Vol. 25 (2005), No. 5

Invasive Frog in Guam

WEB VERSION

Controversial Snake Snare Researchers Show Shield-Nosed Cobra Can Burrow and more!

Oooh and Aaah once again at the

2005 Photo Contest Winners!

M AY 2005

V OLUME 25

N UMBER 5

Information edited/removed to respect privacy concerns.

THE NEWSLETTER O F THE

Board of Directors

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

The Minnesota Herpetological S o c i e t y

President Randy Blasus Vice President Sean Hewitt Recording Secretary Barb Buzicky Membership Secretary Nancy Haig Treasurer Marilyn Blasus

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

May 2005

Newsletter Editor Asra Halvorson

Volume 25

Number 5

The Purpose of the Minnesota Herpetological Society is to: • Further the education of the membership and the general public in care and captive propagation of reptiles and amphibians; • Educate the members and the general public in the ecological role of reptiles and amphibians; • Promote the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

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

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

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

May 2005

Volume 25

Number 5

March Speaker Review

by Barbara Buzicky, Recording Secretary

expensive treatments nor health insurance that would cover their treatment.

GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. Dan Keyler PROGRAM: Venomous Snakes, Snake Bites: Medical Treatment

After these heartfelt facts, Dr. Keyler told a story about a person who was going to outsmart a venomous snake by holding it down with the butt of his shotgun. But, in fact, what happened was typical of how an animal reacts, because the snake whipped around with its tail trying to grab some stability, and it slipped into the trigger mechanism of the gun. The hunter was shot in the hip from his own gun by the snake he was going to outsmart. He didn’t get bitten, but the gunshot injury was just as damaging if not more than a snakebite.

Dr. Dan Keyler was our guest speaker for our General Meeting, and he has been a member of MHS since 1983. He is well renowned in the field of toxicology and venomous snakes being both a national and international consultant on venomous snakebites. He is a clinical toxicologist with the Hennepin County Medical Center and a Clinical Professor at the University of Minnesota.

His research interests focus on immunology, toxicology, natural toxins, nicotine and smoking cessation strategies, and medical management of snakebites. He is also a dedicated member of the study and conservation of the Timber Rattlesnake.

Venomous snakebites by the timber rattlesnake usually have a seasonal distribution due to the frequency of when they bite. Bites mostly occur during the months of April through October during the year, mostly because there are more people doing outdoor activities during those months, and the snakes coming out of hibernation in April.

Timber Rattlesnake bites during one season numbered 27, with 15 in Minnesota, 5 in Iowa, and 7

Dr. Keyler is a well-published author, and he has just authored an occasional paper for the MHS on the history of venomous snakebites in Minnesota.

The Society welcomes him with open arms due to his speaker magnetism and his great sense of (Speaker Review continued on page 9) humor.

The topic of venomous snakebites is a very serious one though, as there are approximately 7,000 venomous snakebites reported annually in the United States alone. This does not account for others in foreign countries. Dr. Keyler said that there were one million snakebites alone in Africa in 1998 with a high fatality rate. South American and Asia also have a high number of bites along with a gruesome fatality rate. Most of these deaths in foreign countries are attributed to the facts that they occur out in the bush many hours away from medical treatment centers, those treatment centers are not equipped with the appropriate matching anti-venom to treat the bite, and lastly, the people do not have money to pay for the

Want more info on snakebites? Google it!

(Barb’s key words for GOOGLE.COM):

American Family Physician University of Florida National AG Safety Database Palm Beach Herpetological Society envenomation venomous snakebite World Surgical Journal New England Journal of Medicine American Association of Poison Control Centers American Journal of Tropical Medicine Hygiene American Association of Immunologists

Page 3

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

May 2005

Volume 25

Number 5

News, Notes & Announcements March Raffle Donors U of MN Stuffed Goldie & U of M cup with treats Jan Andreasen Snake pendant Adoption Program various supplies Laurie Mahling Lizard pin

April Adoption Report

By Sarah Richard, Adoption Chair The following animals found homes this month. A special note: One of the Iguanas found a home at the Mall Of America at UWA. They joined the society and are interested in fostering relations with us.

Ball Python 2 Bearded Dragons Burmese Python 3 Iguanas Leopard Gecko Uromastix

From the Editor Critter of the Month Jon Peterson Wood Frog

Cover Photo ©2005 by Asra Halvorson Page 4

Well hello again! The weather’s finally warming and we can stop being envious of our scaly beasts basking in their tropical environments all winter. At last we can get outside and do some basking and fun in the sun ourselves!

Hold on a minute though! I would like each one of you to pause and give me an hour of your time. I’m giving each and every MHS reader a challenge.

It’s beginning to be a pretty dry season for submissions, so I thought I’d remind you that each and every one of you has valuable knowledge to share! This may come in the form of a book you’ve recently read, a trip

I want to extend a special thanks to those of you that opened your homes to the Iguanas. When I walk out of the meeting empty handed I feel so great! I can’t say this often enough. Those of you that take home the “leftovers” and give those special need critters your time, money and attention, deserve a special pat on the back.

P.S. We did not, nor probably ever will have a Komodo Dragon up for adoption. It was April Fools Day, OK?

you’ve taken, something you’ve personally taken upon yourself to study, life experiences, and more! It could be your inner artist striving to release him/herself (See the photo/art contest winners in this issue! This could be you-- if it’s not you already!).

So, draw/doodle a picture, write a herp book review, tell a tale of a herping adventure, relate some tricks of the trade to a newbie! You, yes you, are invaluable to our society. Let’s show you off!

You see, it’s our own members who give our newsletter some true flavor! Thanks for your time!

Asra

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

May 2005

Minnesota Herpetological Society Board Meeting Review for April 2, 2005

By Barb Buzicky, Recording Secretary

Volume 25

Number 5

Committee Reports: There were no committee reports.

Board members present were Randy Blasus, Barb Buzicky, Fred Bosman, Sean Hewitt, Marilyn Blasus, Asra Halvorson, and Mike Bush. Absent were Jodi Aherns, Tony Gamble, and Nancy Haig.

Non-board members present were Liz Bozman and Jeff LeClere.

Old Business: A librarian was found, Tim Banobitz, and an assistant. The next Midway Symposium Meeting will be held on Thursday, at the St. Paul Student Center, at 7:00 PM CDT. Barb gave a short synopsis on the last meeting, the logo was selected, the animal sale will be captive breed animals only, Meeting was called to order at 6:12 PM CST at and the particulars of the hotel contract were disthe University of Minnesota Student Center, cussed. The resignation of the current Treasurer Room 202. is on hold until the May Board Meeting. Asra is working on the reasons for the delay of the Minutes from the October and November 2004 newsletter to members. There were over 12K at Board Meetings are outstanding. the Pet Expo, and MHS had 12 volunteers. No unclaimed items from the WSS were picked up at Minutes from the January, February, March, 2005, the meeting. The items will go into the raffle per Board Meetings were approved with changes. the Board. Volunteer awards were handed out at the General Meeting, 65 out of 106 were picked Treasurer’s Report for January, February, and up. Activity matching idea tabled.

March 2005 are outstanding, short versions verbally read.

New Business: The Mexican Land Purchase presentation review Membership Report for March 2005 is outstand- was tabled. Randy read the letter addressed to ing. the society. A chairperson is needed for the State Fair Exhibit this year. The Holiday Banquet also General Meeting April 1, 2005, had an atten- needs a chairperson, Liz Bosman volunteered. dance of 139.

The DNR Comment on Rules was discussed briefly. The Board says we need more information from them. Further discussion tabled until the President’s Report: next meeting.

Randy continued his series on Board Development, and there were no questions on the Last Minute Items: last segment, Understanding Board Reports. The Asra says that Herp Digest is now charging for next in the series is Organizations Missions and access to its website through a membership. She Purpose. Randy read a synopsis from the hand- will check into the actual costs for the society. out to the Board.

The next Board Meeting will be held on Saturday, Vice President’s Report: May 7, 2005, at the University of Minnesota, St. May Anita (Sea Turtles) Paul Student Center, Room 202.

June TBD July TBD Meeting adjourned at 7:39 PM CST. Page 5

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

May 2005

Volume 25

Number 5

2005 Photo Contest Winners

First Place People’s Choice and First Place Herps in a Natural Setting: Liam Bonk

The award-winning artist himself, Liam Bonk.

Page 6

First Place Miscellaneous Herps: Liam Bonk

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

First Place 16 and Under: Sam Rausch

May 2005

Volume 25

Number 5

Second Place 16 and Under: Liam Bonk

First Place Herps with People: Bill Moss

Second Place Herps in a Natural Setting: Bill Moss

Second Place Herps with People: Bill Moss Page 7

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

May 2005

Volume 25

Number 5

Second Place Miscellaneous Herps: Richard Bonk

Third Place 16 and Under: Liam Bonk

Third Place Miscellaneous Herps: Craig Renier Third Place Herps in a Natural Setting: Bill Moss Page 8

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

May 2005

(Speaker Review continued from page 3) in Wisconsin. During this time, 5 or 19% of the bites occurred in Metropolitan areas, and the other 22 or 81% occurred in rural farm areas.

Unfortunately, the human factor is the cause of approximately 27% of the bites through the use of alcohol. Other bites occur while the person was handling or molesting the snake. 85% of natural bites are below the knee.

Some of the bites are dry which means that the snake was not pumping a large dose of venom through the fangs, but just traces of venom from the fang. This type of bite causes the least amount of damage, which is mostly very localized around the wound without systemic infiltration.

The snake’s action of squeezing the venom glands is a voluntary reflex when it bites and about half the time no venom is injected. Pit Vipers for example, have dry bites half the time, while on the other hand, the Coral Snake’s bite is directly proportional to the size of the snake and the length of time the snake holds onto the victim.

The ages of people bitten are mostly between the ages of 16 and 40, with 22 or 81% of the bites being attributed to male victims and 5 or 19% to females. Further, the United States Military stationed over in the Middle East is having problems with snakebites due to military operations being conducted out in rural areas where many venomous snakes have set up habitation.

Volume 25

Number 5

dosages into pigeons that were serving as the hosts to make the anti-venom. Today, drug laboratories use other animals to make anti-venom, and the process is very complicated and slow. It takes a long time to make AV, which is why it is so costly. Snake venoms are classified two ways.

One is hemotoxic (those attack the tissue and the blood), and the other is neurotoxic (those that damage or destroy nerve tissue). Pit Viper snake venoms are hemotoxic, and these bites are not immediately fatal unless the venom is directly injected into a vein. Most crotalid venoms attack and damage the capillary endothelial cells which destroy the blood plasma and extravasation of erythrocytes that destroy the white cells. Children are the most serious victims of snakebite as they are generally very small in body size so the amount of venom has a greater effect on their bodies than on an adult. The symptoms of snakebite envenomation are different for hemotoxic and neurotoxic. The symptoms for hemotoxic snakebite are intense pain, edema, weakness, swelling, numbness or tingling, rapid pulse, ecchymoses, muscle fasciculation, oral paresthesia, unusual metallic taste, vomiting, confusion, and bleeding disorders. The symptoms for neurotoxic snakebite are minimal pain, ptosis, weakness, paresthesia (numbness at snakebite wound), diplopia, dysphagia, sweating, salivation, diaphoresis, hyporeflexia, respiratory depression, and paralysis.

In case you get bitten, stay calm. Venom can be sucked out or squeezed. The venom is protein and taken orally will not have harmful effects. The most benefit would come from having an extractor if it is applied within five minutes and left in place for 3 minutes. Remove all jewelry due to any swelling that will take place, and keep track of the time. Get to a medical treatment center or hospital quickly and note symptoms. Keep the victim quiet and still as moving around will circulate the

Snake venom consists of proteins, polypeptides, and many enzymes that cause necrosis of tissue and hemolysis or destruction of blood components. It is a very complex compound. Each snake has a different mixture of these components, which is why different anti-venom is needed for different species of snakes. The first person recognized as having started the process of making anti-venom was Dr. Henry Sewell, who was an American physiologist and physician. He (Speaker Review continued on page 12) took snake venom and started injecting low

Page 9

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

Coqui Frogs Wanted Pacific Daily News, Agana, Guam, 3/31/05 by Katie Worth Reprinted from HerpDigest, Volume 5 Issue 38 Find a fugitive frog infringing on your faculties with its fulminating fracas? Flip your phone and file the fact with enforcers for free.

In an effort to stem a problem before it hops out of control, the Guam Department of Agriculture and GUAMCELL Communications yesterday unveiled a hot line for people to call if they hear the ear-splitting call of the tiny coqui frogs.

Two of the frogs, no bigger than a quarter when fully grown, were found on Guam last year, and agriculture officials are worried that more of the Puerto Rico natives could be on the way.

And that could be a big problem for Guam, because the frogs are so noisy — their call rivals a bushcutter in volume — that when they form a chorus, it can become unbearable to sensitive ears and rob the sleep of residents and tourists.

The frogs, named after their unmistakable nocturnal love song that goes “ko-KEEE”, managed to immigrate to Hawaii some years ago and have wreaked havoc there. According to the Department of Agriculture, the frogs have so far caused an estimated $20 million in damage to Hawaii’s visitor and real estate industries.

Last year, biologists think two male frogs hitched a ride on ornamental plants from Hawaii, because both were found in nurseries. Agriculture Wildlife Biologist Diane Vice said that after the two frogs were found here on Guam last year, Hawaii’s biologists advised Guam biologists to immediately go to the public and get help in curtailing the problem.

Page 10

May 2005

Volume 25

Number 5

That is just what biologists did yesterday, launching an official campaign to keep the invasive species from colonizing on Guam.

GUAMCELL has donated a cell phone and free minutes for the project’s hot line, which residents are encouraged to call if they think they may hear a coqui frog.

Biologist Dave Gee warned that if a resident believes they are hearing a coqui frog, they should check the pitch of the call. The coqui frog’s call is piercing and high pitched, he explained, and it is not to be confused with another invasive frog species, locally known as the “barking frog,” which has a lower, bark-like call.

The frog’s sleep-interrupting call is top concern, but a second concern is that the frog could potentially serve as another food source for an invasive species — the brown tree snake, Gee said.

In addition to establishing a hot line, Gee said biologists will be training plant importers and customs officials to recognize the frogs and their calls. He said the Department of Agriculture will also be running a series of advertisements featuring the frog’s call.

GUAMCELL President Mark Chamberlin said residents will be able to download ring tones featuring the call or photos from the company’s Web site.

Whom To Call: If you think you hear the piercing love song of the tiny coqui frog, call 687-FROG. The call is free if made from another GUAMCELL phone.

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

May 2005

Researchers Prove Cobra Can Burrow (Shield-Nosed Cobra) Bismarck Tribune, Minot, North Dakota, 3/28/05 Reprinted from HerpDigest Volume 5, Issue 27 Snake experts previously believed the venomous snake couldn’t burrow because of its body type, said Alexandra Deufel, an assistant biology professor at Minot State University.

Deufel said scientists have speculated that the shield-nosed cobra, which lives underground in its native Africa, might burrow, but there was no evidence of it.

Most snakes that live underground find natural crevices or burrows created by other animals, she said.

Her snake of study, named “Spike,” doesn’t have a reinforced head like other species of snakes and other legless animals that burrow in the dirt.

The shield-nosed cobra is small with large eyes and a nose that is only loosely connected to the rest of its head.

Volume 25

Number 5

“When you look at the anatomy of this, it doesn’t look like it would be able to burrow,” Deufel said.

Deufel and undergraduate student Shawn Bruce put Spike in an aquarium filled with a few inches of moist sand and aimed a video camera on him to see what he would do.

Deufel said it was thrilling when they saw Spike burrowing to the bottom. To begin burrowing, Spike arches his neck, lays his shield flat on the sand and moves his head from side to side.

“It’s like a shovel, really,” Deufel said.

Further research revealed that the shield-nosed cobra burrows using modified muscles that snakes use to swallow their prey and to control the movement of their wiggly noses, she said.

“That’s never been seen in any snake,” Deufel said. “It’s a totally new anatomy.”

Deufel presented the results of her research to the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology in January.

Bearded Dragon Eye. Asra Halvorson, 2004.

Page 11

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

May 2005

Volume 25

Number 5

Snake Snare Snaps Spines: Device Designed (Speaker Review continued from page 9) to Decapitate venom through the system faster. If the snake is a Coral Snake, pull it off as quickly as possible to NEWS RELEASE The Center for North American Herpetology keep the venom amount low. Lastly, take digital Lawrence, Kansas picture of the snake or have someone write down http://www.cnah.org a complete physical description of the snake including approximate size and diameter. This Submitted by Dean Alessandrini, Vice-President, The Greater makes matching anti-venom with the snake easier for treatment.

Cincinnati Herpetological Society As if the general public’s view on snakes were not already bad enough, a company called SnakeSnare, LLC, in Iowa has taken it to the next level.

Things that won’t help a bite include the following: cutting the wound, tourniquet, use of alcohol orally or topically, use of ice (it will not stop the swelling).

“SnakeSnare” is a device designed to intentional- The most practical means to prevent getting bitten by a snake is to not play with snakes, keep the ly decapitate wild snakes. bushes and weeds down around your home, wear “SnakeSnare” is marketed on the internet and shoes outside, wear gloves while weeding, wear promotes use in areas like neighborhoods and high boots in snake country, and watch closely golf courses, “Where gunfire is impractical or ille- where you step while out hiking. gal.” The website mentions that the product “can”* capture a snake for relocation, but is actually designed for “instant decapitation.”

The marketing of the product seems to promote extermination of wild snakes, and the site actually quotes the old adage “a good snake is a dead snake.”* If you would like to voice your concerns about this product and its marketing objectives, please see their website at www.snakesnare.com and voice your concerns. *Editor’s note: These quotes may have been on the website previously, but have been removed since this article has been written.

Page 12

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 P ER MONT H $ 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 $55/Year* $10/Month $110/Year* $20/Month $220/Year* $40/Month $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:

Email

Sustaining ($60/year)

Contributing ($30/year)

List in MHS Directory?

Yes

No

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 for processing.

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 MAY 3

Next Meeting: Friday, May 6, 2005 7:00PM Room 335 Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus

MHS Voice Mail: 612.624.7065

MHS Web Page: www.mnherpsoc.org