Vol. 30 (2010), No. 5

the newsletter of the

M INNESOTA H ERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

MAY MEETING: Charles Pritzel -Corn Snake Morphology Inside – Photo Contest Winners!

May 2010

Volume 30

Number 5

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

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 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 Tr e a s u re r Missy Hicks Newsletter Editor Sally Brewer

M e m b e r s a t L a rge Jeff LeClere

Chris Smith

May 2010

Volume 30

Number 5

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

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.

Kathy Claugherty

SUBMISSIONS TO THE NEWSLETTER Committees Adoption Sarah Richard

Education Jan Larson

Library Nancy Haig

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

We b m a s t e r Anke Reinders

Hennepin Regional Poison Center 800-222-1222 Amelanistic Corn Snake by Jim Gerholdt © 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

May 2010

Volume 30

Number 5

May Meeting– Friday, May 7–– starting at 7 P.M. Charles Pritzel – “Corn Snake Morphology”

Charles (Chuck) Pritzel, along with his wife Connie Hurley, run Cedar Creek Corns (CC Corns) in rural Wisconsin.

They breed Corn Snakes in their spare time. They also co-own and operate the “American Corn Snake Registry” and run an online forum entitled, “The Source”.

There, people can go to share the passion of their hobby with one another. Chuck has also participated in a number of cooperative efforts within the Corn Snake community to determine the inheritance patterns of several genes.

Chuck is the author and publisher of “Genetics for Herpers” as well as the yearly edition of the “Cornsnake Morph Guide, which is “a collector’s, breeder’s, and buyer’s guide to morphology, genetics, pricing, and identification”. The 2010 addition, which will be available for purchase at the meeting for $15.00, is a 114 page publication that contains a description of over 100 Corn Snake morphs and nearly 130 color photos

Member’s Corner SPRING EMERGENCE Nestled in the mud so deep Through the winter you will sleep Above, chilled water starts to freeze Then holds sparkling snow, our eyes to please

UPCOMING MHS Meetings JUNE – Friday, June 4th, 2010 - Brad Birchfield and Jeremy Sloan: The Unique Herps and Habitats of Arkansas/An Overview of Herping 'The Natural State'

Spring returns, a promise kept And all the winter you have slept But now snow and ice slowly melt And then warm water is felt Each day I watch and often wonder When will you emerge from your slumber?

Where are you , Turtle, I keep asking Then one fine day I find you basking. ~Pam Gerholdt~

JULY – Friday, July 9th, 2010 - Heather Waye: Brown Tree Snakes of Guam AUGUST – Friday, August 6th, 2010 Benjamin Lowe: Reptiles of the Colorado Desert

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

May 2010

Volume 30

Number 5

N EWS , N OTES , & A NNOUNCEMENTS May Hands-On Events

ADOPTION REPORT

Join Us! Get to Know Other MHS Members!

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, you talk one-on-one to people who ask you questions about your animal. Parents: children are invited to participate if they have adults with them...a parent, older sibling, etc.

Bring only healthy animals. Make sure you know the basic information: what they eat, how long they live, adult size, cage requirements. There are no size limits as long as the handler can control the animal and is comfortable with it. We don't let viewers pet the head and don't allow them to hold the animal. If the animal is very young, display in a cage not hand-held. (Animals under 1 year are probably too young for hands-on presentations unless simply viewed in a cage).

I n t e rested, but still have questions? C o n t a c t: J an Larson 507-263-4391 o r jan.skunkhollow@juno.com S h e i s m o re t h a n h a p p y t o a n s w e r a l l q u e s t i o n s .

F r i . M a y 7 10 a m - 9 p m S a t M a y 8 10 a m - 9 p m Fish Fair Anoka Co. Fairgrounds Anoka , MN Fish fry both nights from 4-8PM Welcome to do part or all of this event. I realize Fri is our meeting..would be no problem to close up early enough to make it to the meeting

Thurs. May 13 5:30 - 8 p m Plymouth Environmenal Expo Oakwood Elem. School 17340 C Rd. 6 Plymouth,MN Usually lots of people in attendance...students and parents.

Usual hands-on set up. We show animals and answer questions.

Only 3 people signed up so far..could use more.

2010 MHS T-Shirts are Coming!

See page 8 for COLOR choices and details!

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May 2010

Sarah Richard, Adoption Chair Minnesota Herpetological Society www.mnherpsoc.org 612-781-9544

A total of 21 animals showed up at the meeting and I left with an empty car! Yeah!

A list of the animals that came in follows.

4 Ball Python's 3 Corn Snake's 2 Boa's 3 Leopard Gecko's Iguana Bearded Dragon Panther Cham Side Neck Turtle Snapping Turtle (Foster return) 2 Red eared Sliders (Foster returns) Painted Turtle 3-Toed Box A big thank you to everyone who stepped up and left with a new critter or two to care for.

I am already getting calls for next month including possibly a 30" Alligator.

Sarah Richard Adoption Chair

Odds N Ends The survey reults of the MHS SURVEY filled out by members at the March meeting will appear in the June Newsletter

Editor’s Note: A big thanks to the Gerholdt family for sending in newsletter contributions.

I’m still waiting for more members to contribute!!

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

May 2010

Volume 30

Number 5

APRIL MEETING REVIEW: WHITE SNAKE SALE and Photo/Art Contest

by George Richard, WWS Chair photos by Kathy Claugherty Last month’s White Snake Sale was a huge success, thanks to everyone involved. From the donors – both companies and private individuals – that donated items for sale, the 52 members who opened their billfolds, purses and checkbooks to purchase items and most of all the fine volunteers who worked the event.

Starting months before, letters and emails were sent, inventories taken, vendors contacted and lists made. Two weeks before the sale we had a "tech run through" linking 3 laptops and entering many of the items already received. On the evening of the sale hundreds of items were loaded up and transported to the site and about 5:30 we started entering new items as they came in. We set out the items for the first round of bidding while even more items were entered for the next round, new donations kept arriving, we never caught up. At the end of the first round of bidding we stopped entering new items and removed the 1st round items replacing them with 2nd and then third round items.

According to the preliminary numbers I have, we sold 349 items of the 452 we had for auction. This brought in $1425.00 The art auction, directed by John Moriarty, I understand was quite exciting. There were 20 items auctioned off for $415.

THIS ADDS UP TO A GRAND TOTAL OF $1840.00!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who donated items and products for the sale, including ZooMed, The Bug Company, Twin Cities Reptiles and of course, our members.

Volunteers before and at the event included Ellen Heck, Brandy Snyder, Jenna Rypka Hauer, Chad Danathar, Josh Mahlow, Fred & Liz Bosman, Bruce & Nancy Haig, Kathy Claugherty, Missy Hicks, Jeff LeClere, Chris Smith, Andrea Brach, Jennifer Hensley and Sarah Richard. I'm sure I missed someone and rest assured it was an error of the mind, not the heart. Thanks again for all your support and help, on the behalf of the White Snake Sale and the MHS for making this such a successful event!

MHS members, both young and old viewed an enormous array of items at the White Snake Sale.

Everyone got fantastic deals.

The Live Art Auction contained antique bookplates, sculptures, mounted insects and reptiles, and for one lucky child – a GIANT, stuffed turtle toy!

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

May 2010

Volume 30

Number 5

PHOTO CONTEST RESULTS Candid photos of contest winners courtesy of Sonja Koolm

HERPS AND HUMANS /NON-WILD SETTING First Place: Ruthie Schneider

Second Place: Heather Clayton

Also winner of

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

KID’S DIVISION First Place: Amanda Grassel

Third Place (Tie)

John Bartko

Sonja Koolmo 6

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

HERPS IN THE WILD/IN A NATURAL SETTING

First Place: Sonja Koolmo

Second Place: Chris Smith

Third Place: Sonja Koolmo

May 2010

Volume 30

Number 5

MIXED MEDIA

First Place: Ben Lowe

Second Place: Sonja Koolmo

Third Place: Sonja Koolmo

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

May 2010

Volume 30

Number 5

Order your MHS 2010 T-Shirts!

sleeve detail

black

navy

forest

New 2010 MHS Adult-sized T-Shirts will be available in a choice of Black, Navy or Forest Green and imprinted with gold/tan logos. The MN State Logo is on the chest and the MHS logo is on the right sleeve. T-Shirts are 100% heavy-weight cotton, short-sleeve shirts. They will be available ONLY in the following adult sizes. Sorry, no children’s sizes will be available.

S M L XL

@ @ @ @

$12.00 $12.00 $12.00 $12.00

2XL @ $14.00 3XL @ $14.00

Walter Breckenridge, My Life in Natural History

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For those who don't know who Walter Breckenridge was, he wrote the first field guide on Minnesota Herps: Reptiles and Amphibians of Minnesota1944. Over a course of 68 years he published over 300 articles, sometimes using his own illustrations, on a variety of natural history subjects. Dr. Breckenridge lived for many years on the bank of the

T-Shirts can be ordered and pre-paid at either the May or June meetings. No orders by mail or phone. The shirts will be available for pick-up at the JULY meeting. There will be no mailing of pre-ordered T-Shirts. If you are unable to attend the July meeting, please make arrangements with another member who will be present in July.

Mississippi just north of Minneapolis and studied the wildlife in the area.

Last year, the MHS grant program donated $2000.00 to the Bell MUseuem to help pay for the publication of "My Life in Natural History" an autobiography of Walter Breckenridge. Compiled and edited by Barbara Breckenridge Franklin and

John Moriarty. In return we received a limited number of the book which will be offered to the membership at cost ($29.95) by a special lottery.

For the next two meetings, those wishing to purchase the book should place their names into the drawing. At the June meeting, names with be drawn until the supply of books is gone.

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

May 2010

Volume 30

Number 5

NOTE: Due to an oversight by the newsletter editor, January’s board minutes were repeated in the March newsletter. To rectify that oversight, both February and March minutes are being printed this month..

Minnesota Herpetological Society Board Minutes for February 6, 2010

Minnesota Herpetological Society Board Minutes for March 5, 2010

During the next month, a search will be made for the remainder of the receipts and an attempt will be made to determine the problem with the 2007 and 2008 donations.

Membership Report A new category for the White Pages will be added to list the name and contact information for the member, but not their address. The application forms on the website, newsletter and pamphlets will need to be corrected.

Website – The MHS website is currently hosted on the Bell Museum servers. They are probably not capable of supporting the expanded features to be incorporated, such as an online newsletter, forums, etc. The website name mnherpsoc.org was probably registered

by Marilyn Blasus; Chris will contact her about switching it over. The name is set to expire in 2013. Jared discussed several options for hosting a new site. He will demonstrate his ideas for Jenn.

Reptile Show - MHS has been offered a free table at the show. This can be used for anything we like, although cross-contamination could be an issue. If we do a hands-on, possibly focused on native species, hand sanitizer should be used before as well as after petting the animals. Chris will ask for more details from the organizers.

Pet store education: There would be 2 types of sessions: one for the employees to be done by the committee members, and a more general hands-on for the public that would be handled as a regular hands-on.

WSS: John Moriarty has agreed to be auctioneer for the live auction. The databases have been set up and a trial run will be arranged for March to test them and to do the pre-entry of items.

After discussion, Heather moved to have Paypal as a payment option and charge a $2.50 convenience fee to cover the costs. Motion passed Photo Contest: The wording of the categories and the possibility of new categories were reviewed. After discussion it was decided to keep the categories as is for this year but refine the descriptions of the categories to clear up confusion.

Rodent Sales: Marc Bailey supplied a pricing quote for rodents. After discussion, Sonja moved to switch the rodent orders to Marc; 2nd: Jenna. Motion passed.

Red-eared Sliders: After discussion, Heather moved to limit the number of RES in the foster program to 5. The excess will be euthanized.

The determination of which animals are euthanized will be determined by the adoptability of the animal and will be decided after the general meeting by all board members present and the adoption committee. 2nd: Chris.

None opposed; motion passed.

Volunteer Awards: The hours will be reviewed at the March meeting. After discussion, it was decided the award will be beer glasses with the logo in black. These will be ordered by the end of the month and handed out at the WSS. T-Shirts: After discussion it was decided that the shirts will be printed with the Minnesota herps logo on the front and the MHS logo on the sleeve. The ink will be a light color and the shirts dark. Several color options – navy, black and forest green -can be offered for the shirt but not the ink. Pre-order forms can be available at the WSS.

Phone – The U of M is still trying to charge us for the phone service; Missy will fight with them over this. Ellen will get the answering system and call forwarding set up.

Pet Store Education – This is still progressing.

Shop employees will be polled to find out what they need.

Sign Language – Melissa Cruz signed at the meeting, which was very well received. If she continues signing, her parking can be reimbursed.

Survey Results – There were 82 responses.

Nancy will compile the results and email a synopsis.

Computers –Bruce Haig donated computers from his workplace. Ellen is working on setting one up for Heather. The second needed a new battery. Motion to reimburse Nancy and Bruce for the battery: Heather; 2nd: Ellen. Motion passed. This computer can be set up with Powerpoint, DVD and other software for Sonja to have on hand for the speaker presentations.

Pamphlets –These have been transcribed and given to Jeff for review, who will then send them on to Chris. It was decided to reprint the Help a Turtle Across the Road, Endangered Species,Venomous Species and MHS pamphlets, but not the 4 native herp pamphlets as they advocate capturing and keeping native species, and possibly releasing the animals back into the wild. These can be replaced with new pamphlets covering issues like chytrid’s and other diseases, invasive species and habitat contamination and destruction.

Renfest Donations – A discrepancy in the donations made during the 2007, 2008 and 2009 runs and the amount deposited in the bank account for those years has been under investigation since the end of January. The discrepancy from 2009 has been corrected.

Motion to adjourn Ellen; 2nd: Jenna Meeting adjourned 11:09pm

Treasurer’s Report for March 2010 Prepared by Missy Hicks

Beginning Checkbook Balance: $10,446.50 Income: Membership $180.00 Raffle $39.75 Adoptions $45.00 Rodent sales $358.00 Hands-Ons $0.00 Renaissance $1,387.96 Total income: $2,010.71 Expense: Programs Adoptions Rodents Newsletter Rodents Supplies Bulk Mail Permit

$50.00 $60.00 $491.96 $1,138.33 $0.00 $149.61 $185.00

Total Expense $2,074.90 Cash increase/(decrease) -$64.19 Ending Checkbook Balance:

$10,382.31

Placement of cash holdings Checking account $0.00 Paypal acct $0.00 Cash on hand $175.00 Total $10,557.31 Notes: Income Expense

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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)

List in MHS Directory?

Contributing ($40/year)

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.

Oh RATS! Order your MHS Rodents today!

Mice Pinkies Fuzzies Hoppers Adults

Rats $7/dz $7/dz $8/dz $10/dz

Weaned Sm Adult Med Adult Lg Adult Jumbo

$17/dz $18/dz $24/dz $30/dz $36/dz

For pick-up at monthly meetings only. Orders Must be placed 10 days in advance of date of meeting in order to guarantee availability. Orders may be placed at the meeting for the following month, or by emailing your request to: rodentorders@yahoo.com

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 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.

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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 Minneapolis, MN Permit No. 2275

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Next Meeting: Friday, May 7, 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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