Vol. 24 (2004), No. 1

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE

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WEB VERSION

INFORMATION

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JA N U A RY 2004

V O L U M E 24

NU M B E R 1

Board of Directors President Randy Blasus

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

The Minnesota Herpetological S o c i e t y

Vice President Tony Gamble Recording Secretary Barb Buzicky Membership Secretary Nancy Haig

MHS Webpage: http://www.mnher psoc.org MHS Group Email: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/mnherpsoc Voice Mail: 612.624.7065

Treasurer Liz Bosman Newsletter Editor Bill Moss

January 2004

Members at Large Heather Clayton

Nancy Hakomaki Mike Bush Jodi L. Aherns

Committees Adoption Sarah Richard

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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.

Education Jan Larson Library Beth Girard Webmaster Anke Reinders theMHSwebmaster@yahoo.com

Herp Assistance Amphibians Greg Kvanbek John Moriarty

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. See inside back cover for ad rates.

Submissions may be sent to: -orThe Minnesota Herpetological Society Bill Moss Attn: Newsletter Editor 75 Geranium Ave East Bell museum of Natural History Saint Paul, MN 55117 10 Church St. SE. -orMinneapolis, MN 55455.0104 mngatorguy@msn.com

Chameleons Vern & Laurie Grassel Crocodilians Jeff Lang Bill Moss Lizards Nancy Haig Heather Matson Large Boas, Pythons Tina Cisewski Other Snakes Jeff Leclere John Meltzer Gary Ash John Levell

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.

Aquatic Turtles

Terrestrial Turtles Fred Bosman John Levell

Copyright 2004, Minnesota Herpetological Society. Except where noted, contents may be reproduced for nonprofit, non-commercial use only. All material must be reproduced without change. Proper credit will be given including the author/photographer and the MHS Newsletter citing: volume, number and date.

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

The Vice-presidents report

By Tony Gamble

January General Meeting Friday, January 9th, 2004 7:00 PM Program: Trials and Tribulations of Turtle Telemetry Guest Speaker: Jeanine Refsnider The Minnesota Herpetological Society operates a generous grant program and donates several thou-

December 2003

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tle natural history and biology as well as the use of radio telemetry in ecological research. This will be an interesting talk and a great way to see MHS’ conservation grants at work.

Jeanine Refsnider is a graduate student in the Conservation Biology graduate program at the University of Minnesota and a MHS member.

Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Minnesota, Morris.

Upcoming Meetings: Friday, February 6th, 2004 – Bob Espinoza Friday, March 5th, 2004 – White Snake Sale

Number 12

Announcement The outgoing MHS Membership Secretary, Nancy Hakomaki, requests that the membership reviews their current information as listed in the MHS White Pages for correctness and report anychanges.

Please take this opportunity to make changes to your name, address, phone #, email address and interests as necessary.

The information is due no later than the February meeting.

Changes may be submitted via email to , telephone , mail to MHS attn Membership Secretary c/o Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE, Mpls, MN 55455 - or bring a written change to the meeting.

Thank You

Reminder Hatchling Blandings turtle

sand dollars to reptile and amphibian conservation and research each year. It’s good to hear from these researchers from time to time to get updates on their work and see how the MHS’ money is utilized. January’s speaker, Jeanine Refsnider, is a MHS grant recipient and works on Blanding’s turtles.

She is using radio telemetry and molecular techniques to assess the long-term viability of Blanding’s turtle populations near Savage, Minnesota. While the talk will focus on her research, Jeanine will also give an overview of Blanding’s tur-

As was previously announced, as a way of increasing the participation of the membership in the content of our newletter, we are giving a certificate for a sitting and an 11” x 14” Heritage print at Benda Photography (who actually encourage you to bring your herps! - see ad in this newsletter) This package, valued at $283, will go to the author of the article that the editor and a team of people yet to be determined, deem the best of 2004. The subject can be anything herp related - care sheets, human interest, natural history, short story, let your imagination run wild. Keep in mind that there is limited space in the newsletter so if you wait till the last minute, we may not be able to run the piece. The contest is closed effective the November 2004 newletter.

Lets get those pens and pencils dusted off and get to work!

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

January 2004

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News, Notes & Announcements Notice To All MHS 2003 MHS Photo Contest December Adoption Committee Chairs: Committee Report The annual MHS photo contest is by Sarah Richard, Adoption Chair Volunteer Hours Due comming up in just a couple of All Chairs are required to compile months so start getting those all volunteer hours, listed by mem- favorite photos ready. ber, for 2003 and present them to the President in the beginning of The rules: January 2004 in order to arrange You may submit up to (5) entries for volunteer awards and tabulate total. The catagories are: this years total hours of service to MHS’s mission. If you have any Herps with People questions, please contact the pres- Herps in a Natural Setting Miscellaneous Herps (includes ident. Thank you. REBlasus anything herp related that doesn’t fit in the other two catagories - this December Critter of the can include digital enhancements) Kids 16 and under - any medium.

Month Art - any medium.

The following people brought aniPrizes are (for each catagory: mals to the December meeting: 1st place - $15 in MHS credits December Raffle Donors 2nd place - $10 in MHS credits 3rd place - $5 in MHS credits Thanks to the following people for There must be more than one pergenerously donating to the monthson entered in any catagory for ly raffle: prizes to be awarded.

One entry from the three photo Dave Asleson catagories will be voted as Reptiles Magazine “Peoples Choice” and will be awarded $15 MHS credits and will Marilyn and Randy Blasus keep the engraved traveling trophy for one year.

Dan Monson (Blue Lagoon) The photos must be no larger that Appointment book, 8”x10”. If matted, the total mat size Alligator plug, Turtle collec can be no larger than 11”x14” tion Fred and Liz Bosman Reptiles mag, small tortoise and sea turtle

MHS Adoption Program MHS General stash

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The photos are due by the February meeting (unless other arraignments are made), the art work may be brought to the March meeting but the Photo Contest Chair must be informed of it by the February meeting.

The Photo Contest Chair person is AmandaJaeger, mannapanna@comcast.net.

Fourteen new animals came in with a number of fosters showing up as well. We placed a total of ten animals in permanent homes.

Eight Iguanas are still looking for homes. Contact Liz Redmond if you are willing to give one of these lovable (and not so lovable) fellas a good home. I am sure we could get Jon to part with some of those Red eared sliders he has been so generous about taking, if you have a burning desire to own a water turtle.

Total for the year stands at 170 animals placed. I will have a comprehensive report coming for the next months newsletter.

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

January 2004

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Presidential Address to the Membership Given at the Annual meeting, November 8, 2003

by Randy Blasus, President of MHS

As the Board of Directors, our main focus is the overall operation of the society. Within that framework, we must work toward insuring the future of this society while adhering to our founding principles and goals of conservation and education. We need to maintain open communication channels with our members, the public and other non-profit groups as well as government organizations to further these goals. Here is where our responsibility lies.

To this end, the Board is required to attend and run society functions (particularly the monthly meetings of the membership and the Board), pay attention to day-to-day details with an eye to the future and to promote the society positively. We must learn to form opinions and make judgments about what is best for the whole of this organization. Policy must be carefully shaped and tested by our group, all this with a minimum of conflict of interest. The Board is responsible and accountable for all of the Societies actions, both public and private to include the Newsletter and other publications, the finances of MHS, fund raising activities, and Hands-on events to mention a few.

The Board needs to recognize and optimize the talent people bring so that they may in turn volunteer their time and effort to the cause by becoming Chair people or form one of the many volunteers that we boast about. This may seem to be a lot to undertake, but is rewarding work that mostly requires a members dedication and time.

The end result of a smooth running, efficient group, is that it will allow our Society to provide more diverse and better services to all.

With this in mind, we ask that you take seriously your job to elect the MHS Board for 2004. To those members who have agreed to put their hat in for a Board position, we ask that you make an oath to perform these responsibilities to the best of your abilities.

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

January 2004

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MHS Member Spotlight

Helping out: Noah’s Ark in Ham Lake Karen Gail Jostad, Star Tribune Published April 19, 2003

T19 The Larson home in Ham Lake is a favorite hangout, but it’s not because the kids play air hockey, pool or pingpong.

They are fascinated by the Larsons’ eight pet snakes, including a 15 1/2-foot, 88pound Burmese python named Tia and two boa constrictors. All were adopted or rescued by Virginia Shaw Larson.

“I should charge for day care,” said Shaw Larson, 48, a member of the Minnesota Herpetological Society and the reptiles’ main handler. “I have every kid in the neighborhood at my house. They love coming over here. They love the animals.”

The Larsons also have cats, ferrets and a greyhound named Princess, but Shaw Larson said she’s been fascinated with snakes since childhood.

strictor. I was exposed to it when I was young, so I’ve never had any fear of snakes.”

and what they could do,” she said.

“There wasn’t any room to be afraid of them.”

For more than a decade Shaw Larson has represented the University of Minnesota Extension Service at Natural Resources Field Trips each May for the AnokaHennepin School District.

The program is designed to teach middle-school students the importance of natural resources and their conservation.

Shaw Larson tells the students about the importance of snakes in the ecosystem, how they’re constructed and their abilities.

“Most snakes are like humans,” she said. “They have a way they smell and hear. I give the kids a general description of their anatomy.”

She dispels myths about snakes such as “the idea that most will kill you or eat you, the tall tales that are Virginia Larson with her boa constrictor at the told about them.”

When the family was sta- Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Virginia is a regular tioned in Africa — her father participant at this important MHS event.

Kay Petersen, coordinator was in the Air Force — her of the program, said Shaw mother kept snakes.

Shaw Larson’s father, a deep-sea Larson is a hit with the kids.

“My mom was never afraid of any- diver, taught his daughter about “Especially because she brings her thing,” Shaw Larson said. “When water creatures. huge snake, Tia — that she now we lived in Africa they had these “He always explained everything to hauls around in a wagon because big hand-blown glass snake conus about how these animals were she’s too heavy to carry around — tainers. My mother had a boa conPage 6

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

and other snakes. A lot of the kids don’t see snakes, so they’re getting firsthand experience.”

Shaw Larson said she tells the kids, “Go out in nature, read books, go out and see the creatures, but don’t bring them home. They need to stay where they are. You need to have them in your environment.’ “ According to the Extension Service, there 17 species of snakes in Minnesota; 15 are nonpoisonous. Several, including the garter snake, adapt well to urban life.

“It’s what they eat that helps keep the overpopulation of things occurring,” Shaw Larson said. “If you have a bull snake in your yard, it means you have rodents. It’s a natural rodent catcher.”

Shaw Larson takes her message and reptiles to the Renaissance Festival, the Midwest Pet Fair and the Minnesota Veterinarians open house; also to day care sites and middle schools. Boa constrictor around her neck, she represents the Minnesota Herpetological Society in the Aquatennial parade.

Today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. she will give a program at an Earth Day event at Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes.

“We’re emphasizing wetlands this year, but we invited Virginia back because she was a great draw last year,” said Amy Donlin, a naturalist for Wargo. “If the kids can see big snakes, it’s the ‘coolest thing’ in the world.”

The Larson menagerie was cared for by the entire family until eldest

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son Alexander, 20, left home. He now runs a pet store in St. Louis Park. Scott Larson, Shaw Larson’s husband, assists her when she feeds Tia. Sons Dalton, 12, and Miles, 13, help feed the other pets.

The python consumes a thawed 7or 8-pound rabbit every two months.

“She’s heavy; you can hurt yourself,” said Shaw Larson of Tia. “She could overpower me if she chose to. I use caution because she’s a wild animal and she’s unpredictable. Reptiles can’t be socialized like a mammal can, but you can condition them by repetitive behavior.”

The Larsons’ other snakes eat mice and rodents. The family buys their pet food from vendors and the Herpetological Society.

Married more than a decade, Shaw Larson said her husband is a convert to unusual pets. But he was less than pleased recently when she forgot to cover the tarantula container. He found the furry arachnid on a sock and put it back where it belonged.

“My husband had a big pill to swallow when he met me,” said Shaw Larson. “He knew I liked animals, but didn’t realize when we got established that I was going to build up my collection. He was kind of shocked by the whole thing. Now he really likes it.” §

Number 1

Ocean Currents Mediate Evolution In Island Lizards Nature 426, 552 - 555 (04 December 2003); doi:10.1038/nature02143 Ryan Calsbeek1 And Thomas B. Smith1,2 1 Center for Tropical Research, Institute of the Environment, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90065, USA 2 Organismic Biology, Ecology and Evolution, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90065, USA Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to R.C. (calsbeek@ucla.edu). Islands are considered to be natural laboratories in which to examine evolution because of the implicit assumption that limited gene flow allows tests of evolutionary processes in isolated replicates. Here we show that this well-accepted idea requires reexamination. Island inundation during hurricanes can have devastating effects on lizard populations in the Bahamas. After severe storms, islands may be re-colonized by over-water dispersal of lizards from neighbouring islands. High levels of gene flow may homogenize genes responsible for divergence, and are widely viewed as a constraining force on evolution. Ultimately, the magnitude of gene flow determines the extent to which populations diverge from one another, and whether or not they eventually form new species. We show that patterns of gene flow among island populations of Anolis (lizards... continued on page 8) Page 7

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

January 2004

Fire Destroys 30 Years of Crocodile Research

By Edith Bevin, 11/28/03, Northern Territory News

Decades of priceless crocodile research were destroyed last night, when offices at the Territory's Crocodylus Park burnt down.

Research data and materials had

been stored in four offices in a demountable on the park grounds of the park in Berrimah, Darwin.

Park Owner Dr Graeme Webb told the Northern Territory News most of the documents and computer files had been the only copies in existence. Arson has not been ruled out.

“I just cried,'' Dr Webb said. “I was running around trying to find hoses to put it out and I was crying.”

“That's my life's work. We'll know more in the morning about whether anything is left but it doesn't look good.” You look at it now and it's a pile of ashes.”

The research dates back to 1973. It includes research on crocodiles, waterways, sea turtles and sea birds and overseas research carried out by the park.

“Everything we had there are lots of results of things we've done over the years, all gone,'' Dr Webb said.

“Those computers had everything Page 8

stored on them from years gone by.

So much of what we do, well it's like a welfare agencies or something, we have people contacting us all the time from all over the world asking for our help on solving problems, we put a lot of thought into it and come up with solutions to problems ... all those solutions are gone now. All the keywork is gone, certainly all the work done in Cuba since 1995 is gone. It's not the end of the world but it's very sad for us.''

Pythons and boa constrictors received minor injuries during the fire. No other animals were injured.

The fire began in the offices about 6.30pm. A police guard stood watch over the ashes last night.

Investigators will be at the scene from first light today. Detectives were also on the scene interviewing staff and public. Police said it was too early to say what had caused the fire but were not ruling out arson.

Acting Superintendent Sean Parnell said: “It completely destroyed everything in the demountable.''

It took fire fighters more than 30 minutes to control the blaze. ``It was very difficult, once those demountables get going they're like a matchbox,'' Supt Parnell said.

The Government last night offered Dr Webb assistance in rebuilding after the fire. editors note: Crocodylus Park is where Adam Britton, the croc researcher who spoke to MHS in February, 2000 is based §

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(lizards from page 7)

lizards are best explained by prevailing ocean currents, and that over-water dispersal has evolutionary consequences. Across islands, divergen! ce in fitness-related morphology decreases with increasing gene flow. Results suggest that over-water dispersal after hurricanes constrains adaptive diversification in Anolis lizards, and that it may have an important but previously undocumented role in this classical example of adaptive radiation.

HerpDigest V4#16

Python overeats itself to death BBC News 12/5/03

A huge python has died in Malaysia, apparently after a bout of overeating, according to the BBC's correspondent in Kuala Lumpur, Jonathan Kent.

Villagers in the Cameron Highlands, region north of the capital, caught the snake after it broke into a livestock pen and ate two goats.

The python, which measured eight meters (26.2 feet), and boasted a twenty centimetre girth, was rescued from the goats' angry owners by a local taxi driver.

He took it home in his car, but it died before he could hand it over to wildlife rangers. §

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

January 2004

Volume 24

pound Burmese Mountain Tortoises to half-pound Musk turtles. They come from illegal shipments, Asian food markets and even zoos, which entrust the rarest of species to his care.

Of 60 critically endangered Arrakine Forrest turtles in the TEWKSBURY, New Jersey (AP) -- United States, 34 reside in Ogust's Richard Ogust found his calling in apartment.

Chinatown.

More than 100 gurgling tanks are There, he met Empress, a black- stacked from the floor to the 20-foot and-orange diamondback terrapin ceiling and surrounded by PVC trapped in a tank at an all-you-can- tubes and colorful electrical wiring. eat buffet.

The thermostat stays at 80 A decade after Ogust paid $20 to degrees.

The entire operation costs $20,000 per month, the dozen polybead filters used in the tanks cost $300,000 to install.

Private donors and grants help, but Ogust, who has an inheritance, foots most of the bill.

Last year, Ogust © Willem M. Roosenburg organized the nonDiamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) profit Tewksbury Institute of liberate Empress, his Manhattan Herpetology. The group has spoloft is filled with 80 species of tur- ken to Tewksbury officials several tles -- more than the Bronx Zoo. times and hopes to make a presenBut the operation has been costly, tation to the township planning both financially and personally, and board soon.

Ogust has organized a nonprofit Plans call for a 50-acre hydroponic group with the goal of moving his paradise on a farm owned by menagerie to 50 acres on a farm in Maurice Rodrigues, a member of Tewksbury. the institute's board of directors.

"I am freaking out about the § responsibility and the weight to keep it all going," Ogust, 51, told The Star-Ledger of Newark.

A thousand turtles have passed through Ogust's loft, which buzzes with flies and smells like a fish kill.

His collection ranges from 60-

Manhattan loft converted into turtle haven

Number 1

Driver in crash found with snake around neck BANGOR (AP) -- The Somerset County Sheriff's Department says a man who crashed his car Wednesday night had a snake wrapped around his neck.

Deputies were investigating a sport utility vehicle stuck in a snowbank when they found an occupant who was described as "homicidal and suicidal" with slashed wrists. He also had a six-foot adult boa constrictor wrapped around his neck.

The incident occurred in the town of Detroit.

Deputies removed the snake and took the motorist into protective custody and then brought him to the hospital. Police say they aren't sure if charges will be filed.

The Detroit animal control officer took custody of the snake. §

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

John Agnew print

January 2004

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Heather and Brian Ingbretson with their haul

MHS Holiday Banquet Photos by Bill Moss

Bruce Haig wins the original painting Page 10

The Agnew print goes home with Liz Bosman

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

January 2004

Volume 24

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The food is great!

MHS member and artist Asra Halvorson

Guest speaker Paul Freed

A full raffle table - thanks to Marilyn Blasus for coordinating and aquiring the items

A lot of fun for all in attendance Jim G. captures our guest’s attention Page 11

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

Garter snakes builders

thwart

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Building contractors are urging the state to remove the protected status of the Butler garter snake, contending the species doesn't need it after disrupting construction projects for years by its presence.

January 2004

by property owners when they confront the creature.

Known for its colorful stripes, the 1to 2-foot-long reptile is generally found in marshes, prairies, roadside grassy areas and vacant lots.

The discovery of the yellow-striped snake at a building site can require adaptations to avoid disturbing the habitat, and that can Butlers’ garter snake (Thamnophis butleri) mean costly delays, according to the Waukesha-based Metropolitan Builders Association Since 1997, it has been listed as of Greater Milwaukee. threatened in Wisconsin, which makes it illegal to knowingly disturb Environmentalists contend the its habitat. snake is found only in a limited area of the Midwest and Canada, "It's an obstacle that has to be and that the species could be killed overcome," said business owner off unless its habitat is protected.

Steve Ulich, who had to hire a snake expert when his construction Gary Casper, manager of reptile of a new flooring store in collections at the Milwaukee Public Greenfield stirred up a nest of the Museum, said the population in snakes. southeastern Wisconsin has been pushed to the outer fringes of the Other projects in Brookfield, New metropolitan area by land develop- Berlin, South Milwaukee and Port ment.

Washington have been similarly slowed, as the Department of "If that trend isn't halted, it will go Natural Resources weighed how extinct," said Casper, who has each development should accomspent 15 years studying the Butler modate the snakes. garter snake and frequently is hired Page 12

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Scott Mathie, director of government affairs for the builders association, said his Waukesha-based group has asked state lawmakers and DNR officials to remove the snake's special status, arguing that real estate development is being needlessly disrupted.

Mathie said he takes calls weekly from contractors being forced to justify building where the snake has been detected.

The association questions whether the species is really threatened.

In addition, crossbreeding between Butler garters and more common garter snakes has created hybrids deserving no special consideration.

Mathie said he wants the state to re-examine whether the Butler garter snake still warrants protection and even if it still exists as a distinct species.

DNR officials have agreed to study the issue but are opposing any change in the snake's status.

Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend, said legislators could suspend the rules on endangered species and pull the snake off the list without DNR approval.

The issue will be discussed Tuesday during a public hearing in Madison before the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules. §

G E T Y O U R M E S S A G E TO Y O U R TA R G E T A U D I E N C E W I T H A 1 / 4 PA G E A D . $10 PER MONTH $ 11 0 P E R Y E A R *

*12th month is free on a one year commitment 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 complimentary advertisements are subject to occasional omission.

MHS AD RATES Business card 1/4 Page 1/2 Page Full Page

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$55/Year* $110/Year* $220/Year* $440/Year*

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

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 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 is the night of the General Meeting for inclusion in the next newsletter. Make checks payable to: Minnesota Herpetological Society.

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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 St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Please allow 6-8 weeks for processing.

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Next Meeting: Friday, January 9, 2004 7:00PM Room 335 Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus

MHS Voice Mail: 612.624.7065

MHS Web Page: www.mnherpsoc.org