Vol. 28 (2008), No. 8

M I N N E S O T A HERPETOLOGICAL S O C I E T Y N

E W S L E T T E R

IN THIS ISSUE: AUGUST IS IGUANA MONTH WITH SPEAKER KATHY CLAUGHERTY LAST MONTH’S SPEAKER’S BRAD BAYSINGER

2008 MHS FIELD SURVEY RESULTS

August

2008

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Number 8

President Jennifer Hensley Vice- President David Dewitt

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MHS VOICE MAIL: 612.624.7065 MHS WEBPAGE: HTTP://WWW.MNHERPSOC .ORG GROUP E MAIL : HTTP ://WWW. GROUPS.YAHOO.COM/ GROUP/ MNHERPSOC

Treasurer Nancy Haig

The Purpose of the Minnesota Herpetological Society is to:

Membership Secretary Chris Smith

• Further the education of the membership and the general public in care and captive propagation

Recording Secretary Ellen Heck News Letter Editor James Soos MEMBERS AT LARGE Jeff LeClere Pete Kazeck Christina Dunathar Kathy Claugherty COMMITTEES Adoption Sara Richard Education Jan Larson

Library Carmelita Pfar Webmaster Anke Reinders

Correction last month’s Cover of the Ball Python was By Sonja Koolmo

Cover Animal the American Alligator By Amanda Dewitt

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Minnesota Herpetological Society

• 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 Newsletter is published monthly to provide its members with information concerning the society’sto all individuals with an interest in amphibians and reptiles. The Minnesota Herpetological Society 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.

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 Please send email to mhsnewseditor@yahoo.com

THE NEWS LETTER OF THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

AUGUST 2008

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A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Hello Everyone, As it was announced and voted on at the July Meeting, I wanted to let those of you that were not there know that Dav Kaufman will be filming some of our August meeting and interviewing a few members of the society for a documentary entitled Herpers, there is a synopsis of the film below. There will be a clearly marked designated no filming area for those people who do not wish to be on film as well as papers to sign from those people who are filmed. I believe this will be a great thing for the society; I cannot wait to see the finished project!

Your President, Jennifer Hensley

SYNOPSIS It is estimated that there are 7.9 million pet reptiles in the United States alone. That means that approximately 4% of households in the country house a least one reptile, some have even more. In fact, there are even a few who have achieved quite a wealth with their reptile breeding programs. These people are known as “Herpers” stemming from the word Herpetology; the study of reptiles and amphibians. Still, the fact remains that there are two kinds of people in the world; those who are reptile fanatics, and those who have no idea that there are people in the world who are, in fact, reptile fanatics. Herpers is a feature-length documentary for them both, produced by the multiple award-winning filmmaker, Dāv Kaufman who fits proudly in the former category.

Herpers first takes us to the lush Mississippi River Valley of Southern Illinois where we follow four “Field Herpers” down Snake Road. Amongst the migrating cottonmouths and timber rattlesnakes we learn that field herping is much like bird watching…only with snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, toads, and salamanders. Once pictures of the day’s find are taken and logged into a journal called a “life list”, the field herper usually retreats to its natural habitat; a tent pitched by the side of the road where stories of herps are told over a campfire with a hot dog on a stick, and a cold bottle of Budweiser.

We then learn that reptiles are everywhere in our popular culture. From the cheesy Sci-fi films of the 1950s to being used as spokes models for everything from cable television providers, to car insurance, to beer (Bud-weis-er), to Sobe beverages.

A love of reptiles is the common thread that pulls people from all different walks of life together—from the families in rural Wisconsin, to the celebrities we all know. Herpers gets us up-close and personal with these celebrities from famous musicians, to cartoonists, to pro athletes.

Over the last 20 years, Herpetological Societies have been formed all over the country. Over 100 Herp Societies are functioning across the US and Canada in most states and major cities. Collectively they further the general public’s understanding and awareness in reptile care and captive propagation, educate people on the ecological role of reptiles and amphibians in our world, and promote the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians. We will visit the Minnesota Herpetological Society during one of their monthly meetings and find out what being a part of these societies is all about.

Herpers then takes us to the Windy City to see what it takes to put on one of the nation’s largest Reptile Conferences; the North American Reptile Breeders Conference and Trade Show in Tinley Park, IL. We’ll meet the reptile breeders from across the country who make their living by breeding reptiles and amphibians, and we’ll learn what genetics go into producing the latest genetic color morph of their “designer snakes”.

Herpers is an entertaining, funny, and sometimes peculiar investigation into not only one of the most misunderstood creatures on our planet, but as well as the “herper”; the most misunderstood people on our planet.

Photos by Amanda Dewitt.

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THE NEWS LETTER OF THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

SNAKES AND HOOKS WITH BRAD BAYSINGER- THE SNAKE GURU.

By Nancy Haig

As reported last month, Brad Baysinger has been working with Herps for over 20 years and his love of snakes has transformed part of his hobby into a new home business.

Enter “The Snake Guru” which features a line of exclusive custom- made snake hooks.

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State Fair Information on Dates and times will be posted at the next meeting. If you have any questions feel free to contact any Board Member present on August 1st or to give us a call or email.

Brad began his talk beside a table loaded with fancy snake hooks of all shapes and sizes. Selecting a large boa/python hook he delighted the audience by removing an albino tiger reticulated python from its box and demonstrated the finer points of “tail walking” a large snake while controlling the head direction. Switching to a long ergonomic hook he showed how to move a large snake using one or two hands on the pole or by the long tip of the hook to gently pull or “Drag” the body to position.

to gently remove stuck eyecaps on large snakes without having to use restraints. As Brad says “I like my blood where it’s at, like in my veins.”

To demonstrate “snake juggling” he used an arboreal Amazon tree boa and two smaller lightweight hooks.

Stainless Steel allows the snake to slide smoothly. The Amazon easily climbed the shaft towards Brad’s hands but was redirected with the second hook, all the while demonstrating the clinging nature of the boa as it moved from hook to hook while maintaining a firm grip on a paper towel with its tail.

Combining snake handling with various styles of hooks gave Brad a chance to show off some of his snakes and added some interesting husbandry comments as well.

Joining in the presentation were: an albino tiger reticulated python, an Amazon tree boa, a Peruvian long tail boa, a false water cobra, a Barneck scrub python, a coral albino boa, an Eastern blackneck garter snake and top of the WOW list, a Sunbeam Snake.

Brad fashions a wide variety of hooks from different materials ands coatings depending on what the customer needs and prefers. Another feature of custom carved handles can add the comfort of a thumb-hole for more control or a piece of artwork to enhance the look.

Most of these animals and all of his custom snake hooks can be seen at his website www.thesnakeguru.com Brad started this site about two years ago and has been busy ever since.

It’s pretty hard to make mistakes when using a snake hook” said Brad. When questioned about potential injuries to the snakes such as puncturing the skin or breaking ribs, Brad responded that the design of the hook, (rounded ends and diameter of the shafts) plays an important part in the safety of the animal. The size and shape should be geared toward the size of animal being worked. Using too small of a rod diameter could cause the hook to slide in between the ribs and break them.

Hey Snake Guru! Thanks for sharing your love of snakes and your custom crafted snake hooks, we thoroughly enjoyed your Hand- -ah, Hooks-On event.

Hook training is a big part of safety as well. A wild or newly acquired animal will respond differently to a snake hook. Training is simply the process of getting the snake use to your movements and the hook. He tries to avoid the head directly and hooks the first third of the body (the area after the neck) when redirecting a snake or simply hooks a coil on a larger snake. To avoid the feeding response he touches his snakes with a hook or Guru push stick (a shaft with a balled end) prior to moving them so the hook signals a non-feeding action to the snake.

The push stick can also be used with double-sided tape

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Photo By Sonja Koolmo

THE NEWS LETTER OF THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

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LIST OF THE 2007 VOLUNTEERS Many thanks to the MHS members who, as usual, generously contributed their time and talents to support the MHS and its public education goals during 2007.

The MHS logged in 4430 hours with 128 members participating. Those members that contributed over ten hours will be receiving a small gift in appreciation at the August general meeting. If your name is not among those that contributed over ten hours and you feel it should be, please see Nancy Haig at the August Meeting.

Members contributing 10 hours or more: Allard, Roger Anderson, Meg Anding, Rachel Backer, Kaia Backer, Marla Backer, Mike Backer, Sage Banowitz, Tim Bittner, Linda Bliese, Tom Bosman, Fred Bosman, Liz Bruacks, Andrea Brumfield, Judi Calander, Donna Crnobrna, Brian Curry, Connie Danathar, Chad Danathar, Christy DeWitt, Amanda DeWitt, Dave

Photo By Sonja Koolmo

Evans, Heather Feniche, Mona Gerholdt, Jim Gilbertson, Theo Grassel, Alicia Grassel, Amanda Grassel, Laurie Grassel, Vern Haig, Bruce Haig, Nancy Hakomaki, Nancy Halverson, Asra Heck, Ellen Hensley, Jennifer Hildebrand, Eryn Horn, Bill Moss, Bill Jacobsen, Glen Kazeck, Pete Knudson, Daniel Knudson, Tommy

Lang, Casey Printy, Jeff Lang, Mariah Reinders, Anke Lang, Marit Rex, Alexandra Larson, Beau Richard, George Larson, Jan Richard, Sarah Larson, Merle Rose, Jo LeClere, Jeff Rose, Tali Lucas, Richard Rypka-Hauer Jaared Mahlow, Josh Rypka-Hauer Jenna Martin, Skyler Sandberg, Bill Martin, Yvette Sasse, Cheryl Menke, Sean Sasse, Thomas Miller, Anna Schave, Ted Minor. Natasha Schmidtke, Mark Monson, Dan Smith, Chris Moriarty, John Snyder, Brandy Soos, Jim Pastika,Jamie Tu r n e r, To d d Peterson, Sherry Valoris, Renee Pfarr, Carmelita Housewright, Victoria

Other generously contributing members: Bonk, Liam Bonk, Richard Bouley, Skyler Bouley, Yvette Burnfield, Angela Carver, Caitlin Cisewski, Tina Claugherty, Kathy Clayton, Heather Dahlberg, Mike Delles, Chase Dorton, Claire Duford, David

Gamble, Tony Moriarty, JoAnne Gatz, Erin Myers, Amanda Henderson, Pete Nolt, Jacki Horn, Jim Pastika, Briana Ingbreston, Brian Pastika, Melissa Ingbretson, Heather Pfarr, Harley Lillo, Jason Sasse, Aaron Lillo, Larry Schaak, Briana McDermott, Duane Schaak, Cory Merck, Gordon Schaak, Nathan Monson, Lori Schaak, Tabitha Moriarty, Caitlan Schave, Helen Moriarty, Daniel Sheldon, Blake

ST.Halaire Genevieve ST.Halaire Vashti Sueker, Katie Sullivan, Tyler Thorsted, Carolann Thorsted, Landin Thorsted, Shelby Ulvenese, Domonique

Photo By Sonja Koolmo

Photo By Sonja Koolmo

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THE NEWS LETTER OF THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

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AUGUST SPEAKER MHS’S VERY OWN KATHY CLAUGHERTY Kathy adopted her first two iguanas in January 2002, and fell head over heels in love with these amazing creatures. She became a member of the MHS in March of that year and joined an iguana rescue in June.

In June of 2006, Kathy saw a need for an educational outreach to keepers of pet iguanas. She resigned from Iguana Relocation Network and formed Resource for Iguana Care and Adoption. The past two years have seen tremendous growth through RICA’s website, www.iguanaresource.org, their page at www.petfinder.com and RICA’s Myspace page, http://www.myspace.com/iguanaresource Kathy has dedicated herself to the main mission of RICA, which is to provide the latest in quality information for the proper care and husbandry of the captive green iguana.

At one time Kathy had seven iguanas, but four now keeps her. They are, Pumpkin Kahuna an 8 year old male; Samantha, a 10 year old female; La Princess Seniorita Bonita Solita, an 8 year old female, all who were adopted from the MHS; and Ralph, a 16 year old female who was surrendered to her in August 2003.

Iguana from Key Wesst. Photo by Amanda Dewitt.

Photo By Amanda Dewitt

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THE NEWS LETTER OF THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

FIELD SURVEY 2008 WRAP UP

BY JEFF LECLERE

First of all, thank you to all who attended this year’s survey and assisted in various ways during the survey.

Special thanks go to Chris Smith, Jim Gerholdt, Blake Sheldon, Melissa Stites, and Skyler Bouley. The biggest thank you goes to Carmelita Pfarr for obtaining the MHS food and beverages, keeping track of volunteer hours, and other duties too numerous to mention here...Thank you!

Participants were welcomed with a nice surprise right off the bat. There was no half mile walk to the campground! We set up camp in an open area right across from the parking lot. This was not a campsite, so there were no restroom facilities, fire pits, or shelters in the immediate vicinity, but we had the keys to the visitor center which had those ammenities. It was just on the other side of the parking lot. Carmelita also brought along a portable canopy and most volunteers hung out around this area during lunches, dinners, and breaks.

Melissa Stites cooked steaks on Saturday. Yum! We even had our annual camp fire near the parking lot. It worked out very well considering we were looking at a potential disaster being so far from the parking lot before. I must apologize to those to did not attend the survey because of the much publicied half-mile hike from the parking area to the campground. However, I must strongly emphasize that this little negotiation was not made until I arrived to set up on Friday! So, this was VERY last-minute!

The weather was excellent for the survey. Aside from some rain Friday afternoon and Sunday afternoon (before most people arrived and after most people left), the weather was beautiful and mild. On to the herps!

We found 46 individuals consisting of seven species.

There were 39 MHS volunteers totaling about 180 field survey hours. Species found include: American toad, eastern gray treefrog, green frog, spiny softshell, map turtle, eastern garter snake, and western fox snake.

We actually found more species this year than last year at the Frontenac Survey. Some of these were brought back to the campsite where Jim Gerholdt set up his portable photography set. Jim and Blake Sheldon gave photography pointers and interesting little natural history tidbits about the critters. As far as this year’s finds go, the map turtle was most interesting in my opinion.

It was a hybrid between a false map turtle, Graptemys pseudogeographica and a Ouachita map turtle, Graptemys ouachitensis. Some of you looking in your Peterson or Audubon Field Guides may be a bit confused at this point because those guide list the Ouachita map turtle as a subspecies of the false map turtle, but a number of years ago the Ouachita map turtle was elevated to spe-

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cies status. Anyway, it is a neat-looking map turtle. Chris Smith donned the chest waders in the heat and hike and helped set and check the turtle traps, which were set right in the St. Croix River. Skyler Bouley also assited with trapping, carrying equipment, and wearing waders herself.

Everyone sure seemed to enjoy themselves this year and I hope next year’s survey turns out as well as this year.

Thirty nine MHS volunteers is an excellent turnout and I hope to see you all at the survey next year! Keep checking the MHS web site for details about next year’s survey (as they become available) and for general survey rules and guidelines. Until then, happy herpin’!

Photo By Sonja Koolmo

Photo By Sonja Koolmo

Photo By Sonja Koolmo

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THE NEWS LETTER OF THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

AUGUST 2008

TREASURER’S REPORT FOR JUNE 2008 PREPARED BY NANCY HAIG Beginning Checkbook Balance: $24,533.81 Income: Membership $185.00 Raffle $60.00 Adoption $145.00 Rodent Sales $805.00 Total income: $1,195.00 Expense: Newsletter $507.05 Program $354.00 Adoption cost $60.00 Ins. refund ($1,250.00) Rt check $105.00 Bank Charge $10.00 Total Expense Cash increase/(decrease) Ending Checkbook Balance: Placement of cash holdings Checking account Paypal acct Cash on hand Total

($213.95) $1,408.95 $25,942.76

$25,942.76 $100.00 $155.00 26,197.76

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The Adoption Report This month was a biggie. We had a total of 25 animals come into the meeting for adoption and 17 of those found homes. Even our speaker took home a couple of critters! Here is a list of the animals that were placed: Leopard Gecko’s (3) Iguana (lrg older male) Bearded Dragon, small Bearded Dragons, lrg (2) Water Dragons (2) Savannah Monitor (lrg) Corn Snake (Albino) Ball Python (2) Painted turtle Reeves turtle Snapping turtle Box turtle I brought home 8 turtles who are still looking for homes. They will all be coming back in on the 1st of August. I need to have them moved out to make room for the next group so plan on helping me out at the next meeting, pretty please :-) I believe that I may be getting in a couple of larger Soft Shells as well so I really will need help with the water turtles.

Sulcatta (female, bigger) Painted turtles (4) Red Eared Slider Yellow Belly Slider Florida Red Belly As always, thanks to all the people who stepped up to the plate and took home an animal or four. Without peoples willingness to open their homes and hearts to these guys, I couldn’t keep this up month after month.

Sarah Richard Adoption Chair Minnesota Herpetological Society

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THE NEWS LETTER OF THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

AUGUST 2008

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JUNE’S BOARD MEETING MINUTES Board Minutes for June 7, 2008 Board Present: Jenn Hensley, Nancy Haig, Ellen Heck, Chris Smith, Kathy Claugherty, Pete Kazeck, Jeff LeClere Board Absent: Dave DeWitt, Christina Danathar, Jim Soos Non-Board: Randy & Marilyn Blasus, Heather Clayton The meeting was called to order at 6:23 pm in the Room 202 in the Student Union.

Membership Report: Overall, membership was down by approximately 8. However, we are probably up over this same time last year.

Vice President’s Report: Frank may have a schedule conflict and need to switch dates with Kathy.

Adoption Report: Up for adoption this month were 8 red-eared sliders, 2 common boas, a painted turtle, a 3-toed box turtle, a rainbow boa and 2 leopard geckos Library: The Library currently has a subscription to Reptiles Magazine, which is up for renewal. Since no one has checked any of these out, this may be cancelled. More ways of tying in books with the speakers were discussed, as well as encouraging people to write short book reviews.

Membership Drive: Materials are being put together to have new member packets available at the meetings, to save on mailing costs.

Renfest: The contract is ready; Jenn will get it signed this month. The Cottage cleanup dates were announced at the meeting and will be posted to both listserves. MAF sent in a request for MHS participation in their pet festival, to be held the opening weekend. This would be separate from the Cottage and participants would not be required to be in costume.

Field Survey: Approximately 30 people have signed up. The permits all went through, as well as the contract with the DNR to cover expenses. Jeff will post some survey guidelines.

Old Business Holiday Banquet: There is still no official chairperson for this, although Chris confirmed that the room has been reserved.

Rodent Sales: There is still no confirmed assistant to help with this.

Insurance: The check made out to the University for the extra coverage was returned. A new secondary carrier was put in place by the University, which may account for some of the policy changes. Chris, as president of the student group, will follow up on this with the University.

Listserve: Several people, including Jenn, Pete and Ellen will start to monitor the webmaster email account for the main listserve.

Volunteer Rewards: Nancy has complied the final lists of volunteers and will distribute it for review before the next board meeting.

Video Camera: Pete will get pricing from several places, and inquire about the possibility of a donation. More effort will be put into getting the old tapes transferred to DVD format.

New Business September Meeting: After discussion, it was decided not to have a board meeting in September, unless something comes up.

Mail: REI sent a letter regarding MHS’ nomination as an “amazing non-profit organization in the community”. There is a possibility of a hands-on in conjunction with one or more local stores, free use of equipment, etc. This will be forwarded to Jan, Jeff and George.

Motion to adjourn: Ellen, 2nd: Jeff Meeting adjourned at 9:00pm

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Minnesota Herpetological Society Bell Museum of Natural History 10 Church Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104

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

Next Meeting:

Friday, August 1st, 2008 Room 335 Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus

MHS Voice Mail: 612.624.7065

MHS Web Page: www.mnherpsoc.org