Vol. 25 (2005), No. 3

Information edited/removed to respect privacy concerns.

THE NEWSLETTER O F THE

This Month’s Meeting:

WEB VERSION

The White Snake Sale!

Featured Article: “The Javan File Snake”

by Paul Vitrone

M ARCH 2005

V OLUME 25

N UMBER 3

Board of Directors President Randy Blasus Vice President Sean Hewitt Recording Secretary Barb Buzicky

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

The Minnesota Herpetological S o c i e t y

Treasurer Marilyn Blasus

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

Newsletter Editor Asra Halvorson

March 2005

Members at Large Tony Gamble Fred Bosman Mike Bush Jodi L. Aherns

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.

Membership Secretary Nancy Haig

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

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

Copyright 2005, Minnesota Herpetological Society. Except where noted, contents may be reproduced for non-profit, noncommercial 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

March 2005

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Number 3

It’s here....

The MHS White Snake Sale!

This is the herpetological version of a White Elephant Auction. It’s a great way to shop for items at significantly lower than market value and you never know what treasure you may find! Items that are sold are donated by members and business – both new and used. Most items are herp related, but not always and range from knick-knacks, jewelry, cages, books, artwork, toys, and herp supplies.

When you arrive Bring any donations to the designated area – the room across the hall from the back door. Sale Committee members will be there to receive them. You will be asked to list your name as a donor, and if you wish to be recognized in the newsletter for having donated put a check mark by your name.

and sheets will be collected. The member with the highest bid (will be the last bid) will be the buyer of the item.

You will be asked to leave the room while the next round is set up.

At the end of the sale, the final items will be entered into the computer and invoices will be printed.

You will then be able to pick up your items in the sale room.

Make sure to pick up your membership ID number for bidding from the Membership. You must have your membership number in order to bid. We ask that family member who will be paying together, choose one membership number that everyone uses. This year you will receive a card with your number instead of nametags.

Rules of the game This is a silent auction.

You must be an active member of the MHS. Use your membership number as your bid number.

Items will be put out in rounds; usually there will be three bidding rounds.

Each item is numbered and has a matching bid sheet.

Members will have 10-15 minutes to view the items and write down their bids.

Print neatly- if we can’t read the handwriting, you may not get the item!

You can begin the the first bid at any increment of $.25 (i.e. $.50, $.75, $5.00, $100.00) You can bid on items as many times as you wish.

Bids must be increased in increments of $.25.

You must bid higher than the bid before.

If the first amount is filled in, there is a minimum bid amount.

Please give generously! We use the proceeds to buy library books, bring in speakers, and make grants and society functions. Have fun and don’t forget to vote in the photo contest!

The President will announce the end of bidding and everyone must stop. At the end of each bidding period the items Page 3

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

March 2005

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News, Notes & Announcements Year End Adoption Report

by Sarah Richard, Adoption Chair

Just a brief synopsis of activity for 2004.

We had a total of 156 animals come in with June having the most (26) and 3 months with 9 tying for the fewest.

Iguanas (22) were followed closely by Boas (21) as the most turned in animals with Ball Pythons(12), Red Eared Sliders (15) and Leopard Geckos (10) being the only other animals in double digits.

A complete list broken down by month and animal is in the library if you would like more information on this or previous years.

Notable events this year were the media hype about the “Alligator” (actually a Caiman), fished out of the Mississippi, the Logger Head hatchling, and the Rattlesnake in the basement of a rental. Just enough excitement to keep me on my toes. u

Upcoming Hands-On Events _____________ April 26, 2005 U of M “Reptile as Pets” 6:30 - 8:15 P.M. Room 125 in the Animal Science/Vet Med. Building on the St. Paul campus.

June 18, 2005 Como Park Water Festival noon - 4 P.M.

Notice: There will be no rodent sales at the March meeting due to the White Snake Sale.

Adoptions will take place as usual.

Sign up and mark your calendars today! Don’t miss a chance to share your pets and knowledge -- hands-on events are an important and easy way to get involved in MHS!

February Raffle Donors Thanks to the following people for generously donating to the monthly raffle: Randy and Marilyn Blasus Socks, etc.

Donna Calander Stuffed Iguana Cover Photo: Sand boa, from February’s “Critter of the Month” Page 4

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

March 2005

Monthly Adoption Report

by Sarah Richard, Adoption Chair

This month we had a total of 14 animals placed for adoption. With the exception of one extremely ill Iguana, all animals were adopted out or placed in foster. In addition to the animals that came in this month, the two Sulcatas that came in in December found permanent homes.

I am still looking for permanent homes for Red Eared Sliders, Iguanas and a smaller Sulcata.

Email me if you have an interest.

If I could ask for some help: We are always looking for foster and permanent homes for animals. I have been coordinating this effort for at least 5 years. In that time I have watched the intake increase from a couple animals a month to around 150 a year. These animals are placed with us because their owners cannot or will not care for them anymore.

Sometimes the stories are heartrending.

Sometimes they make you really mad. Most of the animals are dropped off within 24 hours of the meeting. That means some will be sick, have mites, infectious disease, etc. The very sickest never come in at all, but if (in the opinion of myself and the vet) there is any hope at all they are brought in to the meeting. If we spot something on a cursory exam I do try to make a point of mentioning it. As with any animal they MUST be quarantined prior to placement with your collection.

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ONLY society that does adoptions the way we do. Most other societies funnel animals sight unseen into homes. Due to the way I operate, our system works for me. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that there are people in the society who are not happy with the program.

Therefore, I would like a volunteer (or six) to take over so I can take a break. Or at least to train so that if something happens to me, the program can continue. u

John Moriarty brought this Nebraska Tortoise shell fossil to the February meeting.

Tony Gamble holding a Sand Boa for Critter of the Month.

I CANNOT POSSIBLY CARE FOR THESE ANIMALS UNTIL THEY ARE PERFECTLY HEALTHY, FABULOUS ANIMALS THAT YOU WOULD PAY TOP DOLLAR FOR BUT ARE GETTING FOR A SMALL DONATION. We have developed a system that works and allows us to place the maximum number of animals in the minimum amount of time in the best homes possible. To my knowledge we are the Page 5

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

The Javan File Snake

March 2005

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small and granular and do not overlap one another. The texture and appearance of the scales is the source of the common name – file snake. The skin also has microscopic hairlike bristles which in combination with the scales aid in securing prey during constriction. Unlike other fish eating snakes, javanicus constrict their prey prior to swallowing. It is quite an amazing sight to watch one constrict and swallow a goldfish – they are extremely quick to strike and coil, and the swallowing process is over in less than a second.

Their method of shedding is also unique; they form a body knot that then moves posteriorly.

by Paul Vitron e

File snakes are medium to large snakes with The Javan File Snake, Acrochordus javanicus, is javanicus sometimes reaching lengths of 8 feet. one of three species of Indo-Pacific aquatic They have an extremely low metabolism and snakes. The genus consists of the Arafura File growth rate. Females perhaps giving birth only Snake, A. arafurae, the Little File Snake, A. gran- once every eight to ten years. Information on the ulatus, and the Javan File or Elephant’s Trunk natural history and captive care is minimal and Snake, A. javanicus. The Javan File Snake sometimes contradictory both in published literaoccurs from Thailand southward through ture and on the Internet.

Malaysia and the Greater Sunda Islands of Indonesia (Ehmann 1992). File snakes are strict- I found a pair of ly aquatic, inhabiting coastal areas and freshwa- hatchlings from a wild ter lagoons and streams. Seasonally they move caught import for sale into flooded grasslands and mangroves during in July 2003. The capthe rainy season and are restricted to billabongs tive husbandry inforin the dry season. The habitat varies from fresh- mation I was able to water and brackish to occasional forays into the find at the time was not very encouraging, marine environment. suggesting mortality was high mainly due to white Acrochordus are set apart from other families of skin lesions that developed from uncertain caussnakes by several unique features. They are high- es with no predictable treatment. I decided to give ly specialized for aquatic life and are virtually them a try anyhow. helpless on land. They have a single well developed tracheal lung and have a flap in the upper jaw whereby the nostrils can be closed when submerged. They are able to spend long periods submerged, surfacing to replenish oxygen supplies with several long breaths. They have been known to spend as long as 40 minutes submerged. The skin is loose and hangs in folds, the scales are Page 6

The pair were housed in a 10 gallon aquarium with a synthetic stump and plastic plants for hiding. Filtration was provided by a corner bubble filter. The pair initially weighed 1.25 and 1.00 ounces. Live fish were added to the tank on a regular basis. They were given a variety of tetras, goldfish and bait store minnows. Both snakes were observed eating, primarily at night. Water

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noted upon review of feeding records for this article that the quantity of fish consumed was greater during the first couple days that fish were added.

I generally would add a dozen goldfish at time, generally half were consumed the first night. I believe it is easier for the snake to catch prey when more are in the tank, acclimation shock for the fish may play a part as well. At 8 months the weight had increased to 5.375 ounces and it had shed again. One notable event during this timeframe resulted in the heater being left off after a water change causing the water temperature to drop in to the low 70’s, the snake did not feed during this time. Once the temperature was corrected, feeding resumed immediately. By May 2004 weight was 6.000 ounces, goldfish were the primary food source. The fish were fed goldfish flake. I switched to bait store minnows because

changes and water quality tests were done every couple days while the tank cycled. They were weighed again after 45 days weighing 2.500 and 1.250 ounces. Neither snake was showing any signs of the mysterious white spots.

Unexpectedly after just 60 days the smaller snake died. In hindsight I would have housed them separately to insure equal feeding opportunities, although both were observed feeding during this period. The remaining snake was weighed again after 100 days at 3.875 ounces. I was content that it was gaining weight at a respectable rate. I also alternated about every third water change with slightly brackish water. My reasoning was this was approximating the variable water conditions they would see naturally as well as helping to control fungal and bacterial populations in the tank. Water temperature was between 80 and 85 F. The tank temperature varied with room temper- they were more readily available. During the timeature as they were kept in a reptile room that was frame from May to September weight gain heated. ceased. In retrospect I attribute this to difficulty in keeping minnows alive and feeding at the elevatWe relocated from Northern Minnesota to ed temperatures (80+ F) required in the aquariNorthern Georgia in the Fall of 2003. The setup um., in fact by mid September weight had remained the same except temperature was con- dropped to 5.500 ounces. At this point I made the trolled by a submersible heater set at 80 F. The decision to switch back to goldfish. Tank size was snake resumed eating almost immediately after increased to a 20 gallon long with an addition filthis 1000 mile, 4 day journey. It also shed for the ter, second hiding rock, and more artificial plants first time in November. It was eating an average added. On December 10, 2004 weight had of 3 to 5 medium goldfish every couple days. I Page 7

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

March 2005

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increased to 7.100 ounces and a third shed was February Speaker Review completed. Water changes were being done by Barbara Buzicky weekly or as needed due to noticeable fecal matter.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Kristi Curry-Rogers Early in the summer of 2004 I was able to obtain a copy of The Vivarium Volume 10 Number 4 con- Program: Madagascar’s Buried Treasure: taining an article entitled “The Arafura File Snake, Dinosaur Discoveries on the Lost Continent Acrochordus arafurae”. It has been the only comprehensive article I’ve been able to find on cap- Tonight’s speaker presented to us a very interesttive care. The previously mentioned skin lesions ing program on the dinosaurs of Madagascar. Dr. were attributed to immuno-suppression directly Kristi Curry-Rogers comes to us from the Science related to environmental stress. Principal among Museum of Minnesota where she is one of the these were poor water quality, excessive water youngest directors of the museum. She is the movement, rapid water temperature changes, Curator and Head of the Department of improper substrate, insecurity due to lack of hid- Paleontology. Her educational background started ing places and inability to escape intense light with Montana State University where she comlevels. pleted her undergraduate work, and she discovered some interesting characteristics pertaining to I feel I can attribute my success to date to elimi- bone fossils of dinosaurs nation of these stress factors. My setup has plen- while studying them under a microscope. She ty of hiding spaces, and is “lush” with artificial was a graduate student at Stoney Brook plants. Filtration with bubble style filters reduces University in New York and also a Ph.D. candiwater movement to a minimum. No lighting is date. Currently, she is involved in paleontological used on the tank at all and reptile room light is research on the island of Madagascar. maintained on a consistent cycle depending on the season. Water quality is closely monitored Madagascar (the world’s fourth largest island) is and water changes are done with minimal change an island located in the Indian Ocean and borders in water temperature. Substrate is a very minimal the Mozambique Channel on the west side of the layer of medium round aquarium gravel that does island as it located off the east coast of not actually cover the entire bottom of the tank. Mozambique. It is off the coast of Southern Africa Traffic in the reptile room is minimal and the con- having a total area of 587,040 square kilometers. crete floor reduces vibrations to almost nothing. Water on the island covers 5,500 square kilomeThe snake is handled infrequently; only as neces- ters. In order to understand the approximate area sary for weight measurement or tank cleaning. of the island, it is comparable in size to a little less The fact that it is eating regularly and gaining than twice the size of the State of Arizona. The cliweight is a good sign of success. mate on Madagascar is tropical along the coast and more temperate inland. The southern most Anyone with additional experiences and information on area of the island is very arid. The terrain consists keeping these unusual snakes can contact Paul Vetrone of two major divisions with narrow coastal plains directly by e-mail gartersnk@hotmail.com. Please stop by our website, www.ngaherps.com, for more information on and high plateaus and mountains in the center.

The highest point of elevation on the island is at North Georgia Herpetological Resources LLC. Maromokotro at 2,876 kilometers. The island is Page 8

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

March 2005

rich in natural resources: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, and hydropower. It has three major natural hazards in the environment which are periodic cyclones, droughts, and locust infestation with the last two greatly affecting crops. The island is facing many environmental issues today such as soil erosion resulting from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contamination with raw sewage and other organic wastes; and lastly, several species of flora and fauna unique to the island are greatly endangered.

The island is populated with several ethic groups: Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, MalayoIndonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, and Comoran. These people practice the religions of Christianity at a 41%, Muslim at 7%, and various other indigenous beliefs at 52%.

She joined a group of scientists in 1998 working on a project who have been studying fossils on the island since 1993. The project is called The Mahajanga Basin Project which has been ongoing. The project originated to search for the evolutionary fossils of the lemur which is an animal belonging to the monkey family. She spends 6-8 weeks each summer working with the paleontological group. During this time there are some considerable sacrifices made due to the water shortage e.g. no showers as the only water close to them is infested with crocodiles. Their diet consisted of rice, beans, coffee, and cookies.

Sometimes, they occa sionally had some beer and dined in the local restaurant on the special of the day which was cooked bat. Yes, I said BAT! What a shock!

Actually the bats were very large and meaty, and they have bodies somewhat similar to large birds.

It was probably very tasty, but she didn’t elaborate or admit to eating it. She said she greatly enjoyed

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getting to know the village people especially the children as they followed them around all day.

The children enjoyed using their battery driven drilling tools.

Charles Deperet (1854-1929) a French paleontologist and evolutionist discovered the first dinosaur fossils on the island in 1896. One of the fossils found was of a titanosaurid sauropod which he renamed Titanosaurus madagascariensis. Charles also was a curator at the Museum d’ Histoire Naturelle located in France. In 1770, the National History Study was created within the historical University of Perpignan. This wonderful museum is now located in a restored 18th century hotel called The Zagarriga. Check it out on the net, and in your travels to France, don’t miss it.

In 2001, Dr. Curry-Rogers while working in the project group found a set of bones which was almost a complete skeletal specimen from the area in northwestern Madagascar. After careful study, the bones were of a skeleton of a young dinosaur along with a skull of an adult that lived approximately 70 million years ago. Researchers concluded that the skeleton was from a new species belonging to the family of giant dinosaurs called titansaurs. This group is a sub-group of the long-necked, plant-eating sauropods. In the beginning of the project, Dr. Curry-Rogers mostly found only dinosaur teeth, so this amazing discovery was a phenomenal find. Her article on the find can be found on the National Geographic News website.

Dr. Curry-Rogers talk was rich in scientific information about dinosaurs and all the evolutional connections. She has had an amazing career so far in paleontology. Please be sure to check out the exhibits at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Further, Dr. Curry-Rogers and her project group has established schools for the children in the (Speaker Review- continued on page 11) Page 9

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

An Unusual Love Story

By Maureen Heidtmann

March 2005

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tank, Greco bit me, and held on, like scaly vicegrips. I had to unclamp his jaws from my finger. It was a scene that would be repeated many times.

Cleaning Greco’s tank was a wildlife adventure in miniature.

As time went on, I became more and more captivated by my hostile captive. I wanted him to be content, robust and rippling with pigments. A good chunk of my day was spent seeing to Greco’s diet.

Greco stalked his prey at night, like Count Dracula. I, like the mesmerized Renfield, provided him with victims, and I often found myself on From across the glaring, hot room he regarded my hands and knees, poking into dark corners me with unblinking eyes, at once interested and and under rocks and leaf piles searching for aloof. It was like a scene from a bizarre version of squirming vittles. When satisfied with my catch, I Casablanca. I gazed back at him. He was hand- would present the prizes to Greco: “Look, Master, some, but I was not yet in love. That would come a nice juicy spider!” later.

Greco ate and grew. I wondered how large the A am a woman, he was a Tokay gecko. Our party colored monster would get. He was fat, matchmaker was my son, who would not leave sassy, nasty. His golden eyes glowed like halogen the pet shop without the exotic lizard. So, I point- bulbs. ed to the speckled beastie and said, “I’ll take him.”

Then everything changed.

The creature’s tubular body writhed, its mouth opened threateningly, and it emitted surprisingly He was about two years old when he stopped eatloud blasts of sound, like a small emergency vehi- ing. Greco went into a profound funk. He was listcle, as it was removed from its tank and placed in less and no longer seemed to care about anya cardboard box for transport. thing. The fat reserves in his plump tail began to dwindle. I had to do something, so I decided to At home, I took a closer look at the reptile. Its force feed him. I concocted nightmare mixtures. head was mostly mouth, with two intense eyes Getting the glop into his mouth was easy seemingly stuck on with glue. Impressionist dots because, in spite of his ennui, Greco still wanted of many colors - lapis, turquoise, emerald, terra to bite me. “Open wide! Good boy!” cotta and pearl - covered the body, and blended together to create an overall aquamarine hue. I Slowly, his health returned. No longer a languid named him “El Greco” for the artist who painted lizard rug, Greco was again climbing branches strange, beautiful, elongated figures. and “barking” loudly when disturbed. He was his old self again, with one exception: During his long “Greco” was not a work of art, but the pit bull of illness and convalescence, he changed from pit the herp world. While installing him in his new Page 10

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

March 2005

bull to pussycat. He now liked to be held, and would not eat unless I fed him his wriggling dinner by hand.

I read somewhere that Tokay geckos live only about three years in captivity. If that’s true, then Greco was supernatural, or extremely stubborn, because he held onto life more tenacioiusly than he adhered to walls.

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About the author Maureen Heidtmann: Among other things, I am a wildlife rehabilitator, specializing in reptiles and bats (chiroptera, not baseball). I have been writing for many years, and have completed a number of stories, covering many subjects, that I hope to publish as a collection some day.

Originally published at Useless Knowledge.

But, eventually, he began to fade. After ten years, (www.useless-knowledge.com). Reprinted with permission Greco started his decline into old age. His long, from the author and Useless Knowledge. muscular form became loose, like a 1920’s “Flapper’s” beaded purse. Again, he stopped eating and, again, I spoon fed him. The special mixture sustained him for a while, but he could not rally against time. (...Speaker Review continued from page 9) Most of us think that reptiles, along with their cold blood, have equally cold hearts. We think that area of the project basin. There is a fund you can they have no emotions, and certainly can’t feel look up on net called The Madagascar Ankizy affection. Well, maybe, but I’m not so sure of that, Fund where you can help out with the children of and here’s why: Madagascar.

For most of his life, Greco felt at home in his large, tall tank, and never tried to escape. Except for one time. On that night, I noticed that he was very weak, and I cradled him in my hand, expecting that he would quietly die while being held. He didn’t, and, after a while, I gently placed him back in his tank and went to bed. The first thing the next morning, I looked in his tank and saw that Greco was not there. The wire screen on top had been forced up and Greco, as weak as he was, had climbed out.

I found my little friend in my room, lying by my bed. He was dead.

I held his small, mosaic body: Lapis, turquoise, terra cotta, pearl. A work of art.

I found a rich resource list for surfing the net.

Start your search first from google.com entering the words Madagascar, dinosaurs. See the following list: fossils found in Madagascar and all of Africa.

Fossils found in South America.

Fossils found in India Information on the theory of plate tectonics.

Chart of geological time The Geology Department at The Field Museum Majungatholus in Madagascar- ZoomDinosaurs.com Charles Deperet The Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Journal Nature National Geographic News www.Ankizy.org

—————— Page 11

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

Politicians Aid Nun In Fight For Salamander Joongang daily Ilbo, Seoul, South Korea, 2/02/05 On the 99th day of a hunger strike to save salamanders from a railroad construction project, a Buddhist nun is gaining support from both governing and opposition lawmakers.

Thirty-one lawmakers from the Uri and Grand National parties said yesterday they want Mount Cheonseong to undergo another examination to make sure that the construction of a tunnel through the mountain for Seoul-Busan express train service causes no environmental damage.

"We urge another environmental check-up," said the lawmakers. "That is the only way to stop controversy, while stopping the Venerable Jiyul from continuing her protest." Jiyul, a Buddhist nun, was found continuing her hunger protest at the headquarters of the Jungto Society, a Buddhist group, in Seocho, southern Seoul.

She had disappeared from public view a week ago and has been consuming only salt and water and refusing to meet people from outside Buddhist society.

According to other clergy there, she is in critical condition.

"She doesn't seem to recognize her friends anymore," said Venerable Beomryun. "I honestly don't know how long she can make it."

Other nuns at the society said she refuses to talk but sits up sometimes to fold salamanders out of colored paper.

-Collected from HerpDigest Vol. 5 #27

Page 12

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Croatian Patients Had To Wait For Croc Ananova, London, UK 1/31/05 A top Croatian doctor faces the sack after allegedly making patients wait for ultrasound treatments while his pet crocodile had a check up.

Patients at the KBC Hospital in Zagreb said they couldn't believe their eyes when the crocodile was wheeled in on an operating table.

They claim they were made to wait two hours while staff examined the reptile.

Dr Bruno Buljevic allegedly told receptionists that patients would have to wait while an "important examination" took place.

Fellow doctors were shocked by the "unethical behaviour" of their colleague, local daily Jutarnji List reported.

The four-foot croc had been off his food but the ultrasound examination revealed no major problems and it's believed he was just upset by the cold weather.

-Collected from HerpDigest Vol. 5 #27

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