Vol. 30 (2010), No. 12

the newsletter of the

M INNESOTA H ERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

DECEMBER EVENTS : Friday Meeting:: Jessi Kreb s —Crocodilian Training at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

Saturday: MHS Annual Holiday Banquet December 2010

Volume 30

Number 12

BELL MUSEUM

B OARD

OF

OF

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

D IRECTORS

THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

President Jennifer Hensley Vice President Sonja Koolmo Recording Secretary Ellen Heck Membership Secretary Heather Clayton Treasurer Missy Hicks Newsletter Editor Sally Brewer Members at Large Jeff LeClere Chris Smith Matt Carter Kathy Claugherty

Committees Adoption Sarah Richard Education Jan Larson Library Nancy Haig Webmaster Anke Reinders

New Voice Mail: 612.326.6516 • MHS W EBPAGE : http://www.mnherpsoc.org

MHS G ROUP E MAIL : http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/mnherpsoc

December 2010

Volume 30

Number 12

THE PURPOSE OF THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY IS TO: • Further the education of the membership and the general public in care and captive propagation of reptiles and amphibians; • Educate the members and the general public in the ecological role of reptiles and amphibians; • Promote the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

The Minnesota Herpetological Society is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. Membership is open to all individuals with an interest in amphibians and reptiles. The Minnesota Herpetological Society Newsletter is published monthly to provide its members with information concerning the society’s activities and a media for exchanging information, opinions and resources.

General Meetings are held at Borlaug Hall, Room 335 on the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota, on the first Friday of each month (unless there is a holiday conflict). The meeting starts at 7:00pm and lasts about three hours. Please check the MHS Voice mail for changes in schedules or cancellations.

SUBMISSIONS TO THE NEWSLETTER Ads or Notices must be submitted no later than the night of the General Meeting to be included in the next issue. Longer articles will be printed as time and space allows and should be in electronic file format if possible. See inside back cover for ad rates.

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

-or-

Sally Brewer mn.mhseditor@gmail.com

Hennepin Regional Poison Center 800-222-1222 COVER PHOTO: Swamp Gator © Bill Moss

© Copyright 2010, Minnesota Herpetological Society. Except where noted, contents may be reproduced for non-profit, non-commercial use only. All material must be reproduced without change. Proper credit will be given including the author/photographer and the Minnesota Herpetological Society Newsletter citing: volume, number and date.

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

December 2010

Volume 30

Number 12

MHS continues its December tradition of having our Friday Speaker also being the keynote speaker for the Saturday Holiday Banquet.

Both nights will be informative, fun and have lots of great photos––Saturday will also have LOTS of great food!! See you both nights!

December Meeting – Friday, Dec. 3, 7 P.M. Jessi Krebs – Crocodilian Training at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

Holiday Banquet – Saturday, Dec. 4, 7 P.M. Jessi Krebs – Venomous Reptile Management at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

Jessi Krebs is the Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo. Jessi has been in the field of zoo herpetology for the last 15 years. He currently manages the zoo’s reptile and amphibian collection consisting of 180 species of reptile and 50 species of amphibian. Between both taxa there are approximately 2000+ specimens. He also is very active in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Taxon Advisory Groups serving on steering committees for Crocodilians, Lizards and Amphibians. His job has allowed him to travel to such places as Madagascar, Panama and many exciting places in the U.S. He also has several ongoing research projects; including amphibian conservation work in Mexico and South Africa.

2011 Preview MHS Meetings January 2011 - Bruce Delles February 2011 - Garrick DeMeyer of crestedgecko.com March 2011 - Blake Bauer June 2011 - Jeff Lemm San Diego Zoo

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

December 2010

Volume 30

Number 12

N EWS , N OTES , & A NNOUNCEMENTS Hands-On Events March 12-13, 2011 Pet Expo MPLS Convention Center.

There are no December Hands-On programs. However, there will be more opportunities as spring comes. Each month there will be an updated list in the newsletter—as well as on the MHS Website.

Thursday, May 12, 2011 5:30–8 PM Environmental Fair Zachary Lane Elementary School 4350 Zachary Lane N Plymouth, MN

THE REQUIREMENTS ARE EASY. You bring your own herp(s) to show and talk about to the people who stop by the table. You don’t make speeches to large audiences,

For more information about participating in Hands-On, please contact: Jan Larson 507-263-4391 jan.skunkhollow@juno.com

you talk one-on-one to people who ask you questions about your animal. Children are invited to participate if they have an adult or older sibling with them.

MHS Election Results The election for the 2011 MHS Board was over very quickly, as all current members who chose to run for the 2011 Board, ran unopposed.

Nancy Haig stepped up for Treasurer and the two open positons before voting started were filled

by Jacob Mee for Memberat-Large and Melissa Stites for Newsletter Editor. All it took was a show of hands to approve the results.

Thank all three of you!

MHS cannot continue without the support of its members 4

ADOPTION REPORT

November 2010 Sarah Richard, Adoption Chair Minnesota Herpetological Society www.RealSarah@aol.com 612-781-9544

35 animals made an appearance this month at the meeting. I ended up taking far too many home with me. Watch the list serv and be prepared for a big month next month!

Tree Frog Fire Belly Salamander 2 Russian Tortoise 5 Red Eared Sliders 2 Box 3 Anoles Chinese Water Dragon

Iguana Geckos: 2 Gold Dust Day 1 Golden 1 Leopard 1 Bibrons 13 Snakes: 2 Boas 2 Ball 1 Cal King 2 other Kings 1 Honduran Tangerine 5 Corns

And the Alligator that came in last month found a permanent home!

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

December 2010

Volume 30

Number 12

You are Invited to Join Us for Our Annual Holiday Banquet fun

✱

food

✱

good company

✱

door prizes

Saturday, December 4th 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM WHERE: University of Minnesota Student Union Hall St. Paul Campus (right down the hill from Borlaug Hall) COST: $5.00 per person (children under 6 are free) plus a potluck item to share GUEST SPEAKER: Jessi Krebs, speaking on “Venomous Reptile Management at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo.” Please fill out the Information below and bring to the December meeting on Friday or you can mail the information to: Jennifer Hensley 11270 Uplander St NW Coon Rapids, MN 55433 (please include payment to the Minnesota Herpetological Society

Number attending ______________ Please place a checkmark by what you will be bringing for potluck: _______ Main Dish

________ Salad

_______ Appetizer

________ Dessert

_______ Side Dish

________ Bread

✱ This form is also on our website: mnherpsoc.org

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

December 2010

Volume 30

Number 12

NOVEMBER SPEAKER REVIEW:

by Ellen Heck presentation photos courtesy of the speakers

For November, there were two speakers: Chris Smith, a graduate student at the U of M and Carol Hall, from the DNR’s division of Ecological and Water Resources.

Chris Smith: Impacts of Woody Biomass Harvest on Amphibian Diversity and Abundance in an Aspen Dominated Ecosystem, A Progress Report This year, Chris was given a grant to pursue a study – The Impact of photo by Sonja Koolmo Woody Biomass Harvest on Amphibian Diversity and Abundance in an Aspen-Dominated Ecosystem.

In traditional logging, only the trunk is harvested. The branches and leaves are left behind, sometimes scattered and sometimes stacked, providing cover for small animals including amphibians. In a biomass harvest, on the other hand, the branches are put into a chipper, usually on-site. The chips are then hauled off to coal-fired electric plants. The wood chips are considered to be a more sustainable energy source than coal. The trunks can be chipped as well.

Aspen is a fast growing tree, which is why it is frequently used in logging. The trees are harvestable at 40-60 years old.

They are easily regenerated through suckering – that is, new shoots develop from the root system of the parent tree. During the several months of the study, the regrowth trees grew taller than Chris and his assistant and enough to completely obscure drift fences to the point where a GPS was needed to find them again.

The study area was located in St Louis County in northern Minnesota.

There were two sites, each divided into

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10 subplots. Three of the plots used traditional harvesting, with the slash being left scattered on the sites. Three had a 20% retention of biomass and three had full removal. One plot was un-harvested as a control There were three sampling periods and two methods – drift fences and visual encounters.

The visual searches were in a 10mx10m section. There was a 10 minute time constraint with 2 observers. Each drift fence had 3 wings to a central bucket, with buckets at the end of the wings as well. Each bucket had water and a sponge, either as a hiding spot for animals that liked to be in the water or a float for those that did not There were 2 drift fences per treatment or 20 per site. This translates into 80 buckets per site and an incredible amount of hard digging to set them up.

The sites had numerous roots and rocks, and the weather did its part with a late season snowfall. Many shovels were broken. Even with help, only 2-3 could be put in per day.

The sites also tended to be muddy.

Chris used drift fences to channel the animals into the buckets for tagging.

By the end of the summer, the aspen regrowth was as much as 6-7 feet, obscurring the drift fences.

Although one site was fairly accessible, the other could only be gotten to using an ATV or by walking. The control sites didn’t have nearly as much of a problem with the flooding, so the problem may have been exacerbated by the lack of vegetation. At times there was so much water the buckets would pop up.

Although Chris has not completed his analysis of the data, he did record 11 species of herps and 10 mammals, including a squirrel that, for reasons known

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

December 2010

Volume 30

Number 12

Carol Hall (Minnesota County Biological Survey): MCBS Herp Surveys: past, present, and future

The red-backed salamander was the most common salamander. Each was weighed, measured, and tagged (note circled area in lower photo) and then released.

only to itself, got stuck in a bucket.

The most unusual looking animal encountered were star-nosed moles, possibly forced to the surface by the flooding. There were also a number of Franklin’s ground squirrels running around. The most common species encountered was, unsurprisingly, the American toad. Also found were wood, green, mink, leopard, chorus and peepers for the frogs, blue-spotted and redbacked salamanders, and garter and redbellied snakes.

The animals were weighed, measured and marked with an injectable dye just under the skin. Records were kept of which “batch” the specimens were in and where they were captured. Quite a few were recaptured. Chris will probably do a presentation in the future, when his results are compiled. He is also considering a second study.

Carol Hall has been with the photo by Sonja Koolmo DNR for over 20 years working with the herpetological side of animal surveys. It has been in different divisions over the years, but is currently part of the Division of Ecological and Water Resources. The Minnesota county biological survey is pretty much what it says – a survey, by county, of the native species the state with an emphasis on the rare and/or endangered plants and animals.

Baited hoop traps are set in shallow wetlands to capture turtles such as Blanding's Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a threatened species in Minnesota.

The traps are checked regularly. Data is taken on captured turtles (such as measurements and weight) before release.

There are 87 counties in the state.

The surveys started in 1987 and have so far covered 78. The counties were divided into ecological provinces based on soil type, topography and vegetation.

The surveys started in the prairie counties, followed by the south-east, metro area and is finishing up with the northern counties.

In addition to native species, invasive species are also recorded as well as habitat loss and degradation. Urban development and roads take their toll on wildlife. Even seemingly helpful and innocuous things like erosion netting can be a problem for snakes.

There are 51 species of herps in Minnesota. 2 are considered endangered – the northern cricket frog and the massasauga. The Blanding’s turtle, the timber rattlesnake and the wood turtle are all threatened. A further 9 are considered to be of special concern.

A variety of techniques are used to collect and study the animals. Baited hoop traps and dip-netting can be used for aquatic species and egg masses, drift fences and old-fashioned flipping of logs and rocks for terrestrial types. Most frogs and toads can be tracked by listening to their calls at night. Even road cruising on rainy nights can yield results. Piles of garbage are also likely suspects.

A fairly large group of people has worked on the project over the years, including Jeff LeClere and Tom Jessom.

Information is pulled from public land surveys, dating back to the mid-1800’s continued on page 8

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

Speaker Review continued and museums, as well as county records.

Data collected can include photo documentation, specimens and recordings.

Some surveys are conducted on public land, but many are done on private property. In general, people are co-operative and generally curious about the process and the results.

Over last couple of years additional funding has allowed a few new programs to be tried in the tracking of some species, with a focus on the animals with the greatest conservation need and longer term study. For example, several wood turtles are being tracked using GPD telemetry. The transmitters are glued on the top of the shell. The 2 males in the study were tracked over 3 miles over several years. The female seemed to spend most of her time in a concentrated area and did not make as much use of the river.

Calling Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer).

Frog and toad call surveys are conducted after dusk to document breeding frogs and toads within selected wetland habitats. All species are identified by their call and their corresponding call intensities is recorded.

This technique is used from April through July to obtain information during all calling periods.

The volunteer Frog and Toad calling survey, conducted in spring and early summer, is one way for individuals to participate in the data collection. The annual MHS survey is another; each year a different park is selected and surveyed.

––––– end ––––

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December 2010

Volume 30

Number 12

HERPS IN THE NEWS

New Reptile and Amphibian Species Identified in Amazon The first new anaconda species More than 1,200 new species of identified since 1936. The four meter plants and vertebrates were discovlong snake, Eunectes beniensis was ered in the Amazon in the last decade, at a rate of one species every initially believed to be the result of hybridization between green and yelthree days, a report today says. low anacondas, but was later deterThe new species include 637 mined to be a distinct species. It was plants, 257 fish, 216 amphibians, 55 originally discovered in 2002 in reptiles, 16 birds and 39 mammals, Bolivia's north-eastern Amazon according to the "Amazon Alive: A province then was later found in the Decade of Discoveries 1999-2009" floodplains of report by WWF, a conservaBolivia's Pando tion group previously known province. as the World Wildlife A frog with an Federation. incredible burst of The report says the flames on its head Amazon in South America and contrasting remains fairly undisturbed, water-patterned but threats to it are rapidly legs. One of the increasing. In the last 50 most extraordiyears, 17% of its rain forest nary species dishas been destroyed -- an area Ranitomeya amazonica covered in the last greater than Venezuela. decade, the frog, Among the new reptile Ranitomeya amaand amphibians discovered, zonica's main the WWF gives these habitat is near the examples: Iquitos area in the region of Loreto, Peru, which is primary lowland Allobates granti moist forest. The frog, first discovered in 1999, has also been found in the Alpahuayo Mishana National Reserve in Peru.

Nymphargus wileyi, a new frog species.

Eunectes beniensis

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

December 2010

Volume 30

Number 12

Minnesota Herpetological Society Board Minutes for September 11, 2010 The meeting was called to order at 6:18pm in the Student Union.

There were 86 people counted at the general meeting.

The calendar was reviewed for action items.

Symposium Committee Sally emailed the leaflet to be handed out at this year’s symposium and needs to know how many should be printed and on what paper. Everything that needs to be accomplished for this year has been, so we are well on schedule.

OLD BUSINESS Sign language: No one has been found to sign for the meetings, so more feelers will be sent out.

Archiving: The pdf file Matt sent seems to be fine; it will just take time and bodies to accomplish. A weekend after RenFest will be picked to do the work. A thank you of some sort will be found for the company.

NEW BUSINESS Holiday Banquet: The room has been reserved but the alcohol permit still needs to be filled out. Extension cords, coolers, skirts for the tables and a microphone will be provided.

Rodents: There is some confusion over sizes now that we have switched suppliers. The “small adult” size will be sold off at a reduced price and the membership polled to determine which sizes people want. Jenn will be stepping out of the rodent order process, leaving Matt and Nancy to handle it.

Student Organization: This has been shrinking over the years and there is some concern that when the current group of grad students leaves, there will be no one left to take it over. More recruitment will be needed to get students involved.

Motion to adjourn: Ellen; 2nd: Jeff Meeting adjourned at 8:49pm

RICA Tax ID: RICA has completed most of the paperwork needed for its own non-profit status, which should be completed within the next month or two.

Motion to allow RICA to continue to use the MHS 501(c) ID through the end of the year: Missy; 2nd Sonja. Motion passed. Jeff and Kathy abstained. This is contingent on their own paperwork being filed. The matter can be reconsidered next year if a continuance is needed.

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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 ($40/year)

List in MHS Directory?

Yes

No

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.

Rodents! New sizes!

Order your MHS Rodents today! Ordering by phone?

See new phone# below.

MICE

WEIG HT(grams)

PRICE

Pinkies Fuzzies Hoppers Weanlings* Adult Jumbo Adult

2-3 grams 5-7 grams 8-11 grams 12-15 grams 25-30 grams 45+ grams

$7 / dz $7 / dz $8 / dz $9 / dz $10 / dz $14 / dz

RATS Weanlings Small Adult Med. Adults Large Adult Jumbo

WEIG HT(grams)

PRICE

40-45 grams 50-60 grams 125-150 grams 200-240 grams 250-350 grams

$17 $18 $24 $30 $36

/ / / / /

dz dz dz dz dz

*Weanlings(Small mice)only while supplies last* For pick-up at monthly meetings only. Orders may be placed the following ways: 1. at the meeting for the following month 2. emailing your request to: rodentorders@yahoo.com 3. calling the MHS voicemail: 612.326.6516 Orders MUST be placed 10 DAYS IN ADVANCE of the date of meeting in order to guarantee availability.

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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.

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

Ads may be run (3) consecutive months, after which time they may be resubmitted.

Submissions : All adver tisements 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 BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET SE MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55455-0104

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

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Next Meeting: Friday–December 3, 2010–7:00 pm Room 335 Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus Parking generally available after 6 p.m.

Please park in the pay parking lot.

Parking in outside ring is by contract only.

MHS Voice Mail: 612.326.6516

MHS Web Page: Lower Buford Circle

www.mnherpsoc.org

This newsletter is printed on recycled paper.

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