field Museum of Natural How can you help?

History

Volunteer Awards Handed Out at the April Meeting.

Volunteers with 10 hours or more of service in 2002 were awarded MHS logo snake bags as a token of appreciation at the April meeting.

Due to the bad weather that night, the turn-out was less than average so there are many bags that have yet to be picked up. Bags will be available at the May meet-

My preference is for original work.

Barring that, many of you spend a good deal of time on the internet researching your herpetological interests. How about contributing to the newsletter by retrieving these articles that you find interesting, going to the web and finding graphics or photos to support the article and submitting it to me.

This is something that you all can do and it would substantially reduce my workload.

Thanks in advance ยง Page 3

TIle Newsletter of the Minnesota Hcrpetologif:al Society

May 2003

Volume 23

NumberS

News, Notes & Announcements May Adoption Report

by Sarah Richard, Adoption Chair

next election (Nov, 2003 for the calendar year 2004, the position of Immediate Past President has been eliminated. The number of board positions drops by one to 10 members. The past president will be asked to stay on as an advisor but will not have a vote.

We had a very interesting month, with 20 animals coming in. 6 Iguanas, 6 medium size snakes, 4 turtles and 4 other lizards. All but the Niles and the Iguanas found homes at the meeting. Liz Redmond was of the opinion that she had most of the Iguanas spoken for via Upcoming Hands-On outside placement. If someone has an interest in Iguanas they should Events contact Liz Redmond. For the Niles talk to me. For all of you that didn't May 3 - Saturday -Env.. make the meeting the Niles are tiny, Expo/Arborday Event, Ramsey Elem.8am-1pm but they grow-fast.

We raised $215.00 this month. A May 17 - Saturday - Waterfest heart felt thank you to every one 2003, Phalen Park Pavilion, who participated in the adoption 10am-3pm program. I couldn't do it without youl Call Jan Larson for more information 507.263.4391

Both Amendments to the MHS Bylaws Pass Both of the amendments up for vote at the April meeting passed.

The amendments, fully described in the March Issue will make the following changes: Change number one formally puts in place a system for streamlining the vote for MHS offices by putting into place a procedure that is accepted in Robert's Rules of Order. This allows for a verbal affirmation of the ballot in the event there are no contested positions.

Change number 2, effective the Page 4

The 2004 Renaissance Festival is fast approaching.

This year's Festival dates are weekends and Labor Day from August 16 through September 28.

Get those costumes ready for action I For more information, contact Nancy Hakomaki 651.341.5707 or Ellen Heck 763.593.5414.

There will be more information in these pages in the months to come.

2003 MHS Field Survey

by Randy Blasus

MHS is busy planning the 2003 Field Survey. The park for this year will be William O'Brien. This scenic park is located north of Stillwater and encompasses a variety of habitats as well as a portion of the St Croix River in northern Washington county. This site is more or less an hour from the metro depending on where you live.

The date of the survey is June 21 & 22.

Camping will be available at a group campsite and the usual MHS amenities will be provided (ie. firewood, pop and water and some snacks). The park is semi-modern and has a swimming beach for those spouses and children who don't plan on herping or roughing it.

We welcome all persons interested in being out in the field whether you are amateur or experienced. This is scheduled to be the only survey of the season, so plan to come along. Watch the internet, newsgroup and newsletter for further details.

Happy herpin' RE Blasus

The Nc\\'sletter of the Minnesota Hcq)etological Socicty

May 2003

Volume 23

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Parasites and Your Pets: It's Not Just Your Reptiles That Can Affect You I recently read Tony Gamble's interesting article in the latest MHS issue about HSUS and reptile salmonellosis. I sent this info to him earlier in the week, and he suggested I send it to MHS. I have some experience (T.A.) with Parasitology (human and animal) and it should be noted that any domestic pet can potentially carry several macro-parasites that will infect humans. Dogs, for exampie, can harbor species of tapeworm and nematode (we wont even get into protozoans or bacteria, as I'm not sure about them) that their owners can pick up. Even though most dog owners have their pets "de-wormed" this medication is not preventative. It merely kills off what the animal is currently carrying.

Therefore, eggs from these parasites can be picked up by the dog on any given trip out of doors and they can become re-infected.

family dog, and if the dog sleeps in the same bed or sits on your lap, those ticks can be transmitted to you. A person I know contracted Lyme disease in just such a way.

Minnesota.

Furthermore, the eggs of several dog nematode species (ie, Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum) are passed in fecal mateAnother tapeworm of note would be rial or even transmitted from parents Echinococcus granulosus, which to puppies at birth. All it takes is for creates a hydatid cyst that may your dog to nose around in, or lick, occur almost anywhere within the excrement from an infected animal body (including the brain). The (or for the few of us unfortunate people who have dogs that eat "Another tapeworm of note excrement) to pick up the eggs would be Echinococcus gran- (which are virtually undetectable by ulosus, which creates a the naked eye). Even if the eggs are hydatid cyst that may occur not ingested by the dog, but get on its nose/mouth and it licks your face almost anywhere within the and you swallow them, the eggs can body (including the brain)." be transmitted to you. The result is a disorder called "visceral larval effects of this cyst may not be seen migrans". Because humans are not for several years and a single cyst the proper host for this paraSite may be large enough to contain as species, once in the body, the paramuch as 15 quarts of fluid (imagine site wanders aimlessly throughout · '·d· . . that pushing against your brain). A your visceral organs (because it F examp Ie, OIpyl /Um canmum IS ltd t · ·In·cam ds can not f·In d the proper resting . pace, I a or dog t th t ft . re a e apeworm species .ld apelt~ortm a .tOt edn °hccurshm (domestic dogs, wolves, foxes, coy- as it would in a dog). Pathogenesis . .. chI reno s ransml e w en t e ) .. t . f t d fl ( h otes called Echmocuccus multJIoc- mcludes fever, pulmonary sympdog InJes s an In ec e ea t e l . .

I th t· It t h t I . h·l· ·Interm ed·late hos. t) All I·t takes IS . f or u ans IS a so wor no mg. oms, epa omega y, eosmop . . Ila, fI causes not one, but many cysts, etc. They can cause leSions many d t . k y~ur o~ 0 pIC IU P . eas s~m~- called mulitocular cysts, to be visceral organ (depending on where w ere. d?r t~xamhP e, If your og dS spread throughout the body. These they've migrated to) and can even . . fl ea me Ica Ion as worn 0 ff an , f tt t h ·t d d cysts are small compared to E. show up In the retina. you ve orgo en. 0 ave I .up ate , granulosus, but are still formidable. or your dog accidentally picks up a The intermediate host for this The scenarios are almost endless. few fleas from another dog and your .. and dogs con- Are these sorts 0 f things common? c hI·ld acci·d en taII y swa II ows one species . f IS a rodent, .. th d ' d·· tract It rom eating mice, rats, etc.. N i b bl b f e ore e og s me Icatlon scares The eggs can then be picked up b ot real y. Pro a y more common the fleas awa~. Th~ ingested flea humans who clean do waste / than salmonellosis from reptiles ~eleases t~e Juveml~ ta~eworms from their ard, etc .. I( should b~ (although the.re a.re more pet dogs mto the child's gastrOintestinal sys- pOinted out~hat a c of hum than pet reptiles In the US). Cases tem a~d t~ey devel~p into adults. contracting this para~~t: wa~ rece~~ of reptile .salmonellosis, however, Keep In mind also, licks that carry Iy recorded in the state f get extensive press for some reaLyme disease. They attach to the 0 son. The point is that contracting ill Page 5

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

nesses from your pet (no matter what taxonomic Class it's from) is rare and reptiles should recieve no more notoriety for these sorts of occurrences than dogs and cats. It all boils down to the reproach humans have towards herptiles and ~ "mammal-centric" view of species Importance. I find it very interesting the HSUS is choosing to ignore the multitude of examples that can be found regarding man's best friend accidentally infecting the hand that feeds. Having been a herptile enthusiast most of my life, I find the lack of objectivity (and relavent information) that the HSUS has shown to have on the subject to be extremely distressing.

Sincerely, Joshua M. Kapfer Department of Biological Sciences University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI 53211 PS a good resource for anything parasite-related: Schmidt, G.D, and L. S. Roberts.

2000. Foundations of Parasitology, 6th ed .. McGraw Hill, Boston, MS."

May 2003

NumberS

nessed her taking a piece of meat to the bottom of the pool and holding it.

After about fIVe minutes, she very deliberately partially opened her mouth, John Brueggen, General Curator then opened her palatal valve and St. Augustine Alligator Farm quickly moved her head forward and swallowed the meat. She remained in The palatal valve, in the back of a croca resting position on the bottom of the odilian's mouth, is a unique adaptation pool for another ten minutes. Since she that seals the throat off from both air had recently come to us from Audubon and water. Wrth this valve shut a crocZoo, I called the reptile staff there and odilian can grasp food underwater and asked if they had witnessed this behavnot have the water flood past into the ior. They said that they had. Apparently ~s?phagus or glottis. Essentially the the male Tomistoma at this facility was Inside of a crocodilian's mouth is outin the habit of stealing her food if she side its body. Crocodilians obviously surfaced with it. I have witnessed her prefer to keep this palatal valve closed swallowing underwater on one other while submerged, and come to the suroccasion. I believe the behavior is face to swallow their prey. It is often being extinguished by our training assumed that Crocodilians are unable efforts, as our male does not have an to swallow food underwater, because opportunity to steal meat from the of the overwhelming flood of water that would flow into their body. However, we females. have witnessed three species of crocodilian swallowing their food underwater. I reluctantly included this subject in my The first is a female freshwater croco- talk at the 2002 Crocodilian Specialist dile, Crocodylus johnsoni, housed ~roup (CSG) working meeting. I was alone. On several occasions she has Just sure that the crocodilian experts picked up pieces of meat from the bot- from around the wond were going to tom of the pool and proceeded to eat say that this was a very well known fact. But the only reference I found them without surfacing.

(Carpenter, 1928) is little more than guesswork on the part of the observer.

The second observation is of a female Many CSG members came to me after saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porathe meeting and thanked me for mensus, housed with its mate. This female swallows both above the water and tioning this, as they too felt they had witbelow, seeming not to have any prefer- n~ed this behavior. Only one person Said that they had actual video footage ence for one over the other. of a crocodilian swallowing underwater, The most convincing observation has but apparently it does been a female false gavial, Tomistoma happen with some frequency.

Crocodilians Have the Ability to Swallow Prey Underwater

schlegelii. She is currently housed in a large exhibit with another female and a male. This exhibit affords visitors a complete underwater view of the entire pool though four glass panels. Soon after moving the female to this exhibit, I witPage 6

Volume 23

Literature Cited: Carpenter. C. D. H. 1928. Can crocodiles swallow their food under water? Nature [Lond.]

122:15.

Bull. Chicago Herp. Soc. 38(2):31,2003

TIle Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

May 2003

Volume 23

price of each item between rounds.

That way, you have a feel for which items you've won and whether you got that "special something" before the final checkout.

MHS White Snake Sale-A Big Success

by Heather Ingbretson photos by Randy Blasus

The White Snake Sale was a great success for 2003. Please give a round of applause to yourselves and a pat on the back, because MHS members brought in 288 items

We're already looking forward to next years White Snake Sale and we hope you had a blast with it!!

Thank you everyone!! ยง

by Jim Gerholdf' for $57 (what a STEALI!I) and $40 for the Large Cabinet in the hall.

We received a lot of nice comments about the new and improved wider aisles and easier access to tables.

There were some great comments about the speed of checkout compared to years previous and overall, things seem to have run pretty smoothly.

for donation and offered 47 hours of their time to MHS. A big thanks goes out to those people who donated their time or offered their time to the WSS. If you offered your time and we were unable to use your services, we really appreciate the gesture and would love to have your help next year (you know who you arel).

NumberB

Pitter Patter Of Tiny Reptile Feet (Tuatara) Channel One News, 413103

Thirteen tuatara eggs, all from the same mother, have hatched into healthy offspring at Southland Museum - the first time the museum has enjoyed a 100% hatch rate.

The eggs were laid naturally last October and spent more than five We received some suggestio~s for months in an incubator before they improvement next year and If you hatched. The museum is regarded as the world's most successful captive tuatara breeder and the latest youngsters bring its current population to 46. It will be at least 10 years before the sex of each tuatara baby Is known.

With your help, we brought in over $1,200. The biggest item sold was the fancy tank with the rock wall for . $60, followed by the "Presentation have suggestions, we would lo.ve to hear them. Please send e-malls to: hingbretson@nwhealth.edu with the subject of WSS suggestions OR you can tell Heather or any other Board member at a meeting about your Baby Tuatara Photo from Victoria University of Wellington suggestion.

One great idea that we plan on Herp Digest Volume # 3 # Issue # 32 implementing next year is to put up ยง a list of who ?won? items and the Page 7

May 2003

Herpetofauna at Drago La ke Cabin, 10-Mile , Minnesota Stephen R. Johnson

What I am calling Drago Cabin is a small log cabin on a 0.25-acre hilltop on the eastem shore of 10-Mile Lake, Minnesota, about 4 miles north of the town of Hackensack. This area is near the westem extent of the northem mixed conifer hardwood forest.

The main cabin was built in 1916 and is presently owned by Esther and Bill Drago of Marion, Iowa. The cabin has received minor modification over the ensuing years and an additional cabin was added in the 1940s. There fore, this small area has had little disturbance for about 60 years.

The hill on which the cabin sits is margined to the north and south by lowlands which once held wetlands.

The pond on the property to the south of the Drago cabin was in good condition at least until 2001. A pond on the property to the north was apparently drained in the 1990s and filled with cast off cabin fumishings. Much of the remaining lakeshore has been heavily disturbed since the late 1980s and continUing to the present with the construction of large all-weather homes, boat and automobile garages, and extensive docks. Along the entire eastem shore of 10-Mile Lake the secondgrowth forest is highly fragmented.

The Drago cabin land has probably received the least disturbance anywhere on the eastem shore of the lake.

I first observed the herpetofauna of the Drago cabin grounds in early August 1999. That was a dry year in north-central Minnesota and no rain fell during the observation period.

DUring that time I observed three adult Page 8

(5 cm) gray tree-frogs (probably Hyla versicolor), one of which had taken up residence inside of the 1916 cabin where it appeared on three consecutive nights. On the grounds outside the cabin I observed a small number (approx. 0.25/m2) of adult (5 cm) wood frogs (Rana sylvatica). In the rocks bordering a trail to the cabin's boat dock and in rocks marking the lakeshore, I observed a small number (approx. 0.10/m2) of adult (10 cm snout-vent length [SVL]) prairie skinks (Eumeces septentrionalis) and only one juvenile (7 cm SVL). I observed a single, recently killed juvenile common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) in the roadway leading to the cabin grounds, which also provides access to other cabin grounds on the eastem shoreline of the lake.

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The differences in species richness and apparent density may represent several aspects of ecological change in the area. Spring peepers have been reported to be tolerant of forest fragmentation in Connecticut (Gibbs, 1998), but have been eliminated from areas of Minnesota by urbanization (Oldfield and Moriarty, 1994). The increased reproduction of prairie skinks and presence of a young redbellied snake indicates that the Drago cabin grounds provide adequate prey and cover and the presence of a large number of young wood frogs indicates that one nearby breeding pond was still intact at that time. The blue-spotted salamander surlaced due to the rainfall in August. Blue-spotted salamanders may not decline due to fragmentation but seem to occur in low density in Maine (Demaynadier and I visited the cabin grounds Hunter,1998). again in August 2001. During this 7day observation period rain fell on No opportunity to observe the three consecutive days. I observed herpetofauna arose in 2002. But in a dozens (approx. 2.0/m2) 2.5 cm, per- one-day visit, I observed the neighhaps recently metamorphosed, wood bors to the south involved in a massive frogs, but no adults. Prairie skinks construction project. I plan to visit the were also abundant in 2001. I Drago cabin in 2003 to observe any observed approximately ten juveniles progressive habitat destruction. and probably five or more adults. No gray tree frogs were observed in 2001. Literature Cited Demaynadier, P. G., and M. L. Hunter, New sightings for 2001 includ- Jr. 1998. Effects of silvicultural edges ed one northem spring peeper on the distribution and abundance of (Pseudacris crucifer crUCifer), one amphibians in adult (15 cm) red-bellied snake Maine. Conserv. Bioi. 12(2): 340-352.

(Store ria occipitomaculata) beneath the 1916 cabin's porch and a juvenile Gibbs, J. P. 1998. Distribution of wood(11 cm) among the trailside rocks that land amphibians along a forest fragalso served as cover for the juvenile mentation gradient.

Landscape prairie skinks. I observed one adult (10 Ecology 13:263-268. cm) blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale) on the east side Oldfield, 8., and J. J. Moriarty. 1994. of the 1940 cabin beneath the second Amphibians and reptiles native to floor extemal stairs under a small Minnesota. Minneapolis: University of piece of fallen, painted wood. Reports Minnesota Press. from Quentin and Mike Stark and Will Drago, who closed the cabin in early Bull. Chicago Herp Soc 38(3):45, 2003 October, indicated that blue-spotted ยง salamanders inhabit the on-site well.

The Nc,,,sictter of the Minnesota He1l)ctoiogical Society

Natural Freeze Tolerance In Hatchling Painted Turtles?

Comp Biochem Physiol A Mollntegr Physiol2003 Feb; 134(2):233·46 Packard GC, Packard MJ. Deparlment of Biology, Colorado State University, 80523·1878, Forl Collins, CO, USA

Hatchlings of the North American painted turtle (family emydidae: Chrysemys picta) typically spend their first winter of life inside a shallow, subterranean hibernaculum

Painted Turtle (Chrysemys pieta)

(the natal nest) where life-threatening conditions of ice and cold comrnonly occur. Although a popular opinion holds that neonates exploit a tolerance for freezing to survive the rigors of winter, hatchlings are more likely to withstand exposure to ice and cold by avoiding freezing altogether-and to do so without the benefit of an antifreeze. In the interval between hatching by turtles in late summer and the onset of wintery weather in November or December, the integument of the animals becomes highly resistant to the penetration of ice into body compartments from surrounding

May 2003

Volume 23

soil, and the turtles also purge their bodies of catalysts for the forrnation of ice. These two adjustments, taken together, enable the animals to supercool to temperatures below those that they routinely experience in nature. However, cardiac function in hatchlings is diminished at subzero temperatures, thereby cornpromising the delivery of oxygen to peripheral tissues and eliciting an increase in reliance by those tissues on anaerobic metabolism for the provision of ATP. The resulting increase in production of lactic acid may disrupt acid/base balance and lead to death even in animals that remain unfrozen.

Although an ability to undergo supercooling may be key to survival by pholobyJohnWhlle overwintering turtles in northerly populations, a similar capacity to resist inoculation and undergo supercooling characterizes animals from a population near the southern limit of distribution, where winters are relatively benign. Thus, the suite of characters enabling hatchlings to withstand exposure to ice and cold may have been acquired prior to the northward dispersal of the species at the end of the Pleistocene, and the characters may not have originated as adaptations specifically to the challenges of winter. § Herp Digest Vol 3 no 32

NumberS

Tortoise Grows Out Of Control As Household Pet - Sulcatas End Up Rejected, Abandoned Denise Flaim, San Fransico Chronical

"An elephant in a shell." That's how Lori Green, director of Turtle Homes, a nonprofit rescue and conservation organization on New York's Long Island, describes Geochelone sulcata, also known as the African spurred tortoise.

Maturing into the tortoise equivalent of an untrained, unhousebroken Great Dane, sulcatas are one of the biggest crises facing rehabbers and rescuers.

"There isn't a day that goes by that we don't have a request to rehome one, " says Green, who also handles rescue and adoptions for the New York Turtle 'and Tortoise Society. "Very, very few people can manage a sulcata permanently. Yet they're sold in almost every pet shop and at all the reptile shows."

Also marketed as sultan, sun and African tortoises, or mislabeled as Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoises (a species that looks similar as a hatchling but reaches only a foot long), sulcatas are cute babies and can be purchased for as little as $25. But the tortoises -- which are prolific breeders in captivity -average about 30 inches and 100 pounds when they grow up. And grow they do.

"By 5 pounds, they're scraping the baseboards on your house," Green says. "By 10 pounds, they can go through Sheetrock. And by 20 pounds, they can move furniture." tortoise ..• continued on page 11 Page 9

rnlC Newsletter of the Minnesota HCl])Ctological Society

Previously Un-described Cryptic Species Complex Of Asian Box Turtle Discovered In SE Asia Natural Inquire, Bangkok lAP Wire Service] 411103 (editors note: This was submitted to HerpDigest on April 1st. Read at your own risk)

Last winter biologists working in Laos became aware of an apparent sibling species of Asian Box Turtle.

In general appearance this turtle looks like the common Asian Box Turtle, Coura amboinensis, though there are minor, but consistent, differences in plastron markings. This discovery resulted in the researchers and their colleagues looking through museum collections, examining turtles in food markets, and visiting sites with Coura amboinensis populations.

In all sites and museum collections examined the undescribed species was discovered, but it always occurred in much lower numbers than the Asian Box Turtle. Coura amboinensis has considerable morphological variation throughout its range, with a number of valid subspecies recognized. The biologists were surprised to discover that this variation was being mimicked by the less common and previously unrecognized species.

DNA analysis showed the mimics to all be one species, and not closely related to Coura amboinensis or any other described species of Coura. Thus, they are not a sibling species as originally believed.

Similarities are based on Batisan mimicry, and not on a close genetic relationship.

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May 2003

Field observations indicated behavioral patterns similar to Coura amboinensis in all aspects except diet. The new species, not yet formerly named, apparently lives largely off the blood of other turtles.

With the mimic's appearance of Coura amboinensis, the most abundant semi-aquatic turtle in SE Asia, the turtles do not even need to stalk their prey. The undescribed turtle takes advantage of mating and other social interactions to conduct surprise attacks on this and other Coura. Single feedings are seldom fatal to the host turtle in that they can usually pull away from the bite and retreat into their shells within a few minutes. The ability of Coura to close their shells with a hinged plastron has probably evolved as a defense against the parasitic turtles. The mimic also parasitized other species of turtles, and they have been observed to eat leaches that have recently fed. Some Asian leaches can be quite large. Not surprisingly, most rural people in SE Asia were aware of the blood feeding behavior. Technically these turtles are recognized as external parasites.

The feeding of this undescribed Coura is quite specialized. The tongue of these turtles is covered with bony rasp which efficiently cut through the the skin of the host.

The paraSite hangs on with its mouth agape. Hooked like beaks on both the upper and lower jaw hold fast and the tongue is scraped repeatedly across the skin of the host. An anti coagulate is released from lining in the roof of the turtles mouth. Once blood starts to flow the licking motion stops and the tongue relaxes. In the relaxed position the

Volume 23

NumberS

sides of the tongue curl upwards forming a straw like tube through which the blood flows to the esophagus. Most flow is induced by gravity as the parasite hangs from the host turtle, but some suction pressure apparently is also applied.

Hatchlings and yearlings closely resemble Snail-eating turtles, Malayemys subtrijuga, suggesting that they are more aquatic in early life and are perhaps diverged from a more primitive aquatic Coura prototype.

Coura and other small semiaquatic turtles are not the only host.

These turtles have been seen feeding on freshwater turtles and even on large (50 pound) mountain tortoises. In Bohol Island in the Philippines the mimic Coura are known to take blood from nesting marine turtles. The mimics wait till the sea turtles have completed nest construction and begin laying eggs.

The parasitic turtles then attach themselves to the trailing edge of the seaturtles' fore limbs and drink.

Occasionally as many as 15 adult Coura can be seen feeding off one female seaturtle. Seaturtles returning to the ocean often have several Coura still attached but they drop off prior to reaching the salt water.

These blood sucking turtles are in turn host to a formerly unknown blood parasite. The parasite alternates generations between a relatively harmless adult stage and an active larval stage. The larval stage consumes red blood cells and not only weakens the host but it makes them more vulnerable in their lethargic state to be parasitized again and again by the cryptic species. This strategy works in populations where both the para-

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

sitic turtle and its host have relatively limited home ranges.

Chemical defenses in the cryptic species, which are absent in other turtles, prevent establishment of the larval blood parasite, or perhaps trigger it to go into its harmless adult form.

The biologists are currently looking for other cryptic species that closely mimic other Coura species and perhaps even turtles in other genera.

Zoo curators and turtle hobbyist are now understanding the high, previously unexplained, mortality rate in their ASian turtle collections. All people who keep captive turtles should watch their animals closely to make sure that they do not have vampire turtles in their collections.

Remember they are not dangerous to people, although health officials warn that they are likely to carry salmonella. These turtles need to be housed separately and in time they can be trained to drink reptile blood from a shallow dish. Captive pythons, monitor lizards, iguanas, corocodillians, and giant tortoises are all a good source of blood. Small amounts of blood can be safely and humanely extracted from these creatures on a daily basis. On green iguanas it may be easier to just cut off their heads.

While these cryptic turtles are rare they are not considered to be a real conservation concem. In many portions of their range they are protected by national laws and regulations.

All Coura are protected by international CITES regulations and listed as CITES Appendix II. Thus, both the undescribed species and the various host turtles are fully protected. ยง

May 2003

Volume 23

.....tortoise continued from page 9

NumberS

Then there is the reality of sulcata scatology. "Remember the scene in the first 'Jurassic Park,' when Laura Dern put her hand in a pile of Triceratops dung?" Salzberg says.

"Sulcata dung is comparable."

Sulcatas can live outdoors yearround in hot-weather states with minimal rainfall, such as Arizona.

But even in those arid climes, they need shelter and a heat source at night. And the tortoises still are not companions in the general sense of the word.

"They are the African version of a gopher tortoise, and nobody has a gopher tortoise as a pet," Salzberg says. "They have it as a guest. It comes up every once in a while and says hello, but it's tunneling and winds up in your neighbor's yard."

Indeed, as sulcatas rapidly become throwaways, turtle rescuers are overwhelmed with the task of trying to find suitable homes.

Shipping them south is one solution, but an ecologically dicey one, as no one can predict how sulcatas might affect indigenous animal populations. And unhappy owners who decide to stick it out are in for a long wait.

"This is a tortoise that will live 150 years," says Green, who offers a "Sulcata Reality Check" page at her Web site, www.turtlehomes.org. "So be prepared to will them to your grandchildren -- maybe even greatgrandchildren."ยง

In their native sub-Saharan Africa, sulcatas eat only during the threemonth rainy season, when they graze on native grasses, and they escape the relentless heat by snoozing in gigantic tunnels they've excavated.

Overfeeding a sulcata can quadrupie its growth rate, and nutritional imbalances can contribute to "pyramiding," in which the shell grows lumpy, looking like a miniature mountain range.

The sulcata's strong burrowing instinct translates into ripped flooring, shredded carpets and potholed backyards. Green recalls the couple who spent $25,000 to drill and repair the foundation of their home when their two 25- pound sulcatas tunneled under it and wouldn't resurface.

"As hatchlings, they're incredibly cute," says Allen Salzberg, editor and publisher of HerpDigest, a free electronic newsletter on reptile and amphibian conservation.

"But no one tells you how big they get -- that eventually it's like having a 19-inch-screen television walking around your house. I've seen one go eyeball-to-eyeball with a German shepherd -- and the German shepherd blinked first."

Want to go the "Born Free" route and just release your sulcata into the "wild"? Think again. Sulcatas cannot survive in cold climates and must spend the winters indoors.

HerpOigest Vol 3 No 30 Because of their formidable size and strength, sulcatas need a room devoted to them; ideally, the temperature should be kept between 72 and 75 degrees, with access to a warmer zone of 85 degrees.

Page 11

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

May 2003

Volume 23

'Plan Now to Attendl

The TENTH Annual Conference

ASSOCIATION OF REPTILIAN AND AMPIDBIAN VETERINARIANS October 5-9, 2003 Minneapolis, Minnesota Hyatt Regency Hotel Hosted by the Minnesota Zoological Garden in conjunction with

The AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO VETERINARIANS Scientific Program Get the latesfinjimnallon on: Basic Herpetological Veterlnruy Care Thempeutics and Diagncstlcs Case Reports Virology Updates Chelonian Medicine and Surgery Lizard Medicine and SurgeI)' Snake Medlclnealld SurgeI)'

Wet Labs and Workshops Get hands on experience In:

Surgery,EOuicsoopy Basic Clinical Tecbniques Vellonlous SnakeTecbniques Others to wannoUnced . .

SpecllIl FOciJs ()roUPs Behlnd-thC'~neS tour ofMlimeali9!iSZoological Gllr<len .

ProgramCbair Rich.ard S. Funk,MA, DVM Mesa VetennaryllQspita\ 858 N, Country Club Dr., Mesa, AZ 85201 . 480/83317330 Fax 480/833-0124 Email: azfunksra;ao1.com Mark Your Calendar Now Authors' Guidelines To Be A-nnounced In Upcoming Issues Submission deadline for propo~ed titles Marcb 1. 2003 Snbmission deadline for approved manuscripts May 1, 2003 Page 12

NumberS

May 2003

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Hcq)ctological Society

Volume 23

Minnesota Herpetological Society Treasurer's Report Prepared by Marilyn Brooks Blasus, Treasurer English Spot

Dutch

For the Month Ending March 31, 2003

Jim's Rabbit Shack "\IVhere Spots Are Tops"

JIM DALUGE (763) 295·2818

8700 Jaber Ave. NE Monticello. MN 55362

Income: Membership Sales (net) Donations Raffle Misc.

Total Income:

$ 340.00 $ 806.27 $ 224.43 $ 0.00 $1171.00 $2541.70

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

Total Expense:

$540.00 $14.84 $0.00 $100.00 $43.37 $1110.96 $1809.17

Net Gain I (Loss):

($732.53)

•Reptiles' Amphibians-Invertebrates -Small Mammals' Fbh' Complele line of Cages, Food, Books &Supplies for ALL Animals

~lN C11"l

Hours: 1 Mon•• Fri. 1o.a Sat. 11J.6 Sun. 12·5

~J' The LARGEST, BEST Selection in the Twin Cities Since 1979

REPTILES 2363 University Ave. W. 51. Paul, (1/2 Blk E. of Raymond) (651) 647·4479 www.twincHlesreptlles.com

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

GE"J" THE RAm ... NOT THE H'lRE -.~~-~-~-~-~~-~-

Page 13

TIle NcwsleUer of the Minnesota HCl])ctological Society

May 2003

Volumc 23

Number 5

Classified Advertisements Crassrtled 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 :;:: caplive bred, obo :;:: or best offer, + :;:: Urnes run ( ads are run 3 times unless specifically requested to continue).

For Sale For Sale: Two female orange-glow bearded dragon I got from Weis Reptiles at the Daytone Show. Saved $300 because the tips of their tails are missing. $45010BO for both or trade for Corn snakes. Marty at mncorn+ snakman@aoLcom

For Sale: Aquariums w/screen tops: (2) 20 gal tall, $10 ea.; (2) 27 gal hex, $30 ea.; 25 gal tall, $15; 1.0.0 Gian Day Gecko $10 OBO; 0.0.2 Gold Bell Frogs (Lito ria aurea) $10 OBO; 1.0.0 White-lipped treefrag (Lito ria infrafenata) $10 OBO; 1.0.0 Fire belly toad $5 OBO. Call Sara at (952) 949-6690 + or litoria76@visi.com

For Sale: Dart frogs. 3 yellow galacts, 3 oyopok tincts, 1 leucomelas. Mark Hauge, 320-202-971 or whitneywee@charter.net +

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

Call Bob Duerr 651-489-5087

MBSRODENTS

Frozen Rabbits - all sizes.

Prices very reasonable - pinkies to adults.

Jim Daluge 763.295.2818

Flightless Fruitflies - Excellent food for dart frogs, mantellas, hatchling geckos, baby chameleons, spiderlings, and other small herps. Two species available: Drosophila meianogaster (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 +++

QUAUTY

TRATYou

.~!.v.tt

MBS RODENTS•••••• ASK FOR THEM By NAME!

Fuzzies Hoppers Adults

$7/dz $7/dz !l!8/dz !l!10/dz

Pinkies Fuzzjes SmAdYlt Med AdYlt LgAdYlt Jumbo

$9/dz !l!15Ldz !l!18/dz !l!24Ldz !l!30Ldz !l!36/dz

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 delivered.

Place orders with Jody Holmstrom at 651.224.7212 or jodyalso@yahoo.com Page 14

•

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$11 ® ~f§1ru [i\j]@IMIl'W $111I® ~f§1ru Wf§£Im"

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'12th month is free on a one year commitment

• •

• • MHSAD RATES Business card 1/4 Page 1/2 Page Full Page

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

$55!Year* $110!Year* $220!Year* $440!Year*

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 NewsleHer Editor.

Due to space limitations, unpaid and complimentary advertisements are subject 10 occasional omIssion.

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 allowed a complimentary business card adverUsement monthly as space permits. Due to federal restrictions on Non-profit mailIng permits, we are not allowed to run ads for travel, crecfrl or Insurance agencies..

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

$JJ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Submissions: All advertisements should be submitted to the MHS Editor, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Deadline Is the night of the General Meeting for inclusion In the next newsletter. Make checks payable to: Minnesota Herpetological Society.

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

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

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MHS Voice Mail: 612.624.7065

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Next Meeting: Friday, May 2, 2003 7:00PM Room 335 Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus

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