Vol. 30 (2010), No. 8

the newsletter of the

M INNESOTA H ERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

AUGUST MEETING : Reptiles of the Colorado Desert by Benjamin Lowe August 2010

Volume 30

Number 8

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

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

August 2010

Volume 30

Number 8

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 Matt Carter Kathy Claugherty

Committees Adoption Sarah Richard

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.

Education Jan Larson

SUBMISSIONS TO THE NEWSLETTER

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:

We b m a s t e r Anke Reinders

COVER PHOTO: male Great Basin Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores)

by Jim Gerholdt

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 © 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

August 2010

Volume 30

Number 8

August Meeting – Friday, August 6, 7 P.M. Benjamin Lowe – Reptiles of the Colorado Desert Benjamin Lowe is a PhD student in the lab of Dr. Ken Kozak in University of Minnesota’s Dept. of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior.

Ben plans on presenting the society with a general introduction to the deserts of the american southwest - focusing on the Colorado Desert; the less known cousin of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts.

He will also briefly describe the Master’s work he did on the genetics of the Long-tailed Brush Lizard; as well as touch upon his current research on the hybridization between two species of salamanders (Plethodon) in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

all photos by Jim Gerholdt

ADOPTION REPORT

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

18 animals found homes this month.

Below is the list. Thank you all for helping out!

3 Corn Snakes 2 Ball Pythons 1 Carpet Python 2 Boas 1 Black Rat Snake 2 Painted turtles 1 Spiny Softshell 1 Map turtle 1 Sulcatta Tortoise (around 12lbs)

Nile Monitor Schneider's Skink 1 returning baby Nile Monitor (Tripod) 1 returning Bearded Dragon Please remember to email me if you have animals you are bringing in so I can get them on the list and I know what I have to bring for them. See you in August with more!

UPCOMING MHS Meetings SEPTEMBER Friday, Septmber 10, 2010 – To Be Announced OCTOBER Friday, October 1, 2010 – Jeff Ronne: Boas, What Else?

Sarah Richard Adoption Chair

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

August 2010

Volume 30

Number 8

N EWS , N OTES , & A NNOUNCEMENTS Construction and Road Closure Information (affects the July and August meetings)

Hands-On Updates AUGUST HAS NO HANDS-ON EVENTS SCHEDULED. However, here is a great example of what our Education Chair, Jan Larson, does. exerpted from the article, Week-long Summer Academy Serves Students a Challenge, by Laura Horihan appearing in the Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN Photo by Elizabeth Nida Obert

BYRON — Students parCasey Lang and friend, Brutus. ticipating in the Zumbro Education District's Summer Academy got an “upclose and personal” introduction to scaly creatures Thursday at the Byron High School during a class titled "Things That This area of Buford Make You Go Eek." closed until August 15th.

When an American alligator named Hyde was Detour Routes: The detour will still be in effect taken out of a cooler by her owner, Jan Larson for our AUGUST meeting. You of Cannon Falls, she had their undivided attenwill not be able to enter onto tion. Larson told students that Hyde wasn't full Buford from Cleveland. You grown yet, that she could eventually be seven will still need to use Gortner to nine feet long. The alligator was found on to reach Buford. Gortner is to the street in the Twin Cities. the east of the closed area and "It's pretty unlikely that she swam up the can be acessed from Mississippi River," Larson said. "More than Larpenteur (at the north end likely, she had gotten too big and her owners of the campus) or could no longer care for her."

Commonwealth (to the south).

Triton eighth grader Casey Lang, a friend of Larson's, helped her show several other reptiles, including Lang's Colombian Red-tail Boa named Brutus.

The class was one of 25 being offered during the oneweek summer academy program designed to provide THANKS MHS Volunteers! enrichment and special study for gifted and talented ALL the time slots for the MHS State Fair Exhibit are filled! students in third through sixth grades.

A BIG THANK YOU to all volunteers who have signed on to help maintain the Native Minnesota Reptiles exhibit in the F o r m o r e info r m a t i o n a b o u t p a r t i c i p a t i n g DNR building during State Fair hours. For those of you in Hands-On, please contact: attending the fair, check out our great exhibit–––and think J an Larson 507-263-4391 about volunteering next year. jan.skunkhollow@juno.com

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

August 2010

Volume 30

Number 8

Minnesota Renaissance Festival – It’s Back!

by Nancy Hakomaki photos by Nancy Hakomaki and Bill Moss

nce again it’s time to dig out your bodices, jerkins, and kilts. No, it’s not an evening at Ground Zero; it’s The Minnesota Renaissance Festival! The Minnesota Herpetological Society has had a presence at the festival since the 80’s through Como Zoo. In the 90’s, MHS replaced Como Zoo at the Renfest and has entertained and educated thousands of Renfest patrons.

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Our commitment to Festival depends on MHS members to make it successful. We staff the cottage with MHS volunteers during festival hours (9AM – 7PM) which run August 21st October 3rd (open weekends & Labor Day, plus Friday, October 1st.) It is one of the largest venues MHS has in terms of length and time commitment of its members. The benefit of this commitment is the exposure to the vast numbers of people and the largest donation source for MHS. Although we have a core group of Renfest enthusiasts, we always need more volunteers to fill in during those long days.

Volunteers are expected to work 4 hours (two 2 hour shifts) and participate in the daily parade. In the hours you

aren’t on fence, you can enjoy your time around festival seeing stage shows, eating festival food or spending your money on the many and varied merchants of the realm. If you are out there on Saturdays, we encourage you to stay for the end of the day potluck which happens as soon as all the patrons are booted out.

Volunteers are expected be costumed throughout the day in period appropriate attire. MHS does have costumes/and headwear available to volunteers.

The only thing we don’t provide is footwear.

Generally a plain leather (or leatherlook) sandal can be used or a plain leather/suede boot (no fringe) would be appropriate.

Women can use sandals, plain flats, or short boots.

In order to volunteer a specific day, I have to add you to our pass list. So I would need to know by noon on the Wednesday prior to the weekend you want to work. You may email me or reach me on my cell phone at 651-341-5707.

Cottage clean-up and new orientation will be held Sunday, August 15 at 9 AM. THIS YEAR’S WEEKEND SCHEDULE: Highland Fling! August 21 & 22 Highland Games, Scottish Village & Free Beer Tastings!

Silk Road: Discover the Riches!

August 28 & 29 National Bird Show, Belly Dance Competition, Belly Dance Performances and Lessons, Juggling Competition, & Microbrew Tastings!

A Royal Celebration!

September 4, 5 & 6 Longbow Competition, Bocce Ball Competition, & Royal Run 5k/10k!

Royal Ale Festival September 11 & 12 4th Annual Pet Fest, Free Beer Tastings & Military kend!

Shamrocks and Shenanigans September 18 & 19 Irish Vendors & “Go Green” Vendors!

Wine, Chocolate and Romance September 25 & 26 Wine and Chocolate Festival, Free Vow Renewals, Free Wine Tastings, & Charity Auction!

High Seas Adventure October 1, 2 & 3 BBQ Competition!

Sound intriguing? Want to find out more? There are several ways: ● FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION/QUESTIONS

email Nancy Hakomaki at: mngatorgal@gmail.com ● FOR GENERAL INFORMATION

join the list serve andd go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mnherpsocrenfest/

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

August 2010

Volume 30

Number 8

JULY MEETING REVIEW: Heather Waye, PhD–Brown Tree Snakes of Guam: Accidental Tourist or Evil Genius?

by Heather Clayton from notes by Jenna Rypka-Hauer

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uly’s speaker was Heather Waye, an assistant biology professor at the U of M, Morris. She has interest in some temperate species of reptiles and amphibians, but is primarily interested in tropical species. A primary snake of concern is the Brown Tree Snake which has moved into Guam and thrived. Her talk covered her investigation into this snake and its effects on native fauna, as you would crack an ecological murder mystery.

Heather began by introducing the Brown Tree Snake and why it is of interest. Guam’s native fauna had existed in relatively large numbers until the 1960s, with the arrival of the Brown Tree Snake.

In order to isolate the snake as the culprit for the decline of native birds and amphibians, all other “suspects” must be eliminated. Possible factors include pesticides such as DDT, introduced diseases, habitat destruction, typhoons, hunting, and introduced predators. The “usual suspects” proved not to be guilty, as tested animals were free of pesticides and disease, disturbed habitats (destruction, typhoons, etc.) on other islands had no comparable reduction in species popula-

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tions, and the animals are protected from hunting. Guam does have introduced predators such as monitor lizards, and feral dogs and cats but other islands also have them and have not experienced a similar loss of populations. The only introduced predator that is unique to Guam is the Brown Tree Snake. Its taxonomic name is Boiga irregularis. It is an arboreal, nocturnal colubrid, averaging 6ft in length and is oviparous. It is a generalist when it comes to diet, but tends to eat lizards and frogs when young, leaning more towards birds as an adult. The snake is rear-fanged, with relatively mild venom that has the strongest affect on birds.

Guam has a population of around 178,000 and covers around 541 square kilometers. Spain took control of the island in the 1960s, then it went to the US is 1898, then to Japan in 1941, then back to the US in 1944. Brown Tree Snakes came to Guam at the end of WWII and spread through the island in high densities during the 1980s. Nine out of eleven of the native forest bird species of Guam were extinct in the wild by the end of the 1980s. Native herp specie populations such as the rock gecko, blue tailed skink, mourning gecko were affected, as well as introduced species including the cane toad, green anole, and monitor lizards.

The only native mammal population that was greatly affected was the Marianas Fruit Bat. This mammal is now very rare, a sad trend because it already had low numbers due to being a delicacy to the people on the island. Guam’s food web is greatly altered. Now there is very low specie diversity, with the Brown Tree Snake as the apex predator. This snake is

not entirely to blame, however.

Populations of feral cats and dogs, as well as the introduced water buffalo have taken its own toll on native animals.

Brown Tree Snakes have been so successful on Guam for a few reasons, and this has had some economic effects. Due to their slim body plan, they can go almost anywhere. It is not uncommon for them to get inside a home and eat someone’s pet, for example. The problem with that of course is that several people are bitten because the Brown Tree Snake is fairly aggressive. They cause power outages that cost millions of dollars and the number of insect-related disease cases has risen because the snake eats the animals that eat the insects. When found in shipping areas and containers, they slow transportation because they must be removed. There is great care taken in ensuring the snakes do not leave the island and spread to others, and this takes time and money. There are few other predators to compete with, and they eat almost anything. While they may be a bit aggressive, they are not territorial so they can exist in high densities.

The question still remained for Dr. Waye: is the Brown Tree Snake an evil genius or accidental tourist? In order to study the snake, she had to collect several of them. Techniques for collecting included hand capturing by spotlight, trap lines along fences, through the inspection of cargo and barrier fences. Some thoughts on how to control the Brown Tree Snake population included using a pathogen specific to this species of snake, prey removal, poisoning with acetaminophen, and repellents.

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

Heather’s lab is working on the repellent aspect of the situation, studying pheromones. She tested the blood of collected snakes over the course of a year or more to monitor the cycling of hormone production. The tests

A couple of the Brown Tree Snakes collected for Heather’s lab.

showed that in all groups, the reproductive season and associated hormone production occurred at the beginning of the wet season. This is typical in tropical snakes. This was compared to body condition and how reproductive habits change in association with condition. The results showed that when the snakes had poor body condition (relative amount of energy stores in relation to body size), they had higher levels of stress hormones and did not reproduce.

This is important because the population of Brown Tree Snakes on Guam has fluctuated, and if she could determine what reduced the population, perhaps you could control it on Guam.

The snakes showed poor body condition in the late 1980-90s (associated with the disappearance of birds), until the population recovered in 2003. The condition of adults improved and they bred, but their juveniles were low in body weight.

The new question was why? One suspect was the availability of prey related to the seasonal environment. Prior to 2003, it had been very dry in Guam. After that, it was very wet.

Did this increase prey numbers? What appeared to actually be the cause was the introduction of several additional frog species after the big storms around 2003.

These included the Greenhouse Frog, Dwarf Tree frog, Black Spotted Pond Frog, and the Coqui Frog. These were the perfect-sized prey for juvenile Brown Tree Snakes.

Dr. Waye thinks these snakes got very lucky. To demonize them as “Evil Geniuses” does not help the situation. Education about the facts is the only way to help the situation.

The Brown Tree Snake’s reproductive biology, stress response, and dependence on food availability are similar to other species, so there is nothing evil about its success.

August 2010

Volume 30

Number 8

BOOK REVIEW My Life in Natural History: an Autobiography

by Walter J. Breckenridge.

(Compiled and edited Barbara Breckenridge Franklin and John J. Moriarty. Foreword by Robert M. Zink.) J. F. Bell Museum of Natural History, Minneapolis, Minnesota: 178 pp. + 44 plates pp.

Paperback. ISBN 978-1-885209-59-7.

arely do we have the opportunity to learn about life in the Upper Midwest at the turn of the 20th century from someone who lived into the 21st century. This book provides just such an opportunity. Known to everyone who knew him as “Breck,” Walter J. Breckenridge has amassed a lifetime of writings and vivid memories into this autobiography. While he passed away in 2003 before its completion, this project was finished through the hard work of his daughter, Barbara Breckenridge Franklin, and his friend, John Moriarty. This work represents an important chronicle of the early history of the James Ford Bell Museum of Natural History and the life and work of Minnesota’s greatest defender of wildlife.

The first four chapters detail Breck’s life from his childhood through his college years.

His descriptions of his childhood experiences in rural Iowa are fascinating and frequently

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BOOK REVIEW continued on. p.8

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

BOOK REVIEW continued from p.7 hilarious. Particularly memorable are his earliest recollections of automobiles. These are quite vivid, revealing that the fascination young men have with cars goes back to their very inception. Furthermore, his description of his cousin, who would achieve speeds of 37 mph, as “reckless” left me laughing out loud. Breck’s interest in wildlife is traced to these early years in Iowa, where he first began making wildlife observations and practicing taxidermy. He attended the University of Iowa, where he excelled at a variety of athletic disciplines. Additionally, under the tutelage of Homer Dill, Breck honed his taxidermy skills and learned the basics of museum curation.

Subsequent to completing his batchelor’s degree, Breck relocated to Minneapolis, where he took a position as an exhibit preparator at what would become the Bell Museum. His recollections of this work detail the painstaking procedures that resulted in the spectacular “habitat groups” we see at the museum today. Shortly thereafter, he enrolled in graduate school at the University of Minnesota and earned a master’s degree and a PhD, the thesis of the later was titled, The Amphibians and Reptiles of Minnesota with Special Reference to the Black-banded Skink, Eumeces septentrionalis (Baird); this work was subsequently released in a slightly altered form as the 1944 Reptiles and Amphibians of Minnesota, the seminal work on the herpetofauna of the state. Chapter four also details his research on other Minnesota herps, including Canadian Toads (Bufo hemiophrys) and soft-shelled turtles (Apalone spp.). In addition to relating his personal history with the institution, Breck provides a valuable and detailed early history of the Bell Museum.

Over the years, his field work resulted in nearly 1,000 reptile and amphibian specimens being deposited into the Bell Museum of Natural History’s herpetology collection.

The stories behind some of these specimens are chronicled in this book. For instance, on page 109, Breck recalls his 1934 encounter

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August 2010

with a small rattlesnake in southwestern Utah on his and his wife’s “second honeymoon”; this Great Basin Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus lutosus) exists today as a specimen (JFBM R40) in the collection.

Unfortunately, there is no backstory provided for the first and only Minnesota Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus; JFBM R142), about which Breck published a paper in 1938 in the journal Copeia heralding its discovery.

Chapters five through seven describe his family life. Here Breck gives a detailed account of his family history. The story of his wedding and subsequent honeymoon is almost too absurd to be true. He also expounds on his families storied home, the Brackens, on the Mississippi River in Coon Rapids. Here, they and their guests enjoyed abundant wildlife (many memorable encounters are related in this book) and Breck conducted research on Wood Ducks (which chapter eight is devoted to).

Chapters nine and ten are collections of stories about experiences with wildlife and his work to protect it. As a naturalist and an advocate for wildlife, Breck was keenly aware of how America’s environmental ethic changed during the 20th century. Chapter 9 (“Birds of Prey”) serves as a poignant example of this theme. This chapter details Minnesota’s loss of Swallow-tailed Kites at the hands of careless shooters in the first half of the 20th century, its mid-century near-loss of the Peregrine Falcon due to the use of DDT, and the efforts and successes of Midwest Peregrine Falcon Restoration Project (led by the Bell Museum and the University’s Raptor Center) late in the century.

Chapters eleven through thirteen describe his travels. The stories from a trip through the desert southwest are particularly vivid.

He also discusses at length his travels in the arctic and in Central America. Chapter fourteen details lectures he gave to Audubon Societies across America. Over his lifetime, he gave nearly 600 of these lectures, spoke in all but two of the lower 48 states and all the provinces of Canada, and reached in excess of 100,000 people. Indeed, these talks (which generally included his wife

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operating as film projectionist) might be Breck’s greatest contribution.

In chapter fifteen Breck describes his development as an artist and details of his methods. Chapters sixteen and seventeen serve as lists of his awards, honors, and publications he feels are of particular significance. A comprehensive bibliography was compiled by John Moriarty and is included as an appendix; as he published more than 300 articles over his lifetime, many of which appeared in smaller and/or now defunct publications, this task was no small undertaking.

As have many 20th century biologists (Raymond Cowles and Eric Pianka being two herpetological examples), Breck became increasingly aware of and vocal about the dangers of human overpopulation.

He wrote numerous letters (many of which appeared in Minnesota newspapers) and gave presentations on the subject, five of which are reprinted in chapter 18.

Possibly the most precious component of this book is the collection of 44 color plates ending the work. Indeed, Breck initially began this project as a series of detailed descriptions of his artwork; as the descriptions grew larger, they took on a life of their own and the work evolved into an autobiography. These reprints of Breck’s work are stunning in their detail and beauty and each is referenced in the text.

As this book is the result of many stories being amalgamated into a single, cohesive narrative, the quality of this book is a testament to the fine work of the editors who painstakingly collected and organized Breck’s writings. The fine organization of the book is critical, as no index is included.

Along with Breck’s Reptiles and Amphibians of Minnesota, My Life in Natural History is an essential addition to the library of all interested in Minnesota history, natural and otherwise.

––Ben Lowe University of Minnesota, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, Ecology 100, St. Paul, MN, 55108; email: lowe0160@umn.edu EDITORS NOTE––MHS HAS TWO COPIES OF LIBRARY. CHECK ONE OUT AND ENJOY!

THIS BOOK IN OUR

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

Minnesota Herpetological Society Board Minutes for June 5, 2010 The meeting was called to order at 6:20pm in room 108 of the Student Union.

Symposium Report Multiple hotels have been visited and a final selection needs to be made.

The budget will be blocked out at the next symposium meeting. Some general ideas for publicity need to be generated so that flyers will be ready for this year’s symposium.

Pet Store Education This is still moving forward; Kathy will provide specifics as they come up. Pete and several others are managers at PetSmart, so some headway may be made there.

OLD BUSINESS Web site: Options were discussed for alternatives and changes to the current site. These will be reviewed in more depth at the July meeting.

The registration for the website name is valid through 2013.

Sign Language: Nancy will follow up with the signer and try to get her back. Parking can be reimbursed for her.

August 2010

T-Shirts: A total of 77 shirts were preordered. It was decided to order a total of 18 extra in large, extra large and 2xl, 3 each, in black and green, as these were the most popular sizes and colors.

Breckenridge Books: After the lottery sale, there were 4 softcover books left. It was decided to put 1 or 2 into the library instead of the hardcover.

Archiving Newsletters: Nancy and Kathy will come up with an estimate of how many pages need to be archived and a quote for the work.

NEW BUSINESS Grant Request: One grant request was received from Sarah Verninum from Portland Oregon for $1500. It was decided to turn down the request as it is not related in any way Minnesota herps.

U of M Student Group: Chris has gotten the student group registered and will be reimbursed for the registration fee.

Motion to adjourn: Ellen; 2nd: Jeff.

Meeting adjourned 9:16pm

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Number 8

Treasurer’s Report for June 2010 Prepared by Missy Hicks for the July Board Meeting

Beginning Checkbook Balance: Income: Membership Raffle Adoptions Rodent sales Donation-Misc.

Hands-Ons Clothing sales Book sales Total income:

$180.00 $33.00 $35.00 $284.00 $38.00 $140.00 $652.00 $347.95 $1,709.95

Expense: Program Adoptions/Vet Rodents Renfest Field Survey

$50.00 $60.00 $419.05 $160.00 $108.50

Total Expense Net Gain (loss)

$912.40

Ending Checkbook Balance:

$11,485.41

$797.55

$12,397.81

Placement of cash holdings Checking account $12,397.81 Paypal acct $0.00 Cash on hand $175.00 Total $12,572.81 Notes: Income Expense

Hissss-y Fit My thanks to member Claire Dorto for sending this! original article appeared in Audubon Magazine––July-August 2010 issue

Broad-headed Snake, Hoplocephalus bungaroides

Is a venomous snake, when threatened, more likely to attack or to slither off?

Rich Shine, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Sydney, wanted to know what to expect when confronting one, so he and his research team tested two Australian elapids, the small-eyed snake and the broad-headed snake.

They measured the snakes' speed, thrashing, tongue-flicking, and biting under threat and found that several conditions influence the behavior, including time of day and temperature.

Both species fled more often than they fought, but Shine was surprised to discover that the broad-headed snake (Hoplocephalus bungaroides), if it found no way to escape, would often turn back and attack. Shine said that this was surprisingly complex behavior. People think of snakes as "robots with pea-sized brains," but some can change their minds and adjust their responses in a more sophisticated and flexible way.

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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.

RATS!

Order your MHS Rodents today! see new phone# below for orders Mice

Rats

Pinkies Fuzzies Hoppers Adults

$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 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.

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.

MHS AD RATES Business card 1/4 Page 1/2 Page Full Page 10

$5/Month $10/Month $20/Month $40/Month

$55/Year* $110/Year* $220/Year* $440/Year*

*12th month is free on a one year commitment

Submissions: All advertisements should be submitted to the MHS Editor, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Deadline is the night of the General Meeting for inclusion in the next newsletter. Make checks payable to: Minnesota Herpetological Society.

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY 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

ON 4 I T p.

C RU ct – T S effe N CO ll in D sti A RO tour de

MHS Voice Mail: 612.326.6516

MHS Web Page: www.mnherpsoc.org

Lower Buford Circle

Parking generally available after 6 p.m.

Please park in the pay parking lot.

Parking in outside ring is by contract only.

Next Meeting: Friday–August 6, 2010–7:00 pm Room 335 Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus

This newsletter is printed on recycled paper.

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