Vol. 30 (2010), No. 9

the newsletter of the

M INNESOTA H ERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

SEPTEMBER MEETING : Dr. Dan Keyler — Snakebite and Captive Venomous Snakes September 2010

Volume 30

Number 8

BELL MUSEUM

B OARD

OF

D IRECTORS

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

OF

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

THE MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY 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

September 2010

Volume 30

Number 8

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: Blacktail Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus) 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

September 2010

Volume 30

Number 8

September Meeting – Friday, Sept. 10, 7 P.M. Dr. Dan Keyler – Snakebite & Captive Venomous Snakes

D

r. Dan Keyler will be returning this month to give an illustrated presentation on venomous snake bites. Currently Dan is a Full Professor in the Department of Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology with the University of Minnesota. He is also a member of the faculty for the Department of Medicine, Hennepin County Medical Center; Co-Director of Toxicology Research, and the Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation.

In his career he has been involved in the treatment of over 200 bites, many of which involved exotic species. He will be sharing some of these more interesting cases with us. Please join us on Friday, September 10th at 7pm for "Snakebite & Captive Venomous Snakes".

all photos by Jim Gerholdt

Help Update Distribution Maps of MN’s Amphibians and Reptiles Check out the following MN DNR website to view or download the latest maps of county records. Also get instructions on how to submit details of your sightings and vouchers. Updated maps will be used in the revised edition of Amphibians and Reptiles Native to Minnesota. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/mcbs/amphibian&reptile_maps.html Questions: Carol Hall/Amphibian and Reptile Specialist MN DNR - Minnesota County Biological Survey 500 Lafayette Rd, Box 25 St. Paul, MN 55155 carol.hall@state.mn.us EDITOR’S NOTE: The link should be fully functional in early September. The maps are being finalized as this newsletter goes to print and will be posted on the above website as soon as possible.

UPCOMING MHS Meetings OCTOBER Friday, October 1, 2010 – Jeff Ronne: Boas, What Else?

NOVEMBER Friday, November 5, 2010 – Chris Smith: Impacts of Woody Biomass Harvest on Amphibian Diversity and Abundance AND Carol Hall (Minnesota County Biological Survey): MCBS Herp Surveys: past, present, and future

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

September 2010

Volume 30

Number 8

N EWS , N OTES , & A NNOUNCEMENTS Up Coming Hands-On Events Although there are no September HandsOn programs, there will be more opportunities as summer comes to an end and schools start again. Each month there will be an updated list in the newsletter—as well as on the MHS Website.

SEPTEMBER –

THE REQUIREMENTS ARE EASY. You bring your

S a t u r d a y, Oct. 9 12 - 3 pm Sherburne Nature Center

own herp(s) to show and talk about to the people who photo by Bill Moss from a previous event.

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. Children are invited to participate if they have an adult or older sibling with

No Hands-On events scheduled.

OCTOBER – more details to come F r i d a y, Oct. 1 and S a t u r d a y, Oct. 2 3M event

F o r m o r e info r m a t i o n a b o u t participating in Hands-On, please c o n t a c t : J an Larson 507-263-4391 jan.skunkhollow@juno.com

them.

$ MHS Adoptee Makes it to the Big Time Top A male Common Boa Constrictor adopted from MHS several years ago became a “Guest Artist” (actual listing in the program) in Sawdust, the Summer Program presented by Circus Juventus, the youth performing arts circus school located in St. Paul. Besides teaching the young performers proper handling techniques, his presence at the school over the weeks became an educational experience not only for students, but also the entire staff, adult volunteers, and many parents. He has become a Goodwill Ambassador to an audience who otherwise would never have been reached.

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ADOPTION REPORT

A grand total of 20 animals were placed this month. Thanks for everyone who stepped up and took something home. Next month should be a big one as the meeting is delayed a week (intake on the 9th) and it is the month that people start back to school and bring in the critters.

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

August 2010

African Clawed Frog Red Eared Sliders (5) Malaysian Box Turtle Sulcatta Blue Tongue Skink Chinese Water Dragon Iguana Bearded Dragon (4) Nile Monitor Corn Snake Gopher Snake Boa Ball Python

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

September 2010

Volume 30

Number 8

MHS Elections Coming Up in November NOTICE OF ELECTION

The membership of the Minnesota Herpetological Society is hereby notified that the Annual Meeting, including elections for the 2011 Board of Directors, will take place November 5, 2010 at the Geneneral Membership Meeting.

Date: November 5, 2010 Time: 7:00 p.m.

Where: Room 335 Borlaug Hall U of MN St. Paul campus Who: All current MHS members in good standing

Below is a list of the duties of each board position that you will be voting for.

If you would like to run or would like to nominate someone, please contact our Recording Secretary: Ellen Heck Lnheck@msn.com

President:

Treasurer:

– Good will ambassador for the society – Shall appoint all special and standing committee chairs subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

– May establish such ad hoc, standing and special committees as may be required to further the work of MHS. – Runs the monthly meetings based upon our Bylaws and Roberts Rules of Order.

– Ensures all decisions by the board are followed through.

– Announces the Board of Directors decisions when appropriate.

– Maintain all financial and tax documentation.

– Provide monthly financial reports for both the Board of Directors and newsletter.

– Responsible for all funds and assets of MHS. – Payment of authorized accounts.

– Submit the records for yearly audit.

Vice President: – Responsible for coordinating and introducing the speakers for the monthly meetings.

– Assess and facilitates the needs of the speakers, as well as adjusting the lighting in the room.

– Assisting the President, performing his/her duties in case of absence.

– Notifying the Newsletter Editor of upcoming speakers.

– Generating an article and flyer to promote upcoming speakers.

Recording Secretary: – Official record keeper of the organization.

– Keeper of the current copy of the Bylaws with any amendments noted and any special rules adopted by the organization.

– Post the notice of the election in advance.

– Gather the slate of candidates.

– Facilitate the General Election.

– In the absence of the President and Vice-President, appoint someone to run the meeting.

– Responsible for all correspondence for the organization.

Membership Secretary: – Collects, maintains, and updates the membership database.

– Responsible for supplying a monthly summary of membership activities and a payment summary for the Treasurer.

– Maintaining a file of prior newsletters.

– Responds to all membership information inquiries.

– Ensures the annual printing of the whitepages.

– Newsletter label creation and distribution.

– Maintain record retention requirements.

Newsletter Editor: – Create a monthly newsletter.

– Make format changes to create the newsletter in an appealing and appropriate final document.

– Deliver newsletter to the printer in PDF format in a four to five day turn-around after each board meeting.

– Send a color PDF web version of each month's newsletter to the webmaster to be placed on the MHS website.

– When there is insufficient material beyond required board reports you may need to solicit members for articles.

Member at Large: – Assist at the general meetings.

– Answer questions from the general membership.

– Fill in when other board members are absent.

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The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

September 2010

Volume 30

Number 8

AUGUST MEETING REVIEW: Benjamin Lowe–Reptiles of the Colorado Desert

by Ellen Heck reptile photos by Jim Gerholdt he speaker in August water to drain deep. was Ben Lowe, talkThe area is actually ing about the Herps of the greener at the higher Colorado Desert. Ben got elevations, where more his bachelor’s degree from water is available.

Humboldt State University There are dune areas, in 2004, his masters from caused by large inland San Diego State in 2008 lakes that dried and is currently working up, leaving the on his PhD at the sand to be scatUniversity of Minnesota tered by the under Dr Ken Kozak. wind. Special Ben Lowe photo by Sonja Koolmo There are 4 deserts in the wind patterns in North America; the Mojave, the can cause star dunes, which tend to Sonoran, the Chihuahuan and the Great be the tallest. Some dry lakes can Basin Desert, as well as drier grassland fill if there is an excess of rain. and scrub areas. All are arid or semi-arid.

Another feature found here is The Sonoran Desert is unique in that it has known as desert pavement, a phe2 rainy seasons. Vegetation is sparse. The nomenon where the surface is comprised herps that live there can handle the heat, of rock fragments and sediments, then the but the dryness is an issue. However, they finer material are eroded away. The surhave adapted and in general, thrive face underneath is lighter than the paveThe Colorado Desert is part of the ment on top. The Native Americans used Sonoran Desert and is basically the area this fact to create giant pictograms by straddling the lower Colorado River Valley. removing the top layer.

The environment tends to be harsh, A number of herpetologists have studied although missing many of the large cacti the area, the first being Edward Cope, found in other deserts. It has 3 basic types who classified over 1000 vertebrates in of terrain – mountains, bajadas, which are his lifetime. Others include John Xantus, basically piles of exposed bedrock, and the described by Ben as “a piece of work”, basin areas with deep floodplains.

Raymond Cowles, Laurence Klauber, The geology of the basins goes back a who despite having no formal training in long way. Originally, the areas had a great biology was curator of reptiles at the San deal of volcanism, followed by a period Diego Zoo as well as a salesman for neon where the land “stretched” east and west, signs, and Charles Lowe (no relation to creating the basins. These, over time, our speaker). filled in with sediments. The result is Ben referred to the animals that live in areas of land where what rain falls is this environment as “extremophiles”. quickly drained far below the surface, Despite the difficulties of dealing with the inaccessible to plants and animals dryness, they actually thrive here.

The mountain ranges run from the northThere are a number of toads, including east to southwest. Since there is little rain, red-spotted toads, which have a widethere is little erosion. This allows the silt spread distribution, as do Woodhouse’s to fill in the areas, which in turn causes the toads. The Colorado River toad is a very

T

6

top: RedSpotted Toad; middle: Desert Tortoise; bottom; Western Banded Gecko

large species, with a distinct, smooth skin and glands on the hind legs. Also found are the Great Plains toad and Couch’s spadefoot toad. These have a unique horny protuberance on their feet for digging.

The desert tortoises are found primarily in the bahada areas, rather than the lower sandy areas. Western banded geckos occur in a wide range of colors. Although seemingly frail, they have no trouble surviving in this extremely harsh environment in abundant numbers. According to Ben, they also squeek when picked up and have a habit of curling their tails over heads as they run away.

The tiger whiptails range from a pale coloration with striping in the west part of

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

their range to darker with splotches in the east. They tend to flick tongue a lot as they have superior phenol detection and eat mainly termites. Gila monsters aren’t widely distributed, confined to the bahada habitats. They are mostly nocturnal and secretive, spending a large part of the year underground. It is possible they have a wider distribution than is currently known and are relics of a wetter era.

Western blind snakes apparently have a particularly stinky musk and a sharp little tail used to burrow or attempt to burrow when being held. They eat ants and ant larvae. They also have a triple hinged lower jaw which ratchets forward and back very quickly. They can eat quickly, about 80 larvae per minute. It is thought they developed this ability as ants don’t like their larvae being eaten, so the snake has learned to eat and run 2 species of rosy boa are found in the desert, the northern and the southern. Also found are gopher snakes, much like the bull snake but with a different shaped head and the very docile glossy snake, found primarily in Arizona .

Another easily handled snake is the long-nosed snake. It can have a lot of red, or look almost like a California kingsnake in it typical white and blank banded pattern. Although it seldom bites, it does release blood from its cloaca.

Also present and much more likely to bite is the California kingsnake and its cousin, the Mexican black kingsnake. The northern coachwhip is an active, diurnal and widespread snake who eats lizards.

They are very mean, bite fast and “often leave you a bloody mess”, but are very pretty, ranging from bright orange to jet black and everywhere in between, with a pink underside.

The Western Shovel nosed snake has a

September 2010

variable pattern, running from vivid to dull. They are scorpion specialists, making them hard to keep. They can move through sand like swimming through water and have a concave belly, which allows their chest can expand when buried. The Sonoran shovel nose is a coral snake imitator; their territory overlaps with that of the Sonoran coral snake, which is very venomous. The venom is not necessarily deadly, but “has an interesting effect”.

Leaf-nosed snakes have an enlarged rostral scale, used for digging up lizard egg and enlarged teeth at the back of their mouths to open the eggs as they are swallowed. They were thought to be rare, until it was discovered they were nocturnal.

The saddled leafnosed snake is stocky with nice markings and a stubby stubby nose, no close relatives around.

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Number 8

ral substrate and so are variable in color.

The desert iguana is a vegetarian who nibbles on rodent droppings to get the bacteria needed to digest their food. Their cousin the chuckwalla will dive into rocks and expands to evade capture. Collared lizards come in many varieties and enjoy the high temperatures. The long-nosed leopard lizard has a penchant for eating smaller lizards The horned lizards have a rounded body and rather blunt snout, as well as being covered with spikey scales. Zebra tailed lizards are one of the fastest lizard, with very dramatic ventral colors. There are 5 types of fringe-toed lizards, so named because they have feet that resemble snowshoes, enabling to move easily on the sand. Earless lizards have a very limited distribution. With the sideblotched lizards, the males seem to come in 3 basic types – some ultra-dominate

left: California Kingsnake; above: Desert Iguana; right: Sidewinder

The closest is the lyre snake, a rock climbing, bat eating snake with cat-eyed pupils that lives in rocky habitats.

There are also 3 species of rattlesnake.

The sidewinder has a characteristic motion that makes it hard to take its picture. It has enlarged protuberances above its eyes, basically an elongated eyelid, thought to protect its eyes when feeding underground.

The Western diamondback tends to be restricted to areas that are well-watered, of which there are more due to agriculture expansion. Speckled rattlesnakes live on piles of rocks and tend to match the natu-

with harems and an red/orange throat, some monogamous with a dark or blue throat and some “sneakers”, who have a yellow throat and hang around the fringes of dominant males’ territory to mate with the females when he is absent. This color and behavior is something they are apparently born with.

Side-blotched Lizard

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September 2010

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Number 8

The Newsletter of the Minnesota Herpetological Society

September 2010

Minnesota Herpetological Society Board Minutes for July 10, 2010 The meeting was called to order at 6:17 pm.

Symposium Committee The meeting was cancelled but the Green Mill/Best Western submitted a proposal. The next step is to send in a deposit of $100 to hold the meeting rooms. The hotel requires a signed contract but no deposit.

Motion to approve using the Green Mill/Best Western for the Symposium and putting down a $100 deposit: Missy; 2nd: Jeff. Motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS Sign Language: Unfortunately the signer refused to come back.

Alternatives need to be explored, possibly through high schools or trade schools where the students need to earn extra credits.

Archiving: Nancy will get an estimate of the number of pages put together so a quote can be solicited.

Website: Proposals were made by Anne-Marie Jensen, Ian Goodale, Jason Preston and Brad Baysinger.

In addition to development, a host may need to be found. This would

run in the neighborhood of $100 per year, depending on the amount of space and bandwidth required. It was also suggested the MHS acquire the web id MnHerpSoc.com and redirect this to our site.

NEW BUSINESS Stationary: The stationary needs to be updated with the new phone number. This could be done as a Word document template, eliminating the need to pre-print stationary and envelopes.

USPS Issue: The post office is now objecting to the labels on the newsletters. Options, including putting the newsletter in an envelope, or just ignoring this latest complaint, will be considered.

State Reptile: An attempt was made several years ago to declare the Blanding’s turtle as the state reptile. There was not enough support at the legislative level, but this can be re-addressed if some members want to take the initiative.

Meeting adjourned 9:48pm.

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Number 8

Treasurer’s Report for July 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:

$12,397.81 $300.00 $8.00 $0.00 $333.50 $0.00 $0.00 $150.00 $30.00 $821.50

Expense: Newsletter printing $382.50 White Pages printing $264.73 Gen Office printing $11.47 Insurance $1083.38 Conservation/Donation $252.12 Program $120.77 Adoptions/Vet $60.00 Rodents $322.50 Field Survey $100.00 Misc Expense $20.00 Total Expense Net Gain (loss) Ending Checkbook Balance:

$2557.47 ($1735.97) $10,661.84

Placement of cash holdings Checking account $10,661.84 Paypal acct $0.00 Cash on hand $175.00 Total $10,836.84 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.

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

Next Meeting: Friday–September 10, 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.