Vol. 26 (2006), No. 10

minnesota herpetological society WEB VERSION

t he n e w sl e t t e r o f t he

Information edited/removed to respect privacy concerns.

October’s Speaker: Madeleine Linck on Blanding’s Turtles

OCTOB ER 2 00 6

VOLUME 26

NUMBER 10

Board of Directors

President Bruce Haig

BELL MUSEUM

OF

NATURAL HISTORY, 10 CHURCH STREET SOUTHEAST, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55455-0104

Vice President

Recording S ecretary Ellen Heck

Membership Secretary George Richard

V O I C E M A I L : 612.624.7065 • M H S W E B P A G E : HTTP :// WWW. MNHERPSOC . ORG M H S G R O U P E M A I L : H T T P :// W W W. G R O U P S . YA H O O . C O M / G R O U P / M N H E R P S O C

Treasurer Nancy Haig

October 2006

Newsletter Editor Asra Halvorson Members at Large Fred Bosman David Dewitt

Carmelita Knudson

Committees

Education Jan Larson

Library Tim Banovitz

Webmaster Anke Reinders

Volume 26

Number 10

The Purpose of the Minnesota Herpetological Society is to:

Sarah Richard

Adoption Sarah Richard

The Minnesota H er pet ol og i ca l S o c i e t y

theMHSwebmaster@yahoo.com

• of • •

Further the education of the membership and the general public in care and captive propagation 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: The Minnesota Herpetological Society Attn: Newsletter Editor Bell Museum of Natural History 10 Church St. SE. Minneapolis, MN 55455.0104

Copyright 2006, 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

September Speaker Review

By Ellen Heck, Recording Secretary

The speaker for September was George Richard, a long-time MHS member, past MHS president, current membership secretary and all around good Klingon – I mean guy.

George had various video clips from 5 “get out of Minnesota in the winter” trips he and Sarah have taken. His presentation was titled “Foreign Herps, or a video sample of herps we’ve seen in other countries”. Covered were the Caribbean, South America, and Europe and Asia. Pangaea, however, was skipped.

First up was a sea turtle farm in the Cayman Islands.

Originally founded in 1968, it has passed through several hands and names before being bought by the Cayman government in 1983. The farm raises green turtles, Kemp’s Ridley, loggerheads, and hawksbills. The facility consists of 9 large tanks and 8 smaller ones, with more under construction. The farm has several purposes. One is to create a commercial source for the turtles and hopefully reduce or eliminate the hunting of the wild population. Although most are destined for market, as meat, soap, jewelry or other uses, 10-15% are released back into the wild.

The facility also provides a means of studying the animals.

It has its own beach for nesting. Because of predation, other nests spotted around the islands are relocated to the facility for incubation. All hatchlings, however, are returned to the original beach for release.

Next was video from a river ride in Costa Rica. Other fauna (yes, there are animals out there that are not herps) included a hawk, some very nice-looking parrots and a group of bats lined up on a tree as if playing leap-frog. Also on the trip were American crocodiles. The tour guide had brought along chicken to feed the crocs, rather like feeding the birds at the park but somewhat more dangerous (unless of course you are feeding geese). Some of the crocs were in the 12’14’ range, although George said it was a little hard to tell from most shots, as no one would jump in beside them to show the proper perspective.

Although Europe does not have a huge variety of herps, it does contain several world-famous zoos, such as the one in London. The London Zoo opened the first reptile house in 1849 and has some species that go back 20 generations.

Animals on display include the Chinese crocodile, spitting and Egyptian cobras, boomslangs, glass lizards and various Varanidae. George showed what the zoo described as a Nile

October 2006

Volume 26

Number 10

monitor but which did look more like an Asian. However, they have managed to get their komodo dragons to breed, which puts them one up on the Minnesota Zoo.

The last stop on the tour was the Galapagos Islands and Darwin Station. The station has 9 adult tortoise corrals and 24 juvenile pens. They also have study pens for iguanas, birds and a greenhouse. George showed various clips of the “training” the young tortoises are put through, as one little guy got stuck on his back. Pushing with the head didn’t work, wiggling the legs frantically and lying there looking pathetic were also tried. Finally a human hand flipped him back over and off he went. Hopefully the same person is available in 50 or so years, to do it again when the cute little guy is 400 lbs!

Fourteen species of tortoise originally existed, of which 11 survive today. All are represented at Darwin Station. They are bred and the young released to repopulate the islands.

One pen contained several species of females. Side-by-side, it is possible to see some differences. For example, the dessert species have a higher saddle than the highland varieties, to allow the neck to access the different vegetation.

The tortoises, like all the animals on the islands, tend to not fear humans. Visitors are not allowed to touch any animals or interact, except by taking photos.

Iguanas are also fairly abundant and come in 2 distinct varieties. The marine iguanas live up to their name and will readily swim and feed on seaweed. They tend to prefer shore though. Although generally dark in color, some show bright red and green coloring. There is some debate about the origin of this color. One theory is that it comes from eating some of the deeper-growing seaweeds.

The land iguanas tend to stay in the more arid areas. They tend to be yellow in color and are very territorial in nature.

There is some interbreeding between the two type of iguana where their ranges overlap, but this is fairly rare.

There are many other species of animals on the islands of course – lava lizards, blue-footed boobies (those are birds), and seals. There are also some introduced species, which the Darwin Foundation is working very hard on eradicating – feral cats, pigs and goats.

Cayman Turtle Farm http://www.turtle.ky/ London Zoo http://www.zsl.org/london-zoo/ Galapagos http://www.darwinfoundation.org/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galapagos

3

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

October 2006

Volume 26

Number 10

News, Notes, & Announcements September Adoption Report

Notice of Election

by Sarah Richard, Adoption Chair

With the exception of 1 Iguana, all of the animals found homes (at least temporarily) The reluctant fosters of the Burms would like to see them placed elsewhere ASAP, so if you have a burning desire to tackle a big snake, here is your opportunity.

Call me.

The big news on the adoption front is that we have added Red Eared Sliders to the list of "over abundant animals" which means that we should see a reduction in the number we get in as we will be charging $25 to take them. I know you will all appreciate that. Thanks again for the help.

Following is a list of the animals that came and went from the meeting: Alligator Albino Burm(2) Regular Burm(2) Ball Python Common Boa(2) Corn Snake Bearded Dragon, 3 legged male Fire Skink Fat Tails (2) Iguana(2) Box Turtles (5) Male Sulcata F 45lbs Red Eared Slider(2)

(

4

Cover Photo: bearded dragons © 2006 Sarah McNeal

The membership of the Minnesota Herpetological Society is hereby notified that the Annual Meeting, including elections for the 2006 Board of Directors, will take place on November 4, 2005 General Membership meeting.

Date: November 3, 2006 Time: 7:00 p.m.

Where: Room 335 Borlaug Hall U of MN St. Paul campus Who: All current MHS members in good standing

September Board Meeting Review

By Ellen Heck, Recording Secretary

Tim Banovitz has stepped down as vice-president. If anyone is interested in filling his position, please contact Bruce Haig.

Elections are coming up. Positions are president, vice-president, recording secretary, treasurer, membership secretary, newsletter editor, and 4 members-at-large.

You must be 18 or older to hold a board position. Here is the slate of candidates so far: President – Bruce Haig Vice-President – Recording Secretary – Ellen Heck Treasurer – Nancy Haig Membership Secretary – George Richard Newsletter Editor – Asra Halvorson Member-at-Large – Dave Dewitt Member-at-Large – Carmelita Knudson Member-at-Large – Sarah Richard Member-at-Large –

Please contact Ellen Heck or any member-at-large if you are interested in running.

The voice-mail system needs to be overhauled. Ellen, Sarah and George will work on this.

The budget was gone over and will be finalized next month.

The student organization paperwork must be sorted out. Please contact George Richard if you are a student.

)

The holiday banquet space has been reserved and the liquor license applied for.

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

October 2006

We know it’s only October now, but time flies! Plan on attending MHS’s 2006 Holiday Banquet! See the insert in this newsletter!

Contact Liz Bosman for more information.

Original herp art is also welcomed for the Holiday raffle, which takes place at the banquet, so get your cameras and paintbrushes and welding gear and popsicles and clay and beads and glassblowing gear and found art and pencils and pens and (insert your specialty here) to work!

Oh yes, and Happy Halloween!

Volume 26

Number 10

We Have a State Muffin, So Why Not a State Reptile or Amphibian?

Minnesota’s Unoffical State Symbols:

- The Northern leopard frog was proposed as the Minnesota state amphibian by HF 737 in 1999 and by HF3471/SF3103 in 1998.

- The Blanding’s turtle was proposed as the Minnesota state amphibian (sic) by HF 737 in 1999 and by HF3471/SF3103 in 1998.

From the Minnesota State Legislature website: Unofficial, Proposed, or Facetious Symbols: http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/Unsym.asp

Official Symbols: http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/Symbols.asp

5

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

News from New Zealand: Extinct coins helping to revive tuatara

by Clare Webber, Monday, 4 September, 2006

Tuatara might be disappearing from our currency, but the New Zealand native lizard is set to make a big comeback on Whangaokena-East Island.

A Department of Conservation project to return tuatara to the island has received huge support in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay regions.

They hope to translocate a number of tuatara, featured on our disappearing five cent coins, from the Cook Strait area back to the East Coast island, where they also once lived.

The Gisborne community has been pitching in to re-introduce the species to our region, with $279 received from public donations of five-cent coins.

A further $132 was raised from the sale of a full set of five cent coins from 1967 to 2004 on the internet site Trade Me.

DoC community relations officer Jill Hudson said they were grateful to everyone who donated their coins.

"There are still two months to go, so there is plenty of time for people who would still like to donate."

Schools, groups and individuals in Hawke’s Bay have raised $4000 through a fundraiser run by the National Aquarium.

Tuatara were last seen on the island in the 1920s. The introduction of exotic plants and animals to the island contributed to the lizard becoming extinct there.

In 2002 a restoration project was prepared for the island through a partnership between DoC and Te Araroa and Rangitukia communities.

Since then, there has been more planting of native vegetation, monitoring of seabirds and invertebrates, weed clearance, and the reintroduction of skinks and weta.

Most weed species are now under control and there is ongoing work to eradicate the exotic Madeira vine.

6

"The ecosystem is in a good state for supporting tuatara, although DoC will reintroduce large beetles to the island," Ms Hudson said.

October 2006

Volume 26

Number 10

Negotiations are under way to obtain tuatara from the Cook Strait area for the translocation process and, if successful, the process will take place next year.

Money collected from the public will go towards the cost of translocation, which involves flying the lizards by helicopter to their new home.

Tuatara once lived throughout the mainland of New Zealand but have survived in the wild only on 32 offshore islands. http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/article.asp?aid=6357&iid =505&sud=27

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

October 2006

Volume 26

Number 10

Frog-march

(1871) originated among London police and referred to their method of moving "a drunken or refractory prisoner" by carrying him face-down between four people, each holding a limb; the connection with frog perhaps being the notion of going along belly-down. By the 1930s, the verb was used in ref. to the much more efficient (but less frog-like) method of getting someone in an arm-behind-the-back hold and hustling him or her along like that. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=f&p=13

Stingrays mutilated in wake of Crocodile Hunter’s death

MERAIAH FOLEY, Associated Press

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — At least 10 stingrays have been slain since Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin was killed by one of the fish, an official said Tuesday, prompting a spokesman for the late TV star’s animal charity to urge people not take revenge on the animals.

Mr. Irwin died last week when a stingray barb pierced his chest as he recorded a show off the Great Barrier Reef.

Slain stingrays since have been discovered on two beaches in Queensland state on Australia’s eastern coast. Two were discovered Tuesday with their tails lopped off, state fisheries department official Wayne Sumpton said.

Mr. Sumpton said fishermen who inadvertently catch the diamond-shaped rays sometimes cut off their tails to avoid being stung, but the practice was uncommon. Stingrays often are caught in fishing nets by mistake and should be returned to the sea, Mr. Sumpton said.

Michael Hornby, the executive director of Mr. Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors conservation group, said he was concerned the rays were being hunted and killed in retaliation

for Mr. Irwin’s death.

“It may be some sort of retribution, or it may be fear from certain individuals, or it just may be yet another callous act toward wildlife,” he said.

He said killing stingrays was “not what Steve was about.”

“We are disgusted and disappointed that people would take this sort of action to hurt wildlife,” he said.

Stingrays are usually shy, unobtrusive fish that rummage the sea bottom for food or burrow into the sand.

They have a serrated spine up to 25 centimetres long on their tails, which they can lash when stepped on or otherwise frightened.

The spines emit toxins that can kill many small creatures and cause excruciating pain in humans. Few people have died from the poison, but the spines can badly tear flesh and the wounds are prone to infections, including tetanus.

Mr. Hornby said people should treat stingrays with caution, but “there is still no need to ... kill or mutilate these important animals.” http://www.theglobeandmail.com/

7

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

Surgery for a sea turtle

By SARAH WOOD September 14. 2006

The University of Florida's Small Animal Hospital had already examined nine turtles for the week, but that didn't stop a 122-pound loggerhead sea turtle who received surgery Wednesday morning from standing out.

This was the first time, in fact, UF College of Veterinary Medicine surgeon James Wellehan had seen a turtle come into the clinic with a stingray injury.

It's of particular interest in the wake of the death of Steve Irwin, the famed Australian "Crocodile Hunter" who was speared by a stingray's barb Sept. 4 off the Great Barrier Reef.

The injured turtle underwent surgery Wednesday to remove a piece of stingray barb that broke off and lodged deep into the small of its back, Wellehan said. A second surgery followed to patch up the pierced intestines.

"The prognosis is guarded, but we think we'll be able to fix her up and that she'll be releasable sometime soon," said Sarah Carey, the director of public relations for the UF College of Veterinary Medicine. "We're cautiously optimistic."

The surgery costs will be paid for by the Batchelor Foundation, an environmental and children's organization that has given the college funds to help injured endangered species.

Stingray attacks are extremely rare, said Christina Conrath, a research biologist with the UF ichthyology department, which studies fish.

"And when they do, it's really a defense mechanism," she said. "It's primarily to keep things from attacking them."

And that's just what happened to the 15- to 20-year-old subadult turtle.

During a beach maintenance dredging project near Fort DeSoto last month the turtle, named Soto by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, was caught in a protective net along with a stingray.

8

"The two animals were basically smooshed together in the

October 2006

Volume 26

Number 10

net," said Wellehan, the animal's primary surgeon. "So it wasn't a natural situation."

The turtle was initially taken care of by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, but after several weeks, it could barely move its back flipper, said Tammy Langer, director of the aquarium's sea turtle rehabilitation program.

That's when the aquarium sought help at UF. The turtle arrived Friday.

"When Soto is ready, we'll bring her back here to continue rehabilitation until she is 100 percent better," Langer said.

"That's when she'll get released back into the wild."

http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200 60914/LOCAL/209140332/1078/news

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

Aussie crocodile disease a chlamydia strain

The vet heading the investigation into a disease that has killed thousands of the Northern Territory's crocodiles says it is a strain of chlamydia.

Ian Jerrett says electron microscope screenings have ruled out a theory that the disease could be a form of pox virus.

Scientists are now trying to pinpoint whether the strain is unique to saltwater crocodiles.

More than 3,000 crocodile hatchlings have died of the disease since it was detected in June.

Samples from the dead animals have been sent to Queensland and Victoria for testing.

Mr Jerrett says the results should reveal whether the crocodiles caught the disease from birds.

"We're comparing the actual DNA profile or the DNA fingerprint of the chlamydia, with chlamydia in other animals such as in birds and we'll be able to tell whether this matches anyone or whether this is a unique species to the crocodile," he said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200609/s1741153.htm

October 2006

Volume 26

Number 10

MHS Treasurer's Report

Prepared by Nancy Haig, Treasurer

For August 2006 Beginning Checkbook Balance: . . . . . . . . . . . 14,083.82

Income: Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535.00 Library Fines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 Raffle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125.00 Adoption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305.00 Rodent Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 729.00 Hands Ons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122.00 Other* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55.00 Renfest* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413.21 Total Income: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,284.21

Expense: Newsletter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309.00 Misc. Printing and Postage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 450.11 Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 Hands-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 Refreshments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 Rodent Cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 Adoption Cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 Donations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.00 Other* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93.99 Other* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43.18 Total Expense: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 896.28

Cash Increase/(Decrease): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,387.93 Ending Checkbook Balance: . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,316.75 Placement of Cash Holdings

Checking Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,316.75 Cash on Hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155.00

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,471.75

Treasurer’s Notes: Income: Expense: Donation Programs March & August Speakers Renfest supplies - $43.18, Voicemail $93.99

9

G E T YOUR ME S SA GE TO Y O UR T AR GE T A UD I EN CE W I T H A 1 / 4 PA G E A D. $10 PER MONT H $ 1 10 P ER Y EA R *

*112th month is free on a one year commitment Advertising Policies

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

New

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.

Classified Ads: All active members are allowed a classified ad, run free of charge as space permits. Ads may be run 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

Renewal Membership# Type Check #

Name

Address City, State, Zip, Phone

Email

List in MHS Directory?

Yes

No

Herp related interests

Active Memberships:

Sustaining ($60/year)

Contributing ($40/year)

Basic ($20/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.

10

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 OCTOBER 3

Next Meeting: Friday, October 6, 2006 7:00 PM Room 335 Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus MHS Voice Mail: 612.624.7065

MHS Web Page:

www.mnherpsoc.org

11