Vol. 30 (2010), No. 2

the newsletter of the

M INNESOTA H ERPETOLOGICAL S OCIETY Inside page 6:

The Occurrence of the Red-eared Slider, Trachemys scripta elegans, in Minnesota

by Jeff LeClere

February Speaker: Dr. Amy Kizer – Common Diseases of Captive Reptiles Also in this Issue: Review of Last Month’s Speaker Marc Bailey and the Impact of Proposed Legislation–S373

February 2010

Volume 30

Number 2

BELL MUSEUM

B OARD

OF

OF

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

D IRECTORS

THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

P re s i d e n t Jennifer Hensley Vi c e P resident Sonja Koolmo R e c o r d i n g S e c re t a r y Ellen Heck M e m b e r s h i p S e c re t a r y Heather Clayton

V OICE M AIL : 612.624.7065 • MHS W EBPAGE : http://www.mnherpsoc.org MHS G ROUP E MAIL : http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/mnherpsoc

February 2010

Volume 30

Number 2

Tr e a s u re r Missy Hicks

THE PURPOSE OF THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY IS TO:

Newsletter Editor Sally Brewer

• 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.

M e m b e r s a t L a rge Jeff LeClere Chris Smith Jenna Rypka-Hauer Kathy Claugherty

Committees Adoption Sarah Richard Education Jan Larson Library Nancy Haig We b m a s t e r Anke Reinders

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: Red-eared Slider, Trachemys scripta elegans, by Jeff LeClere

© 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

February 2010

Volume 30

Number 2

JANUARY SPEAKER REVIEW: MARC BAILEY on Ball Pythons, his breeding facility, and the current ongoing legislative battles in the pet trade.

by Ellen Heck Marc Bailey has been a full-time breeder of snakes for approximately 18 years, specializing in ball pythons.

Originally from Baton Rouge, Marc started his business in an efficiency apartment. Since then, it has expanded and now his facility is located in Zimmerman, Mn, where he has a house and 3 out-buildings on about 3 acres.

Marc also has a flourishing feeder rodent business and employs 4 people, 3 of them full time.

Marc’s slide presentation showed an efficient use of space. Both snakes and rodents are kept mostly in tubs, rather than in viewing cages. According to Marc, they feel secure at the back of the tubs, where it is darker and they aren’t disturbed. The snakes are kept on newspaper, or newspaper over aspen. He feels a snake kept on paper rather than wood chips means that there is one less thing the snake can ingest, and makes spotting mite easier. The snakes can hide under or between the layers of the newspaper. Each tub also has a water bowl but no other cage furniture, which makes the cleaning simpler.

The rodents are kept in their own rooms, but the setup is similar – banks of tubs, although the tops of the rodent tubs are wire mesh. The water lines are fully automated and fed through the top of the cage. Rodents are kept on aspen, going through 50 large bags of bedding a week. They also go through 6 tons of feed per month. Marc produces 15,000 rats and 20,000 mice each month.

All tubs, both reptile and rodent, are

cleaned manually at least once, and sometimes twice, a week. Snake tubs have the information for each snake written on masking tape on the tub, a cheap but effective way to track feeding, etc. for each snake.

Marc breeds many single and multimutation color varieties of ball python and considers them to be living art. He doesn’t assign a name for any given combination, instead referring to the snakes by the combination of mutations that create them rather than making up a trade name. He considers that he is selling the formula rather than the snake.

It is usually difficult to determine what the snakes will end up looking like when they are babies. Over time, the colors on some intensify, whereas with others, the colors fade. Added to the confusion is that if a female is bred to more than one male, she can produce offspring fathered by either. Sometimes a snake needs to be bred to determine what its genetic makeup is.

When it is time to breed the snakes, Marc uses an ultrasound to look at the follicles in the females as they are developing. This allows him to determine the best time to introduce the male. The less time it takes to breed a given female, the more females can be bred to the male.

When the female is ovulating, the follicles are about 40 mm. They begin to move up the snake, then basically take a u-turn. The eggs are fertilized from the held sperm, calcify and move

back. This takes about 12-24 hours, during which time the female’s abdomen swells significantly.

Sometimes the eggs don’t completely calcify, leaving a “window” into the egg through which the developing baby can be seen. Twins are not uncommon in ball pythons, and are usually the same mutation and gender.

Ball python females generally do not lay large clutches of eggs. Clutches of 3-8 eggs are the norm, and females don’t lay every year. Marc says that this keeps the market from being flooded and demand fairly high for them. Marc generally has 95-100 clutches each year.

He manually incubates the clutches, to get the female off them and back to feeding. In the wild, the female stays with the clutch, to help regulate the temperature and protect it from predators.

The gender of the offspring is not determined by temperature, although the colder the temperature the clutch is kept at, the longer it tends to take to hatch.

Marc generally doesn’t have to help the eggs hatch – he says that the ball pythons are pretty solid and tend to hatch out on their own with no problems. There also haven’t been a lot of issues with the occurrence of defects stemming from with all the recessive breeding. So far the only trait that seems to have shown up is a slight tendency to a head wobble in the spider ball.

Marc also talked about the proposed legislation, bill S373, sometimes (Marc Bailey, continued on page 5)

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

February 2010

Volume 30

Number 2

N EWS , N OTES , & A NNOUNCEMENTS March Meeting Friday, March 5 7 P.M. Program To Be Announced

Adoption Report For January 2010 Eight new animals came in as well as 3 returning Red Eared sliders, bringing the total number of redistributed animals to 11.

We had: 1 small Leopard frog 1 Bearded dragon 2 Ball pythons 1 Boa 1 Snapper 2 female Yellow Foot Tortoises While I did have to resort to threaten to quit in order to do so, we did manage to find homes for all these guys, allowing me to continue the process.

Treasurer’s Report for Dec 2009 Prepared by Nancy Haig Beginning Checkbook Balance: $17,372.57 Income: Membership Raffle Banqt Raffle Rodent sales Book Sales Holiday Banquet Total income:

$160.00 $12.50 $32.25 $375.00 $1,102.00 $265.00 $1,946.75

See you all next month with a new crop.

Don’t wait until the last minute! Start thinking about what you can donate.

Bring your unused herp stuff to the ...

MHS Annual

WHITE SNAKE SALE! Friday, April 9 meeting auction of all herp related items! cages • equipment • books • art • toys • services • much, much more!

4

Expense: Programs Adoptions Books Banquet Rodents Bank charge Grants Voicemail Total Expense Cash increase/(decrease)

$1,430.75 $180.00 $1,041.88 $567.75 $469.51 $74.00 $100.00 $461.60 $4,352.49 ($2,405.74)

Ending Checkbook Balance:

$14,966.83

Placement of cash holdings Checking account $14,966.83 Paypal acct $772.37 Cash on hand $155.00 Total $15,894.20 Note: Income: Kate Jackson’s Book sales Expense: $100.00 grant to Richard Bonk (Frog signs) $74.00 Bank Charge for new checks

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

February 2010

Volume 30

Number 2

(Marc Bailey, continued from page 3) referred to as the python ban, which will probably be coming before the full senate sometime this month. This bill is aimed at restricting the import, export, and transportation of 9 specific species of large snake: Indian/Burmese, Northern African, Southern African and, Reticluated pythons, the boa constrictor, and Green, Yellow, Bolivian and DeSchauensee’s anacondas. The legislation wants to add these species to the Lacey Act, which is supposed to protect plants and wildlife from being illegally taken, possessed, transported or sold.

The bill was introduced by Senator Bill Nelson from Florida, in response to the proliferation of burmese pythons in the state of Florida in general and the Everglades in particular. The argument is that the animals have been dumped by irresponsible and/or careless pet owners and are threatening the fragile eco-system of the Everglades because the environment is hospitable to them. It is also fueled by a study published by the US Geological Survey stating that, because of global warming, these animals will move cross the entire southern part of the country and eventually arrive in California

occurs, has on the pythons. There are several test groups set up to study this, both by individuals and Florida Water Commission.

Marc also says that the number of pythons in the Everglades is probably exaggerated. Although the pythons are undoubtedly breeding, he is acquainted with several people who are licensed to capture the snakes. He says they have spent all summer tracking them but only found a dozen or so. Granted, the Everglades cover 4000 square miles and is difficult terrain, but this number still seems low. They are also being found in areas that are not what you would expect if the animals were being dumped by their owners. Usually, people dumping an animal drop it nearby instead of traveling long distances. A more feasible explanation is that they were blown there by hurricane Andrew when several breeding facilities were detroyed. This is supported by the fact that all the animals being found are normal, whereas most snakes sold in the pet trade in the last 10 years have been albino or some other morph.

Needless to say, as a breeder of snakes, Marc is against this legislation.

According to him, the USGS study is misguided because it only takes temperature into account and completely disregards other factors, including environment and both man-made and natural barriers.

He points out that boas are native to areas that are less than 100 miles from the US border in the southwest, and yet have not made it here yet. Obviously, there are factors other than temperature at work.

According to Marc, the biggest issue with the legislation is that it will allow a fast track to add species to the Lacey Act, instead of the longer process that is now required. Marc feels that the lobbying organization, HSUS (the Humane Society of the U.S.) WHICH IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY OF THE LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETIES) is heavily invested in Bill S373. Marc classifies them as an extremist group with very good funding. Their goal being the elimination of pet ownership altogether.

The legislation also does not take current studies into account, and the effect things like the recent cold snap in Florida, which although uncommon periodically

–For more information on this bill, go to www.opencongress.org and type in S373. You can leave comments.

–MHS editor

The Florida Burmese Diet Listed below is the hypothetical diet necessary for a hatchling Burmese python to reach 13 feet in the Florida Everglades (appr. 5-7 years).

1 raccoon 1 oppossum 4 five-foot alligators 5 American coots 6 little blue herons 8 ibises 10 squirrels 15 rabbits 15 wrens 30 cotton rats 72 mice (Source: Skip Snow, Everglades National Park & Dr. Stephen Secor, University of Alabama). This information was supplied to a House of Representatives sub committe Nov. 2009

Editor’s note: The above diet should also include at least 1 fear monger.

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

February 2010

Volume 30

Number 2

The Occurrence of the Red-eared Slider, Trachemys scripta elegans, in Minnesota, with a note regarding the Common Musk Turtle, Sternotherus odoratus.

by Jeff LeClere

photo: Jeff LeClere

he sale of turtles in America dates back to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, with wild turtles captured and sold at flea markets until turtle farming began in the 1950’s (Albert 2006; Kleopfer 2008). In 1975, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation banned the sale of turtles less than 4” (10.2 cm) in carapace length after more than 300,000 children were diagnosed with turtle transmitted salmonellosis. This regulation falls under the Public Health Service Act and is enforced by the FDA in cooperation with State and local health jurisdictions. Turtles and turtle eggs found to be offered for sale in violation of this provision are subject to destruction in accordance with FDA procedures. A fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year is the penalty for those who refuse to comply with a valid final demand for destruction of such turtles or their eggs.

T

The most popular turtle species farmed and sold is the red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans. Along with this popularity comes the inundation of

6

unwanted captives. In Minnesota, this species has regularly appeared for adoption at Minnesota Herpetological Society meetings, and typically in numbers at just a single meeting.

Despite available alternatives, such as adoption, many owners, hastily release their captives into a nearby body of water. Most people erroneously believe red-eared sliders are native to Minnesota, or are simply apathetic.

This practice has become a worldwide problem. The red-eared slider is native to 17 states: Alabama, Arizona, a very small part of extreme northwestern Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

They have been introduced into non native areas of the following native states: Arizona (Hulse 1980; Jones 1988; Stebbins 1985), Florida (Ashton and Ashton 1991; Ashton cited in McCann et al. 1996; Bartlett 1994; Bartlett and Bartlett 1999; Carmichael and Williams 1991; Dalrymple 1994; Hutchison 1992; King and Krakauer 1966; McCann et al. 1996; Moler 1988; Townsend et al. 2002; Wilson and Porras 1983), Indiana (Minton 2001), Iowa (personal observation), and Texas (Dixon 2000).

They have been introduced into 18 non native states: California (Bury and Luckenbach 1976; Stebbins 1972, 1985), Colorado (Livo et al. 1998),

Connecticut (DeGraaf and Rudis 1983; Klemens 1993), Hawaii (McCoid and Kleberg 1995; McKeown, 1996), Maine (Albright 1999), Maryland (Conant and Collins 1998; Cooper 1959; Harris 1975), Massachusetts (Cardoza et al. 1993; DeGraaf and Rudis 1983), Michigan (Edgren 1943, 1948; Gordon and Fowler 1961; Harding 1997; Harding and Holman 1990), Nebraska (Ballinger and Lynch 1999; Lynch 1985), New Jersey (Stein et al. 1980), New Mexico (Degenhardt et al. 1996; Degenhardt and Christiansen 1974; Stuart 1995, 2000), New York (Breisch et al. 2001; Salzberg 2000), North Carolina (Martof et al. 1980; Palmer and Braswell 1995), Oregon (Brown et al.

1995), Pennsylvania (Urban et al 2006), South Carolina (Platt and Snyder 1996), Washington (Brown et al. 1995; Dvornich et al. 2001), and Wisconsin (Cochran et al. 1987).

The release of red-eared sliders has become a global issue. Canada (Harding 1997), Caribbean (Schwartz and Thomas 1975; Schwartz and Henderson 1985, 1991; Iverson 1992; Censky and Kaiser 1999), the U.S. Pacific islands of Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands (McCoid, 1993; Ernst et al. 1994; McCoid and Kleberg 1995), Trinidad (Murphy 1997), France (Cadi et al. 2004; Frank and McCoy 1995; Salzberg 2000), Iberian Peninsula (Capalleras and Carretero 2000; Polo-Cavia 2009), Germany (Ernst et al. 1994), the

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

United Kingdom (Beebee and Griffiths 2000; Beltz 2002), British Virgin Islands (Perry et al. 2007), Israel (King and Burke 1989; Iverson 1992), Bermuda (Outerbridge 2008), Bahrain (Leviton et al. 1992), South Africa (Lamar 1997; Branch 1998; Salzberg 2000), New Zealand (Hudson and Thornton 1994; Beltz 1997; Thomas and Hartnell 2000), Australia, Taiwan (Chen 2006; Chen and Lue 1998; [Lue Guangyang et al. 1999]), Japan (Sengoku 1979; [Mathui] 1985; Ernst et al. 1994; Ota 1999), Singapore (Lamar 1997), and Bangkok, Thailand (Cox et al. 1998) report released captives. Salzberg (2000) states that red-eared sliders can now be found on every continent except Antarctica.

Even this review likely does not represent all the regions of introduction.

Here, I present the first published report of red-eared sliders captured in Minnesota. Red-eared sliders have been captured or observed at several sites, seven of which will be reported on here. The closest native population of red-eared sliders occurs in Clinton County, Iowa, over 200 miles (~322 km) south of the Minnesota border.

However, released red-eared sliders have been reported from Spencer in Clay County in northwestern Iowa, only 25 miles (~40 km) from the Minnesota border (personal data). Thus far, seven reliable reports from at least five counties have been documented in Minnesota. Additional occurrences undoubtedly exist that remain unreported.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) Fisheries report catching an adult red-eared slider in March 2007 in Loon Lake on the west side of the town of Waseca in Waseca County. In March 2006, red-eared slid-

February 2010

ers were captured in Long Lake in Watonwan County. The personnel were unfamiliar with these turtles and thought they were an endangered species. Subsequently, they were released back into the lake (Joe Eisterhold, Invasive Species Specialist, MN DNR and Brian Schultz, Assistant Fisheries Supervisor, MN DNR, personal communication). Long Lake is just south of the town of St. James and Hwy 4 runs north and south skirting the west edge of the lake. There is ample opportunity for people to release turtles in this lake since there are numerous other towns in the vicinity, houses line the south shore and half of the north shore of the lake, and there is a public wayside park along Hwy 4 where it meets Long Lake and what is befittingly named the Turtle Marsh State Wildlife Management Area. The capture of red-eared sliders in traps set by fisheries personnel is not a uniquely recent occurrence. On 25 May 1978,

Red-eared sliders can now be found on every continent except Antartica. an adult female was trapped by Fisheries in South Fulda Lake in Murray County. Carol Hall, Amphibian and Reptile Specialist for MN DNR, found the shell of an adult specimen along the bank of the Mississippi River. She also relates that Jim Hall, formerly of the North Mississippi River Regional Park, has observed them in the Mississippi River several years ago. Jared Rypka-Hauer, a member of the Minnesota

Volume 30

Number 2

Herpetological Society (MHS) caught a red-eared slider on hook and line at a pond in Webber Park in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, a couple years ago.

By far, the most substantial record is from the Quarry Hill Nature Center in Rochester in Olmsted County. A few years ago, MHS member Jamie Pastika was searching for amphibians and reptiles at the pond at Quarry Hill Nature Center when he discovered an adult female red-eared slider. The turtle was found early in the spring and it is probable that the turtle survived the winter in the pond. Interviews with two employees at the Quarry Hill Nature Center, Travis Meyer and Carrie Nelson, provided the following information. The on-site man-made two acre pond, constructed in 1978, is roughly 10’ – 12’ (3.048 – 3.6576 m) at its maximum depth. Red-eared sliders are seen basking on the bank with the onset of warm weather in the spring, and winterkilled specimens have been observed. The majority of the pond freezes except for a 10’ by 10’ (3.048 – 3.048 m) area surrounding a small pump circulating about 2 gallons (~7 ? lt) of water per hour.

During the summer, red-eared sliders are readily observed basking on logs with painted turtles (Chrysemys picta).

Local MN DNR often set traps in the pond which have captured red-eared sliders along with painted turtles and snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina).

It is believed that captured red-eared sliders were re-released into the pond as with the other captured turtles.

Meyers says he has worked at the nature center for five years and redeared sliders were present in the pond when he started. Up to five specimens have been seen at one time. The turtles were certainly released into the pond by park visitors. Nelson says she

7

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

receives approximately 20 calls annually from locals asking to release turtles in the pond. The turtles are both purchased (probably largely red-eared sliders) and native species that were captured in the Mississippi River during a trip and are no longer wanted.

In July 2003, Nelson was dip-netting just below the Silver Lake Dam in the Zumbro River in Rochester with a summer group. One participant dipnetted a common musk turtle or stinkpot (Sternotherus odoratus).

Another individual was captured shortly thereafter. The turtles, both adult males, were retained and now reside at the Nature Center. Previously, common musk turtles have not been reported from Minnesota, though they are suspected to occur and are listed as a species of possible occurrence in Minnesota (Oldfield and Moriarty 1994). They have been recorded in Wisconsin in the Mississippi River in Trempealeau and La Crosse Counties (Casper 1996). Therefore, common musk turtles could potentially occur naturally in Minnesota in large rivers flowing into the Mississippi River in the southeastern section of the state, including the Zumbro River. However, due to the close proximity of the redeared slider release site, it is probable that these two records are the result of human releases. Adult common musk turtles have been offered for sale in a Rochester pet store (personal observation). Nelson has taken other groups to this and nearby sites at least once every summer. An environmental awareness group and a sportsman group also sample the site; no other common musk turtles have ever been reported. MHS members Chris Smith, Duane McDermott and I photographed, measured, and took

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February 2010

tissue samples from the two specimens at the Nature Center. This was followed by a visit to the capture site where we set baited hoop traps. The site was heavily used by people and I had little doubt that the turtles were released captives. This assessment is partially based upon the red-eared slider problem at the Nature Center.

Though one could postulate that this factor assisted in my conclusion regarding the origins of the common musk turtles, one could also reason that the slider introductions may lead to an incorrect assumption that these, and any future common musk turtles captured in the area, are released captives. Therefore, a consequence derived from the slider problem could be the notion that little or no continued capture effort should be put forth in the area for a species of possible occurrence.

The above example may appear trivial compared to the possible environmental impacts of released red-eared sliders. Although the impacts of introduced red-eared sliders in Minnesota are not yet quantified, other states and countries have begun to realize and study such effects. Quite obvious is increased competition with native turtle species for resources such as food, basking areas, nesting areas, etc.

In the Iberian Peninsula, introduced red-eared sliders are displacing the endangered Spanish terrapin (Mauremys leprosa). The more rounded morphology of red-eared sliders creates a lower surface-to-volume ratio and greater thermal inertia which allows for longer heat retention.

Therefore, sliders are able to perform physiological functions, such as foraging and digestion, for longer periods of time thus outcompeting Spanish terra-

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Number 2

pins (Polo-Cavia 2009). In the Lower Delaware River Basin, introduced redeared sliders were found at 20 of 27 sites surveyed, and rapidly colonized the area with hatchlings, sub adults, and nesting females documented. The uncommon red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys rubriventris) was found at only 17 of the 27 sites and could not utilize basking perches occupied by large red-eared sliders (Urban et al.

2006). A study in the Upper Delaware Estuary compared threatened redbellied turtles to introduced red-eared sliders using radio telemetry, intensive hoop trapping, and visual observations.

High numbers of red-eared sliders were found at most sites. The two species demonstrated very similar ecological requirements. Intensive habitat and spatial overlap was documented. Using stomach flushing and dietary analysis, stable isotopes revealed a nearly complete dietary overlap (Pearson and Avery 2009).

Introduced sliders in Oregon reportedly lay their eggs about a month earlier than native Oregon turtles and may lay more than one clutch per year thus pirating nesting resources and attracting predators to nesting areas even before native species begin to nest. Impacts to species other than chelonians have been documented.

Introduced sliders have been observed to bask on top of low-nesting bird’s nests pressing them into the water thereby killing the eggs. Nestlings may also be drowned or eaten. Sliders may target dragonfly larvae as prey items (Pendlebury 2004).

Genetic integrity may be compromised as a result of intergrades or hybridization. Genetic swamping of native yellow-bellied sliders (T. s. scripta) by introduced red-eared sliders has been

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

observed in Florida and Virginia (Jackson et al.; Mitchell 1994).

Possible transmission of bacteria, disease, and parasites is an additional concern. The transmission of Salmonella, Arizona, and other bacteria has been documented at several sites in different countries (Bringsøe 2006; Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; Wei 2009). A study performed in southern Illinois found that red-eared sliders captured in the wild from both natural and artificial ponds tested negative for Salmonella infection or shedding (0% infection rate with a 95% confidence level, Readel et al. 2008). Conversely, studies on captive sliders showed a 12-72% infection rate (Abalem de Sá and Solari 2001; Chassis et al. 1986; McCoy and Seidler 1973; Otis and Behler 1973; Pasmans et al. 2002). The results of Readel et al. 2008 were consistent with another study that found no effect of habitat on the prevalence of Salmonella in aquatic turtles (Gaertner et al. 2008). Wild turtles may not be natural carriers of Salmonella, but rather become infected through their environment, though not through their habitat (Richards et al. 2004; Saelinger et al. 2006). Such environmental factors may include contact with released or escaped captive turtles. Stress causes infected turtles to shed Salmonella at a much higher rate.

Certainly in crowded conditions, such as turtle farms, stress levels are excessive, thus a greater opportunity for widespread infection of turtles destined for the pet market; even eggs and hatchlings test positive for Salmonella (Siebeling et al. 1984). Despite seemingly optimal conditions, captives could still become infected. Wild turtles admitted to a veterinary hospital

February 2010

were not shedding Salmonella upon arrival or even after three weeks in captivity, and gastrointestinal mucosal samples from dead or euthanized wild

The red-eared slider has made the list of 100 of the world’s worst invasive alien species. turtles were also negative, suggesting that these turtles were not carriers of Salmonella before capture, but could become infected while in captivity or certain stressors may activate latent infections (Saelinger et al. 2006; Du Ponte et al. 1978). Although it is not known what impact released turtles have on the health of wild populations, it cannot be disregarded. The release of infected turtles may negatively impact other organisms in the environment as well, including humans.

Due to the worldwide problem of released sliders and the high number of potentially negative impacts to native species, the red-eared slider has made the list of 100 of the world’s worst invasive alien species (Lowe et al.

2000). In fact, some places such as Australia have banned red-eared sliders, and the sale of wild type red-eared sliders is illegal in Florida.

In Minnesota, the red-eared slider is classified as an “unlisted non native species” by the MN DNR, and they are ranked as “watch” or “unknown” by the Minnesota Invasive Species Advisory Council (MISAC). This means that it is illegal to release red-

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Number 2

eared sliders in Minnesota. Their technical definition of “invasive” is “a non native species that has negative impacts on the environment and/or humans” (Jay Rendall, Invasive Species Prevention Coordinator, MN DNR, personal communication).

There is no broad based application that can eradicate red-eared sliders from the environment. The best method of removal is to ensure that captured introduced sliders are not re-released anywhere. Hoop and/or basking traps may be effective for juveniles and adults. As with most other Emydids, there is high mortality in eggs and hatchlings which is advantageous, but the manual removal of known redeared slider nests may be efficacious.

Care should be taken not to destroy or alter the nests, nesting sites, or other habitats used by native turtle species.

Red-eared sliders over 4” (10.2 cm) in carapace length are still legal to possess and sell in Minnesota.

Therefore, education is the best method of prevention to date. Fortunately, removal and education appears to be a viable option in Minnesota since there are relatively few reports thus far.

Persons observing or capturing redeared sliders in Minnesota should report to the MN DNR. Disposal or destruction of turtles is not advised until positive identification can be made, thereby reducing the risk of harming native species.

Due to space limitations within this newsletter, a list of Literature cited for this article can be obtained from Jeff LeClere at

www.herpnet.net

9

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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.

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Yes

No

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

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Next Meeting: Friday, February 5, 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 permit only.

MHS Voice Mail: 612.624.7065

BUFOR D CIRC LE

MHS Web Page: www.mnherpsoc.org

This newsletter is printed on recycled paper.

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