Vol. 24 (2004), No. 12

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Board of Directors President Randy Blasus Vice President Tony Gamble Recording Secretary Barb Buzicky Membership Secretary Nancy Haig Treasurer Liz Bosman Newsletter Editor Bill Moss Members at Large Heather Clayton

Nancy Hakomaki Mike Bush Jodi L. Aherns

Committees Adoption Sarah Richard Education Jan Larson Library Beth Girard Webmaster Anke Reinders theMHSwebmaster@yahoo.com

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

The Minnesota S o c i

Herpetological e t y

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

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@comcast.net

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

December 2004

The Vice-president’s Report

By Tony Gamble Meeting Date: Friday, December 3rd, 2004, 7:00 PM Program:

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federal, and international level, written for “The New York Times”, “OMNI” and “Ranger Rick.” edited with his wife, Anita Salzberg, the book “You Know You Are a Herper...When You Dream In Green.” He and his wife recently opened the new website HerpArts.com (where any herper can go to get everything from a greeting card to jewelry to fine art).

The Net and Herps, Past, Present and Future, The Good and The Bad Anita Salzberg is a freelance copywriter and journalist.

Guest Speaker: Allen Salzberg The internet has had an enormous impact on herpetoculture and herpetology. Amphibian and reptile breeders have embraced e-commerce and pet owners have found enthusiastic online communities ready to provide assistance and answer questions. The amount of amphibian and reptile information available online is mind numbing. December’s speaker, Allen Salzberg, knows a thing or two about herps and the internet.

Allen created and publishes the online newsletter HerpDigest. HerpDigest is a weekly online newsletter filled with herp-related news. Allen’s talk will focus on how herps and conservation are represented on the internet. He will also highlight several websites (some good, some bad) and make some predictions of the future.

With her husband, Allen Salzberg, she has authored three children’s books: “Predators!”, “Flightless Birds” and “Turtles”. She has co-edited with Allen, “You Know You are a Herper...When You Dream in Green” and authored “Confessions of a Turtle Wife”. She has also written for OMNI, Health and The New York Times Magazine. She currently lives with Allen, two cats, seven turtles (two are hers) and one ball python (also hers!).

I am thrilled to have Allen and Anita at the December meeting and Holiday banquet. They will be speaking about topics of interest to just about everyone who keep herps as well as the people that tolerate the keepers.

Upcoming Meetings:

Meeting date: Saturday, December 4th, 2004 -Holiday Banquet

Saturday, December 4th, 2004 – Holiday banquet Anita Salzberg – How to Live with a Herp Lover Friday, January 7th 2005 – TBA

Program

Friday, February 4th - Kristi Curry-Rogers

Confessions of a Turtle Wife Guest Speaker: Anita Salzberg Anita Salzberg will be the featured guest at the holiday banquet on Saturday evening. Anita will discuss how to live with someone who loves amphibians and reptiles. She will read from her book “Confessions of a Turtle Wife” and discuss some of the truly odd things some people will tolerate in the name of love.

Allen Salzberg is an amateur herpetologist, professional print and net journalist, publicist, web surfer, and now retailer. In other words he keeps himself busy. He has worked to save herps on the local, state, Cover: Gatorthar... the Little Known Fourth King ©2003 Nancy Hakomaki and Bill Moss Page 3

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

Decemebr 2004

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News, Notes & Announcements Adoption Report

by Sarah Richard, Adoption Chair

10 animals came in and 22 went out. That is a good month. Actually, that was cleaning up the records on some Iguanas that have been on our books for a year in foster.

Liz Redmond found good homes for all her fosters. Thank you Liz! And thanks to all the people who adopted and/or took animals home to foster. Couldn't do it without you.

Liz will be taking a break for the winter so I am in desperate need of a few homes that will provide foster care. I can provide caging and MHS will pick up the food tab so it just means some floor space. What do you say guys?

It looks like we will top 150 animals again this year, but not a bunch more.

If there is anyone out there that would be interested in taking an active role in the adoption program, please give me a call during the month. I can use help in many areas of the program.

Thanks again for all your help.

New Publication from MHS Election Results Minnesota Department of Congratulations to the new board Natural Resources for 2005.

Turtles and Turtle Watching for the North Central States by John Moriarty is now available from the Minnesota Bookstore. An order form can be found at http://www.comm.media.state.mn. us/bookstore or calling (651) 2973000.

The book sells for $9.95. It is 57 pages, color throughout and spiral bound.

Turtles and Turtle Watching for the North Central States covers the 13 species of turtles found in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas.

Each species account has information on when and where to find the turtle, general natural history information. A county distribution map for the 5state region and a silhouette of the species basking. There are sections on locations for watching, stalking, turtle watching tools and conservation. There is an reference section at the end of the book that provides listing of additional books and organizations dealing with turtles in the region.

President Randy Blasus Vice President Sean Hewitt Recording Secretary Barbara Buzicky Membership Secretary Nancy Haig Treasurer Marilyn Blasus Newsletter Editor Asra Halvorson Members At Large Tony Gamble Fred Bosman Mike Bush Jodi Aherns The new board takes office effective January, 2005. Please give them your support by offering suggestions for the continued improvement of the MHS

MHS Photo/Art Contest

March, 2005 Page 4

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

December 2004

Speaker Review, November, 2004

by Barbara Buzicky Guest Speaker: Dr. Jeffrey B. Bender Program: Reptiles and Salmonella Tonight’s speaker was very enlightening talking about Reptiles and Salmonella. Dr. Bender is a doctor of veterinary medicine, and he is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota. He holds joint appointments in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the School of Public Health. He started his talk with some information about the reptile trade. The United States is the major importer of live reptiles approximately 80% of the world trade. The number of imported reptiles reach about two million per year. Most of these animals are imported from the countries of Columbia, El Salvador, Vietnam, China, and Thailand. There are two regulatory authorities to monitor this activity, and they are The US Department of Health and Human Services and The US Department of Agriculture.

Within the US Department of Health and Human Services, the US Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Disease Control, are the prime agencies.

The Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) section of the USDA works specifically with the importation and interstate movement of tortoise species.

The most important legislation pertaining to reptiles and amphibians are the (ESA) US Endangered Species Act and the (CITES) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Now to Salmonella. Did you know that there are at least 2,300 serotypes of these gram negative bacteria called Salmonella? This is a bacterium that is found worldwide, and it is common in man and animals.

The two most common serotypes of this bacterium are S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis. There are several Salmonella bacteria commonly related to the most relative sources of contamination. The form most commonly contracted from eggs and chicken is S. Enteritidis. There are two S. Typhimurium and S. Heidelberg that are associated with most meats. S. Typhimurium is also associated with domestic animals and the environment. The S. Newport serotype is

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linked with cattle/beef and equine. The two most commonly associated with reptiles are S. Javiana and S. Poona. Believe it or not, S. Poona is also connected to Cantaloupe. S. Anatum and S. Agona are linked to bovine (oxen or cows), equine (horses), and porcine (swine).

Salmonella affects approximately 30,000 people as that many cases are reported annually. Some estimate that for every reported case, there are about 29 more that go unreported. This is a huge economic impact on everyone through time off work, hospitalization, costs related to treatments and doctors, legal expenses, and the loss to food establishments that could be linked to any outbreaks. There are four major modes of disease transmission including ingestion, direct contact with animals, cross-contamination, and foods that are already contaminated. The clinical signs of infection for this bacterium are diarrhea, fever, headache, nausea, and abdominal pain. The cumulative name for these symptoms would be acute enteritis. Sometimes, Salmonella can invade other bodily tissues causing abscesses, arthritis, endocarditis, meningitis, pneumonia, and septicemia. These gastly symptoms can last for several days, and the incubation period varies from 6 hours to 7 days depending on how much of the bacterium has been ingested.

Salmonellosis can be prevented by cooking all meat products well, avoid raw eggs, washing your hands during all aspects of food preparation, keeping a sanitary kitchen, refrigerating all prepared foods immediately, and exclude people from handling food that are already ill.

Reptiles have four possibilities for contracting the Salmonella bacterium, and they are: in utero, perinatally, ingestion of contaminated prey, and contact with contaminated feces. The most common Salmonella serotypes associated with reptile outbreaks are S. Enteritidies and S. Poona. Unfortunately, the Salmonella bacteria survives very well in the environment. Infections that come from reptiles are associated with invasive disease, lead to hospitalization, and very often, involve infants. Direct contact is not always the cause of infection as one study concluded that only about 14% contracting the bacteria had direct contact.

(Speaker Review - continued on page 11) Page 5

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

December 2004

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Letter to the Editor Dear Sir, After reading about the crocodile that was taken from the Como Park Zoo Monkey Island moat and released in Lake Phalen in the October MHS newsletter, I thought that members might like to read about the facts concerning this crocodile.

The story: In 1947, I got involved in the tropical fish hobby whan a school chum and budding aquarist, gave me several baby black mollies. My interest in this wonderful hobby expanded rapidly, and by 1949, with the help of my father, we built a “Fish Room” in the basement of our home in the Hamline-Midway district of St. Paul to accommodate several aquariums, including on of 80 gallons.

Even though I was billeted at an outpost just below the 38th Parallel with still another year ahead of me here in Central Korea, I became so excited when I saw these baby crocodiles offered for sale, I hurriedly made up an order of three of them and got the letter off to dad in the next days mail pickup. I had some reserve funds at home and asked Dad to get a money order and get the order in the mail as soon as possible. In a follow-up letter, I instructed, upon their arrival (if not sold out) to use the 80gallon aquarium for them. I also sent instructions as to their care. I preyed that they would still be available. They were. Upon their arrival, Dad wrote to me that one of them appeared to be very listless and died soon afterward.

In 1948, I started working part time at the Studio Pet shop in downtown St. Paul. The pet store was located on Wabasha Street about where the Wabasha Street bridge now crosses the I-94 freeway.

I began keeping reptiles in 1951, when I purchased a 4foot Central American boa constrictor from a dealer in Topeka, Kansas. The boa never fed for me voluntarily, and despite force-feeding, it succumbed in early 1952.

When I purchased a seven-foot South American boa constrictor from an importer in Miami, Florida in April, 1952, I was delighted weh if fed immediately on a three-pound rabbit. The boa proved to be quite an attraction at the shop.

The first week of December, 1952, the Army called and I was reluctantly forced to sell most of my collection. This included a pair of brown watersnakes and several baby Columbian boas. I decided to keep my 7-inch spotted piranha (Serrasalmus spiloplerua), which I shipped in as w two-incher from an importer in New York in April, 1949.

The piranha had the 80 gallon aquarium all to itself. I told my dad and younger brother about it’s care, hoping that it would survive until my return (Gulp!). It didn’t; I did.

My father forwarded all my mail to me that arrived at home – which wasn’t much. During the fall of 1953, dad sent me a reptile price list from an importer in Florida that listed baby American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) for sale.

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The photo of my father holding one of the crocodiles was take in the Krey kitchen in May, 1954. This was the most robust specimen of the two.

After 22 months of military service, I arrived home in late October, 1954. It did not take me long to get the “Fish Room” operation again, expanding it considerably.

Eventually, I decided to sell the smaller of the two American crocodiles to a biology teacher at a St. Paul High School.

By May, 1959, I had worked for more that three years as manager of the Hub Pet Supply in Richfield, and built up a thriving reptile business there. A lucrative job offer by a wholesale tropical fish importer prompted my to make a job change at the end of May.

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Because my wife, young son and I were living in a apartment at the time, I had no place to house my collection of crocodilians. Except for a 3-inch Morelet’s crocodile that I sold to a friend, I decided to donate the rest of my collection (with the exception of an 8-foot anaconda) to the Como Park Zoo. The American crocodile that Dad had gotten for me, was now in excess of four-feet. Though not entirely trustable, it did seem to enjoy having it’s back and cranial platform scratched occasionally. In contrast, my 46-inch Estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) that I imported from the Philippines was ferocious. “Blackie”, my three and one-half foot-long Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger) , was almost as bad.

Request for Assistance

I had hoped that these three crocodilians would be the nucleus of a growing reptile exhibit at the Zoo.

5 to 6- Carousel slide projectors (auto focus if available) with spare bulbs, one for each projector lens, 4-6" zoom, one for each projector 3 to 4- Overhead projectors Spare bulbs, one for each projector 1- Video projector with VCR or 1 LCD with VCR (to show video tapes) 4- LCD projectors 5- Laptop computers (1 for preview) 3- Amplified speakers, 8" or larger, to plug in microphones 3- Microphones (preferably Shure), each with 20' 3pin microphone extension cord 2- Lapel or headset microphones (no wires) and 4 9V batteries 1- Handheld wireless microphones (for member meeting and banquet) 2- 4 or 6 into 1 microphone mixer and amp 3 to 5- 6" bases for microphone mixer and amp 1- TV monitor (for workshop videos) and VCR if not built in 5- 8' projection screens 1- 10' projection screen 2- Cassette/CD player (boom box) 4- Easels 2- Whiteboard (preferred) with various colored whiteboard markers, or chalkboard with chalk 1- Message board (corkboard) 5- Extension cords, 8' - 10', 3-wire 5- Laser pointers 3- Pocket knives to cut duct tape (have setup volunteers bring their own)

The American crocodile was put into the Monkey Island moat where it shared swimming space with two large American alligators. The Crocodylus porosus and the Melanosuchus niger were put in the bird yard pond.

By fall, the Estuarine crocodile and the Black caiman were both dead due to falling temperatures.

The C. acutus survived obviously, because of a greater tolerance for cold. I was sickened when I was told about the deaths of the croc and caiman!

The American crocodile was nearing a length of five-feet when it was lassoed ot of the Monkey Island moat at Como Zoo by some cowboy misfits and released into Lake Phalen. The rest is history.

During the winter months the American crocodile and the alligators were housed together in an unbelievably bad enclosure in he basement with very poor lighting.

The American crocodile that I had donated to the Zoo in May, 1959, was between six and seven feet in length when is expired.

The crocodilians have always fascinated me. During my active years, I have had 17 species in my collection at different times.

The National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association is planning on having their annual conference locally in the Twin Cities in early 2005. The following is a list of requested items for use at this conference.

Anyone who can supply items should contact Janell Osborn at AV EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES NEEDED Qty.:

Item:

Gene E. Krey § Page 7

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

Brahminy Blind Snake Jeffrey Hahn, Assist. Extension Entomologist A very interesting creature was discovered in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in October. A renter discovered a dead worm-like animal on the floor of a ground-level apartment. She was worried that it was a parasitic Brahminy blind snake. Photo worm and showed it to credit: Kenneth Krysko her pest control company. They did not recognize it and brought it to the University of Minnesota for identification.

The specimen was about 2 1/2 inches long and dark brown. In general appearance, it looked like a millipede but did not to have any legs or other appendages. It also looked somewhat like an earthworm but lacked any obvious rings or segmentation.

Under a dissecting microscope, the body was discovered to be covered with a scaliness that looked similar to a snake. Upon closer examination, opaque-looking eyes were found and what looked to be a very small mouth. The animal was a snake.

The specimen was submitted to Tony Gamble, a Ph.D. student in the conservation biology program and a snake expert, to identify to species. He identified the specimen as a juvenile brahminy blind snake, Ramphotyphlops braminus. This is a tropical snake, originally from southeast Asia.

As commerce, especially greenhouse plants, have moved across the world, this snake has also traveled to new sites and is now found in all tropical areas in the world. The brahminy blind snake has even become successfully established in south Florida and Hawaii. This snake can be transported to more temperate areas in the U.S. in the soil of greenhouse plants. Because of this, this snake is also known as the flowerpot snake.

The brahminy blind snake is reputed to be one of, if Page 8

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not the smallest snakes in the world. Adults grow to be about five to six and a half inches long. This snake is parthenogenetic, i.e. only females exist. Egg develop without being fertilized by sperm from a male. Up to eight offspring can be produced. Newly hatched snakes are about two inches long. Brahminy blind snakes are found in soil and under leaves, logs and other debris where they feed on ants and termites.

Three additional brahminy blind snakes were found later in the apartment were the first was discovered.

Their size suggests they had just recently hatched.

They were undoubtedly moved into the building in a potted plant. Fortunately these snakes are harmless and control is unnecessary. It's possible that they could survive summers here in Minnesota but they would not survive winters in Minnesota unless they were in a greenhouse.

University of Minnesota Extension Service Yard & Garden Line News Volume 6 Number 17 November 1, 2004

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

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Scientists Try To Save Largest Salamander In North American (Hellbender)

has worked with hellbenders for three decades, said his early research did not find nearly as many abnormalities. He called the new results baffling.

11/8/04, ENN

Researchers say it was easy to find 100 hellbenders in a day in the 1970s and 1980s; now they are lucky to find a few.

ST. LOUIS, MO − The population of North America's largest salamander is plummeting in Missouri and Arkansas, and scientists from five states met to consider how to prevent the creature's disappearance.

About 35 members of the Hellbender Working Group met for meetings at the St. Louis Zoo last week to review research and plans for helping prevent the extinction of the 2-foot-long salamander, which lives in a few cold, spring-fed Ozark streams.

Biologists believe that many factors may have hurt the hellbender, including logging, gravel mining, sewage plant effluent, agricultural runoff, introduction of trout, disturbance from boaters, poaching, deliberate killing and scientific collection.

One researcher found evidence that hellbenders fare poorly in streams with lots of plants growing out of the water and slowing down the current.

Others are looking at water quality issues, including the possible influence of endocrinedisrupting chemicals on hellbender reproduction.

Another research project involves the effect of trout, which are not native to Missouri. Alicia Mathis, a behavioral ecology professor at Southwestern Missouri State University in Springfield, found that young Missouri hellbenders do not recognize trout as a predator.

Hellbender

photograph Š 1996 Brad Moon

Mathis is teaching some of the 150 young hellbenders being reared in tanks at the Zoo to freeze when they smell trout in the water.

Stanley Trauth, a zoology professor at Arkansas State University, showed pictures of hellbenders with open sores, tumors and missing limbs and eyes. He said that nine out of 10 animals found in the Spring River this year had serious abnormalities.

If the project works, the schooled youngsters could be released into the wild with less chance of being eaten.

"I'm at a loss, folks," Trauth said. "We just don't have a good explanation for what's causing this."

HerpDigest V5 #11

"It could be a shot in the arm, for a population that really needs a shot in the arm," she said.

Max Nickerson of the University of Florida, who Page 9

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

October Speaker Review

by Randy Blasus Guest Speaker: Jodi Aherns Program: African Fat-tailed Geckoes Society member Jodi Aherns has kept reptiles for fourteen years. The latter part of this time has been spent specializing in geckos, especially Leopards and Fattailed geckos. Both come from sub-Saharan Africa and are species that live in warm and dry conditions, but require some humidity to protect their delicate skin.

In captivity, they are provided a sand-peat-top soil substrate in 28 quart Rubbermaid containers with substrate heat at one end which gives a temperature gradient of the low 80’s to 94 degrees F at the hot end.

Two black hide boxes are provided, one at each temperature extreme as well as a bucket of moist peat moss that assists with shedding and is used for egglaying. The favored humidity range is 62 to 65 percent and is somewhat regulated by the number of fresh air holes drilled into the Rubbermaid. For wild caught specimens, paper towels are the preferred substrate to allow for easier cleaning and to monitor parasitism.

The main food items that these geckos are fed include crickets and to a lesser extent, mealworms. The crickets are kept in 35 quart Rubbermaid containers with paper towel rolls used as hiding spots and dispensing apparatus. Each tub houses one of three sizes of cricket, small, medium or large and can contain quantities of 4,000 - 3,000 or 1,000 respectively. A fan is used to draw air over the open top tubs to cool and dry the colonies. The mealworms are kept in small plastic tubs with lids at room temperature (as they will not eat if they are refrigerated). All feeder insects are provided fresh fruits and vegetables such as squash, carrots, apples and sometimes spinach to provide better nutrition to the geckos. Supplementation is provided as well by dusting with Minerall from Sticky Tongue Farms, a product Jodi has found best for egg production in his breeding experience.

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The geckos are fed three times a week with appropriately sized crickets (infrequently including mealworms) opposite days and the last day is the full cleaning day. Using this method, Jodi notes that the crickets are fat and full of the fruits and vegetables that he has provided. Also this has led to a high production rate of healthy animals.

Breeding geckos is a passion that can be accomplished through diligence and careful methodologies including healthy a feeding regime, temperature clines, cleanliness and... opposite sexes. Sexing is performed by viewing the tail/body juncture of the ventral side and looking for a larger bulge and preanal pores, indicators of the male sex. Jodi stimulates breeding by the temperature to which the geckos respond quickly.

When the females become gravid, they soon begin to dig around looking for nesting sites. A nesting box is provided at all times to insure that the female can lay as she needs. This box is checked twice daily for eggs. Eggs are incubated a little more moist that many other species at temperatures from 85 to 90/91 degrees F. Less then 85 degrees F the entire clutch fails, at 85 F. the sex ratio is 25 percent male, at 88 F., 63 percent male and at 90 F. 98 percent are male.

Hatchlings are cared for similar to adults in smaller shoebox sized plastic cages with a hide and a small plastic water dish, one gecko per cage as they are very aggressive. Each receives 18 to 24 food items per week which provides a growth curve that matures males in one year, and females in two.

There are a few morphs available on the market, mainly small color and pattern mutations; Jodi prefers the high orange coloration. The newest albino has no stripe and peach to orange light areas. These are bright as juveniles but fade as they grow older. There is also a Peach phase that is more yellowish with a white stripe and a Tangerine phase that has a brighter orange coloration.

Overall these animals have proven difficult to work with as it took several attempts to figure out the temperature incubation regimes to successfully propagate

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December 2004

this species. A lot of information was not available or contradicts methods Jodi currently uses to success and therefore he emphasizes the importance of intuitive trial and error experimentation as well as information to be gleaned from similar experiences and publications needs to be combined to achive successful results.

Jodi also works with other species of geckos, including his largest colony, the Leopard geckos. A large series of Leopard gecko morphs were presented, from a genetic stripe to albino Rainwater Banded, Blizzard Lizard to the Super-hypo Baldie Carrot-tail, it is one of the most varied in the gecko world (similar to Corn snakes in variety). Another species Jodi works with (a non-ground gecko) is the Crested geckos. These are easy as they require no heat or full spectrum lighting.

They prefer temps in the high 70’s where they thrive, easy feeders and breed great. While there are no distinct morphs, their patterns and colors vary from each individual. Some have a harlequin patterning and colors vary from brown to red, buckskin to yellow. Their colors appear to intensify with age up to five months to fully color out.

Jodi’s passion is geckos, specifically, ground geckos has fostered a long lasting and deep seated interest in him not soon to be replaced by another. Thanks to Jodi for sharing his experience with us.

(...speaker review continued from page 5)

Another study concluded that there are about 74,000 Salmonella infections linked with direct reptile or amphibian contact with the greatest risk being to children. The study, Reptiles, Amphibians, and Human Salmonella Infection: A Poplulation-Based, CaseControl Study, was done in 2004. This was one of the first studies to take notice of any risk of exposure from amphibians. Needless to say, there are preventative practices that can limit Salmonella contamination from reptiles to humans through hand washing, preventing reptiles from roaming through the living environment, and keeping them out of food preparation areas especially kitchen sinks. If animals are

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allowed to be touched by the public during educational programs, adequate hand washing facilities or antibacterial wipes need to be readily available. Lastly, there should be no food or water allowed in the animal contact areas as this will prevent cross contamination.

Dr. Bender was one of the authors of a study centering around the transmission of diseases from animals in a public setting. The name of the study is “Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease and Injury Associated with Animals in Public Settings,” 2004, completed through the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV) which can be located on the following link: http://www.nasphv.org.

For research fanatics, I have located some other wonderful sites for viewing related information to Dr. Bender’s talk tonight.

JAVMA-Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association site: http://www.avma.org home page.

A study Dr. Bender co-authored: Prevalence of Salmonella spp on conventional and organic dairy farms. site: http://www.avma.org/publication/defulat.asp another publication from this site is the American Journal of Veterinary Research. Try typing in the words Salmonella or zoonotic disease.

Dr. Bender was a guest speaker for a Food Safety Task Force sponsored through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. His topic was “Food BioTerrorism in The United States and Other Countries.”

These notes were very interesting. The site: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/default.htm and the notes are on http://www.mda.state.mn.us/dairyfood/fstf/20011107mi nutes.htm Dr. Bender also work on another study called “Foodborne Disease in the 21st Century.” This article can be found on the Postgraduate Medicine, and the site: http://www.postgradmed.com/index.htm

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

MHS BOARD MEETING REVIEW November 6, 2004

by Barb Buzicky, Recording Secretary The Board Meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM CST at the St. Paul Student Center, Room 202.

Board Members not present: Heather Clayton and Bill Moss Non-Board Members present were Jeff LeClere, Marilyn Blasus, Bruce Haig, Jake Jacobson, Sean Hewitt, Michelle Hewitt, Ken & Jody Holmstrom.

Minutes from the August 7, 2004, meeting were approved with changes.

Minutes from the October 2, 2004, meeting were approved with changes.

Treasurer’s Report October, 2004, was approved.

Membership Report for October, 2004, was approved.

General Meeting Attendance for November 5, 2004 was 118.

President’s Report: None Vice-President’s Report: December Allen & Anita Salzberg January Brad Shaffer – North American Amphibian & Reptile Distribution February Kristi Kurry Rogers – Science Museum Curator, Dinosaurs March White Snake Sale April Bob Clark (tentative) Old Business: The 2005 election results: Randy Blasus (President), Sean Hewitt (Vice-President), Barbara Buzicky (Recording Secretary), Nancy Haig (Membership Secretary), Marilyn Blasus (Treasurer), Asra Halvorson (Newsletter Editor), Tony Gamble, Fred Bosman, Mike Bush, Jodi Aherns (Members-AtLarge). Midwest Update Marilyn waiting for a reply from the Ramada (Thunderbird) for the hotel choice.

There were 77 people attending the Midwest in St. Louis. A new rodent vendor is being researched. The Library needs an additional assistant. The Holiday Banquet will be held on December 4, 2004, at the U. Page 12

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Volume 24

Number 12

of M. Student Center. Tasks for the banquet were filled by volunteering Board Members. Up to $650 was moved and approved by the Board for the Holiday Banquet. Bob Duerr’s donated wood sculpture will be a raffle item at the Holiday Banquet.

New Business: The 2005 Budget was submitted, and it was reviewed by the Board. The amended budget was approved by the Board. The MHSNC for the Midwest is in discussion. The Board moved and approved up to $800 for the purpose of hiring a tax consultant. The contact list for the new Board was passed out for updating. Adoption discussion about the Caiman. Volunteer hours are due in January.

Randy reminded everyone to start soliciting for raffle items for the White Snake Sale. More societies are doing reptile shows with no sales. The Board will be discussing this more later.

Last Minute Items: Barbara Alt submitted a vet bill for $120 for services rendered. The Board moved and approved $120 for payment. The Board agreed to renew the subscription to Reptile Magazine for the Library. A bulk mail Gallop Poll will be dismissed per the Board.

Meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM CST.

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

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

$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.

Minnesota Herpetological Society Membership Application New

Name

Renewal

Address

Membership#

City, State, Zip,

Type

Phone

Check #

Herp related interests

Active Memberships: Sustaining ($60/year)

Email

List in MHS Directory?

Yes

No

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

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

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

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

Non-Profit Rate U.S. Postage PAID Mpls, MN Permit No. 2275

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER BY DECEMBER 1ST

Next Meeting: Friday, December 3rd, 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